If you’ve been seeing clips of fast-paced co-op looter shooter action popping up on your social feeds lately, you’ve probably wondered what is the first descendant on, and whether you can jump in without dropping extra cash. It’s one of the most popular free-to-play action games of the past few years, with a dedicated fanbase that loves its over-the-top combat, customizable characters, and cross-platform play support. I’ve spent over 120 hours grinding missions and testing it across different devices, so I’m breaking down everything you need to know about access, platform differences, and more in this guide.
What is the First Descendant on? Full List of Supported Platforms
First off, let’s get the core question out of the way. Developed by Nexon Games on Unreal Engine 5, this third-person looter shooter is available across all major modern gaming platforms, with full crossplay support so you can squad up with friends no matter what device they use. Here’s the full breakdown of supported platforms as of the latest update:
- PC: Available via Steam, Epic Games Store, and the official Nexon launcher, with full controller and keyboard/mouse support for all playstyles.
- PlayStation: Works on both PS4 and PS5, with free upgrades for PS4 owners to the PS5 version that includes 4K resolution and 60 FPS performance mode.
- Xbox: Supported on Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X, with Smart Delivery enabled so you automatically get the version optimized for your console.
You don’t need a paid subscription to play the core game, but you will need an active PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription if you’re playing on console to access co-op multiplayer modes. PC players don’t need any extra subscriptions to play with friends, which is a nice bonus for people who only game on desktop.
Key Differences Between Platform Versions
While the core gameplay, story content, and update schedule are identical across all platforms, there are a few small differences you might want to consider before picking where to download it. I’ve tested it on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S, so I can speak to these gaps first-hand. If you’re still wondering what is the first descendant on that fits your existing setup, you don’t have to worry about missing out on content no matter what you pick.
The biggest difference comes down to performance. High-end PC and PS5/Xbox Series X players can enable ray tracing effects for more realistic lighting and shadow details, while older consoles and lower-spec PCs will run the game at lower settings to maintain a smooth frame rate. There’s also no difference in in-game purchases or battle pass rewards across platforms, so any content you buy will carry over if you link your Nexon account to all your devices.
One small downside for console players is that text chat support is limited compared to PC. You can use voice chat across all platforms, but PC players get the extra option to type messages to teammates if they don’t have a mic handy. That’s not a dealbreaker for most people, but it’s worth noting if you prefer typing over speaking during missions.
How to Access The First Descendant for Free
One of the biggest draws of the game is that it’s 100% free to download and play, no upfront purchase required, no matter what is the first descendant on for your preferred device. You don’t have to grind for hours to unlock core story missions or playable characters either, though you can speed up progression with optional cosmetic and convenience purchases if you want.
To get started, all you need to do is search for The First Descendant on your platform’s digital store, add it to your library, and download it. You’ll need to create a free Nexon account the first time you launch the game, which takes less than two minutes if you have an email address handy. Make sure to link all your platform accounts to your main Nexon account if you plan to play across multiple devices, so all your progress, character unlocks, and purchases carry over automatically.
There’s no pay-to-win content in the game, either. All paid items are either cosmetic skins for characters and weapons, or convenience items like extra storage space for loot. You can earn every playable character, weapon, and story mission completely for free just by playing through the game, which is a big part of why it’s built such a loyal fanbase.
Tips for First-Time Players Before You Start
Now that you know what is the first descendant on and how to access it, there are a few quick tips I wish I knew when I first started that will save you a lot of time and frustration. These apply no matter what platform you’re playing on, so keep them in mind during your first few hours of gameplay.
Stick to the main story missions first to unlock more playable characters and upgrade slots early on. It can be tempting to jump into random co-op missions right away, but you’ll have a much easier time if you unlock a few extra abilities first. You can also adjust the difficulty level at any time if you find missions too hard or too easy, so don’t be afraid to tweak it to match your skill level.
Don’t sleep on the crafting system either. You can get some of the strongest weapons in the game by crafting them with loot you collect from missions, instead of relying on random drops. You’ll unlock the crafting system within the first hour of gameplay, so make sure to check it regularly as you collect new materials. If you’re playing with friends, split up loot collection goals so you can craft high-tier gear for each other faster, without doubling up on the same material grind.
Whether you’re looking for a new co-op game to play with friends or a solo looter shooter with tons of content to grind, knowing what is the first descendant on makes it easy to see if you can jump in right now. It’s available across almost every modern gaming device, completely free to play, and gets regular content updates that add new characters, missions, and events every few months. If you haven’t tried it yet, there’s no better time to download it and jump into the action.