The First Descendant has emerged as a groundbreaking free-to-play cooperative looter-shooter game, developed by Nexon Games. Built on the power of Unreal Engine 5, this action-packed experience delivers next-generation visuals, strategic gameplay, and an expansive sci-fi universe that captivates players around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the genre, this guide will explore everything you need to know about The First Descendant — from its gameplay mechanics and character classes to its optimization and future roadmap.
What is The First Descendant?
The First Descendant is a third-person cooperative shooter that allows players to assume the role of Descendants—genetically-enhanced warriors tasked with defending the continent of Ingris from powerful alien invaders known as the Vulgus. The game supports up to four players in co-op mode, making it perfect for team-based strategy and high-octane battles.
With its compelling PvE structure, deep character customization, and impressive gunplay mechanics, The First Descendant aims to stand alongside giants like Destiny 2 and Warframe, offering a refreshing alternative for fans of looter-shooter games.
Gameplay Mechanics: A Tactical and Explosive Experience
Combat in The First Descendant is fast, fluid, and tactical. Players engage in high-speed battles against hordes of alien creatures, mechanical beasts, and massive bosses known as “Colossi.” Each mission brings a mix of objectives including:
- Defend and Escort missions
- Search-and-Destroy objectives
- Resource collection
- Boss Raids with multi-phase fights
Players must utilize cover-based shooting mechanics, traversal skills like grappling hooks, and a wide arsenal of weapons ranging from assault rifles and sniper rifles to heavy launchers and energy-based tech weapons.
Each mission can be tackled solo or cooperatively, with difficulty scaling depending on the number of players involved.
Character Classes: Diverse and Dynamic Descendants
The roster of playable characters in The First Descendant is one of its standout features. Each Descendant offers a unique combat style, special abilities, and narrative background. Some of the most popular Descendants include:
- Lepic – A balanced tank character with explosive grenades and high defense.
- Viessa – A frost-element specialist capable of freezing enemies and controlling crowds.
- Jayber – A tech-savvy engineer who deploys turrets for support.
- Gley – A hybrid offensive-support class with self-healing capabilities.
Each character comes with a unique Ultimate ability, cooldown-based Skills, and a customizable Skill Tree to fine-tune your playstyle. Players can unlock new Descendants via gameplay progression or in-game currency, offering a fair and flexible approach to character acquisition.
Loot System and Gear Progression
Loot is the heart of any looter-shooter, and The First Descendant delivers a rewarding and engaging loot system. Weapons and armor are divided into rarity tiers, each with distinct stats and mod slots. Players can:
- Equip and upgrade modules to enhance stats.
- Collect reactors for passive buffs.
- Modify weapons with elemental attributes (fire, ice, electric).
- Use materials to craft high-tier gear.
Boss fights drop powerful loot, while side missions and daily challenges provide crafting resources and upgrade materials. The game rewards both consistent grind and strategic planning, encouraging players to experiment and optimize.
Stunning Visuals and World-Building
Built using Unreal Engine 5, The First Descendant showcases breathtaking environments, lifelike lighting, and fluid animations. The game’s world of Ingris is divided into multiple biomes, including:
- Ruined cities
- Underground laboratories
- Frozen tundras
- Alien-infested wastelands
Every area feels hand-crafted, with intricate level design that supports both vertical and horizontal traversal. The visual fidelity and sound design work together to immerse players in a rich science-fantasy universe.
Multiplayer and Co-op Experience
One of the core strengths of The First Descendant is its 4-player co-op multiplayer mode. Players can team up with friends or join public lobbies to tackle missions together. The synergy between different Descendant abilities promotes:
- Strategic team composition
- Real-time communication
- Skillful execution during boss fights
Whether you prefer playing as a frontline tank or a ranged damage dealer, there’s a role for every type of player.
Performance Optimization and Platforms
The First Descendant is available on multiple platforms, including:
- PC (Steam)
- PlayStation 4 and 5
- Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Cross-play support ensures that players across platforms can team up without restrictions. On the technical side, the game is well-optimized for most modern systems, with graphic settings that accommodate both high-end GPUs and mid-range builds.
System Requirements (Minimum):
- CPU: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
- RAM: 8GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 560
- DirectX 12
- Storage: 30 GB available space
The Roadmap Ahead: Future Updates and Expectations
Nexon has committed to a long-term content roadmap for The First Descendant. Upcoming features include:
- New playable Descendants
- Seasonal content drops
- Expanded story arcs and missions
- Competitive PvP elements
- Cosmetic customization through Battle Pass
Player feedback is being closely monitored, and regular updates are rolled out to address balance issues, bug fixes, and quality-of-life improvements. This approach ensures the game remains engaging and ever-evolving.
Microtransactions and Monetization Model
As a free-to-play title, The First Descendant includes in-game purchases, mainly cosmetic items such as:
- Skins
- Emotes
- Weapon wraps
- XP boosters
The monetization strategy is non-intrusive, with no pay-to-win mechanics. All playable Descendants and gear can be unlocked through gameplay.
Tips for Beginners: How to Get Started Fast
Here are some pro tips to get the most out of your time in The First Descendant:
- Focus on leveling one Descendant first to learn mechanics.
- Complete daily and weekly missions for essential materials.
- Join a clan or play in co-op for extra rewards.
- Upgrade your modules regularly and craft gear strategically.
- Experiment with weapon loadouts to match mission demands.
Final Thoughts: Why The First Descendant is a Must-Play
The First Descendant isn’t just another shooter—it’s a polished, content-rich, and visually spectacular action game that sets a new standard for the genre. With deep character progression, cooperative gameplay, and a free-to-play model done right, it offers tremendous value to anyone looking for an engaging and rewarding experience.
Whether you’re in it for the story, the loot grind, or the epic boss battles, The First Descendant delivers in every way possible.
