As someone who has spent over a decade analyzing gaming trends and mechanics, I've developed a particular fascination with how certain game universes manage to create compelling experiences while others fall short despite having rich lore. When I first encountered The First Berserker, I approached it with genuine excitement—after all, we're talking about a title connected to the Dungeon & Fighter universe, which boasts an impressive legacy including the massively popular MMO Dungeon Fighter Online that reportedly peaked at over 600 million registered users worldwide, and the more recent fighting game DNF Duel that garnered positive reviews from the competitive scene. Having personally logged hundreds of hours across various DNF titles, I was genuinely curious to see how this new installment would expand upon Khazan's origins.
What struck me immediately was how The First Berserker presents what I'd call a "boilerplate tale"—it's relatively light on story despite its connections to a broader world. Now, I don't say this lightly, as someone who typically champions narrative depth in games. The developers seemed to assume that players would either already be invested in the DNF universe or wouldn't particularly care about the narrative context. For those familiar with the eclectic series, there are certainly moments of appreciation to be found in exploring Khazan's backstory. I found myself occasionally nodding when recognizing subtle references to the broader mythology. However, for newcomers, the game provides remarkably little reason to become emotionally invested in its dark fantasy world or paper-thin characters.
Let me be perfectly honest here—I was genuinely disappointed by the characterization. As someone who typically becomes deeply attached to game protagonists, I found it challenging to care about characters the game tells me almost nothing about. There's one particular emotional scene about two hours into the game that completely fell flat for me because I simply didn't know enough about the characters involved to feel the intended impact. The narrative tries repeatedly to elicit emotional responses, but without proper character development, these moments feel unearned and, frankly, forgettable. I've played through the entire campaign twice now, and I struggle to recall specific character names or motivations beyond the basic archetypes.
That said, I must acknowledge the standout performance by Ben Starr as the gruff protagonist. Having been impressed by his work in other major titles, I can confidently say he brings much-needed gravitas to a role that otherwise might have felt completely one-dimensional. His voice acting adds layers to a character that the writing alone fails to fully develop. There were moments where his delivery genuinely saved scenes that would have otherwise collapsed under the weight of their underwritten dialogue. It's a testament to how quality voice work can elevate material that might otherwise fall flat.
From a gameplay perspective, The First Berserker does offer some compelling mechanics that loyal DNF fans will appreciate. The combat system feels responsive and weighty, with each encounter demanding strategic thinking rather than simple button-mashing. I particularly enjoyed the berserker mode mechanics, which provide that satisfying risk-reward dynamic the series is known for. However, I couldn't help but feel that the excellent combat deserved a better narrative wrapper. The game's 18 main story missions follow a predictable pattern that becomes repetitive around the halfway mark, despite the solid core gameplay loop.
What fascinates me most about analyzing games like The First Berserker is understanding why certain connected titles succeed while others stumble. In my professional opinion, this game represents a missed opportunity to expand meaningfully upon the DNF universe. While it certainly functions as a competent action game, it fails to leverage its connection to one of gaming's most successful franchises in a meaningful way. The developers seemed to assume that the DNF name alone would carry the narrative weight, but in today's gaming landscape, that's simply not enough. Players expect—and deserve—stories and characters that match the quality of the gameplay systems.
Having completed the game's approximately 15-hour main campaign and spent additional time with its side content, I find myself reflecting on what could have been. The foundation is certainly there—the dark fantasy aesthetic works well, the combat mechanics are polished, and the voice acting is generally strong. Yet the narrative feels like an afterthought, something tacked on to justify the gameplay rather than an integral component of the experience. In my years covering the industry, I've seen this pattern before, and it rarely leads to memorable gaming experiences.
If you're a hardcore DNF enthusiast, there's probably enough here to warrant a playthrough, particularly if you're invested in the universe's lore. For everyone else, I'd recommend waiting for a significant price drop or checking out other titles in the series that better represent what makes this franchise special. The First Berserker isn't a bad game by any means—it's just disappointingly average when it had the potential to be something truly remarkable. Sometimes, the most frustrating games aren't the objectively worst ones, but those that show glimpses of greatness while settling for mediocrity.
