In the world of big-budget games, it’s rare to see two games that are so similar in concept and gameplay release at around the same time. However, that’s exactly what’s happening on Steam right now. Tencent’s NExT Studios released Synced: Off Planet, a free-to-play, sci-fi, third-person, co-op shooter set in a post-apocalyptic world where rogue machines have destroyed human civilization. On the other hand, Nexon’s The First Descendant is also a free-to-play, sci-fi, third-person, co-op shooter set in a post-apocalyptic world, but this time, the threat comes from alien attacks.
While Synced has seen a modest player turnout and has received mixed reviews on Steam, The First Descendant is enjoying significant success. With over 77,591 concurrent players and rising, it is currently one of the most played games on Steam. The fact that it has garnered such a large audience during a busy period for major game releases is impressive.
Despite the similarities between the two games, there are some differences. Synced features player-versus-player combat, while The First Descendant is strictly player-versus-environment. The First Descendant also runs on Unreal Engine 5 and boasts encounters with colossal monsters. However, the moment-to-moment gameplay in both games is hard to distinguish. They have generic titles and lack exciting gameplay mechanics.
In terms of visuals and overall interest, The First Descendant seems to be the more appealing game. It remains to be seen whether both games will sustain their popularity in the long run, as service games have a tendency to decline over time. Nevertheless, The First Descendant is currently the more successful and captivating of the two, and it is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Sources:
– Source article: (source article title) by (author’s name)
– SteamDB for player numbers and reviews
