As a space increasingly saturated by titles like Destiny 2 and Borderlands, the looter shooter genre has been challenging for new entrants. Nexon’s upcoming game, The First Descendant, however, has managed to carve a niche for itself with its Player vs Environment (PvE) co-op gameplay. This analysis provides insights into the game’s features, its recent beta test performance, and what makes it stand apart in the PvE co-op arena.

The Allure of the Beta Test

Upon the opening of its cross-play open beta test, The First Descendant immediately saw an influx of players. In fact, more than 70,000 concurrent players on Steam were recorded, propelling the game into the top 10 most played games on the platform. This surge in numbers suggests not just curiosity but also that Nexon might be onto something genuinely compelling.

Distinct Yet Familiar Gameplay Elements

The Characters and Their Abilities

The game revolves around heroes known as Descendants—Ajax, Viessa, and Lepic—who are on a quest to find the mystical Ironheart. Each character fulfills a basic archetype. Ajax is geared for defense with ample shielding abilities. Viessa specializes in crowd control, wielding ice powers for immobilization. Lepic, on the other hand, is the quintessential damage dealer with fire-based abilities.

Comparison with Outriders

Many elements in The First Descendant bear resemblance to the game Outriders. The elemental weaponry, fire bullets, and shielding abilities are all examples. However, it’s important to note that while the game takes inspiration, it does not simply mimic. The skills are finely tuned for synergistic team play, which appears to be one of the game’s primary focuses.

Questing in Co-op: A Seamless Experience

One of the game’s most compelling features is its non-linear questing system. Instead of quests being restricted by specific quest givers, players are free to roam the world and engage in quests organically. This open-ended design allows for an engaging co-op experience, enabling players to join others without having to jump through bureaucratic gaming hoops. This adds a layer of spontaneity and engagement, making the co-op gameplay experience both dynamic and rewarding.

Customization and Future Monetization

Building Your Descendant

After the initial tutorial, players find themselves in the game’s main hub, offering multiple avenues for character enhancement. From slotting Descendant Modules and weapon mods to selecting unique abilities, the customization options are extensive. Different rarities of weapons also add more options for character development.

Future Cash Shop

The presence of in-game shops offering various skins and customization options indicates what the game’s future monetization strategy might look like. With multiple currencies displayed, it is likely that some will be cash-only, which hints at a free-to-play model being balanced by in-game purchases.

What’s Next for The First Descendant

While Nexon has not provided a specific release date, they are aiming for a launch next year. The game will be free-to-play and will support cross-play across Steam, Xbox X|S, and PlayStation 4/5, allowing for shared progression between consoles and PC.

Final Thoughts

The First Descendant has managed to achieve what many games in the looter shooter genre strive for but rarely attain—a unique selling point. Its open questing system and focused co-op play are innovations that set it apart, and the beta test has shown promise in these aspects. It will be intriguing to see how the game evolves and whether it can maintain this momentum upon its full release.

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