NEXON’s sci-fi looter-shooter The First Descendant just hit a major milestone, and it’s going all out to celebrate. During the Descendant Fest 2025 livestream held on July 2, the development team unveiled an action-packed preview of what’s ahead in Season 3: Breakthrough, launching August 7. The event highlighted a slew of major updates, including a NieR: Automata crossover, gameplay demos, a new playable Descendant, quality-of-life changes, and a bold roadmap stretching into late 2025.
Season 3: Breakthrough — Enter the Axion Plains
The upcoming Breakthrough Update will introduce players to the Axion Plains, a massive open field teeming with dungeons, enemies, and large-scale battles. Alongside this new terrain comes the Hover Bike, a sleek new vehicle that lets players traverse the field with speed and freedom.
Season 3 also debuts the Colossus Field Raid, an epic 8-player co-op activity featuring the devastating Wall Crasher, a towering behemoth with AoE shockwaves and devastating strikes that demand tactical teamwork and squad synergy.
Meet Nell, The Telekinetic Powerhouse
Joining the roster is Nell, a new Descendant who manipulates enemies with telekinetic precision. With abilities that mark targets, boost ally shields, and enhance team damage, Nell is a versatile force in both offense and support roles. Her unique kit and playstyle offer new strategic depth, making her a standout in any squad.
NieR: Automata Collaboration – 2B and A2 Join the Fray
In a crossover that’s sure to electrify fans, The First Descendant is teaming up with NieR: Automata to bring the beloved androids 2B and A2 into the game. Players will soon be able to unlock new skins, animations, and themed cosmetics inspired by the iconic action RPG. The crossover trailer reveals stunning visuals of these characters brought to life in Nexon’s Unreal Engine 5-powered world.
Spotify Collab, Player Infographics, and Anniversary Events
In celebration of its first year, The First Descendant is releasing its official soundtrack on Spotify and other platforms. Players logging in after the July 3 update will receive a Spotify Name Card and two new Paints.
Additionally, the dev team released a detailed anniversary infographic breaking down player stats from the past year — including top Descendants, weapon usage, and regional player distribution. Players can view their personal stats on the official website starting this week.
Demo Launch, Boost Events, and What’s Next
Players eager to preview Season 3 won’t have to wait long. A Season 3 demo launches on July 24, offering a hands-on experience with the Hover Bike, Wall Crasher raid, and Nell’s gameplay.
To support new and returning players, a Descendant Boost Up and Descendant Boost Path event will go live on August 7, allowing players to skip early content and jump straight into mid-game Hard Mode with a fully equipped loadout and guidance system.
Roadmap, Companion App, and Dev Commitment
The team also revealed a monthly roadmap outlining upcoming dungeons, characters, and features for the rest of 2025. A key highlight is the new First Descendant Companion App, available now on iOS and Android. It allows players to track research, manage resources, and view in-game details on the go — with future updates enabling remote interactions like starting research directly from the app.
Executive Producer Beom-Jun Lee expressed gratitude during the livestream:
“We’re proud to celebrate one full year since launch and incredibly grateful to all the players who’ve supported The First Descendant. Your feedback has been invaluable as the game has evolved. There’s still so much more to come.”
NEXON also reinforced its focus on community engagement through its official Discord and social channels, promising more transparency and player-driven development moving forward.
Stay Connected
🔗 Official Website: tfd.nexon.com
📢 Discord: Join the Conversation
🐦 Twitter/X: @FirstDescendant
📘 Facebook: The First Descendant
📺 YouTube: The First Descendant
🎮 Download Now on Steam
