The premise of The First Descendant revolves around combating alien invaders known as The Vulgus, who brought devastation and Colossi to Albion and the continent of Ingris over 100 years ago. Players take on the role of a hero fighting for humanity’s survival. The game features numerous missions, raids, and four-player boss fights that require teamwork and tactics.
During my gameplay, I was dropped into an icy world filled with robotic and alien enemies. As I engaged in combat, the enemies dropped loot which I could easily pick up by hovering near them. The combat mechanics felt smooth, and I didn’t have to worry about getting shot while managing my inventory or picking up items. Ammo drops were occasional but not too frequent, forcing me to be strategic with my shots. The enemies had a good balance of difficulty, not being too spongy but still posing a challenge.
The game’s HUD was intuitive, providing important information such as mission progress, radar, level ranking, weapon rounds, shield and hit points, and special attacks cooldown. I did miss out on the ammo indicator initially, leading to some surprise moments when I ran out of ammo. However, this was a minor issue that could easily be resolved with more familiarity.
The demo allowed me to play in normal mode, starting from the Prologue. I chose Bunny, one of the three Descendants with special DNA to save humanity. The snowy planet provided a visually stunning backdrop as I battled enemies in a region called Kingston. The game offered a choice of assault weapons, sniper rifles, shotguns, and grenades. As I progressed, my mastery rank grew, and I had access to more weapons and skills. The game boasts 19 Descendant characters at launch, each with unique customization options.
The First Descendant has already undergone multiple betas, attracting two million players who have collectively played for 1.789 billion minutes from over 200 countries. The development team has conducted stability tests and found significant anticipation for the game’s release. The looter shooter combines third-person shooting with RPG growth elements and features a grappling hook that enhances movement.
With a total of 11 weapon classes, 560 customization modules, and 16 dungeons available at launch, The First Descendant offers players the opportunity to create their own strategies and take down enormous bosses in co-op play. During my gameplay, I faced off against Goroth the Cold-Blooded Vanguard, a challenging boss who required me to defeat lesser aliens before focusing on him. Unfortunately, my time ran out before I could see what lay beyond that battle.
Overall, my experience with The First Descendant was intense and enjoyable. The game’s non-stop action and well-balanced combat mechanics kept me hooked for the duration of the demo. I’m eagerly looking forward to exploring more of this endless looter shooter and experiencing the updates that the developers promise to deliver in line with the games-as-a-service model.
