The First Descendant: A Sneak Peek at the Upcoming MMO Looter Shooter
Overview:
The First Descendant is a new, free-to-play MMO looter shooter featuring fast-paced movement, intense combat, and stunning next-gen visuals. With a crowded field of similar games, it distinguishes itself through a wide variety of characters and unique playstyles. In this preview, I’ll share my initial experience with the game.
Initial Impressions:
As a fan of DPS roles in games, I chose to play as Lepic. He proved to be a powerhouse, easily knocking out early missions solo. After a tutorial that walks you through the game’s mechanics, Lepic starts off with an assault rifle, shotgun, and sniper rifle.
Playing as Lepic:
Combat is quick and rewarding. Even though early game enemies were not too challenging, it was enjoyable to test out Lepic’s special abilities. He has a high-damage grenade with a fast cooldown, perfect for taking out groups of enemies. Another ability lets him pull enemies into one spot, making it easier to aim. His “Power Stream” boosts his damage by 20% and adds fire effects to his grenades.
His standout ability is the Arm Launcher, turning his arm into a rocket launcher that deals massive damage over a short period. Despite its significant cooldown, it’s essential for dealing with larger enemy waves.
Quests and Challenges:
Most quests are about clearing enemy areas. Sometimes, I felt overwhelmed, especially when close to explosive barrels. The variety of enemies keeps the game engaging, with tougher foes requiring strategic thinking.
Class Variety:
Unlike Destiny 2’s three classes, The First Descendant offers 11 distinct characters. The Beta featured just three, but even this shows a greater variety for players interested in creating dynamic teams. Each character is unique, even healers can dish out decent damage, making them feel like active participants rather than just support roles.
Graphics and World:
Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game is visually stunning and runs smoothly on PC. I experienced minimal frame drops on my RTX 3060 and Ryzen 5800H, even during chaotic scenes. The NPCs and lore add depth, encouraging players to explore and get invested in the world.
Summary:
In conclusion, my time with The First Descendant has been engaging and promising. While it enters a saturated market, its unique character variety and next-gen graphics make it a notable contender. I’m excited to see how the final game pans out and look forward to playing with friends when it officially launches.