If you’ve scrolled through Steam or console game stores looking for a new free-to-play looter shooter lately, you’ve almost certainly asked yourself at some point: should I play The First Descendant? The Nexon-developed third-person shooter has built a steady fanbase since its launch, blending fast-paced combat, customizable characters, and 4-player co-op for a mix of casual and grind-heavy fun. But it’s not for everyone, and jumping in without knowing what you’re getting into can lead to a lot of wasted time if it doesn’t match what you look for in a game. We’ve put in 70+ hours across multiple characters and endgame runs to break down exactly who will love this game, and who should probably skip it for now.
Should I Play The First Descendant? Key Factors to Consider First
Before you download the 40+ GB file and spend an hour setting up your account, there are a few core details you need to know about how the game works. First, it’s a free-to-play live service looter shooter, which means you can access 90% of content without spending a dime, but you will have to grind for better gear and new characters if you don’t want to pay for premium currency. It’s also built first for co-op play, so most endgame content is designed for groups of 2 to 4 players, even if you can technically run most early missions solo.
The game’s core loop revolves around running missions to collect materials, upgrading your character and weapons, and taking on harder bosses to get even better loot. If you’re still asking should I play The First Descendant after hearing that core loop, keep reading for the specific pros and cons we noticed during our playthrough. If that loop sounds boring to you right off the bat, this probably isn’t the game for you, but if you love chasing perfect rolls and testing new builds, you might find a lot to enjoy here.
Pros of Playing The First Descendant for New Players
There’s a reason the game has maintained a consistent active player count months after launch, and it’s not just because it’s free. Let’s break down the biggest upsides for new players:
- Incredibly polished character abilities and movement: Each playable Descendant has a totally unique kit that feels responsive and powerful, from gravity manipulation to healing turrets, and the grappling hook and parkour mechanics make traversing maps feel fast and fun instead of a chore.
- Generous free-to-play progression: You can unlock every playable character, all endgame missions, and almost every cosmetic just by playing, no paywalls blocking core content. Premium currency is only for optional skins and quality-of-life items you don’t need to beat the hardest content.
- Cross-play and cross-progression across all platforms: You can play with friends on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, and carry your progress between any devices you own, so you don’t have to start over if you switch consoles.
- Deep build customization: You can tweak every part of your playstyle, from weapon mod rolls to character ability augments, so you never feel stuck playing one way even if you stick to the same character for dozens of hours.
I was surprised by how little the game pushes microtransactions, even after I hit endgame. Unlike a lot of free-to-play live service games, I never felt like I was at a disadvantage for not spending money, even when playing with friends who had bought premium skins and battle passes. The co-op matchmaking for The First Descendant is also really well optimized, I almost never wait more than 2 minutes for a group even for less popular endgame missions, which is a big win for people who don’t have a regular group to play with.
Common Drawbacks to Keep in Mind Before You Install
No game is perfect, and The First Descendant has a few pain points that turn a lot of new players off within their first 10 hours. The biggest one is the early game grind that feels really slow for the first 15 levels. You start with limited abilities and weak weapons, and the first set of missions are pretty repetitive as the game walks you through basic tutorials. If you don’t push through that initial slow period, you won’t get to the fun, fast-paced endgame content that makes the game worth playing.
Another common complaint is the story presentation. The game has a really interesting sci-fi lore about an alien invasion and genetically modified super soldiers, but it’s delivered in really stilted, short cutscenes that don’t give you much context for what’s going on. If you play games first for a deep, immersive story, you’re probably going to be disappointed here.
There’s also a bit of a learning curve when you first hit endgame. The game doesn’t do a great job of explaining how mod rolls work, or what materials you need to farm for higher tier gear, so a lot of new players end up wasting hours collecting the wrong items because they didn’t know any better. You can find most of that info in community guides, but it’s frustrating that the game doesn’t explain it natively.
Who The First Descendant Is Actually For
After all that, it’s easy to see that the game fits some player types way better than others. If you’re still asking should I play The First Descendant, ask yourself what you prioritize most in a game first. First, if you love co-op games you can play with friends for a few hours a week, this is a great pick. The missions are short enough that you can run 2 or 3 in a single session, and the difficulty scales really well with group size so you never feel like it’s too easy or too hard.
It’s also perfect for players who love chasing perfect gear builds. The loot system has thousands of possible mod combinations, so you can spend hundreds of hours tweaking your build to melt bosses or carry your team through hard missions. There’s always a new goal to work towards, so you won’t run out of things to do for months if you get into the loop.
If you prefer single player story-driven games, or hate grinding for gear, this probably isn’t for you. The solo content gets really boring once you hit mid-game, and the grind never lets up even after you beat all the main story missions. You also don’t need to spend any money to enjoy it, so even if you’re on a tight budget, you can get dozens of hours of fun out of it without spending a cent.
I’d also recommend it if you’re tired of the same old looter shooters like Destiny 2 or Warframe and want something new to sink your teeth into. It has a lot of the same core loops, but the unique character kits and faster combat make it feel fresh enough to stand out even if you’ve put thousands of hours into other games in the genre.
At the end of the day, the answer to should I play The First Descendant depends entirely on what you want out of your next game. If you love co-op looter shooters with deep customization and generous free-to-play systems, you’ll almost certainly have a great time. If you care more about story or hate repetitive grind, you’re better off looking for something else. The best part is that it’s completely free to try, so even if you’re on the fence, you can download it and play for a few hours to see if it clicks for you without risking any money. Just make sure to push through the slow early levels to get to the endgame content that makes the game truly shine.