Is The First Descendant Worth Playing? First Look Impressions

Introduction

Hey, everyone! Welcome back to the channel. I am Joe Usual, and today, we're diving into The First Descendant—a free game that's garnered quite a bit of popularity on Steam. However, its reviews are mixed, hovering around 50/50. So, let's take a closer look to determine if this looter shooter is worth your time, even though it comes at no monetary cost.

First Impressions: Launch and Initial Setup

The game starts by preparing its shaders, which can take a bit longer than expected. Once in, The First Descendant seems to immediately set itself apart from typical shooters with its looter aspect and unique characters known as Descendants. You have a couple of characters available at the start:

• Lepic, who uses grenades and explosive attacks.
• Viessa, a debuffer who uses ice attacks.
• Ajax, a tank character specializing in defense.

After choosing Lepic, we're thrust into a world where humans have been defeated by invaders and now find hope in the ancient ancestors' power. The opening sequence is quite engaging, putting you through basic movements and combat.

Gameplay Mechanics

While the controls can feel overwhelming at first, they're relatively intuitive. Actions include basic attacks, using grenades, and special moves assigned to keys like Q, E, and Z. You'll find yourself navigating through enemies and puzzles to retrieve specific items.

The combat is standard but entertaining, with the combination of ranged weapons and grenades providing a good balance of tactics as you navigate through corrupted ruins and face formidable enemies.

Story and Objectives

The guide introduces an immersive storyline, adding layers to the narrative. You rescue what is known as an Iron Heart and face various foes, including elite commanders and bosses. The guide also helps locate critical items and facilities necessary for evolving your character and advancing the story.

Technicalities

A couple of aspects worth noting:

• Shader preparation: This can be time-consuming, experienced during each game start.
• Connectivity: Some disconnection issues surfaced, possibly server-related, but these are not deal-breakers.
• Visuals: The game offers vibrant graphics and smooth transitions between storytelling and combat.

Customization and Progression

The First Descendant offers many customization options for your firearms and armor. Throughout the game, you collect various modules to boost your performance stats, enhancing your offensive and defensive capabilities. This customization is critical for tackling tougher zones and missions.

You can check your mailbox to receive compensations or rewards provided by the game developers, which can include XP boosts and currency to make progression a bit smoother.

Monetization Strategy

The game includes a store where players can purchase skins and other cosmetic items. However, as of the current levels, it doesn't feel overly pay-to-win. The free progression system is robust enough to enjoy the game without needing to spend real money.

Conclusion

Overall, The First Descendant seems promising. It offers a good blend of straightforward shooting mechanics and in-depth customization. While there's a learning curve with character skills and combat, it’s engaging enough to warrant spending some time mastering it.

Keywords

Keywords:

• The First Descendant
• Looter shooter
• Descendants
• Gameplay mechanics
• Storyline
• Customization
• Monetization
• Technical issues
• Immersive experience
• Combat tactics

FAQ

FAQ:

1. What is The First Descendant?

   • The First Descendant is a free, looter shooter game available on Steam, combining unique character abilities with traditional shooter elements.

2. Who are the playable characters?

   • Initially, you can choose from Lepic, a grenade specialist; Viessa, an ice debuffer; or Ajax, a tank focused on defense.

3. Are there any technical issues?

   • Some shader preparation delays and occasional connectivity issues have been reported but don't significantly hamper gameplay.

4. Is the game pay-to-win?

   • While there are in-game purchases for cosmetics, the core gameplay and progression can be fully enjoyed without spending money.

5. What is the storyline about?

   • The storyline focuses on humans using ancestral powers to fight against invaders and retrieve Iron Hearts, guided by a mysterious entity.

6. How is the gameplay?

   • The game combines traditional shooting mechanics with looter elements, including character customization and combat tactics.

7. What customizations does the game offer?

   • Players can customize weapons, armor, and character stats using collected modules and other in-game items.