The First Descendant Sparks Backlash After Removing Unique Character Voice Lines

In its latest April update, The First Descendant made a controversial change that hasn’t sat well with fans. Nexon, the game's developer, removed unique, character-specific voice lines and replaced them with more generic dialogue—prompting a wave of criticism from players who feel this move stripped the game of its charm.

These personalized voice lines weren’t just fluff. They added flavor to gameplay, offering character-driven moments during revives or mission interactions. For example, Bunny might make a snappy remark about her speed, or another Descendant could comment on a teammate’s personality quirks. It was these small details that helped bring the characters to life beyond just their combat abilities.

But now, with those lines gone, players are saying the game feels noticeably more sterile.

On platforms like Reddit, fans argue that the removal of these voice lines has dulled the personality of the Descendants, making team interactions feel bland and robotic. Immersion has taken a noticeable hit.

One frustrated player summed it up best: “I miss it so much. It was very rare to actually see Descendant personalities outside of cutscenes, and now there is none... We'll never know how Keelan and Esiemo would interact now. Or how Serena would react to Jayber.”

Why Were the Voice Lines Removed?

While Nexon hasn't officially commented on the change, the community has theories. Many believe the decision was financially motivated or made to streamline the process of adding new characters. After all, recording unique lines for each Descendant—especially as the roster grows—can be resource-heavy.

Some players had previously complained that certain lines were repetitive or annoying, and had suggested an option to toggle them on or off. But instead of giving players that flexibility, Nexon appears to have gone with a full removal, catching many off guard.

Adding to the disappointment is the fact that The First Descendant boasts an impressive voice cast, including Doug Cockle (best known as Geralt in The Witcher) voicing Ajax, and Rebecca LaChance as Bunny. The decision to flatten their performances into generic lines feels like a step backward for a game that initially stood out for its personality-rich characters.

A Rough Road Ahead?

Despite a strong launch with a peak of over 264,000 players, the game’s momentum has stalled. Just a month later, peak player counts have plummeted to around 10,000, and this latest controversy isn’t helping the situation.

As of now, there’s been no official statement from Nexon addressing the backlash or explaining the decision.