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The First Descendant

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of The First Descendant
Item: The First Descendant
Author: MonsterCritic Editorial Team

2024

GenresAdventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Shooter, RPG, Single Player, Multiplayer

AvailableJun 30, 2024

PlatformXbox Series X, PlayStation 5

DeveloperNexon

Overview

The First Descendant is a next-gen free-to-play third-person PvE co-op action RPG looter shooter launching with crossplay across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation5 (PS5), PlayStation4 (PS4), and PC via Steam. Developed using Unreal Engine 5.2, players become a Descendant whose mission is to combat against alien invaders – The Vulgus who crossed dimensions over 100 years ago and brought with them the devastating Colossi and destruction– for the survival of humanity and to protect Albion and the continent of Ingris. Players will encounter spectacular stories as they grow stronger through various missions and raids to finally discover the Descendants' secret. Cooperation is crucial as players team up with one another in strategic 4-player boss fights where teamwork and tactics are key. New equipment, materials, and items obtained through a myriad of missions and boss fights will contribute to players’ character development.

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Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

Expand for full analysis

TL;DR

The First Descendant has potential with interesting characters and a high-stakes premise, but critics overwhelmingly label the story as forgettable and cliché-ridden. Repetitive missions and uninspired writing lead to disappointment, suggesting players in search of a compelling narrative should look elsewhere.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

14%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

29%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

57%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of various critics regarding the story of The First Descendant reveal a few positive elements worth noting. Some reviewers, such as those from PC Games and TheXboxHub, acknowledge the presence of interesting characters like Guide and Jeremy, which could suggest a potential for deeper storytelling. TheXboxHub also mentions that the narrative involves protecting humanity's future, which could resonate with players who enjoy high-stakes scenarios. Additionally, the game appears to incorporate new areas and challenging missions reminiscent of the narrative style found in Destiny, which may appeal to fans of that genre. However, the overall sentiment among critics leans heavily towards the negative. GamingBolt and Metro GameCentral both criticize the story as forgettable and unengaging, highlighting a lack of originality and depth. The narrative is described as a cliché-ridden good versus evil plot, with repetitive missions and uninspired writing. Push Square echoes this sentiment by labeling the story as dull and standard, noting that the only redeeming aspects are the cutscenes featuring the Vulgus leaders. But Why Tho? further emphasizes the story's generic setting and predictable elements, reinforcing the notion that it fails to captivate players. In conclusion, the consensus among critics is that while The First Descendant has the potential for interesting characters and a high-stakes premise, it ultimately falls short due to its lack of originality and depth. The repetitive and uninspired nature of the missions, combined with flat characterization and unengaging storytelling, leaves many reviewers, including GamingBolt and Metro GameCentral, feeling disappointed. Overall, the narrative fails to elevate the gameplay experience, suggesting that players seeking a compelling story may need to look elsewhere.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Gameplay Mechanics

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TL;DR

The First Descendant impresses with its responsive gunplay and unique character abilities, making combat enjoyable and varied, especially with its Colossus fights and 19 distinct Descendants. However, critics highlight a lack of originality and depth, with repetitive missions and simplistic AI detracting from the overall experience. While some praise its fun elements, the game struggles to deliver the innovation and challenge that players crave, leaving it a solid but flawed offering in the looter shooter genre.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

43%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

29%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

29%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of The First Descendant has garnered a mix of positive feedback from critics, highlighting its engaging elements. GamingBolt praises the "responsive gunplay" and the introduction of "unique Descendant abilities," which contribute to an enjoyable combat experience. The inclusion of Colossus fights adds variety and excitement to the gameplay, providing players with memorable encounters. Additionally, PC Games emphasizes the diversity offered by the 19 different Descendants, each equipped with unique abilities and special Ultimate variants, allowing for varied combat strategies. The looter shooter mechanics noted by TheXboxHub also keep players invested, as they can continually upgrade and customize their Descendants, enhancing the overall experience. However, several criticisms have emerged regarding the gameplay's depth and originality. Metro GameCentral points out that while the gameplay is competent, it heavily borrows from established titles, lacking a unique identity. Push Square echoes this sentiment by criticizing the core gameplay loop as repetitive, with missions often boiling down to killing enemies, destroying generators, or escorting payloads. But Why Tho? further emphasizes this point, describing the missions as repetitive and noting the "braindead AI" and simplistic boss mechanics, which detract from the overall challenge and creativity. The lack of build diversity and progression, highlighted by Push Square, also raises concerns about the long-term engagement of players. Overall, the consensus among critics suggests that while The First Descendant offers a solid foundation with its engaging gunplay and diverse character abilities, it struggles with repetitiveness and a lack of innovation. Critics like GamingBolt and PC Games appreciate the fun aspects of combat and character variety, but others like Push Square and But Why Tho? point out significant flaws in mission design and AI behavior. This dichotomy indicates that while the game has the potential for enjoyment, it may not fully satisfy players seeking depth and originality in their gameplay experience.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Graphics and Visual Design

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TL;DR

"The First Descendant" impresses with sharp visuals and diverse environments thanks to Unreal Engine 5, but suffers from a lack of originality and cohesion. Critics praise its appealing graphics and well-designed settings, yet highlight technical issues and a generic feel that detracts from immersion. To reach its visual potential, the game needs to improve its technical execution and create a more unified design identity.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

14%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

71%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

14%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions regarding the graphics and visual design of "The First Descendant" highlight several positive aspects that critics have noted. GamingBolt commends the game for its "sharp-looking visuals that are appealing," which suggests that the aesthetic quality is a strong point. Additionally, Metro GameCentral acknowledges the "interesting alien settings" that contribute to the game's visual appeal. The use of Unreal Engine 5 has been praised by multiple reviewers, including PC Games, which describes the world as "visually appealing" and filled with characters that possess diverse abilities. TheXboxHub also adds that the game features "well-designed arenas and levels" and distinct enemy designs, indicating a thoughtful approach to the game's environments and character customization. However, the critiques also reveal significant negatives that detract from the overall visual experience. Metro GameCentral points out a lack of cohesion in the graphics, attributing this to heavy inspiration from other games, particularly "Destiny." This suggests that while the visuals may be appealing, they may not feel original or cohesive within the game's own universe. But Why Tho? criticizes the visual design as "generic," highlighting a disconnect between cosmetic items and the game's world design, which indicates a focus on monetization rather than a unified visual identity. Furthermore, both PC Games and TheXboxHub mention technical issues, such as getting stuck in scenery, which can disrupt immersion and enjoyment. Overall, the consensus among critics is mixed, with a blend of admiration for the game's visual capabilities and disappointment regarding its execution and originality. While there are commendable elements, such as the appealing graphics and well-designed environments, the recurring themes of technical issues and a lack of cohesive design point to areas that need improvement. Critics like PC Games and Metro GameCentral emphasize that despite the potential offered by Unreal Engine 5, the game must address its technical shortcomings and strive for a more unified artistic vision to fully realize its graphical potential.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Music and Sound Design

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

music and sound design

Description unavailable

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

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TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

Analysis Unavailable

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TL;DR

technical performance

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Replay Value

Analysis Unavailable

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TL;DR

replay value

Description unavailable

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

19%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

68%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

13%

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The reviews for The First Descendant present a mixed bag of opinions, with some critics highlighting its potential and engaging gameplay mechanics. For instance, both PC Games and TheXboxHub note that the game shows promise, particularly with its diverse character abilities and gameplay experiences. TheXboxHub even goes so far as to suggest that it could evolve similarly to Destiny, hinting at a solid foundation for future development. This sentiment of potential is echoed in PC Games' assessment that, while the story lacks depth, it introduces interesting characters that could be further explored if the developers address existing issues. However, the negatives surrounding The First Descendant are significant and pervasive across multiple reviews. Critics like GamingBolt and Metro GameCentral emphasize the game's lack of originality, describing it as a "generic" and "competent but unoriginal" title that fails to stand out from its inspirations, particularly Destiny 2 and Warframe. Additionally, Push Square criticizes the game for its monetization strategies, suggesting that it is designed to encourage players to pay to skip content rather than engage with the gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience. Technical issues are also a common theme, with several reviewers pointing out that these problems hinder the game's performance and enjoyment. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a cautious outlook on The First Descendant. While there are glimpses of potential and fun gameplay, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game currently falls short in terms of innovation and execution. Critics like But Why Tho? and Metro GameCentral highlight the game's heavy reliance on established formulas and monetization, which could alienate players looking for a fresh experience. As it stands, The First Descendant may appeal to those seeking an alternative in the looter shooter genre, but many agree that it must address its technical shortcomings and originality issues to secure a lasting place in the market.

TL;DR

The First Descendant shows promise with engaging gameplay and diverse character abilities, but suffers from a lack of originality and significant technical issues. Critics highlight its similarities to Destiny 2 and Warframe, calling it "generic" and critiquing its monetization strategies. While it has potential, the game needs to innovate and fix performance problems to truly resonate with players.

MONSTER

Reviews

32 reviews found

TheXboxHub

Xbox Series X

Jul 15, 2024