The First Descendant Season 3 update and NieR: Automata collaboration announced

2B and A2 outfits incoming.

Publisher Nexon and developer Nexon Games announced have announced the Season 3 update for free-to-play cooperative looter shooter The First Descendant, which includes a new battlefield, Hover Bike, Colossus Field Raid, the introduction of the “Lounge,” a new Descendant, and more. It will launch this summer. A collaboration with Square Enix‘s NieR: Automata, focused on cosmetics, was also revealed.

“Unfortunately, the collaboration will focus on decorations, as we are in the process of solidifying the substance of our game, we decided to invest more in the content of Season 3 rather than other content related to the NieR: Automata collaboration,” The First Descendant producer Beomjun Lee said during a panel at PAX East 2025. “However, in addition to the A2 and 2B outfits, we have prepared a damaged version of 2B with no skirt, with other motions and decorations as well.”

Here are the details:

Season 3 “Breakthrough” Sneak-Peek
New Massive Field: Axion Plains
A brand-new, enormous battlefield once a promising outpost site, now devastated by a Void Storm and overrun by Colossus.
Faces a new threat from both artificial creatures and mutated beasts, making it more dangerous than ever.

New Vehicle: Hover Bike
A new vehicle system designed for high-speed travel across a massive field, giving players a thrilling sense of speed.
Players can obtain a standard Hover Bike just by logging in during Season 3, and can collect enhanced ‘Accelerated’ and ‘Boosted’ models by exploring the Axion Plains.
Each Hover Bike can be upgraded, allowing players to traverse the battlefield with dynamic movement using boost and jump abilities.
New Content: Colossus Field Raid
Eight-player raid content
First-ever reveal of the new and overwhelming colossus “Wall Crasher”
Massive scale designed to match the size of Axion
Players are able to ride their Hover Bike along the vast field, then engage in combat against the Colossus.
New Feature: Lounge
A dedicated social space where players can interact with their Descendants and take a break.
A personalized space where players can display and interact with their Descendants.
Players can place their Descendants throughout the space, customize their appearances with skins, and interact with furniture.
Collectibles like Colotoys can be placed inside, with lounge-exclusive items to be added in the future.
Designed to deliver a deeper, more immersive experience within the world of The First Descendant beyond just combat.

Season 3: Breakthrough – Story
The reappearance of “Karel,” a key character in the story.
Season 3 story marks a big turning point for the narrative of The First Descendant.
Focusing on Enzo and Nell’s romance would be one of the highlights of Season 3
New Descendant: Nell
Former NPC Nell joins the roster as a playable character with a brand-new look and unique abilities.
Nell utilizes arche like telekinesis, throwing spheres which form debuffs and also pulls nearby enemies.
Capable of changing all her gunshots into weak point strikes, making her a perfect fit for aggressive, run-and-gun playstyles.
Nell will be officially added in the upcoming summer update.
New Ultimate: Ultimate Luna
Two new Transcendent Modules are being prepared for the release of Ultimate Luna. One shifts her playstyle to focus on firearms, while the other enhances her rhythm-based abilities and debuffing potential.
As Season 3 will be divided into multiple episodes, Ultimate Yujin is expected to arrive in Season 3 Episode 2, following Ultimate Luna.
New Weapon: Sword (Three Types)
Swords are finally being added to the game and can be equipped in the same weapon slot as firearms, with performance enhanced through specialized modules.
Players can perform both normal and special attacks with swords. The first type, the “Shadow” Blade, features a charged iaijutsu-style dash attack as its special move.
The Blade and a new dungeon featuring a boss that utilizes sword mechanics will be introduced in Season 3 – Episode 1.
Additional sword types, including a two-handed greatsword and a lightsaber-style weapon, will be added in Season 3 – Episode 2.
First-Ever Official Crossover with NieR: Automata
The First Descendant’s first official crossover features the fan-favorite NieR: Automata.
A full trailer will be released soon, following the reveal of key visuals during [today’s panel at PAX East 2025].
More intellectual property collaborations are also in the works.
Additional Announcements
New “Gilded Death Blossom” skin to be released on May 22.
Announcement of “TFD Fest” for 1st Anniversary in July, featuring: showcase, in-game events, skin design contest and more.