Nexon Games' The First Descendant is a free-to-play third-person looter shooter that incorporates cooperative gameplay, diverse characters with unique abilities, and a focus on player versus environment (PvE) content. Players start by choosing from one of three initial character classes—Viessa the ice mage, Lepic the explosive expert, or Ajax the shielder. Additional classes can be unlocked through gameplay or purchased in the cash shop. The game features a variety of weapons, including assault rifles, pistols, shotguns, and machine guns, which can be customized for different attributes such as attack strength, fire rate, and ammunition capacity.
The First Descendant's gameplay involves completing a range of missions, such as eliminating enemies, defending areas, escorting drones, and destroying structures. The game also includes raid bosses that can be tackled solo or with up to four players. These bosses have specific weaknesses that can be exploited by equipping appropriate gear or using characters with elemental advantages. The game includes crafting systems for improving gear and creating new weapons and characters. As players progress, they will encounter instance dungeons culminating in elite boss battles, leading to raid bosses that mark the beginning of the endgame content focused on farming materials and crafting rare items.
The game's graphics are powered by Unreal Engine 4, providing detailed visuals and smooth performance on both PC and consoles. Community reception has been mixed, with praise for the gameplay mechanics and variety of missions but some criticism of the storyline and voice acting. The monetization model includes a battle pass and in-game currency purchases, allowing players to buy cosmetic items, character classes, and other in-game materials. Despite concerns about the potential for pay-to-win elements, the game is considered free-to-play friendly, as most items can be obtained through regular gameplay. Nexon Games' transparency and communication have been noted positively by the community, contributing to an active player base.
