Hands-on Preview: The First Descendant channels Mass Effect with its engaging sci-fi TPS gameplay 

The First Descendant is a story-driven TPS/looter shooter with RPG elements. Ahead of its July 2 free-to-play multiplatform release, we got the chance to play the preview of Korean developer Nexon’s new title on PS5. It hints at an expansive game and character load-out system, teasing at a variety of playable characters, missions, side content and possible strategies, while prompting fond memories of Mass Effect. 

In the post-apocalyptic future of The First Descendant, humanity is in dire straits due to a series of catastrophic invasions by the Vulgus- an intelligent otherworldly race, followed by the giant Colossi. To tackle this joint threat, you take on the role of Descendants, superhumans with the powers of the Ancients who can destroy the Vulgus and team up to take down a Colossus.  

The First Descendant features 14 playable Standard Descendant characters, as well as more powerful Ultimate versions. Each Descendant has their own special attacks based on their personality and backstory. For example, Blair was a cook before becoming a Descendant and has fire-based attacks, plus the ability to retrieve stoves on the battlefield to restore mana and up defense.  

The first mission in the preview serves as an introduction to the setting and lore, as well as a light tutorial. It involves going to retrieve an Ironheart with fellow Descendant Bunny, whose bubbly personality and appearance are a little reminiscent of Mass Effect’s Tali. There is hope that the Ironheart can be used to stop the invaders, but of course, things do not go to plan.  

You can pick one of three descendants, the ice-based Viessa, the tank-like Ajax and reckless grenadier Lepic. I went with chilly female badass Viessa. It seems that you will start the game with one Descendant as your Main, unlocking new playable characters as you find their Descendant kits. As you wander through the world you can also pick up modules and reactors, which can be used to strategically boost your Descendant and their weapons respectively. With the play test hinting at a variety of different quests and side content, it seems that the full game will provide strategic opportunities to choose your Descendant and their load-out depending on the mission you are taking on and whether you are playing with other AI or players. 

The story-driven missions are broken down into bite-sized chunks and can be tackled alone or with friends online. In between missions, you can go back to Albion, which acts as a hub world. In the preview, I could walk around Albion and talk to many characters (their bios pop up when interacted with, helping you to keep track of what seems to be a fairly large cast of NPCs). You can also check your mail and store weapons. The hub and world map hint that we can expect a huge amount of different side content in the full game- such as special operations, excavations and intel gathering battles against Colossi, which the player can dip in and out of.  

The third person shooter mechanics are intuitive. In addition to the usual aiming, shooting and roll mechanics, each character has their own special skills that can be used by pressing L1 and one of the face buttons. Used at the right timing, these special attacks can sway battle in your favor, but they have a cooldown to prevent you from spamming them. Your character also has a grappling hook, which is useful for traversing places that your double jump can’t reach.  

The guns sound satisfyingly heavy, allowing you to smoothly mow down hordes of Vulgus in combination with your special attacks. Colossi, however, are another matter entirely. They are boss-like, intimidating half-mechanical, half bionic-looking beasts that you will need to scan to work out their weaknesses. The one introduced in the preview has removable parts which you can latch onto with your grappling hook – then it’s a case of stubbornly balancing on them Shadow of the Colossus-style, as you try to wrench them off. It is your choice whether you simply whale on the Colossus with all your firepower, or work with your fellow Descendants to immobilize it and try to snag its parts. 

It should be noted that the option menu gives you a chance to make many detailed adjustments to your game from auto-aim and aim sensitivity to display brightness. You can even turn off the subtle battle UI at the bottom of the screen to give yourself a more immersive experience. In short, the game allows you to fine-tune the settings to give yourself a playing experience which suits your preferences. 

Overall, I found The First Descendant play test on PS5 a satisfying experience with fluid and intuitive combat, plus an intriguing story set-up. The setting and gameplay strongly reminded me of Mass Effect in a good way, and I hope that The First Descendant can plug the hole left by BioWare’s trilogy. The play test occasionally had some light graphical stuttering on NPC models and the subtitles were inconsistent, sometimes not appearing in cutscenes. These are small matters which can hopefully be easily ironed out in the full game. 

The First Descendant is scheduled to be released on July 2 for PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series X|S and Microsoft Windows/Steam. It will be free-to-play.