The First Descendant is a third-person shooter treasure hunting game developed by Nexon. Players take on the role of descendants and cultivate characters with unique skills. The First Descendant allows characters to grow by completing tasks and progressing through the main storyline. The game’s biggest strengths are its high-quality graphics and multiplayer cooperative gameplay. Up to four players can team up online to collect treasure simultaneously. The First Descendant is currently available for free on platforms including Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series. According to SteamDB, a third-party data platform, the game reached a peak of 229,257 concurrent players from its launch date to July 3. But what makes this game so popular in recent times?
Free, high-quality, non-politically correct beautiful characters
Being free is The First Descendant’s primary advantage. The low barrier to entry and high-quality graphics attract numerous players to try it. Additionally, The First Descendant features the Korean production team’s consistent Korean-style character design. In addition to high performance, the 14 characters also showcase attractive appearances, particularly “Bonnie,” who is a hot topic among players. Her alluring figure is paired with a rabbit ear costume incorporating mechanical elements, striking a balance between cuteness and sexiness. And for a price, players can even acquire the “Ultimate Bonnie” from the in-game store, revealing even more skin. Unlike other games that prioritize politically correct designs at the cost of character appeal, characters in this game are not bound by such constraints and are visually pleasing, attracting more players.
The First Descendant SteamDB page.
▲According to SteamDB, The First Descendant had a maximum of nearly 230,000 online users from its launch date to July 3.
▲The characters continue the Korean production team’s consistent aesthetic design, among which Bonnie is the most discussed.
▲Ultimate Bonnie’s costume is unique, and many players are willing to spend money to buy it for its sexy appearance.
▲The character design is exquisite, and the characters are often compared with “Sword Star”.
▲The biggest feature of the main character Bonnie is the mechanical structure on her head that looks like rabbit ears.
▲The character design of The First Descendant is not restricted by the framework of political correctness.
Familiar gameplay with exquisite graphics
The First Descendant’s online cooperative gameplay resembles many classic games, such as Warframe (released in 2013), the Borderlands series, and Remnant: From the Ashes. However, most of these classic games have been released for a considerable time, causing certain systems and graphics to become inevitably outdated.
Therefore, The First Descendant, being free and offering high-quality visuals, has a significant advantage. The in-game controls are smooth, and the cutscenes are well-made, resulting in high player retention. Word-of-mouth recommendations among friends have contributed to The First Descendant’s recent surge in popularity.
▲The gameplay of The First Descendant is similar to Warframe, and the operation is easy to get started.
▲Free, high quality, and the scene design is also very careful.
▲Players who gave positive reviews believe that the game has no shortcomings to criticize. Not only is the operation smooth, but the cutscenes are also very sincere.
▲In addition to the exquisite character design, the scene design is also very layered, and exploring the map is also a pleasure.
▲The game went through multiple closed tests in 2022 and was modified based on players’ opinions.
▲The game has a variety of platforms to choose from, and the low installation threshold is one of the reasons why this game has become a hot topic.
The game is free but the in-app purchase system is unsatisfactory
From a free-to-play perspective, The First Descendant is faultless. However, those unwilling to spend money may feel limited in their gameplay progression. This is because characters in the game have numerous items requiring upgrades, including equipment, defense, attack power, weapon accessories, and countless configurations. Therefore, players must either invest significant time acquiring treasure or opt for in-app purchases. Only then can their characters grow stronger. Additionally, the game’s gun design has received criticism. Whether using a machine gun or a submachine gun, the feedback upon firing feels almost identical. The shooting sound and the control response lack differentiation, making the intense gunfights less exciting.
The First Descendant has received mixed reviews to date. For instance, shortly after launch, the game encountered a recharge issue. Although the development team resolved it promptly, the abundance of in-app purchases has sparked backlash from players. Going forward, The First Descendant’s in-game store will continue adding more visually appealing characters and various items to entice players to purchase them. The question remains: will developers prioritize spending time improving game content, making weapons and characters more significantly differentiated? Or will the emphasis remain on introducing more cost-effective in-app purchases, potentially affecting player retention?
▲The game itself is free, but there is a mall in the game that requires payment to purchase goods.
▲There are many items available for purchase in the mall, including equipment, weapons, characters, etc.
▲The monster configuration mechanism in the game is imperfect, for example, the number of enemies in the map is too few, or the appearance speed is too slow.
▲The sound and operating feel when shooting are not differentiated. There is not much difference in using machine guns or submachine guns, and gun battles lack excitement.
▲Although it is free and has a low installation threshold, players are willing to try it, but there are too many in-app purchases that cause resentment.
▲This type of game relies on continuous official updates. If players’ stickiness increases after adjustments, the popularity of the game can continue to be maintained.
▲Each character in The First Descendant has his or her own introductory video, among which Bonnie’s introductory video has been viewed far more than other characters.
The First Descendant: A Free-to-Play Treasure Hunt That Captivates Players
The First Descendant is a free-to-play third-person shooter treasure hunting game developed by Nexon. Players take on the role of Descendants tasked with exploring a post-apocalyptic world, uncovering secrets, and battling powerful creatures. The game’s emphasis on cooperative gameplay and high-quality visuals has propelled it to immense popularity since its release, drawing millions of players to its online world. What’s the secret behind The First Descendant’s captivating formula?
Free to Play, High-Quality, Visually Stunning Characters
The free-to-play model is a major draw for The First Descendant, lowering the barrier to entry for gamers and encouraging a wider audience to experience its world. This accessible nature, combined with its visually impressive graphics, immediately draws players in. The First Descendant goes a step further by featuring a roster of beautifully designed characters, each with distinct personalities and aesthetics. “Bonnie”, in particular, has sparked considerable attention and discussion among players thanks to her captivating design. Her blend of a proud figure, rabbit ear-like mechanical structures, and alluring costume, particularly the “Ultimate Bonnie” variant, creates a character who is both cute and sexy, striking a chord with many. This unabashed embrace of visual appeal, in contrast to other games prioritizing politically correct designs, has resonated with a wider audience, contributing to the game’s popularity.
The First Descendant SteamDB page.
▲According to SteamDB, The First Descendant had a maximum of nearly 230,000 online users from its launch date to July 3.
▲The characters continue the Korean production team’s consistent aesthetic design, among which Bonnie is the most discussed.
▲Ultimate Bonnie’s costume is unique, and many players are willing to spend money to buy it for its sexy appearance.
▲The character design is exquisite, and the characters are often compared with “Sword Star”.
▲The biggest feature of the main character Bonnie is the mechanical structure on her head that looks like rabbit ears.
▲The character design of The First Descendant is not restricted by the framework of political correctness.
Familiar Gameplay with Exquisite Graphics
The First Descendant’s cooperative gameplay closely resembles several popular games, including Warframe, Borderlands, and Remnant: From the Ashes. However, many of these classic titles have aged, their visuals and mechanics showing signs of time. The First Descendant, being a free-to-play offering with modern graphics, stands out in this regard. Its smooth controls, engaging combat, and impressive visuals, complemented by its sincere and well-crafted cutscenes, contribute to a highly engaging and immersive experience. This combination of familiar gameplay elements and modern aesthetics has resonated with players, solidifying its appeal and driving word-of-mouth recommendations.
▲The gameplay of The First Descendant is similar to Warframe, and the operation is easy to get started.
▲Free, high quality, and the scene design is also very careful.
▲Players who gave positive reviews believe that the game has no shortcomings to criticize. Not only is the operation smooth, but the cutscenes are also very sincere.
▲In addition to the exquisite character design, the scene design is also very layered, and exploring the map is also a pleasure.
▲The game went through multiple closed tests in 2022 and was modified based on players’ opinions.
▲The game has a variety of platforms to choose from, and the low installation threshold is one of the reasons why this game has become a hot topic.
Free-to-Play, but Concerns About Monetization
While The First Descendant is free to play, a robust in-app purchase system exists. While a free-to-play model offers accessibility, it often involves a balance between free experience and paid content. In The First Descendant, various character upgrades, including equipment, defense, attack power, weapon accessories, and more, require significant investment, either through time spent earning treasures or through real-world currency. This reliance on paid progression has been a cause of concern for some players, who feel that the game may be too heavily reliant on in-app purchases for a satisfying and competitive experience. Additionally, the game’s weapon design has been criticized for lacking the distinctive feel and personality that sets weapons apart in other shooters. Weapons like machine guns and submachine guns often feel too similar, leading to a less exciting and less memorable combat experience.
The First Descendant has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its visuals, gameplay, and accessibility, while others express reservations about the depth of its progression system and the prevalence of in-app purchases. The game’s launch was also marked by a temporary recharge issue, although it was swiftly resolved. The future of The First Descendant depends on how Nexon addresses these concerns. Will the team continue to refine the balance between free and paid content, creating a compelling experience for both casual and dedicated players? Will they continue to update the game with more visually distinct characters and weapons, making the gameplay more engaging? The answers to these questions will determine the longevity of The First Descendant and its ability to retain players in the long term.
▲The game itself is free, but there is a mall in the game that requires payment to purchase goods.
▲There are many items available for purchase in the mall, including equipment, weapons, characters, etc.
▲The monster configuration mechanism in the game is imperfect, for example, the number of enemies in the map is too few, or the appearance speed is too slow.
▲The sound and operating feel when shooting are not differentiated. There is not much difference in using machine guns or submachine guns, and gun battles lack excitement.
▲Although it is free and has a low installation threshold, players are willing to try it, but there are too many in-app purchases that cause resentment.
▲This type of game relies on continuous official updates. If players’ stickiness increases after adjustments, the popularity of the game can continue to be maintained.
▲Each character in The First Descendant has his or her own introductory video, among which Bonnie’s introductory video has been viewed far more than other characters.