Third installment of The First Descendant unveils significant enhancements following extensive feedback and unfavorable reviews
In the exciting world of The First Descendant, Season 3: Breakthrough has taken centre stage, launching on August 7, 2025. This major update brings a host of new content and improvements to the free-to-play looter shooter game.
The current narrative focuses on the villainous Karel, commander of the Vulgus faction, who wreaks havoc with the device "Iron Heart" and opens dimensional anomalies, unleashing formidable enemies like the Colossus. Players must unravel Karel's hidden motives as the crisis deepens.
The season introduces a massive new map, the Axion Plains, where players will face stronger monsters and threats such as the grotesque Legion of Breach and Mutants. The new map offers fresh challenges and rewards, especially in areas like Slumber Valley and Mysteries End, which now yield significant XP.
In terms of gameplay updates, Season 3 features increased XP for missions, incentivizing players to engage more deeply with the content. Additional rewards have been expanded across various zones, including the Sigma sector.
A new playable Descendant, Nell, has made her debut in Season 3. Interestingly, Nell was originally an NPC, marking the first time an existing NPC has transitioned into a playable character. The main story arc of the season revolves around Nell's awakening as a Descendant, with an eight-minute cinematic scene to boot.
However, there is no confirmed information linking Nell to The First Descendant beyond this season or any future game plans. A search for "Nell" online seems to refer to a different context, a character played by Carey Mulligan in a musical project unrelated to the game.
The developers have shared updates about the game, including an extensive roadmap for the rest of the year. They have also introduced new features like the Hover Bike, a mobility feature that helps players travel efficiently across the vast Axion Plains.
The developers are running events called 'Descendant Boost-Up' and 'Descendant Boost Path' to help new and returning players jump into the Breakthrough update. They have also added in-game surveys to gather player feedback, which has been instrumental in driving improvements in the game.
The Lounge in The First Descendant will feature interactive 'reactions' and a wide range of customisation items. The developers have made significant improvements to the game based on player feedback, particularly in easing the farming loop and repetition.
A collaboration for The First Descendant is planned for November, but specific details are yet to be revealed. The game has courted controversy due to claims that its female characters are overly sexualised, particularly through skins and emotes.
As The First Descendant celebrates its first anniversary and starts Season 3: Breakthrough, plans for Season 4 are still being finalized, with more information to be shared when ready. There are currently no plans for The First Descendant to be released on the Nintendo Switch 2.
- In the Axion Plains, a new playground for players in Season 3: Breakthrough, cutting-edge technology like the Hover Bike adds a new dimension to exploration, allowing efficient travel across the vast plains.
- As the mystery of Nell, the newest Descendant in Season 3, unfolds, players are introduced to a host of innovative gadgets, including her unique abilities, as they delve deeper into her compelling backstory.
