The First Descendant tech review: broken frame-gen, an unstable RT mode, and performance issues on top (Via: eurogamer.net)
The First Descendant Blows Minds with Graphics Options, but Overwhelms Players
The latest from Nexon Games offers an astonishing array of graphics settings, but not all are worth the hype.
Revolutionizing Console Graphics
With the current console generation, gamers have enjoyed an abundance of PC-style in-game graphics options. The First Descendant takes it further with three core modes, FSR 3 frame generation, and a ray tracing toggle - truly pushing the envelope.
Too Many Choices, Too Little Guidance
Much like the 2022 Saints Row reboot and Hogwarts Legacy, The First Descendant gives players a bewildering number of options. It almost feels like mode overload with nine possible ways to play on PS5 and Series X. Without a clear recommendation, players might face frustrating trial-and-error sessions to find the best settings.
Performance Breakdown
The game offers a 60fps performance mode, a 40fps balanced mode for 120Hz displays, and a 30fps fidelity mode. Adding to the complexity are the frame generation and ray tracing toggles, making the decision even tougher for players. 😵💫
Frame Generation and Ray Tracing
The team has tested each mode on PS5, Series X, and Series S to see how well they hit the 60fps target. Unfortunately, the ray tracing feature has its issues, particularly on consoles like the Series S where it's not available.
Your One-Stop Guide
To simplify things, tables have been assembled to break down every native resolution in each mode. This is aimed at helping players find the best combination without the hassle.
For a more detailed look, check out the original article.
Unpacking the Chaos of Graphic Modes in The First Descendant
The latest console generation has brought a whole slew of PC-style graphics options to our living rooms. With the PS5, Series X, and even Series S offering quality and performance modes, developers are giving gamers more control over how their games look and run. But sometimes more choices don't necessarily mean better experiences. Enter The First Descendant, developed by Nexon Games, which takes this trend to a whole new level—and not always in the best way.
Mode Overload: When Options Become Obstacles
Yeah, having options is great, but an overwhelming number of them can feel like a chore. Remember the Saints Row Reboot and Hogwarts Legacy? Both games fell into the trap of giving users a ridiculous number of graphics modes, putting the onus of optimization on players instead of doing the heavy lifting for us. With nine different modes to choose from and additional toggles for FSR 3 frame generation and ray tracing, The First Descendant gives off serious "mode overload" vibes.
The Dilemma of Multiple Modes
So, which mode do you pick when you first boot up the game? With a 60fps performance mode, 40fps balanced mode for 120Hz displays, and a 30fps fidelity mode, plus various toggles, it almost feels like solving a Rubik's Cube. Gamers have to switch between modes and experiment to find the one that works best without tanking their frame rates. And let's be real, ain't nobody got time for that.
Why So Many Modes?
Developers bean-feeding us all these options could mean they're kind of handing off some optimization work, saying, "Here, you figure it out." And while that can be cool for folks who love to tinker, it can be a headache for the rest of us who just want to jump in and play without a drop in performance. But that's life in the fast lane of modern gaming. 🌐
Ray Tracing: The Shiny Elephant in the Room
Ah, ray tracing. The magic word that promises to make our games look all sorts of beautiful. The First Descendant brings ray tracing to consoles (sans Series S), and while that's awesome, the implementation here leaves much to be desired. The key issues with this feature suggest it's not as polished as we might've hoped. So, is the juice worth the squeeze? Probably not, at least not yet.
Frame Generation: Hype or Hope?
FSR 3 frame generation is supposed to crank up the performance, allowing for a smooth 60fps target. But, surprise surprise, it doesn't always hit the mark. In the battle for optimization, frame generation often feels like it's fighting with one hand tied behind its back. You're juggling between smoother gameplay and graphical fidelity, and "frame rate performance disasters" aren't exactly what anyone signed up for.
Why Simplicity Often Reigns Supreme
Honestly, sometimes less is more. Give us a couple of well-optimized modes and let us game in peace. Throwing in a billion options only complicates things and can turn an exciting new game into a tedious tech trial. While it's good to have choices, there has to be some balance to keep the experience user-friendly.
Tables Galore for the Tech Enthusiasts
The article includes tables breaking down every native resolution in each mode, turning the complexity up to eleven and serving as a handy guide for those brave enough to navigate it. But let's face it, most of us would rather be slinging virtual bullets than scrutinizing resolution details.
For the tech geeks who want to dive deeper, here's more info.
In the end, it looks like The First Descendant has gotten caught up in its own ambition. While multiple modes and high-end features like ray tracing and frame generation are intriguing, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Less might actually be more in the world of gaming modes.
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