Season 3: Breakthrough and New Features
After experiencing a noticeable drop in player numbers following its popular launch in July of the previous year, The First Descendant appears to be regaining momentum as Season 3: Breakthrough approaches. The free-to-play looter shooter recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, and the new season is set to begin on August 7. Despite the dip in players, the game has maintained a strong and dedicated fanbase, with many fans expressing excitement about what’s coming next.
Season 3 introduces a wealth of new content, including the largest open area in the game to date, Axion Plains, and Nell, the latest playable Descendant, which was introduced based on fan feedback. These updates are expected to bring fresh experiences for both returning and new players.
Expanding the World with Axion Plains
Min-Seok Joo, the creative director, explained that the decision to focus on open areas like Axion Plains came from player feedback. Over the past year, most updates centered around dungeon-based content, but players expressed a desire for more expansive field experiences. This led to the creation of Axion Plains, which offers various large-scale events such as the Wall Crasher raid, field colossi, Axion supply drops, and battlefields.
To help players navigate this vast area, a new mobility feature called the Hover Bike was introduced. The team has been refining the mechanics of the Hover Bike, focusing on enhancing the sense of speed and improving the feel of inertia during movement. While there are no current plans for additional vehicles, the Hover Bike is expected to play a significant role in the gameplay experience.
Introducing Nell: A New Playable Descendant
Nell, the latest playable Descendant, was originally an NPC who many players wanted to see as a playable character. Her inclusion marks a milestone for the game, as it’s the first time an existing NPC has transitioned into a playable role. Nell’s skill set reflects her background as a strategic advisor, with abilities that include using Ecives to scan enemies and gain advantages in battle. She also has unique synergy with Enzo, especially when unlocking encrypted vaults.
Season 3’s main story arc focuses on Nell’s awakening as a Descendant, which is depicted through an eight-minute cinematic. The team devoted special care to this scene, aiming to provide an engaging and immersive experience for players.
Story Arcs and Future Updates
This season’s story delves into the motivations behind Karel’s invasion of Ingris and explores the theme of Descendant awakenings. The narrative centers around Nell and Enzo, offering an equally engaging experience as previous seasons. The team is also preparing a new story featuring Luna, scheduled for September. Each Descendant story arc has its own unique flavor, with Luna’s story expected to bring something distinctive to the game.
Luna’s upcoming update includes an overhaul of her Note system via transcendence modules, along with brand-new music and reworked dance animations. The stage she summons during skill use will also be redesigned, providing a longer and more performance-driven experience.
Balancing and Improvements
Season 3 introduces balance updates for several skill-based Descendants, including Jayber. Players can now instantly deploy turrets and place up to three of the same type, making gameplay more efficient. The team is also improving drop efficiency in certain areas of existing content, introducing ‘All-in-One Farming’ in Axion to allow players to collect resources efficiently.
While the game is carefully balanced to ensure all Descendants offer a powerful and enjoyable experience, the developers acknowledge that perceptions of character design can vary by culture. They actively gather feedback from players worldwide to ensure a positive and respectful gaming experience.
Community Feedback and Roadmap
Player feedback has played a crucial role in shaping the game. The team has focused on easing the intensity of the farming loop and reducing repetition, which were major challenges for many players. They have also implemented in-game surveys and other methods to gather feedback directly from the community.
Sharing the roadmap was a key step in building trust with the community. The monthly format allowed players to understand where the game is headed, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The team continues to listen to player suggestions and refine the game accordingly.
Upcoming Features and Collaborations
In September, the Lounge and Lounge Collection will introduce interactive reactions from Descendants, allowing them to look at players or speak and perform actions that match the environment. Players will also be able to collect and display customisation items, including Diorama Sets and figurines in three tiers: Normal, Rare, and Ultimate.
The team is also working on a collaboration coming in November, though specific details remain under wraps. While there are no current plans for a Nintendo Switch 2 release, the team remains committed to expanding the game’s reach.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the first year, the developers noted that it was a period of challenges, changes, and growth. The team responded to critical feedback by overhauling systems and refining content. They emphasized the importance of communication and transparency, highlighting that live service games succeed when developers truly listen to their players.
For new and returning players, the team is running two events, ‘Descendant Boost-Up’ and ‘Descendant Boost Path,’ to help players jump right into the Breakthrough update. These events provide guidance and rewards to ease players into the current game systems.