Descenders vs. Descenders Next

RageSquid’s Descenders has emerged as one of the most popular extreme biking sims, attracting over 30 million players since it launched in 2019. Racing down mountain slopes at extreme speeds as you perform spectacular tricks, all while avoiding falling, feels exhilarating. Now, the game’s developers are working on Descenders Next, a sequel that promises to be broader and more exciting.

Descenders Next builds upon Descenders’ concept and gameplay mechanics but introduces lots of new activities and features. Notably, the developers have touted it as the only extreme sports game you will ever need. So, how does Descenders Next differ from Descenders, and can it live up to the hype? Let’s find out in a comparison between Descenders vs. Descenders Next, which is greater.

What is Descenders?

Descenders is an extreme biking sim developed by RageSquid and published by No More Robots. You play as a biker racing on slopy mountain-side terrains. The game boasts a sophisticated physics system and smooth gameplay mechanics, enabling you to control the subtlest movements.

While the speed is exhilarating, the fun comes from performing complex tricks and trying not to fall off your bike. Moreover, you can try out three slightly different playstyles based on the team you choose. Kinetic bikers specialize in high-octane speeds, Arboreal bikers specialize in off-road biking, and Enemy bikers specialize in performing tricks.

What is Descenders Next?

Descenders Next is a sequel of Descendants. It is currently under development and is scheduled to launch in 2025. Fortunately, the game’s official announcement came with detailed information of its features and gameplay design.

Interestingly, Descenders Next shares many close similarities with Descenders but also features many distinct differences. On the one hand, it focuses on extreme sports and utilizes the original game’s sophisticated physics system and gameplay mechanics. On the other hand, it replaces biking with various other extreme sports.

Instead of biking, Descenders Next will offer two extreme boarding sports to start with: snowboarding and mountain boarding. That’s not all, as the developers promise to add other extreme sports over time after launching. The developers said the following in an interview, “We asked ourselves, ‘Where do we go from Descenders? How do we deliver the same feel, the same sense of speed, but expand beyond mountain biking?’ from there, the idea of perfecting the fluidity of numerous sports was born.” Ideally, it will emulate the gameplay designs of similar all-round extreme sports games, such as Riders Republic.

Story

Descenders and Descenders Next don’t have a background story. However, you don’t need a story to enjoy the game’s extreme sports. As such, you can start playing as soon as accessing the games and build your own unique story as you master your biking and boarding skills.

Character

Neither game features permanent characters with distinct personalities. Instead, they both feature avatars that you can customize to give them a unique appearance and skill profile.

However, the customization system in Descenders is somewhat limited. Players can only equip their riders with apparel and gear limited to their chosen teams. In contrast, Descenders Next offers a richer customization system, enabling players to give their avatars a unique appearance. Notably, you can also equip your avatars with gear from real-world brands.

Gameplay

The core aspect of both games’ gameplay design is similar: hurtling down slopy terrains while performing awesome tricks without crashing. However, Descenders has you riding mountain bikes, while Descenders Next has you riding boards. Moreover, the latter promises to add other extreme sports after launching.

Notably, the playstyles in Descenders Next differ from snowboarding to mountain boarding. Boarding down bare mountain terrains will feel rougher and more challenging than boarding down snowy terrains. Playstyles also differ from map to map. For example, some maps focus on performing tricks, while others focus on speed and winning races. Similarly, the playstyles in Descenders differ between the three teams and various maps.

Performing tricks is one of the best aspects of playing both games. They both feature advanced physics systems and gameplay mechanics, enabling you to perform diverse moves and tricks. However, the trick systems are difficult to master, creating a fun challenge that makes you want to keep playing.

Mastering tricks takes some work, and both games feature a Rep that rewards players for making impressive moves and completing challenges. You can use the rewards in both games to unlock new gear, threads, and bikes or boards. Moreover, you can showcase your skills to other players. Notably, Descendants Next’s Rep system is more advanced and even features editing tools to capture your boarding skills’ best angles.

The terrains and environments in both games differ considerably. Notably, Descenders features two types of distinct environments: procedurally-generated, mostly featureless tracks and hand-crafted parks that look like theme parks. In contrast, Descenders Next integrates both environments for a more holistic experience. As such, the procedurally-generated off-piste mountains are connected to the hand-crafted parks. However, both games’ maps feature nodes that unlock new terrains and playstyles.

It is also worth noting that the environments in Descenders Next boast more features and better visuals. You can explore various environments in detail when playing scavenger hunts, which reward you for going as deep into the mountains as possible.

Descenders complements its intense thrill using a fully licensed, exciting soundtrack from Liquicity. Similarly, Descenders Next promises exciting soundtracks from Monstercat to get your adrenaline pumping.

Both games support single-player and multiplayer playstyles. Notably, Descenders boasts a huge base of over 30 million players worldwide, and Descenders Next may attract a bigger base.

Verdict

Descenders Next is an evolution of Descenders. It improves the latter’s sophisticated gameplay mechanics for a smoother, more versatile playing experience. Moreover, it moves from mountain biking to other extreme sports, starting with boarding sports for a fresh and diverse playing experience. It certainly has the potential to live up to its high ambitions of being an outstanding, all-in-one extreme sports game. However, players must wait and see, as the game is still under development.

So, what’s your take on our comparison of Descenders vs Descenders Next? Let us know on our socials here or in the comments below.