Neople Adjusts Difficulty for ‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ Following Player Quits

Adjusting Difficulty in ‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ – Pride Over Easier Settings?

Upon its release in March 2025, The First Berserker: Khazan quickly established itself as a challenging action RPG. However, an analysis of player data by developer Neople revealed a curious trend: many players abandoned the game entirely rather than opting for a lower difficulty setting. Game Director Junho Lee expressed surprise, having anticipated players would choose an easier setting when faced with significant challenges. Yet, the data indicated the opposite, showing a preference to quit over reducing difficulty. Lee theorized this behavior stemmed from players’ pride, as they preferred abandoning the game to lowering its difficulty. The development team also observed that the terminology used for difficulty levels influenced player behavior. Players indicated a greater willingness to switch to a lower setting if “Normal” mode was explicitly labeled as “Tough,” making it easier for them to accept a lower setting within their personal challenge perception. Consequently, the team resolved to re-evaluate how difficulty levels are presented to players.

New Difficulty Options Introduced in The First Berserker: Khazan Update

In response, the June major update for The First Berserker: Khazan introduced two new options: Beginner and Hardcore. The Beginner mode, developed after players reported that the existing “Easy” mode remained too challenging, features reduced incoming damage, boosted character resilience, and integrated accessibility options to enhance combat adaptability. Conversely, the Hardcore mode introduces tougher boss encounters, more closely mirroring the difficulty levels encountered during the game’s initial production testing phase. This approach by Neople aligns with a broader industry discourse surrounding game difficulty. Developers such as Hidetaka Miyazaki of Dark Souls fame have expressed concerns that making games easier could compromise their core design principles. In contrast, other studios, like those behind Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, have adjusted their balance in response to criticism regarding “artificial difficulties.” Meanwhile, titles like Monster Hunter Wilds illustrate the opposite challenge, with veteran players seeking increased post-game content difficulty. Neople’s adjustments reflect an ongoing effort to balance player engagement with The First Berserker: Khazan’s core challenge.

In Case You Missed It

If you’re a fan of intense, challenging gameplay with a twist of new character options and quality-of-life improvements, be sure to check out “The First Berserker: Khazan to Feature Female Protagonist in DLC” by Marcus Thompson (June 19, 2025). This exciting update from Neople introduces a female protagonist alongside revamped difficulty settings and enhanced mechanics. Don’t miss the opportunity to dive deeper into these changes set to release on June 26th! The First Berserker: Khazan to Feature Female Protagonist in DLC For fans of epic storytelling and stunning animation, “Invincible” on Prime Video has some exciting news: the show is gearing up for a fifth season, with production already well underway. Sophie Laurent’s latest piece (July 17, 2025) delves into this thrilling announcement by Amazon Prime Video, which also highlights that voice recordings for the new season are complete even before the fourth hits screens in 2026. If you’re craving more adventures in Omegana, head over to Invincible on Prime Video Already Secures Fifth Season, Before Fourth’s 2026 Premiere for all the details!

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Marcus Thompson

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