Nexon’s latest venture into the world of Free-to-Play Third-Person Shooters, “The First Descendant,” promises a unique blend of dynamic gameplay, visually captivating characters, and a vast array of gear to enhance your experience. As players dive into this looter shooter, they’ll find themselves engaged in high-paced combat, utilizing powerful weapons and innovative traversal mechanics. However, beneath its appealing exterior lies a game with repetitive missions and a grind that may test even the most dedicated players. In this review, we’ll explore the strengths and weaknesses of “The First Descendant,” providing a comprehensive look at what this game has to offer.

Gameplay

One of Nexon’s Free-to-Play Third-Person-Shooter’s greatest strengths is its gameplay. Each character you unlock offers significant, game-changing abilities, making them feel unique and their powers enjoyable to use. The gunplay feels impactful, with weapons delivering a satisfying punch against enemies, which is crucial for a looter shooter. Additionally, the game features a fun traversal mechanic, including a grappling hook and double jump. Combined, these allow players to feel like they’re flying across the map. Characters like Bunny can traverse from point A to point B rapidly, enhancing the overall experience.

However, while the combat is engaging and fast-paced, this momentum can be interrupted by the slow spawning of enemy waves or the repetitive nature of missions. The looting system is robust, offering a variety of gear to enhance your character, from weapons and mods to Sci-Fi pieces that boost armor, health, or shields. Despite the excitement of acquiring new gear, the sheer volume and frequency of loot drops can become tedious, as it requires frequent pausing to manage inventory.

Characters

A noticeable trend in game development is emerging. While Western developers often design characters to fit certain agendas, Eastern developers, particularly those from Korea, continue to create visually appealing protagonists. “The First Descendant” follows this trend, presenting attractive and diverse characters, both male and female, which stands in stark contrast to many Western games.

The characters in this game are not only visually appealing but also feel distinct with their unique quests and powers. Exploring these characters is where the game truly shines.

Game Design

The majority of gameplay occurs in small hub maps where activities only commence upon starting a mission. These missions can be categorized into four types: protecting an area, holding off waves of enemies, destroying an objective, or fighting a boss. Additionally, there are Void Intercept Quests, which allow players to battle tougher foes alongside others. These adversaries are particularly challenging, offering a satisfying test of skill.

However, no discussion of Nexon’s current endeavor would be complete without addressing the gacha mechanics, which can feel exploitative, especially regarding pricing. Players can spend up to $100 on a single character pack or face over 100 hours of grinding to obtain low drop-rate loot in repetitive missions.

Conclusion

“The First Descendant” offers a mix of exhilarating combat and traversal mechanics, but these are undermined by lackluster game design and a soul-crushing grind. While the moment-to-moment gameplay can be enjoyable, the overall experience is marred by its repetitive nature and exploitative monetization strategies.