The First Descendant, a popular game by Nexon, recently made significant changes to its main new mission additions for season 1. After playing these revamped missions, I can say that they are no longer as annoying as they used to be, but they have become quite boring.
Previously, missions that required players to memorize symbols and colors were frustrating, especially when dealing with mobs of enemies. Now, these puzzles have been made easier and can be completed quickly without facing many enemies. This allows players to reach the boss zone within minutes, where the challenge lies in defeating the boss rather than solving puzzles.
Nexon has also announced plans to add matchmaking to these missions, addressing complaints about them being solo missions. However, with the current ease of completing these missions, matchmaking may not be necessary unless players are using underpowered characters.
While the revamped missions are an improvement from the previous version, they still highlight poor level design. The need to repeatedly complete these missions to farm materials for the new hero, Hailey, may become repetitive. Fortunately, Nexon has also reduced the materials required to unlock Hailey, easing the grind for players.
Looking ahead, The First Descendant will introduce harder Infiltration missions in the second half of the season. Players can also expect a larger dungeon in season 2, although details are still unknown. It is hoped that these new missions will offer more rewarding challenges to keep players engaged.
Despite these updates, The First Descendant faces a challenge in retaining player interest. The game saw a slight increase in player count at the start of season 1, but this has since declined. To prevent further decline, the game may need to introduce more inspiring content in the future.
Overall, while the revamped missions have made gameplay less frustrating, they may not be enough to sustain player engagement in the long run. Players can stay updated on the game’s developments by following Nexon on social media platforms and can explore other works by the developer, such as sci-fi novels in the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.