Spiritual successor of Sekiro and Nioh but not a poor copycat attempt

General Review Score: 8.5
Soulslike Genre Score: 9.5

Khazan, with a straightforward story, brings gameplay inspired by "traditional" Souls fashion in the overall best in the market. Both casual and hardcore players will be able to enjoy the game with three unique weapons and various approaches. Time spent, including deaths, rewards the player. The level design is improved to reduce "toxic" traps (in)famous for same genre games. This review is from a semi-hardcore player who 100% completed the game on normal difficulty without summons (advocacy) and least use of items except HP potions (Netherworld Energy).

Khazan's lore attempts to introduce a slightly "fractured" style of storytelling but the story is too simple and at later stage rather cliche and bland. Character development is insufficient but, for a revenge story, it isn't lack of any exciting cut-scenes of direct sword/fist fights.

There are two types of difficulties: enemy difficulty and game level design difficulty. Further, the game has an Easy mode and other perks.

Enemy Difficulty: Most fights are extremely fair. Almost all enemies' moves have wind-up animation, sound cues, camera shaking, any or all of these to signal the player of the appropriate counter strategy and sufficient reaction time (with/without practice). Depending on the weapon, build and consumables, the player can even brute force some of the harder bosses in the game.

Level Design Difficulty: Elements such as invisible walls, exploding chests, fake ground loot, monster placement in narrow area or corners are all present, but done in a much reduced manner compared to other Souls games. In addition, there are counter-plays to all these level design difficulty. Generally, even if one gets caught in any of these elements, it is not as punishing as "traditional" Souls games. Souls veterans may find the level design to be on the easier side but not extremely easy.

Easy Mode and Perks: Most notably, the Easy mode provides 20% increased damage and defense for the player (and others). The game also rewards players with permanent damage buffs (Vengeance Points) once a mission's collectibles are gathered. There is a training ground where you can fight most enemies to test your solutions. For bosses, there's a telepad (Blade Nexus) for you to repeat the fight. Even on death, depending on the boss phase and their HP depleted, you are rewarded with exp points (Lacrima).

Khazan's combat system is currently the best in the market. It has been carefully considered and tested. Here are the pros:

- The three weapons have unique identity: dual wield promotes evasion, non-stop but short attacks, spear stamina draining and shield breaking (currently OP), greatsword interruption, "stun-lock", long range attacks and high damage numbers.
- The combo system has a great normal attack and combat skills fluidity.
- The stamina is enough to enable players to go aggressive "non-stop" once the player is familiar with the various more optimal combos and the monsters' moveset; or, once the player obtains gears in mid/late game.
- The system promotes various solutions in a scenario: some are better and some still work (serving other purposes). Each of parrying, dodging, running (or taking turns in running and walking), evasive attacks, ranged attacks, removing focus maneuvers has a role to play in a boss fight.
- The (hidden) staggering gauge on bosses or certain (elite/strong) enemies is well considered and unified.
- There are additional combat moves and combination from endgame/NG+ gears which further enriches the core gameplay.

Area of improvement(?): There may be room for additional weapon, BUT only when it is as polished as the existing ones on offense, defense, combat fluidity and interaction with mobs. Generally, I consider that three weapons provide enough variety of gameplay.

The developer advertised around 80 hours for full completion of the game, which I generally agree as a veteran player with slight assistance from guides on collectibles. My full completion time was around 70 hours and I expect it takes around 100 hours for casual players.

The side quests are optional and utilize the same maps as the main mission but they are not dull. Especially, the side bosses are refreshing in that they are sometimes more challenging with different movesets or timing, assuming that you are familiar with the earlier main bosses or elite enemies. None of the optional contents feel like filler/garbage content.

Besides, it is completely at the player's liberty on whether to grind on certain gear/build - if it is a concern relevant to (artificially increased) game hours. "Normally", any of the gears can be replaced by just progressing naturally and they are not extremely impactful on survival. (I rarely switch gears and sometimes wear underlevel gears by 40+ lvls and can still complete missions.)

The game's replayability is high as, normally, one can only come close to master one single weapon in one playthrough. The NG+ introduces new combat (active/passive) arts, better gear with new combat arts or passive and slightly altered moves and values for the mobs, which are less susceptible to brute force. However, in a good way, our combat arts and resources regenerate much faster, so it enables more fancy plays with satisfaction.

I would expect the game replays great at least with NG++.

As shown in the "day-1" patch, the developers are attentive to player feedback/data. In addition, a (small?) DLC is being released in May. Their communication and effort worths a praise and support.