After diving into The First Descendant across multiple beta phases, I’ve clocked over 45 hours in a pre-launch build of this sci-fi shooter. Despite this extensive playtime, I’m still on the fence about whether it will become a favorite for my friends and me or just blend into the crowded shooter market. While there’s a lot to explore, including crucial endgame content, I remain undecided if it will capture my attention long-term.
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The Gameplay Experience
Nexon’s free-to-play, third-person multiplayer game parallels titles like Genshin Impact, offering sleek characters, a plethora of currencies, and grindable materials, all of which can be bypassed by spending real money. The gameplay is enjoyable, with exciting combat against alien enemies, reminiscent of games like Destiny, Warframe, and Outriders. The RPG elements and loot mechanics are a treat for those who love diving into detailed spreadsheets. The game looks surprisingly premium for a free-to-play title, although it occasionally suffers from framerate drops and crashes in its pre-release state.
However, the monetization model is problematic. The interface is convoluted, and players need to pay real money for additional inventory space or to get random dye packets to change gear colors. Despite these issues, running around with friends and using supernatural abilities is undeniably fun.
Tedious Tasks and Glimpses of Greatness
My experience has been a mix of thrilling boss battles and monotonous tasks. The missions against robotic kaiju, known as colossuses, provide the high-octane action I crave in a cooperative game. These encounters involve intense combat, interesting enemies, and a rewarding loot system that keeps me experimenting with new weapons.
However, much of this action is locked behind dull errands. Tasks like defending tech from enemy waves, collecting items, or waiting for minibosses to spawn become repetitive. These activities pad the campaign unnecessarily, making it feel drawn out. The repetitive nature of these quests, which you must complete multiple times between significant missions, adds to the tedium.
The campaign, filled with nonsensical sci-fi jargon, is far from compelling. Terms like “dimensional walls” and “inverted data codes” make the story hard to follow. The dialogue is often laughable, with villains making over-the-top declarations like “Qliphoth will engulf Ingris. The roars of the Vulgus will fill this land with fear!” Characters like Jeremy, who sounds like a whiny teenager, add to the absurdity. Despite its flaws, some cutscenes are so bad they become amusing, making me look forward to the next dose of sci-fi silliness.
Characters That Shine
The most intriguing characters are those you can play as, such as Bunny, the electric speedster, or Lepic, the grenade-chucking soldier. Although the backstories and character development are limited, their animations and enthusiasm during battles are enjoyable. Only one character currently has a dedicated questline, with more planned for the future. These character-specific missions provide some of the best content in the game.
Learning to play these characters is a highlight. Each character offers a unique gameplay experience, from Bunny’s high DPS through constant movement to Ajax’s tank-like abilities. The diverse playstyles make unlocking new characters a worthwhile endeavor.
The weapons and upgrades in The First Descendant are another strong point. Loot is plentiful, and each weapon feels distinct and satisfying to use. Upgrading and modifying equipment is addictive, despite the overwhelming number of materials and systems involved. Navigating through the numerous menus can be daunting, especially with a tutorial that rushes through explanations.
The First Descendant has the potential to stand out in the crowded looter-shooter genre, thanks to its engaging combat, diverse characters, and robust loot system. However, its tedious tasks, convoluted monetization, and underwhelming story may deter some players. As I continue to explore the endgame content, I remain cautiously optimistic about its future.
news source : me.ign.com
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