The First Descendant Season 3 “Breakthrough” Brings Massive Overhaul and NieR: Automata Collaboration

Season 3: Breakthrough — The Real Battle Begins.

Kyle S

Nexon’s looter-shooter The First Descendant is preparing for its biggest evolution yet. During a recent developer showcase at GDC 2025, the studio pulled back the curtain on Season 3: Breakthrough, slated to launch this July. The update promises a sweeping overhaul of the game’s content, progression, and core systems—alongside a high-profile collaboration with NieR: Automata that’s set to draw fresh eyes to the ambitious free-to-play title.

A New Frontier: Axion Plains and Colossus Raids

Headlining the Breakthrough update is the debut of Axion Plains, an all-new region designed for large-scale encounters and deeper environmental storytelling. According to Nexon, the area was “built from the ground up” to accommodate new traversal mechanics and large boss engagements.

That includes Hover Bikes—a long-requested feature finally arriving to streamline movement across the sprawling terrain. These sleek, futuristic vehicles will let players blitz across enemy lines, reach new vertical zones, and participate in Field Raids against Colossi, massive world bosses that combine bullet-hell mechanics with MMO-style arena design.

“Axion Plains is where we wanted to push the boundaries of what The First Descendant can do technically and creatively,” said Game Director Jaehoon Jung during the showcase. “It’s not just a new map—it’s the evolution of our endgame philosophy.”

Meet Nell: The Latest Descendant Joins the Fight

Nell, a prominent figure in The First Descendant, transitions from her role as an executive officer at Albion Headquarters to a playable character in Season 3: “Breakthrough.” Known for her exceptional intelligence and judgment, Nell has been instrumental in assisting Descendants in battle alongside Alpha.

While specific details about Nell’s abilities as a playable Descendant have not been officially disclosed, her background suggests a strategic and supportive playstyle. Previously, players interacted with Nell to initiate main quests, such as “Void Vessel Alarm,” indicating her central role in the game’s narrative progression.

Nell’s promotion to a playable character reflects Nexon’s commitment to expanding the game’s roster and providing players with diverse gameplay experiences. As Season 3 unfolds, players can look forward to exploring Nell’s unique abilities and contributions to the ongoing battle against the Vulgus threat.

A New Social Hub, New Weapons, and Quality-of-Life Improvements

Multiplayer cohesion has also been a major focus. With Breakthrough, players will gain access to The Lounge, a fully instanced social hub that allows for party matchmaking, weapon customization, emote interactions, and even community-based events.

Additional updates include:

  • 4 New Ultimate Weapons – Two rifles, a launcher, and a close-range energy weapon.
  • Photo Mode – Capture in-game moments with full camera control and filters.
  • Party Finder Tool – Easily team up for missions, raids, or exploration.
  • Updated UI/UX – Cleaner menus, optimized loadouts, and inventory rework.

NieR: Automata Collaboration: Style Meets Sci-Fi

One of the biggest surprises from the showcase was a collaboration with Square Enix’s critically acclaimed NieR: Automata. While the crossover will be limited to cosmetic content, fans can expect a suite of 2B-, 9S-, and A2-themed outfits, accessories, and emotes.

“NieR: Automata was a natural fit,” said Nexon’s marketing team. “Its themes of synthetic humanity and existential warfare complement the world we’re building in The First Descendant.”

The collab is expected to run for a limited time during the early weeks of Season 3, and cosmetics will be available through the in-game store and seasonal pass tiers.

Final Thoughts

The First Descendant has struggled to find consistent footing in the saturated looter-shooter market, but Season 3: Breakthrough may be the injection of energy the game needs. With expansive new content, meaningful mechanical upgrades, and the cachet of a beloved Square Enix franchise, Nexon is signalling that it’s playing the long game.