"The First Descendant" is a free-to-play third-person cooperative looter shooter developed by Nexon, set in a sci-fi universe where humanity fights for survival against an alien threat. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its story:
Setting and World
•Ingris: The main setting is a planet called Ingris in a distant future where humanity has colonized space. Ingris was once a peaceful world but became the battleground after the arrival of the Vulgus, an invasive alien race.
•Albion: The last stronghold of humanity on Ingris, serving as the central hub where Descendants are briefed and equipped for missions.
Key Concepts
•Descendants: Humans who have inherited special abilities from their ancestors, known as "Arche." These individuals are the last line of defense against the Vulgus.
•Arche: A genetic trait that gives Descendants their powers, activated by the Magisters to combat the alien threat.
•Vulgus: The primary antagonists, an advanced alien race searching for a powerful energy source called the Ironheart on Ingris.
•Ironheart: A mysterious, ancient power source believed to be crucial for either the salvation or destruction of humanity.
•Magisters: A group of advanced beings or scientists who sided with humanity against the Vulgus. They are responsible for activating the dormant Arche within humans.
Plot Overview
•Prologue: The game starts with the Vulgus invasion of Ingris, with humanity on the brink of extinction. The Magisters, once part of the Vulgus, betray their kind to aid humanity, activating the Arche gene to create Descendants.
The Main Story:
•The Player's Role: As a new Descendant, you're tasked with defending Ingris from the Vulgus. Your journey involves various missions aimed at thwarting the Vulgus' plans, particularly their pursuit of the Ironheart.
•Karel and Qliphoth: The Vulgus are led by General Karel, who seeks the Ironheart to expand his power. Qliphoth is a term used to describe the dark, corrupted forces or areas influenced by the Vulgus or their technology.
Narrative Progression:
•Early Missions: Involve defending human territories, securing resources, and gathering intelligence on the Vulgus.
•Encounters with Colossi: Gigantic, biomechanical beings that serve as significant challenges for the Descendants, each with unique mechanics and lore.
•Ironheart Pursuit: The central plot revolves around the search for Ironhearts. These are not just mere power sources but also keys to understanding the history and fate of humanity.
Character Stories:
•Bunny: One of the first Descendants with a personal story that involves her parents, who were involved in early resistance against the Vulgus.
•Ajax, Viessa, Lepic: Each has unique abilities and personal motivations, with Ajax focusing on defense, Viessa on manipulation of elements, and Lepic on explosive combat.
•Seasonal Content: Post-launch, "The First Descendant" introduces seasonal stories that expand the lore:
•Season 1: Deals with an illness affecting Descendants after the destruction of an Ironheart, leading to new missions to stabilize the situation.
Antagonists and Conflicts
Vulgus and Their Factions:
•Karel: The primary antagonist, seeking to use the Ironheart to further his conquest.
•Jeremy: A human antagonist, characterized by his arrogance and betrayal, often complicating missions for personal gain or to curry favor with the Vulgus.
•Internal Struggles: Not all conflicts come from the Vulgus. There are hints of human factions or individuals with differing views on how to handle the crisis, including those who might collaborate with the aliens.
Endgame and Lore Expansion
•Hard Mode and Beyond: Completing the main story unlocks harder versions of missions, providing deeper challenges and lore through new encounters with more complex Colossi or Vulgus strategies.
•Future Updates: The narrative is designed to evolve with updates, potentially revealing more about the origins of the Vulgus, the true nature of the Ironheart, and the broader universe of "The First Descendant."
Narrative Style
•Dialogue and Storytelling: The game uses a mix of in-game cutscenes, dialogues during missions, and environmental storytelling to convey its narrative. However, it's often criticized for its convoluted or shallow storytelling, with the focus more on gameplay and action.
•Lore Depth: While the main plot might be straightforward, the game's lore is explored through item descriptions, character backstories, and side missions, offering players who delve into these elements a richer understanding of the world.
Development Innovations
•AI-Driven Graphics Enhancements: With the integration of NVIDIA DLSS 3.5, including Ray Reconstruction, the game benefits from AI-enhanced graphics, improving visual quality while maintaining performance.
•Skill Modification Modules: A novel feature where players can use Skill Modification Modules to alter character skills, thereby changing playstyles. This mechanic allows for greater flexibility in how players approach combat and mission objectives.
•Innovative Character Customization: Each character, known as a Descendant, has unique abilities and can be extensively customized through a mod system. This includes changing skill functions, enhancing stats, and equipping mods that can alter gameplay significantly, offering deep strategic options for players.
"The First Descendant" combines elements of sci-fi with looter shooter gameplay, crafting a story about survival, identity, and the battle between progress and destruction in a universe where every Descendant's action could tip the balance.
