If you love fast-paced free-to-play looter shooters with flashy third-person combat and co-op boss raids, you’ve likely heard of The First Descendant, Nexon’s hit sci-fi action game that’s grown a massive player base since launch. Before you carve out time to download its large file size and create your first character, the first question most players ask is what platforms is the first descendant on, especially if you want to squad up with friends across different devices. I’ve tested the game on three separate platforms over 80+ hours of play, so I’m breaking down all supported devices, performance notes, crossplay details, and tips to pick the right version for your playstyle.
What Platforms Is The First Descendant On? Full Supported List
The First Descendant is available on all major current and last-gen console platforms, plus PC, with no plans to remove support for any of these devices in upcoming content updates. All versions get the same content drops at the same time, so you won’t miss out on new characters, raids, or limited-time events no matter which device you play on. The full list of supported platforms is below:
- PlayStation 5 (PS5) and PlayStation 4 (PS4)
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- PC (via Steam and the official Nexon launcher)
PS5 players get access to 4K/60fps performance mode with optional ray tracing for environmental reflections, while the PS4 version runs at a stable 1080p/30fps with reduced graphical details and longer load times. You will need an active PS Plus subscription to play co-op modes with friends on PlayStation consoles, but you can play solo for free without a subscription. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can play the game for free as part of their existing subscription, with no extra purchase required to access all core content. Xbox Series X runs the game at 4K/60fps matching the PS5, while the Series S hits 1440p/60fps, and the Xbox One runs at 1080p/30fps just like the PS4. PC is the only platform that supports native mouse and keyboard input, along with uncapped framerates, ultra-wide monitor support, and full custom control mapping for both controllers and mouse and keyboard setups.
Crossplay Support Across All Supported Platforms
One of the biggest perks of The First Descendant is its full crossplay support across every supported platform, so you never have to worry about not being able to squad up with friends just because they own a different device. You can matchmake with random players across all platforms too, which cuts down on queue times for less popular game modes significantly. Cross-progression is tied to your free Nexon account, so you just have to link all your platform accounts to the same Nexon ID to carry over your characters, skins, earned in-game currency, and mission progress between any devices you own. I play mostly on PC when I’m at my desk, but I often switch to my PS5 when I want to lounge on the couch and play with my roommate, and all my progress on my main Viessa character carries over seamlessly every time. You can turn crossplay off in the settings if you only want to match with players on the same platform as you, which is a good option for competitive players who want to avoid facing off against mouse and keyboard users on PC if they’re playing on console.
Which Platform Version Of The First Descendant Is Right For You?
Picking the right platform to play The First Descendant on mostly comes down to what devices you already own, and what you prioritize most in your gaming experience. If you care most about high framerates and precise controls for fast-paced PvP and boss fights, the PC version is easily the best pick, especially if you have a mid to high-end rig that can run the game at 144fps or higher. If you’re on a budget, the Xbox One or PS4 versions are still fully playable, even if they don’t have the fancy graphical features of current gen consoles or PC. The core gameplay is exactly the same across all versions, so you won’t miss out on any content if you’re still using a last gen console. If you already have an Xbox Game Pass subscription, the Xbox version is a no-brainer because you can jump in for free without paying any extra fees. For players who mostly play on the couch and prefer controller input, the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions are nearly identical in performance, so go with whichever console you already own and have friends on.
Key System Requirements For PC Players
You don’t need a super high-end gaming PC to run The First Descendant well, which is part of why it’s become so popular with casual players. The minimum required specs are over a decade old, so most budget gaming laptops and pre-built PCs can run the game at a smooth 1080p/60fps on medium settings without any issues. For minimum specs, you’ll need an Intel i5-4430 or AMD FX-6300 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a GTX 960 or Radeon R7 370 graphics card. If you want to play on high settings at 1440p/60fps, the recommended specs are an Intel i5-9400F or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an RTX 2060 or Radeon RX 5600 XT graphics card. You’ll need at least 60GB of free storage to install the base game, and you should leave extra space for future content updates, which are usually 10-20GB each when they drop every few months. I recommend installing the game on an SSD if you have one, because load times are cut by more than half compared to a traditional HDD, which makes jumping between repeat farming missions far less frustrating.
Now that you know what platforms is the first descendant on, you can pick the version that fits your existing setup and playstyle best without any guesswork. All versions get the same content updates at the same time, so you won’t be locked out of new characters or limited-time events no matter which device you choose. Crossplay and cross-progression support mean you can switch between devices whenever you want and play with all your friends, no matter what platform they prefer. Since the game is completely free to play on every supported platform, you can even download it on multiple devices and test which one feels best for you before you invest time into leveling up your main character. I’ve had a great experience playing it on all three supported platform families, and I still jump into co-op raids with friends on different devices every weekend without any issues.