Five years ago, I took a step back from the gaming community’s fast-paced developments, particularly those of Digital Extremes’ innovative updates, to focus on exploring other gaming franchises. When you asked me to reconsider, but without any references to exotic vehicles like Arch-Wings, high-tech gadgets like Ok-Drives, or even the Nidus ship, I would not give your proposal a second thought. While not a straightforward description, Nexon’s free-to-play looter shooter’s release into a market where time can feel toxic doesn’t entirely dismiss the correlations between the two.
Several key points were torn away from context. The Modules system, from its mod capability to polarities that reduce the general price of an identical mod; Mastery Ranges, similar to Mastery Ranks but without exams, unfold all the way down to earning XP for them by levelling up Descendants without Socket Sorts and elevating weapon proficiency stages; even the researching system, where crafting involves a waiting period, yet it can be expedited with premium currency.
“It seems to borrow heavily from classic loot shooters, yet fails to acknowledge significant advancements and innovations in the genre over time.”
Despite sharing similarities with their respective modules, the Descendants’ expertise ratings increase as they progress through their unique modules, much like the distinct abilities of various Warframes. Until Nexon introduces a narrative twist akin to its Second Dream storyline, these characters are treated as bespoke individuals.
It’s not necessarily to suggest that every single iteration of existing systems and frameworks is inherently flawed or ineffective; rather, it’s crucial to acknowledge the value in refining and building upon established principles, methodologies, and best practices. Despite these accomplishments, it’s striking to note that stands out as subpar in numerous domains. The game appears to be a by-the-numbers loot shooter, borrowing heavily from its predecessors without incorporating any meaningful innovations or advancements made in recent years. Diverging from various video game genres, the resulting amalgamation is a lackluster third-person looter shooter, characterized by uninspired mission design, a dull narrative, unremarkable loot drops, underwhelming character development, excessive grinding requirements, and the unfortunate introduction of frustrating microtransactions.
Let’s begin from the start. Let’s not repeat what we’ve already discussed, then? The planet was ravaged by an extraterrestrial force known as the Vulgus, leaving large-scale devastation in its wake and drastically reducing human populations. Mysterious entities known as the Colossi are present, quietly exerting their influence. The esteemed Tenno, also known as the Descendants, endeavour once more against the backdrop of adversity posed by the Vulgus. A perilous quest unfolds to procure three coveted Ironhearts – crucial relics necessary for dismantling the formidable Dimensional Wall – as the enigmatic Karel, a behemoth of unwholesome proportions, stirs memories of the Monitor from Anthem, his actions shrouded in intrigue and factional strife. A Mysterious Information Awakens to Assist the Descendants.
Despite the initial allure, the narrative deliberately strives to render the story as unremarkable and dull as possible. You navigate through a dynamic array of personas within Albion HQ’s diverse ranks, seamlessly interacting with role models and narrative vessels. Within the confines of the patrol house, commonly referred to as the Battlefield, players are initially tasked with completing a series of three to four “missions” that serve as an introduction to their typical daily routines before gaining access to the primary objective. Rinse and repeat.
While most missions involve gratuitous violence, there’s one notable exception: the platform-based level with a focus on collecting small orbs. Unfortunately, this type of mission feels disjointed due to the disconnect between the momentum of your jumps and the movement of the platforms.
The characterization of the issue isn’t particularly modern? If it’s not Alpha, Albion HQ’s enigmatic leader who masks his true nature beneath a gruff exterior and an air of distrust towards the Information, then it’s the trio of intriguing characters: the dashing yet self-assured Lepic, the robust and stoic Ajax, or the alluring and cunning Viessa. While the dialogue may not resonate with audiences, the voice actors’ commendable efforts do help mitigate its impact. Despite being seemingly flat, characteristics such as those possessed by Bunny, Sharen, and Module Improve Man enable them to transcend their superficial personas.
A dedicated quest is an anomaly in this narrative’s typical storytelling pattern. Fascinated by her absentee parents, this portrayal delves deeper into the protagonist’s psyche, forever on the move yet racing against time – perhaps as a coping mechanism to shield herself from the lingering scars of her traumatic past? The mission’s scope is surprisingly limited, amounting to little more than a series of fetch quests that require players to collect fragments of information from various locations and assemble the puzzle of what actually transpired. While it’s endearing to see brief moments of personality shine through, we’re left craving more insight into the characters’ inner workings, leaving us hopeful that future stories will delve deeper and provide a more nuanced understanding of these complex individuals. At the very minimum, players seek a certain level of diversity in gameplay and objectives to keep their experience engaging.
As previously established, the game’s core mechanics revolve around a trifecta of playable components: Sub Missions, primary objectives, and Void Interceptions. Submissions involve exploring a larger area to complete diverse tasks, each offering rewards with specific drop probabilities: the more elusive, the rarer the reward. You conquer foes to obtain bombs, then attach them to one of three distinct modules or infiltrate three separate terminals while fending off relentless hordes of adversaries.
Can you effectively defend a certain scope, place the product within a small robot, and add some authentic flavor? Typically, players are expected to eliminate enemies within a designated area. By identifying the objective of targeting multiple small spheres with limited radii, I was able to effectively neutralize their distinct characteristics. Regrettably, a peculiar mission type devoid of mass carnage is dedicated to platforming and collecting small orbs, which jars with the game’s intense pace due to the stark disparity between the momentum of one’s jumps and the platform’s motion.
The gunplay doesn’t quite live up to Destiny 2’s standard, nor do the melee combat encounters approach the intensity of Warframe’s battles. Notwithstanding its unassuming nature, the game remains snappily paced and intensely engaging, whether navigating labyrinthine regions or vanquishing formidable enemies.
While Recon Missions initially focus on taking down surveillance towers, they often swiftly transition into a “kill-all-enemies” objective, effectively altering their original purpose. Void Fragments are the standard wave-based enemy encounters, although they require a specific Descendant factor to trigger their activation. The Void Fusion Reactors feature intense battling against formidable foes, serving as a thrilling departure from the norm, ultimately leading to the discovery of the enigmatic and coveted Encrypted Vaults. After listening to specific sound effects, participants must then utilize the Code Analyzer to initiate a limited-time interactive game. Failure to execute button presses in sync can lead to failure, whereas a misplaced Analyzer is also a recipe for disaster? I implore you: please refrain from utilizing these rare Precision Code Analyzers for personal gain?
After completing the necessary prep work, you’ll embark on a pivotal story quest, which typically takes the form of a challenging, enemy-filled dungeon. While degree design appears more complex in this regard, even with relatively straightforward boss battles. Notwithstanding a few exceptions, some bosses in the game are puzzlingly complex, such as Eterllick the Tracker, who boasts two interconnected immunity mechanics that consistently replenish themselves unless you manage to exhaust his defenses with an extraordinary amount of damage output or cleverly exploit vulnerabilities throughout the fight. With ammunition depleted at multiple fronts, our protagonist was compelled to embark on a hasty foraging expedition, scouring the battlefield for stray cartridges abandoned by defeated foes.
Upon reaching sufficient progress, the challenging Void Intercept battles become accessible, pitting you directly against a formidable Colossus in an intense showdown. Towering behemoths allow the grappling hook’s return, enabling you to target specific vulnerabilities and then leap onto the scene to dispatch them with a crushing blow. While this mechanic may have its charms, it’s often more effective to rely on conventional firepower and honed combat skills once you’ve disassembled the necessary components.
The Colossi possess distinct mechanics, which prove fortunate as they enable characters like the Gorgeous Magnificence to avoid harm by blocking their summoned eyes and for others, such as the Pyromaniac, to outlast their transformed state. The once-humdrum arenas had transformed into mere skeletons of gray, lifeless structures; yet, their demolition yielded a surprisingly substantial impact.
While there may be some flaws in the game, one aspect that stands out as a highlight is its engaging gameplay. The grappling hook grants enhanced mobility, while each Descendant’s unique equipment offers a distinct delight. Bunny can accelerate to remarkable velocities and build up an electrostatic charge, which she can then unleash as a powerful electromagnetic discharge. This amplification also exacerbates the diminution of her electrical aura, rendering it easier to vanquish lesser foes. As effortless as playing by the rules of Lepic, grouping enemies with a well-placed grenade is a deeply satisfying experience that culminates in a thrilling explosion when detonated using another skillful tactic? Despite its unique features, his signature weapon’s slow activation time is a drawback he’d prefer to minimize, but it remains an integral part of its charm.
“If the blend of engaging gameplay and impressive visuals piques your interest, it may be worth trying before exploring other options.”
While the gunplay may not fully meet expectations, nor does the melee combat quite match the excellence of Warframe’s equivalent. Despite its fast-paced nature, the game remains surprisingly nimble and reactive, whether navigating through terrain or taking down enemies with ease. Enemies selected for combat stand out on the path to their predetermined fate, serving as mere cannon fodder. While I’m not enthralled by shotguns and sniper rifles as primary arms due to ammunition scarcity concerns, I acknowledge that their inclusion can restrict character build options in certain contexts. Despite this caveat, the treasure trove overflows with spoils, a bounty that remains substantial even after some items are revealed to be worthless.
The final project consists of all activities and steps completed so far. Tougher Colossus transforms into accessible opportunities; Infiltration Operations repurpose occasion dungeons, incorporating modifiers for Amorphous Supplies – operable like Void Relics – and other valuable items; Particular Operations offer missions where you take down waves of enemies, with the option to extract after a set time or continue for potentially greater rewards. Why attempting to matchmake on exhausting difficulties of these modes proves impossible for some unexplained reason?
You’ve got an abundance of formidable Final Weapons to pursue, an arsenal of weapons to re-roll for optimal performance, and a plethora of powerful Descendants to craft, not to mention other enticing opportunities waiting to be explored. Despite the extent of repurposed content, there is an impressive amount, and those who become engaged with the gameplay will remain occupied for a considerable period. Despite some notable exceptions, the majority of drop rates for rare items remain woefully inadequate, further complicated by a dearth of meaningful matchmaking options that would facilitate access to more challenging content, thereby amplifying the already substantial amount of grinding necessary to acquire these coveted rewards.
The very notion of monetization’s constraints within its current framework is an affront. While venturing to a Battle Cross, I gather valuable spoils and essentials, as well as acquire supplies in bulk through the Descendants market. However, the costs are utterly staggering in their enormity. While it’s possible to grind for every part of an Ultimate Descendant, that still doesn’t justify a $50 price tag? Ultimately, considering the potential length of time involved in acquiring the preceding item without trading or buying, this price tag appears more like a premium compensation rather than any tangible value.
Despite your reservations, aren’t most looter shooters considered to have decent expertise? While serviceable in its own right, this offering fails to match the lofty standards set by industry leaders, lacking the innovative flair, captivating narratives, and thoughtfully designed missions that truly elevate the genre. While sharing some of the same issues found in other stay service looter shooters, this iteration at least demonstrates a clear eagerness to emulate one of the genre’s best. While the gameplay and visuals may initially pique your interest, it’s worth exploring the game further before ultimately returning to more appealing options.
