Early Look at The First Descendant’s “Breakthrough” Update Arrives on Consoles and PC
Nexon has quietly rolled out a limited demo for The First Descendant, its free-to-play third-person looter shooter, giving players two weeks to sample the upcoming “Breakthrough” season. The test runs from July 24 through August 6 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam, offering a hands-on preview of new areas, enemies, and traversal tools before the full update lands on August 7.
For anyone unfamiliar, The First Descendant blends fast-paced gunplay with MMO-style gear grinding, not unlike genre staples Destiny and Warframe. Since its public beta last year, Nexon has been promising larger open zones and more cooperative raids. “Breakthrough” is the studio’s first major step in that direction, anchored by a sprawling new region called Axion Plains and a fresh playable character.
Key features in the demo
- Nell – a new Descendant whose abilities revolve around crystalline projectiles and area control.
- Axion Plains – an expansive map designed for free-roaming exploration and large-scale firefights.
- Legion of Breach – enemy faction debuting monsters like the shield-breaking Abyssal Carapace.
- Hover Bike – high-speed vehicle that cuts down on traversal time across Axion’s open terrain.
- Wall Crasher – slow but hard-hitting elite foe that relies on shockwaves and wide AoE attacks.
- Demo rewards – completing the trial unlocks a Spoils Box and Crystallization Catalyst, with additional items granted after August 13 for players who fill out Nexon’s feedback survey.
When the full update ships, Nexon says it will add a Colossus field raid, a Nier: Automata crossover event, and a pre-registration campaign that could net early adopters an Ultimate Descendant Selection Box if sign-ups top one million.
