At the Xbox Games Showcase Extended event today, Nexon Korea showcased new gameplay from The First Descendant, and announced that a 2023 release date is being targeted for the game. Before release, a crossplay beta across PlayStation and Xbox consoles as well as PC will be conducted from August 22 till August 28, with the new beta incorporating many of the changes fans have requested in its previous playtest sessions. Registrations for the crossplay beta are open now.
Watch The First Descendant’s new gameplay trailer (captured on Xbox Series X) below:
The crossplay beta in August will introduce a revamped grappling hook that allows players to rotate and speed up/slow down in the air, as well as a cosmetic system and changes to the jumping animation, user interface and sound effects. Additionally, Nexon is also working on a new “character skill modification” system and has brought on composer Stephen Barton to assist in the sound design process. The beta will feature thirteen playable characters, two of which – Valby with water powers and Kyle with his magnetic shield and levitation abilities – are new to the game. A list of the new features and content in The First Descendant’s crossplay beta is as follows:
The First Descendant Beta Schedule and Info:
Schedule: August 22 to August 28
- New and Updated Content
- New Single Player / Co-Op Stories and Missions
- New characters, improved grappling hook and more
- Introduction of crossplay across Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, PC via Steam, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
- New customization features – new cosmetic system, unique skins and character skill modifications
- Better Gameplay Experience
- Updated UI, UX and QoL elements
- Upgraded server and game performance
- Updated jump motion and gun sound effects
- Quality audio design in collaboration with Stephen Barton, globally renowned composer of Apex Legends, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Star Trek Picard and more.
- Up to four players can team up for new giant boss raids against the Colossuses
Registrations for the crossplay beta are open here, and it is pertinent to mention that there will be support across both generations of Xbox and PlayStation consoles for crossplay. The PlayStation and Xbox store pages for The First Descendant are now live with the game available to wishlist, while the Steam page can be found here.