The First Descendant, developed by NEXON Games Co. Ltd and published by NEXON, introduces a new take on the looter shooter genre by combining several elements that have made several prominent changes in the genre to make the game more fun. In terms of The First Descendant’s gameplay, it really focuses on fluid combat based on the looter shooter format. This fluid gameplay is balanced with stunning designs that really make the game memorable and beautiful. Furthermore, the multiplayer aspect to a looter shooter has been implemented and has a simple way for allowing people to group up. In NEXON’s upcoming game, The First Descendant is the newest looter shooter that is going to be going to be released in the upcoming year with fantastic gameplay, designs, and multiplayer.
The looter shooter genre has been dormant with the only news regarding the genre stemming from Destiny 2. The First Descendant feels like a return to basics for the genre with some new features that really make the game standout. As for what makes the game standout the various abilities accessible to the player as they progress and level up by completing missions. These abilities while not unique to players who are engrossed in the medium, they are however well implemented in the button lay out for controllers making their usage quite easy to use. One core aspect of the game, that is it has various classes accessible to the player, such as at the start of the game the player has access to three different characters with their own focus. Without delving into the game to much as it was in beta testing recently the three starter classes focus on tanking, AOE (area of effect) damage, and de-buffer (specializing in status reductions). These classes are designed really well fitting into well known class terminology that the video game community knows at large. In terms of how these classes are played, they all have their own strengths and weaknesses that all fulfil certain roles in a team. By making the game have dedicated classes allows for various players to seek out their own preference in playstyle in accordance to the gameplay dictated by the developers. This allows for some freedom of expression in how players want to play the game at the start and molding their playstyle and what kind of build they want to pursue. By allowing players that freedom the game shows how well designed it is and how it can mix up the gaming sphere.
Designs can make or break a game from overall aesthetics, to the story and in the case of The First Descendant it is really well-made balancing story elements, voice acting, and aesthetics. The overall design of the game is based on a futuristic aesthetic with humanity focusing on survival with some mystical elements to change it up even more. The beta map introduces the player to ruins of civilization where they are tasked to perform various missions that progress the story. In terms of how the beta performs in immersing the player it does it quite well as the game really draws in the player through the gameplay and vibrant map. Moreover, in combination with the fun gameplay it allows players to be greatly immersed into the game, showcasing the endless fun that the game can be had. Aside from that, the story of the game is not new as the player is engulfed into a war and they must search for a MacGuffin with this being the basic startup of the game. However, the hook of the game necessary for players to be grabbed is in the, name of the game. The reason as to why this can be seen as the case is that it embodies a mystery stating that the player is one of the first new beings, allowing the writers to make it empower the player from a narrative perspective. This is in due part of how the game is setting up the player and one game with similar themes in the narrative is Destiny where the player is set up to change the world as a whole. This is all well rounded with good voice acting while an industry standard can often be enhanced by the cast of voice actors. A comparison to the quality of The First Descendant’s voice actors would have to be Monster Hunter World where vocal tones are needed to convey the right emotions and especially in various situations. While good voice acting has become a gaming standard The First Descendant is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game that needs to showcase how it change up the genre as a whole.
As for the multiplayer it can be described as buttery smooth as to how people can join up and take on missions in game. This allows for a hop in hop out multiplayer game in regards to open world missions. Moreover, with this streamlined way for co-op is a great way for players to interact, and make new friends due to how easy it is to play together. By making it easy to play with others it is reminiscent to the public events in games like Destiny, Desitny 2, and Fallout 76 that allows players to group up and participate in an event for rewards. This is a large quality of life issue that really makes playing the game a lot more enjoyable for the gaming community and The First Descendant really sets the ground for what can occur. Aside from that, the boss fights are something to behold containing a mixture of regular boss fights versus with evolving mechanics portrayed in Destiny’s raids sections. This means that team composition and character builds are important when fighting bosses allowing for some much needed on the fly strategy to take place. Furthermore, this extends to the horde mode fights where players are tasked with fighting hordes of enemies swarming the area. The reason as to why some strategy is needed is due to the swarms of enemies rushing players down similar to firefight from the Halo franchise as the basis of inspiration for the mode. However, the varied gameplay from the various classes can make horde mode similar to the arenas in Borderlands which also has a class-based system for players to utilize.
NEXON Games Co. Ltd has made a fun beta to play and it really shows promise to be a good contender to take Destiny’s spot as a looter shooter with massive multiplayer online role-playing game as the basis. Moreover, the game has time to improve and grow into what it needs to be for the gaming community especially to standout from the rest of the shooters out in the current market. This means that the game needs to be focus on being ambitious similar to the early gaming pioneers where innovation is at the forefront of game design. As for how it was done, The First Descendant strives for excellent gameplay, design, and multiplayer making this beta an excellent game with improvement to develop its identity. I am looking forward to the game’s launch!
For more information, please visit https://tfd.nexon.com/en/main
Related: Reviews by Kyle Manila
I would describe myself when interacting with games as a strategist with a pension for stealth and loud explosions.
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