The First Berserker: Khazan faces difficulty after noticing dropouts

The studio Neople made adjustments to the difficulty of The First Berserker: Khazan after discovering that many players prefer to quit the game rather than switch to an easier mode. The action RPG, known for its challenge since its release in March 2025, had its creative director, Junho Lee, admitting that the team expected players to seek easier options when faced with the challenge. However, player behavior data showed a different pattern.

"They prefer to give up with dignity rather than lower the difficulty," said Lee, explaining that the personal perception of the challenge influences players' decision. The terminology used to name the difficulty levels was also a point of attention. Many players expressed that if the Normal mode were labeled as Hard, it would be more acceptable to switch to a lower level. This perception led Neople to reconsider how difficulty is presented.

In response, the major June update introduced two new options: Beginner and Hardcore. The Beginner mode was created to address complaints that the Easy mode was still too challenging. It includes damage reductions and increased character resistance, as well as accessibility elements. Meanwhile, the Hardcore mode offers more challenging versions of bosses, closer to what was tested during production.

The debate on difficulty in games continues in the industry. Creators like Hidetaka Miyazaki, from Dark Souls, argue that difficulty is an integral part of game design, while other teams, like Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, adjusted the balance after criticism. Meanwhile, games like Monster Hunter Wilds face the opposite challenge, with experienced players asking for more obstacles in endgame content.