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A big topic of discussion surroundingThe First Berserker: Khazanis its inclusion of an easy mode. Despite Soulslikes becoming more common, most of them have chosen to forgo adding an easier difficulty model. Instead, most Soulslikes add other methods in-game to mitigate the difficulty. Well, the First Berserker does both.
While there is a pure easy mode included, it isn’t as simple as selecting it before the start of the game. And therearestrings attached. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about unlocking the easy mode, what it does, and help you make the most informed decision possiblebeforeyou commit.
How Do You Unlock Easy Mode?
We’re going to front-load this guide with the centerpiece. While you donothave the option to select the easy mode from the onset of the game, you will be able to select itupon yourthirddeath. That does mean that you are free to run up to the first soldier you see and let them hack you to bits if you like.
Once you’ve revived after your third death, the game will present you with a difficulty select screen.You don’t have to choose your difficulty now,as once you unlock the ability to change difficulties,you’ll be able to decrease the difficultyin the settings screen at any time. However, the keyword is ‘decrease’; once you select the easy mode,you can never go back to the normal mode.
If you beat Yetuga, the boss of the first chapter, without dying three times, you will be provided with the option to decrease the difficulty after the battle.
What Does The Easy Mode Change?
The easy mode doesn’t appear to change enemy behavior, it doesn’t remove phases of boss battles, or change the way enemy attacks work. Instead, the easy mode makes Khazan a much more formidable warrior. The buffs you’ll receive are…
Most of these changes are invisible. Your Attack DMG, Defense, and Stamina Recovery stats don’t change in the status screen, for example. The stats remain the same, butan invisible modifier is buffing your attack, defense, and stamina recovery stats. However, your increased weight limit and enhanced resistancesdoappear on the status screen. You’ll gain 150 resistance to each attribute and 6 points in weight.
That is the equivalent of wearing a mid-game necklace that specifically provides enhanced resistance for a single attribute but for every attribute in the game. The weight limit is equivalent tothe weight limit increase you would receive from increasing your strength by 25 levels. So, it is a pretty substantial advantage.
While all these buffs are quite noticeable, the most substantial one is the stamina recovery increase, as this makes it far easier to stay on your foes, whittle their stamina down, and exhaust them. Meanwhile, you’ll rarely be exhausted yourself, as your stamina is constantly recharging.
Things To Consider Before Changing The Difficulty
The most important thing to consider is that choosing to play The First Berserker withthe easy difficulty will lock you out of receiving The Expert’s Journey trophy. Additionally, once you do it, there is no going back. The game willnot let you return to the normal difficulty. This means that if you are finding the game to be less enjoyable due to the severely reduced challenge, you will need to start a new game - which is atotalbummer.
In the first section of the game, you don’t have the ability to select skills, which will allow you to greatly enhance your moveset. Once you unlock the skill tree after killing the Yeti boss,you’ll instantly be able to load Khazan with some potent abilities, which will instantly make your life easier.
You’ll also unlock a harder-hitting, longer-reaching greatsword, and a spear which will make you far more nimble. Either of these weapons may suit your playstyle better. Pair these weapons with the wide swath of skills to add even more flexibility.
Additionally, near the end of the third stage, you’ll unlock the Spirit of Advocacy to fight alongside you in boss battles.The Spirit of Advocacy will have a larger impact in diminishing the difficultythan the easy mode by a mile. Especially if you level it up and choose a phantom that will empower them further.
It is worth noting that using the Spirit of Advocacy willalsolock you out of a trophy.
So, if you are on the fence about selecting the easy mode, before committing, youmaywant to push forward a little further and see if those options are able to soften the difficulty enough for you.
