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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

PlatformPlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC

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

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TL;DR

Critics panned The First Descendant’s forgettable, clichéd story for its shallow writing, repetitive missions, and lack of originality, with many calling it dull, sterile, and irrelevant—though a few praised isolated elements like character design or mission structure amid widespread disappointment.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

36%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

57%

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

The story of The First Descendant receives mixed reactions, with a few critics acknowledging its attempt at engaging elements despite its flaws. Gameliner notes that while the narrative relies on familiar tropes, the characters and their backgrounds are “engaging enough to spark curiosity,” suggesting some depth in world-building or character design. TheXboxHub highlights the game’s structure, comparing it to Destiny with “new areas and challenging missions,” which implies a sense of progression and variety in gameplay. Additionally, PC Games and others mention that characters like Guide and Jeremy are “interesting” despite the story’s broader shortcomings, indicating that certain aspects of the narrative or personalities stand out amid the generic framework. These positives, however, are often overshadowed by the game’s overarching issues. The majority of critics strongly criticize the story for its lack of originality, depth, and engagement. GamingBolt calls it a “forgettable story full of clichés,” while Metro GameCentral describes the storytelling as “unengaging and virtually non-existent.” Push Square and But Why Tho? both label it as “dull” and “loose,” with the latter noting a “generic setting” and “predictable elements.” Destructoid and GameSpot further emphasize the narrative’s irrelevance, with the former stating that NPC dialogue only serves to “move the player to the next encounter” and the latter criticizing its “sterile” and “convoluted” nature. Multiple reviewers, including PC Games and Multiplayer.it, point to a lack of character development or meaningful plot progression, while MMORPG.com highlights issues with localization that hinder immersion. These critiques collectively paint a picture of a story that fails to resonate on a deeper level. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly negative, with only minor praise for isolated elements like character design or mission structure. While a few reviewers acknowledge slight positives—such as Gameliner’s mention of “engaging” characters or TheXboxHub’s comparison to Destiny—these are consistently overshadowed by widespread complaints about the story’s predictability, lack of originality, and shallow writing. The recurring themes of clichéd plots, repetitive missions, and underdeveloped narratives suggest that The First Descendant’s story fails to leave a lasting impression, despite its attempts at creating an immersive sci-fi setting. Critics like GamingBolt, Metro GameCentral, and Destructoid encapsulate this sentiment, emphasizing that the narrative is a significant weakness in an otherwise gameplay-focused experience.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Gameplay Mechanics

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TL;DR

Thrilling combat and diverse characters highlight The First Descendant, but repetitive missions, grinding, and exploitative monetization undermine its potential, leaving a mixed legacy of action-packed fun versus frustrating design.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

29%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

43%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

29%

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

The gameplay of The First Descendant receives praise for its engaging variety and dynamic combat mechanics. Critics like GamingBolt highlight responsive gunplay, unique Descendant abilities, and thrilling Colossus battles that break up the routine, while PC Games (multiple mentions) emphasize the 19+ distinct Descendants with specialized skills and Ultimate variants, offering diverse combat experiences. TheXboxHub compares the game to Destiny and Gears of War, noting intense gunplay and customization options that keep players invested. Destructoid applauds the "amazing" gameplay when running smoothly, particularly the blend of tactical fights and power usage, while Gameliner praises boss battles for requiring strategy and teamwork. These positives underscore a strong foundation in action-oriented design and character diversity. However, several critics point to significant flaws that detract from the experience. Push Square criticizes the repetitive core loop, with missions involving monotonous tasks like killing enemies or collecting orbs, while But Why Tho? lambasts braindead AI, lackluster dungeon creativity, and underutilized abilities. GameSpot and MMORPG.com note tedious mission design, difficulty spikes, and a reliance on group play that feels artificial. Additionally, Destructoid and Multiplayer.it highlight issues like a convoluted crafting system, strict DPS checks, and a grindy progression model that encourages real-money purchases. The lack of build diversity and repetitive mechanics create frustration, particularly for players seeking deeper customization or innovation. Overall, the consensus reflects a mixed reception, with critics divided between appreciation for the game’s combat variety and character design versus criticism of its repetitive structure and monetization practices. While PC Games and TheXboxHub celebrate the game’s potential as a looter-shooter, others like Push Square and Multiplayer.it argue that its flaws undermine its appeal. The game’s strengths in tactical combat and Descendant diversity are tempered by concerns over mission repetition, poor progression systems, and exploitative monetization. Despite these issues, The First Descendant retains a dedicated fanbase who value its action-oriented gameplay, even as it struggles to balance innovation with familiarity.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Graphics and Visual Design

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TL;DR

Stunning Unreal Engine 5 visuals and intense Colossi battles highlight The First Descendant’s potential, but generic art direction, technical glitches, and a lack of cohesion undermine its immersive promise.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

36%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

50%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

14%

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

The graphics and visual design of The First Descendant receive widespread praise for their technical prowess and aesthetic appeal. Critics like GamingBolt highlight the "sharp-looking visuals that are appealing," while PC Games (PS5) and Destructoid commend the game’s use of Unreal Engine 5, noting its "visually appealing world" and "astounding characters and environments." The Colossi battles, as praised by Push Square, are described as both challenging and visually impressive, showcasing the game’s ability to create dynamic, high-impact sequences. Additionally, Gameliner emphasizes the detailed character designs and immersive environments that bring the world of Ingris to life, with GameMAG noting "stunning graphics" and "realistic character models" as major draws. These reviews collectively underscore a strong foundation in visual craftsmanship, blending futuristic tech, surreal landscapes, and divine elements into a cohesive yet ambitious aesthetic. However, several critics point to significant shortcomings that undermine the game’s visual cohesion and polish. Metro GameCentral criticizes the art design for lacking unity, citing heavy influences from games like Destiny and resulting in a "lack of cohesion." But Why Tho? calls the visual design "generic," arguing that cosmetic items diverge from the game’s worldbuilding, suggesting a prioritization of monetization over artistic integrity. Meanwhile, GameSpot highlights issues with enemy designs, noting they "lack cohesion and variety," which negatively impacts storytelling and immersion. Performance-related concerns also surface repeatedly: MMORPG.com mentions screen tearing and frame drops on PC, while multiple iterations of PC Games (across platforms) point to "significant technical issues" that detract from the experience. These critiques reveal a gap between the game’s ambitious visuals and its execution, particularly in areas like consistency and optimization. Despite these flaws, the overall consensus among critics leans toward appreciation for The First Descendant’s visual potential. While TheXboxHub acknowledges well-designed arenas and customization options, even minor issues like "getting stuck in scenery" are overshadowed by the game’s broader strengths. The praise for Unreal Engine 5-driven environments and character diversity—highlighted by Destructoid, Gameliner, and GameMAG—suggests that the game has a compelling visual identity. However, the recurring complaints about technical polish, originality, and design cohesion indicate that while the graphics are impressive, they require refinement to fully realize their promise. Critics like PC Games and Push Square balance admiration for the visuals with calls for improvements, reflecting a shared belief that The First Descendant has strong foundations but needs further tuning to address its shortcomings.

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

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

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TL;DR

The First Descendant launched with major technical flaws across all platforms, plagued by instability, bugs, and poor online performance—except for PC, where some praised stable servers despite broader issues, highlighting urgent post-launch fixes needed to unify the experience.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

14%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

57%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

29%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

The technical performance of The First Descendant across platforms shows mixed reception, with some positives noted. On PC, Gameliner praised the game for running smoothly with stable servers, which is critical for a cooperative experience, while PC Games acknowledged its high player count on Steam despite technical flaws. For PS5 and Xbox Series X, PC Games highlighted that the game attracted significant player engagement on Steam, though this likely reflects cross-platform play rather than platform-specific performance. These positives suggest that, despite challenges, the game’s appeal and community size remain strong, particularly on PC where some reviewers found a more stable experience. However, technical issues plagued all platforms, with consistent criticism across the board. On PS5, Metro GameCentral criticized poor launch performance, including unreliable online connections, frame rate problems, and the absence of public matchmaking. Similar concerns were raised for Xbox Series X by PC Games, who noted significant bugs and instability. On PC, Destructoid highlighted severe issues like framerate drops, server instability, rubber banding, input delay, and disconnects, while MMORPG.com pointed to screen tearing and frame drops. Even Gameliner’s positive take on PC performance was an outlier, as most reviewers emphasized persistent technical hurdles that detracted from the experience. The overall consensus among critics is that The First Descendant suffered from significant technical shortcomings at launch, with platform-specific issues complicating its reception. While Gameliner found PC to be a rare exception with stable servers, other platforms faced widespread criticism for instability and bugs. Despite these problems, the game’s high player count on Steam—mentioned by multiple reviewers like PC Games—suggests strong community interest, even if technical flaws hindered its initial success. The disparity in experiences underscores the need for post-launch fixes to address cross-platform consistency and improve accessibility for all players.

TL;DR

technical performance

Replay Value

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TL;DR

The First Descendant’s replay value hinges on co-op depth and progression, but grinding, pay2win mechanics, and exploitative monetization create a divisive, grind-heavy experience that tests player patience.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

10%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

40%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

50%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The First Descendant’s replay value is highlighted by several critics as having potential through its multiplayer missions, looter-shooter mechanics, and progression systems. TheXboxHub emphasizes that the game’s constant upgrades, cooperative play, and incentivized gear improvement create opportunities for long-term engagement. Gameliner notes the variety of characters and gear available, suggesting hours of gameplay, while GameMAG acknowledges the appeal of cooperative play despite its grind-heavy nature. MMORPG.com also points to grinding for weapons and characters as a factor that could sustain interest, indicating that the game’s core systems offer enough depth to encourage repeated play sessions. These positives suggest that, for players who enjoy co-op and progression loops, the game has elements that can keep them invested over time. However, multiple critics highlight significant drawbacks that undermine replay value. GamingBolt criticizes excessive grinding, abysmal drop rates, and overpriced monetization, which could deter extended play. Metro GameCentral and Push Square echo concerns about a free-to-play model that pushes players toward microtransactions, slowing progression and reducing enjoyment. Destructoid and GameSpot specifically note how design choices favor paid content, limiting experimentation and creating frustration. Gameliner and GameMAG also point to repetitive grinding and “pay2win” elements that detract from the experience, while Multiplayer.it condemns the game’s “demoralizing grinding” and predatory monetization practices. These criticisms collectively paint a picture of a game where the grind and monetization mechanics overshadow its potential for sustained engagement. The overall consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward caution. While some praise the game’s multiplayer and progression systems as capable of supporting replayability, others argue that the grind, repetitive tasks, and exploitative monetization models significantly hinder it. TheXboxHub’s optimism contrasts with GamingBolt’s and Metro GameCentral’s frustrations, reflecting a divide between those who prioritize cooperative play and those who find the game’s design alienating. Ultimately, the game’s replay value appears to depend heavily on player tolerance for its flaws, with many critics suggesting that its potential is undermined by systemic issues rather than its core mechanics. This duality leaves the title as a polarizing experience, where enjoyment hinges on balancing its engaging elements against its repetitive and monetization-driven design choices.

TL;DR

replay value

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

16%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

69%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

16%

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

The First Descendant receives mixed praise for its gameplay mechanics and potential, with several critics highlighting its engaging elements. GamingBolt acknowledges it as a "serviceable looter shooter experience," while PC Games (twice) praises its "diverse gameplay mechanics" and character abilities, noting that the game "shows promise" despite technical flaws. TheXboxHub describes it as a "solid start with the potential for long-term success," drawing comparisons to Destiny’s evolution, and Gameliner commends its "engaging story, solid gameplay, and impressive audiovisual elements." These reviews suggest the game offers a fun foundation, particularly for fans of the genre, with varied character abilities and visually appealing design that hint at deeper possibilities if refined. However, the negatives dominate the critique, with widespread concerns about originality, monetization, and technical issues. Metro GameCentral calls it "depressingly generic" and "unoriginal," while Push Square criticizes its "profit-driven design choices," comparing the experience to a "fidget spinner on a Discord call." But Why Tho? and Multiplayer.it condemn the game as a "cheap imitation" with "predatory monetization," emphasizing that it prioritizes extracting money over player enjoyment. Destructoid and GameSpot highlight "frustrating progression systems" and "lackluster storytelling," while MMORPG.com points to "localization issues" and performance problems. Critics consistently argue that the game’s repetitive gameplay, lack of innovation, and exploitative monetization models undermine its appeal, leaving it feeling derivative and unpolished. The overall consensus leans toward cautious optimism tempered by significant reservations. While some critics like TheXboxHub and PC Games believe the game has "potential" if developers address its flaws, the majority view it as a flawed entry in the looter-shooter genre. GamingBolt and Metro GameCentral compare it unfavorably to established titles like Destiny 2 and Warframe, noting its shortcomings in storytelling and mission design. Despite occasional praise for its visuals or mechanics, the recurring criticisms of monetization, technical instability, and lack of originality create a polarizing impression. Ultimately, The First Descendant is seen as an intriguing but incomplete experience, with its success hinging on how effectively developers can resolve its core issues while maintaining player engagement.

TL;DR

The First Descendant offers flickers of promise with its diverse mechanics and visuals but is overshadowed by repetitive gameplay, exploitative monetization, and technical flaws, leaving it feeling unoriginal and unfinished.

MONSTER

Reviews

47 reviews found

TheXboxHub

Xbox Series X

Jul 15, 2024