You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here
The First Descendant is a free, live-service looter-shooter. Developed by Nexon, its main revenue stream is through seasonal unlocks, microtransactions, and cosmetic upgrades. One of the features central to the game is seasonal rewards, however as we close in on the first season’s end-game, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the structure is not making fans happy, at all.
“Am I seeing this right? Every single coin I’ve ever earned equals a SINGLE phase exchanger,” one player complains. Attached to the post is a screenshot of the seasonal purchases screen, and the cost of a Precision Phase Exhanger. At 360, it’s one of the more expensive unlockable purchases in The First Descendant, yet one of the least useful.
“They didn’t really put any thought or effort into those rewards,” writes one in response, while the original poster refutes that:
“I want to agree, but it almost seems intentional to make the battle pass seem more appealing at a glance (ooh pretty coins wonder what they do), while hiding how terrible the reward is behind smoke and mirrors. As a noob looking at the BP I would think “Oh those phase exchanger things you buy with the coins must be pretty good/rare” only to find out later when its too late just how bad it is.”
The issue of The First Descendant’s microtransactions have long been a recurring theme for critics to pick up on. We’ve covered a deep dive into how The First Descendant is anti-consumer, and how the game is designed through and through to encourage a pay-to-win playstyle. This is yet another example of how deeply entrenched it is. So much so that the Battle Pass rewards themselves are virtually worthless, to encourage people to look at other pay-to-win rewards instead.
The seasonal structure is effectively a snare that convinces player that they need these perks. Unfortunately, it’s increasingly apparent that those who have played through the game consistently no longer need to rely on the transparent offerings of the battle passes.
About the Author
