The First Descendant, a free-to-play loot shooter by Nexon, is raising eyebrows due to its steep monetization. Players are comparing its in-game purchases unfavorably to Warframe, particularly concerning Energy Activators that enhance mod capacity for weapons and characters. These items are expensive, costing around $104.98 for a full loadout, while similar upgrades in Warframe are significantly cheaper. The criticism stems from these upgrades being essential for gameplay rather than cosmetic, creating a progression bottleneck that many players find frustrating.

Is the monetization in The First Descendant justified compared to Warframe?n

Many players feel that the monetization in The First Descendant is not justified because essential gameplay upgrades are significantly more expensive than in Warframe. The costs can create a financial barrier to progression, which has led to widespread criticism.

The First Descendant's intense monetization model is reminiscent of other free-to-play games that rely heavily on in-game purchases for revenue. Warframe, a comparable loot shooter, offers similar mod capacity upgrades for a fraction of the price, making its in-game economy more player-friendly. With its sci-fi setting and gameplay mechanics, The First Descendant draws clear parallels to Warframe but struggles with balancing player expenses and essential upgrades, which may affect its long-term player retention.