The First Descendant
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The First Descendant Release Date Window, Story, Gameplay & More

Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming looter-shooter The First Descendant, including its release date, story, gameplay, and more.
The First Descendant Release Date Window, Story, Gameplay & More

The First Descendant is an upcoming free-to-play sci-fi looter-shooter that has similarities with games like Outriders and Warframe. It's being developed on Unreal Engine 5 and features photo-realistic visuals and fast-paced visceral combat with a focus on buildcrafting.

Nexon Games, the Korea-based studio behind The First Descendant has revealed more info about the game, and with an upcoming cross-platform open beta, you will get to try the game for yourself soon enough. But before that happens, here's everything you need to know about The First Descendant to get excited, including its release date, story, playable characters, gameplay, and more.

2 August 2023 Update: This article is up to date with everything related to The First Descendant.

The First Descendant Release Date & Platforms

The First Descendant will be released in the fourth quarter of 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. As mentioned previously, a cross-platform beta is also planned from 19 September 2023 to 25 September 2023.

The First Descendant Story & Characters

The First Descendant takes place in the war-torn Continent of Ingris. You play as one of the Descendants, a group of superhumans gifted with physical and magical abilities from their ancestors. 

As a Descendant, your job is to protect Ingris from an enemy faction called Vulgus, whose leader has been raising Hell all over the continent. You play as one of the thirteen Descendants, each with unique skills, abilities, and combat style. 

These characters are:

  • Lepic
  • Ultimate Lepic
  • Ajax
  • Viessa
  • Jayber
  • Sharen
  • Gley
  • Blair
  • Bunny
  • Freyna

During the Extended Xbox Games Showcase 2023, Nexon revealed three new characters coming to the cross beta. These are:

  • Ultimate Viessa
  • Kyle
  • Valby
descendants
Descendants are superhumans gifted with physical and magical abilities. (Picture: Nexon Games)

The First Descendant Gameplay 

As mentioned previously, The First Descendant is a third-person looter shooter where you fight against alien enemies. Traversal is a huge aspect of gameplay, and you can use a grappling hook to get around the world of Ingris. 

There are gigantic boss raids that you can pursue solo or with three additional players. The boss battles mostly boil down to targeting the enemy's weak points. 

Every character favors different playstyles and has unique active and passive abilities. For instance, one of the characters, Valby, can execute water elemental attacks, whereas another character Ultimate Viessa, can apply magnetic defenses to fly around the battlefield.

the first descendant characters
Each playable character has unique active and passive abilities. (Picture: Nexon Games)

Will There Be Microtransactions in the First Descendant

Yes, there will be microtransactions in The First Descendant since it's a free-to-play title. However, Nexon Games has confirmed that new characters and gear can be earned through gameplay. However, several cosmetic items could still be available to purchase with real money like most free-to-play titles. 

the first descendant
The First Descendant is being built on Unreal Engine 5. (Picture: Nexon Games)

That's everything you need to know about The First Descendant.