The First Descendant S3: Breakthrough Bikes, Blades & Bold Raids

I’ll admit it: when I first heard that The First Descendant’s Season 3 was rolling out hover bikes, swords, and an eight-player raid, I actually took notice. Too many live service shooters coast on fresh skins and repeat boss battles, but Nexon’s Breakthrough update—dropping August 7—promises something more substantial for this free-to-play looter built on Warframe and Destiny’s bones.

The First Descendant Season 3: Breakthrough—Bold Expansion or Just Noise?

• Hover bikes & vast new zone: Axion Plains is the franchise’s largest playable area, complete with high-speed traversal to shake up the usual run-and-gun loop.
• Blades & melee overhaul: Three sword classes arrive at launch, with hints of greatswords and “lightsaber” style weapons later. Finally, some close-quarters fun.
• Eight-player Colossus Field raid: A proper big-group boss fight could be the game-changer The First Descendant needs to compete with genre heavyweights.
• Major crossover cosmetics: Nier Automata skins for 2B and A2 should draw players in—so long as Nexon keeps content locked behind good deals, not greedy traps.

Quick Specs

Axion Plains: Finally a world that feels bigger. Hover bikes should turn this blasted battlefield into a playable playground—if Nexon packs it with events, secrets, and worthwhile rewards. Otherwise, it’s just an empty track to blaze through.

Melee combat: The First Descendant has been gun-heavy, ignoring close combat—until now. If these new swords have real weight, synergy with builds, and proper balance, they could redefine loadouts rather than act as a novelty.

The Colossus Field raid: Eight-player raids are rare in looter shooters—and memorable when they succeed. If trash adds and bullet sponges don’t dominate, and raid mechanics demand coordination, this could mark a turning point for the title’s endgame.

New characters Nell (a telekinetic specialist) and Ultimate Luna (a top-tier support) feel like standard fare, but fresh roles can shake up the meta. And the Nier Automata crossover? Smart for visibility—just let us earn skins without wallet-busting premiums.

Also on deck: a social hub called the Lounge, where you can mingle, show off gear, and squad up. Small touches like this can foster community far better than another menu screen.

What It Means for Players

If you tried The First Descendant and moved on, Season 3 is the game’s most convincing bid to win you back. High-speed traversal, real melee, and sizeable raids check all the right boxes for co-op shooter fans. Pulling this off could transform the title from a “me-too” blaster into something truly engaging. But if features feel shallow or cosmetics turn predatory, the player count may keep slipping.

Mark your calendar for the July 24 demo and June 11 livestream. The pieces are there—execution will say if Season 3 is Breakthrough or just another update.

TL;DR

Season 3’s “Breakthrough” for The First Descendant pumps in hover bikes, swords, and an eight-player raid. If Nexon can deliver depth over gimmicks, this might be the update that sticks. I’m hopeful, but waiting to see if it truly lands.