Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
The First Berserker: Khazan hides a zoom feature. Reddit user hansolobes revealed it on April 17 after roughly 70 hours of play. They shared a short clip on r/TheFirstBerserker showing the view magnified when pressing the right stick. Their discovery surprised many players who missed this feature for weeks. They randomly clicked the stick during an intense boss fight. The post gained traction quickly and highlighted an overlooked control in a game with sparse tutorials. This incident shows how minor mechanics can remain undetected deep into long adventure titles. ➤ (Source: Gamerant)
Game Length in The First Berserker: Khazan and Discovery Timing
Developers estimated that the main story takes around 60 hours to complete. They also hinted at 80 hours for the true ending. In an early stream, Neople mentioned this runtime. Hansolobes reached the latter phase before finding Zoom. Many players lock in melee builds and skip ranged talents until later. As a result, they unlock the javelin skill and zoom only after significant progression. This context explains why a long runtime delay in discovery. The game’s length and complex skill tree mask minor features until mid or late game. ➤ (Source: Steam Community Discussion)
Game Overview
Neople released The First Berserker: Khazan on March 27, 2025. The game blends action role-playing with challenging soulslike combat. Players assume Khazan’s role, a banished general seeking justice in frozen wilds. The title features both melee and ranged javelin combat, supported by an expansive skill tree. Developers built the game on Unreal Engine 4 and used cel-shaded visuals to accentuate particle effects. It includes seven unique zones, optional side quests, and a true ending that demands around 80 hours. Critics praised the difficulty and art style while noting a straightforward narrative. The game supports single-player runs and limited online co-op missions. The engine performs steadily under high-intensity combat.
➤ (Source: Wikipedia)
How to Access the Zoom Function
Players access zoom through the javelin skill, which costs one skill point in the common skill tree. They equip the javelin and hold the aim button (L2 on controllers). While aiming, pressing the right stick (R3) toggles zoom in and out. On PC, the zoom binds to the middle mouse button during aim. This zoom centers on the reticle, magnifying details around the target. It does not change the field of view globally, only the scoped view. Players use this view to spot enemy weak points and hidden objects at range. Such a mechanic enhances quality of life at long distance. ➤ (Source: Fandom Wiki)
Hidden Feature Lacks Official Documentation
Neither the game’s FAQ nor the official patch notes mention the zoom capability. Tutorial prompts focus solely on combat basics, armor upgrades, and skill assignments. Press states in the manual reference javelin functions, but omits zoom details. Players must scour community forums for control mappings. Nexon’s developer blogs also skip over this feature entirely. Official technical guides list weapon skills but not zoom commands. The oversight highlights gaps in feature communication between developers and players. Transparent documentation could have prevented widespread confusion.
➤ (Source: Official Game Website)
Community Reaction to Zoom in The First Berserker: Khazan
Many community members joked about missing a hidden tutorial for zoom. Streamers tagged friends and showed the clip during live streams. Commenters flooded threads with questions about other secret controls. Several users admitted to rechecking all keybindings and menu prompts. The original post spawned fan-made guides and quick tutorial videos. Discussions ranged from bemusement to calls for better feature onboarding. This reaction highlights players’ attention to detail in challenging games. Fan engagement demonstrates value in shared discoveries for niche mechanics.
Gameplay Impact of Zoom Capability
Zoom helps read the boss telegraphs by slowing the perceived movement of attack animations. It also aids in lining up long-range weapon arcs. Players use zoom to scan large arenas for hidden chests and weak points. Some spot environmental easter eggs previously missed in distant backgrounds. The feature enables strategic retreats and pre-emptive repositioning in tight spaces. It also enhances cinematic appreciation of detailed textures. This mechanic effectively adds depth to exploration and combat without altering core difficulty. Many view it as a quality-of-life addition rather than a major advantage.
Calls for Improved Zoom Visibility
Players recommend adding a zoom icon on the HUD when equipping the javelin skill. They also suggest a brief tutorial pop-up on first-time use. Many want a new entry in the settings menu under controls. Comments call for an FOV slider that confirms zoom status. Some propose patch note callouts listing recent feature additions. Others ask for developer livestreams to showcase hidden mechanics. These improvements could boost player confidence in using advanced functions. Better onboarding would reduce reliance on community knowledge and data mining.
Developer Response and Future Updates
Neople’s official news page lists several hotfixes and balance tweaks in recent updates. None address the zoom function or its UI. The PlayKhazan X account posts launch events but never mentions hidden controls. Press releases focus on DLC schedules and in-game events rather than control documentation. Steam patch logs detail crash fixes and stability improvements only. Fans note the omission and request clear patch notes for quality-of-life additions. Lack of developer acknowledgment left players guiding each other online. An explicit commit noting zoom could reassure user base.
Renewed Interest and Replay Incentive
The zoom reveal spurred new content, including javelin-only runs streamed online. Speedrunners experiment with zoom-restricted challenges. Several YouTube tutorials now cover zoom tactics in depth. Twitch streamers integrate zoom lessons into beginner guides. Community newcomers praise clarity once they learn the feature. The buzz encourages veteran players to replay older sections. Many now venture back to test zoom on early bosses. Player-created challenges promote creativity in a familiar world. This momentum may prompt official support in patch notes.
Exploring Skill Tree for Ranged Builds
Khazan’s skill tree splits into melee and ranged options under the common tab. Many players favor melee talents during early levels to boost stamina and armor. The javelin branch appears directly under melee or even-handed options. Unlocking javelin requires only one spirit gauge unit, but players must plan for ranged encounters. Once unlocked, javelin also grants the zoom function. This design integrates zoom as part of a defensive scouting tool rather than a separate feature. Ranged builds now benefit from both high ground and zoom-assisted targeting. The choice emphasizes deliberate build paths.
Coverage Gaps in Major Guide Outlets
Major guide outlets like CNET published early tips covering performance mode, frame rate settings, and javelin reticle scanning. Those articles highlight how to find hidden enemies with the javelin aim reticle. They fail to mention the zoom toggle that magnifies the view. This oversight underscores the feature’s obscurity, even among professional writers. Guide writers may assume zoom is standard, so they bypass mentioning it. The gap suggests content creators must verify overlooked mechanics in complex ARPGs. Future guides should test every input combination for hidden functions.
➤ (Source: CNET)
Potential for Additional Hidden Mechanics
After the zoom discovery, players wonder what other mechanics hide in The First Berserker: Khazan. Rumors of secret parry frames or hidden dodge maneuvers swirl online. Some fans test input combinations during boss spawns to uncover unknown moves. The community now examines every skill tooltip and action diagram. Modders inspect game files for undocumented commands. This heightened scrutiny may lead to further discoveries in future tests. Developers could preempt such occasions by listing all active inputs. A comprehensive control map would resolve speculation and improve player confidence. For more reviews and news, stay tuned to our website.
