I remember the first time I picked up Khazan's spear in The First Berserker, feeling that satisfying weight in my virtual hands and wondering if I'd made the right choice among the three weapon options. At first glance, being limited to dual-wield combos of axe and sword, greatsword, or spear might seem restrictive—I'll admit I initially thought the developers were being a bit stingy with only three weapon types. But what appeared to be a limitation quickly revealed itself as a masterclass in combat depth, where each weapon type feels completely distinct with its own dedicated skill tree that gradually unlocks various passive and active abilities.

What truly won me over was the freedom to experiment without penalty—any skill points I spent could be refunded for free and redistributed into another weapon's skill tree. This system encouraged me to try all three weapon types extensively before settling on the spear as my primary choice. The spear's exceptional speed and range immediately appealed to my playstyle, but it was the Moonlight Stance that completely transformed my combat approach. After landing just three light strikes, this ability creates additional afterimage attacks that essentially make it seem like there are multiple versions of you striking simultaneously. I found this particularly effective against larger enemy groups, allowing me to handle four to five enemies at once rather than being overwhelmed.

The real combat evolution occurred when I began unlocking weapon skills that could be seamlessly chained between regular attacks. I discovered that by combining the spear's basic three-hit combo with Moonlight Stance, followed immediately by the Whirlwind Thrust skill, I could create these incredibly satisfying eight-to-ten hit combos that would literally blow enemies across the battlefield. The fluidity reminded me strongly of Nioh's combat system, particularly in how various weapon skills could be incorporated into basic attack strings. This influence becomes even more apparent when you dive into the gear system and its associated benefits, creating that perfect blend of action and RPG elements that keeps combat fresh through dozens of hours of gameplay.

My personal journey with the spear taught me that weapon choice in The First Berserker isn't just about personal preference—it fundamentally changes how you approach every encounter. While the dual-wield axe and sword combo offers devastating close-range damage, and the greatsword provides unmatched staggering power, the spear's versatility made it my weapon of choice for about 75% of my playthrough. The ability to control space while maintaining offensive pressure proved invaluable, especially against the game's more agile enemies who would quickly punish the slower recovery animations of the other weapons.

What surprised me most was how the combat system continued to reveal new depths even after twenty hours of gameplay. I'd estimate that the average player will unlock approximately fifteen to twenty weapon skills per weapon tree, with the spear tree containing exactly eighteen skills in my count. The real magic happens when you discover how these skills interact not just with basic attacks, but with each other. I stumbled upon one particularly devastating combination almost by accident—using the spear's range to maintain distance while building up the Moonlight Stance, then closing in with the Shadow Lunge skill before unleashing the full afterimage combo. This single sequence could eliminate roughly 60% of a boss's health bar when executed perfectly.

The refund system deserves special mention because it completely eliminates the anxiety that often comes with skill point allocation in RPGs. I must have respecced my skill tree at least twelve times throughout my playthrough, each time discovering new synergies and combinations I hadn't considered. This freedom encouraged me to invest points in skills I might otherwise have avoided, leading to some of my most satisfying combat discoveries. The system understands that player preferences evolve, and what works in early game might not suit the challenges that appear later.

Combat in The First Berserker achieves that rare balance between accessibility and depth that so many action RPGs struggle to find. While you can certainly get through the game by mastering basic combos and timing your dodges, the real satisfaction comes from experimenting with the various weapon skills and discovering how they chain together. I found myself deliberately seeking out combat encounters just to try new combinations, something I haven't done since my first playthrough of Dark Souls III. The combat system rewards creativity and adaptation, making each victory feel earned rather than handed to you.

Looking back at my thirty-five hour playthrough, what stands out most are those moments when everything clicked—when I'd execute a perfect fifteen-hit combo that seamlessly blended basic attacks with three different weapon skills, watching enemies disintegrate before they could even react. The spear's Moonlight Stance alone accounted for approximately 40% of my total damage output in the latter half of the game, proving how central these unlockable abilities become to high-level play. The system encourages you to find what works for your style while constantly tempting you to experiment with new approaches.

The beauty of The First Berserker's combat lies in its apparent simplicity giving way to tremendous depth. What begins as a choice between three weapon types evolves into a personalized combat style that feels uniquely yours. I've recommended this game to six different friends, and each has developed their own preferred weapon and skill combinations, with surprisingly little overlap in our approaches. That variety speaks to the thoughtful design behind what initially appears to be a limited selection. The weapons don't just feel different—they encourage different ways of thinking about combat, from spacing and timing to resource management and risk assessment. Mastering these elements is what truly separates competent players from exceptional ones, and the game gives you all the tools needed to make that journey incredibly rewarding.