If you’ve seen clips of The First Descendant’s flashy third-person combat, over-the-top boss fights, and customizable characters popping up on your social feeds lately, you’re probably wondering what platform is The First Descendant on so you can jump in yourself. This free-to-play looter shooter from Nexon has blown up in recent months thanks to its cooperative gameplay loop and stunning Unreal Engine 5 graphics, and it’s accessible to way more players than many people realize. I’ve put over 120 hours into the game across three different devices, so I’m breaking down everything you need to know about platform availability, performance, crossplay support, and which option is right for you.
What Platform Is The First Descendant On? Full Availability List
The First Descendant is currently available across all major current and last-gen console and PC platforms, with no paid purchase required to download and play the full base game. There are no platform-exclusive missions or characters, so you’ll get the exact same content no matter which version you pick. As of now, there is no confirmed Nintendo Switch or mobile release, though Nexon has noted they are exploring additional platform options if player demand remains high. Here’s a full breakdown of every supported platform and key details to know:
- PC: Available on Steam and the Epic Games Store, supports both keyboard/mouse and controller inputs, with optional 4K/120FPS performance and ray tracing for high-end builds. No paid online subscription is required to play multiplayer on PC.
- PlayStation: Accessible on both PS4 and PS5, with free upgrades for PS4 owners who move to PS5, and full support for DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on the newer console. You will need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to play online multiplayer on PlayStation devices.
- Xbox: Works on Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X, and comes with exclusive in-game bonuses for Xbox Game Pass members, including free premium currency and character skins. You will need an active Xbox Live Gold subscription to play online multiplayer on Xbox devices.
It’s worth noting that the Steam Deck is also fully supported as a PC platform, with optimized settings that let you run the game at 60FPS on low to medium graphics settings for portable play. I’ve taken mine on trips before, and it’s a great option if you want to grind for gear when you’re away from your main setup.
Crossplay Support Across All The First Descendant Platforms
One of the biggest draws of The First Descendant is that you don’t have to worry about your friends being on a different device to play together. Full crossplay is enabled across all supported platforms by default, so you can join 4-player story missions and 8-player raid battles with anyone, no matter what they’re playing on. The matchmaker automatically pulls players from all platforms to reduce wait times for popular game modes, so you’ll never be stuck waiting for a lobby to fill even if you’re playing during off-peak hours.
Cross-progression only works if you link your Nexon account to all your platform accounts, so make sure you do that the first time you log in to avoid losing progress. I made the mistake of playing 10 hours on my PS5 without linking my account first, and I had to restart when I decided to switch to PC later. You only have to link your accounts once, and all your characters, gear, in-game purchases, and battle pass progress will carry over automatically across every device you use. If you don’t want to play with people on other platforms, you can turn off crossplay in the settings menu, though this will make your match wait times significantly longer in most regions.
Performance Differences Between The First Descendant Platforms
While all versions of the game have the same core content, there are noticeable performance differences depending on what device you’re using, especially when it comes to graphics quality and frame rate. The First Descendant uses Unreal Engine 5, so it’s more demanding than older looter shooters, but it’s still optimized well enough to run on most devices released in the last 8 years.
High-end gaming PCs, PS5, and Xbox Series X all support 4K resolution and up to 120FPS if you have a compatible display, with optional ray tracing that makes the game’s open world environments and boss fight effects look incredibly realistic. The PS5 version has a slight edge for console players thanks to its DualSense features, which let you feel the unique recoil of every weapon and the rumble of different character abilities as you use them. The Xbox Series S runs the game at a steady 1080p 60FPS with no ray tracing, but it still looks sharp for a budget console option. Last-gen PS4 and Xbox One versions run at 1080p 30FPS with lower texture quality, but there are no cut content or gameplay features on these older devices.
If you prioritize the highest visual quality and frame rate, PC or current-gen consoles are your best bet. That said, I played the entire first season of the game on an old Xbox One before I upgraded to a PS5, and I never had any issues with gameplay smoothness even during busy 8-player raids. The only noticeable difference was longer load times between missions, which is a small trade-off if you don’t have access to a newer device.
How to Pick the Right Platform to Play The First Descendant
With so many options available, it can be hard to decide which version of the game to download first. There’s no wrong choice, but there are a few factors you should consider to pick the best option for your needs.
First, think about what devices you already own. If you already have a gaming PC or current-gen console, you don’t need to buy anything new to play, and you’ll get the best possible performance. If you’re an Xbox Game Pass member, the Xbox version is a great pick because you’ll get exclusive free in-game items that you can’t get on other platforms. Next, consider who you usually play games with. If all your friends play on PlayStation, it makes sense to pick the PS version even if you have a PC, to avoid any small crossplay connection kinks that can pop up occasionally.
Your playstyle also matters. If you prefer sitting on the couch with a controller and playing on a big TV, console is the obvious choice. If you like precise aiming with keyboard and mouse, or you want to mod your game with custom visual settings, PC is the better option. If you plan to stream or create content of the game, PC is the best choice for easy recording and streaming software integration.
If you travel a lot, the PC version on a Steam Deck is the perfect portable option, since you can grind for gear on your commute or when you’re staying away from home. And since cross-progression is supported, you can switch between your main PC or console and your Steam Deck whenever you want without losing any progress.
At the end of the day, no matter what platform is The First Descendant on that you choose, you’re getting the same core content, cooperative raids, and character customization options that have made the game such a hit. There’s no wrong choice, especially since cross-progression lets you switch later if you want without losing any of your hard-earned gear. If you’re still on the fence, just download it for free on whatever device you have handy – it takes less than 20 minutes to install, and you can test out the first few missions to see if it’s your vibe. I’ve had a blast playing it with friends across every platform, and I’m confident you will too.