Summary

  • Season 1 of The First Descendant launches on August 29 with a new progression system called Inversion Reinforcement.
  • Players can activate nodes which grant passive bonuses across 5 major categories, improving power and survivability.
  • Other new content includes a new character, Hailey Scott, and activities like Death Stalker Intercept battle and invasion Dungeon.

As Season 1 prepares to launch on August 29, Nexon is giving The First Descendant players a better look at a new progression system known as Inversion Reinforcement. Since it launched in July, The First Descendant has maintained a consistent update cycle, reaction to player feedback while also attempting to fix various issues. A mid-season update added the game's first post-launch character in Luna, but Nexon is finally preparing the game's first major seasonal update with a substantial amount of new content.

Nearly two months after launch, The First Descendant is preparing to launch Season 1 for all players. The massive free update is adding a ton of new content and features to the game, with the biggest piece for many being the new First Descendant character Hailey Scott. Adding another ice character alongside Viessa, Hailey uses an anti-material sniper rifle to deal out massive damage, while enhancing her abilities with cold-based damage. Players will also have new activities to check out, including the Death Stalker Intercept battle and the invasion Dungeon, which offer plenty of rewards for completing them. However, Season 1 also features a new progression system, which players can invest in to seriously enhance their power.

To help enhance the power fantasy element, when The First Descendant's first season arrives, it will be introducing a new progression system called Inversion Reinforcement. Currently, players have a couple of different ways to grow in power, both through character leveling and The First Descendant's Mastery Rank system. Inversion Reinforcement provides a new way of enhancing character abilities, providing energy for players to unlock new passive bonuses. It's worth noting that the Inversion Reinforcement mechanic resets with each season, offering benefits and bonuses that align best with the current season's content.

How Inversion Reinforcement Works During The First Descendant Seasons

With The First Descendant Season 1 launches, players will find a new menu node for the Inversion Reinforcement, though many options will be locked. New levels unlock once a certain number of skills are purchased starting with 3 and then 5. When a player purchases all 4 skill in a line, the final "Collection Effect" is unlocked for the rest of the season. The 5 categories include:

  • Hunt - Improving various stats like HP and Shield bonuses after defeating enemies.
  • Attribute - Enhancing player elemental resistances.
  • Recovery - Impacts the player's ability to heal.
  • Survival - Activates defensive-style buffs under certain conditions.
  • Season - Effects specifically designed for Invasion dungeons.

While Season 1 technically launches on August 29, many fans were surprised to see that Nexon intended to spread out the content over the course of 3 months. Feedback to this perceived timegating of content was negative, ultimately pushing Nexon to make a big schedule change for The First Descentant's initial season. Season 1 is now split into only two updates, with the final one being moved up by twenty days to October 10. While fans still have to wait for certain content like Ultimate Freyna, they now don't have to wait for nearly as long.

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The First Descendant

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Action RPG
Third-Person Shooter
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Systems
PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
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Top Critic Avg: 56 /100 Critics Rec: 26%
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Released
July 2, 2024
ESRB
Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood, Suggestive Themes, Strong Language
Developer(s)
Nexon Games
Publisher(s)
Nexon
Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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The First Descendant is a next-generation third-person co-op action RPG looter shooter featuring high-quality graphics created in Unreal Engine 5.

Players become a Descendant whose mission is to combat alien invaders – The Vulgus who crossed dimensions over 100 years ago and brought with them the devastating Colossi and destruction – for the survival of humanity and to protect Albion and the continent of Ingris. Players will encounter spectacular stories of forces fighting over the Iron Heart as they grow stronger through various missions and raids.

Encounter features that make The First Descendant's gameplay unique: a variety of characters with unique concepts and combat styles, massive boss battles with up to four player co-op, free movement and coordinated action with grappling hooks, a variety of weapons and compelling customization options.

Genre(s)
Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter
How Long To Beat
36 Hours