If you’re a fan of fast-paced third-person looter shooters with crossplay support, you’ve probably had Nexon’s free-to-play The First Descendant on your radar for a while. The game blends flashy character abilities, co-op raid combat, and deep customization options that stand out from other titles in the genre. If you’re one of the thousands of players who registered for early testing access, you’re likely asking how long is the first descendant beta, and what you can fit into that window before the full launch. We’ve pulled together all the latest official details, plus real insights from past beta testers, to help you make the most of your playtime.
How Long Is The First Descendant Beta, Exactly?
Beta test lengths vary depending on which phase of testing you’re joining, and there are usually multiple test runs before the full global launch. Closed beta phases typically run 4 to 7 days, with limited access only for players who signed up via the official game site or received invite codes from partnered content creators. These shorter tests are focused on stress testing servers, fixing critical bugs, and gathering targeted feedback on core gameplay balance.
Open beta phases, which are open to all players across PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, usually run 10 to 14 days, with no sign-up required beyond downloading the game client from your platform’s store. These longer tests are designed to let a wider pool of players experience the game, build hype before launch, and test crossplay functionality across all supported platforms.
Note that there may be short, scheduled maintenance windows during the beta period, usually 1 to 2 hours long, where servers are taken down to patch bugs, adjust loot drop rates, or tweak character ability balance based on early player feedback. You can check the official game social media channels for real-time updates about maintenance schedules and server downtime during the test.
All Playable Content You Can Access During The Beta
You won’t get access to the full game’s complete story or endgame content during the beta, but there’s still more than enough to fill every hour of the test window, even for players who plan to log every day. Even if you only have a few hours to spare while you figure out how long is The First Descendant beta you’re playing, you can easily fit in a story playthrough and a raid run with friends. 12 playable characters are available in most beta builds, each with unique active and passive abilities, custom skill trees, and cosmetic customization options to test out.
You’ll also have access to the first three story acts, which introduce the core world of Ingris and the ongoing conflict against the invasive alien Vulgus species that have taken over the planet. Beyond story content, the following game modes are available for all beta testers:
- Co-op story missions for up to 4 players, with 3 difficulty tiers to test enemy balance and reward scaling
- Endless wave defense mode, where you can farm rare upgrade materials to level up your characters and mod your weapons
- 8-player raid boss fights against the first two world bosses, each with unique mechanics and exclusive loot drops that can be used during the beta
- Limited 4v4 PvP team deathmatch mode, for testers who want to test character ability balance in competitive player vs player combat
Many new testers make the mistake of only sticking to single-player story missions during the beta, but trying out all available modes will help you figure out what playstyle fits you best before the full launch, so you can hit the ground running when the game releases publicly.
Exclusive Beta Rewards You Can Keep After Launch
One of the biggest perks of joining the beta is earning permanent, limited-time rewards that won’t be available to players who only join after the full launch. No matter how long is The First Descendant beta you participate in, you can unlock all of the permanent rewards as long as you hit the required playtime or completion marks before servers shut down. The most sought-after beta reward is the exclusive Founder’s Chaser skin for the ice-based character Viessa, which is only available to players who log at least 10 hours of playtime during any beta phase.
Other permanent rewards that carry over to your full game account include a free premium currency bundle worth $10, a unique “Beta Tester” player title that displays next to your name in lobbies, and a beta-exclusive glowing weapon charm for anyone who completes at least one 8-player raid during the test period. Any temporary items you earn during the beta, like common weapons, upgrade materials, or temporary character skins, won’t carry over to the full game, so you don’t have to waste time grinding for low-value items if you have limited playtime.
Make sure you link all of your platform accounts to your central Nexon account before the beta starts to guarantee your rewards carry over, even if you switch platforms between the beta and the full launch. If you play on Xbox during the beta and switch to PC for launch, linked accounts will make sure all your exclusive rewards show up on your new account with no extra work required.
Tips to Maximize Your Playtime During The Beta
Now that you know how long is The First Descendant beta, you can plan your play schedule to make sure you don’t miss out on the content and rewards you care about most. Link your Nexon account to all your platforms before the beta starts so you can swap between PC and console without losing your progress during the test, and avoid any issues with reward carryover after launch. Avoid playing during peak server hours in the first 24 hours of the beta if possible, since servers are usually overloaded with players at launch, leading to long queue times and occasional unexpected disconnects that can waste your limited playtime.
Prioritize testing content you can’t see in pre-release gameplay clips instead of just grinding for levels. Try out multiple characters instead of sticking to the first one you pick, test co-op ability combos with friends, and submit feedback on any bugs or balance issues you run into while playing. Nexon regularly adjusts character strength, loot drop rates, and mission difficulty based on beta feedback, so your input can actually shape the final version of the game that launches publicly.
If you only have a few hours of playtime available during the beta, focus on hitting that 10 hour playtime threshold first to unlock the exclusive Viessa skin, since that’s the only reward that will never be available again after launch. You can leave the game running in the background in the main menu if you need to step away for a few minutes, and that time will still count towards your total playtime for the reward.
At the end of the day, how long is The First Descendant beta depends on which test phase you’re joining, but even the shortest closed beta window gives you more than enough time to test the core gameplay, unlock exclusive permanent rewards, and get a feel for whether the game is worth sticking around for when it fully launches. You don’t have to grind every single minute of the test period to get value out of it, even a few hours of playtime will help you decide which character you want to main at launch, and earn you at least a few exclusive goodies to show off to other players. If you haven’t signed up for upcoming beta tests yet, you can register via the official game site for a chance to get an invite to the next closed test phase.