Crimson Desert was first announced in 2020 as a single-player game set in the world of Black Desert Online. While plenty of screenshots, trailers, and general news have been revealed since then, the game has remained a bit of a mystery as to what it is exactly. In it, players take on the role of a mercenary named Kliff who deals with a painful past and a complicated present. That's the gist.
Gameplay-wise, Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure game – seemingly geared toward those who want a more hardcore experience. During our time with its Gamescom 2024 demo, two things were clear: it plays a lot like Dragon's Dogma 2 without the Pawn system and the MMO origins/underpinnings of the game still feel present.
Crimson Desert Combat Has Weight
Our demo saw us play through a tutorial where we faced off with a mob of barbarians led by a stronger mini-boss/leader. We then tackled two of Crimson Desert's bosses: the Reed Devil and the Stag Lord. Notably, each encounter played differently and saw us using new and developing skills to tackle them.
The tutorial did exactly what it should and introduced us to the core gameplay mechanics. Players can interchange light and heavy attack inputs to perform combos of various strengths, while parrying and/or dodging attacks. Some of the standard combos are extremely flashy, and other inputs could trigger special attacks like a fast, forward lunge. This tutorial fight saw us slowly picking off enemies one by one, dodging the mini-boss as it performed rolling attacks.
Up-close, the combat was visceral and weighty, but we found ourselves moving around a bit too much to fully enjoy it. Indeed, that weight is oddly transferred depending on actions taken by the player, how they approach mobs vs. Individual enemies, how they make use of combos, and even how they tackle bosses. A good example of this is how heavy movement can feel except for when in combat itself, and as a whole, dodging feels a bit like a fat roll in a Soulslike game. It doesn't feel consistent, but when it clicks, it clicks.
Crimson Desert's Stag Lord and Reed Devil Boss Fights
A good example of this is with the Stag Lord boss fight. Because it was a single target, we were able to execute more combos cleanly and remain engaged in the fight. It was trying, but it was consistent. It still had weight to the gameplay, but it wasn't being dragged all over the map. This was a contest between two powerful beings, Kliff and the Stag Lord, and it realized that fantasy rather well.
On the other hand, we found ourselves at a disadvantage against the Reed Devil; the Reed Devil was very much a fast, get-in-and-get-out enemy. The first phase saw us doing a lot to hit him from a distance and then close that distance, but we'd end up chasing him around the map, dealing a little damage, and then chasing him again. This became more complicated in the second phase, as we had to destroy various totems to weaken him; however, he also became more aggressive. We found ourselves letting him come to us this time around, but the sheer weight of Kliff and the gameplay really made this boss fight very different from other encounters.
There's something to be said about variety in gameplay, as each situation felt completely different, but each time did feel somewhat like a single-player game with an MMO-esque enemy design. This was also a demo, of course, meaning our weapons and build options were limited, so there could be something there. Overall, Crimson Desert feels promising – even if it is in need of fine-tuning. With no set release date, that's possibly already in the works, and a more streamlined game feel will no doubt go a long way in making Crimson Desert special for Pearl Abyss fans.
OpenCritic Reviews
- Released
- March 19, 2026
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Pearl Abyss
- Publisher(s)
- Pearl Abyss
WHERE TO PLAY
A devastating ambush in the deep of night by their sworn enemies the Black Bears leaves members of the Greymanes dead or scattered across the continent. Kliff – having lost his Greymane comrades, his family in all but name – is determined to reunite with the survivors, rebuild the fallen Greymanes, and reclaim what was lost. But on a journey where alliances are forged, dangers abound, and mysterious factions are uncovered, Kliff will come to realize that an unprecedented threat and a destiny greater than he imagined await him.
EXPLORE A LIVING, BREATHING WORLD
Welcome to the open-world of Pywel, a continent filled with mystery, fantasy, and tons to discover. Visit bustling towns and quiet hamlets, venture across vast plains, deserts, and mountains, and explore forgotten ruins, shrines, and other unique landmarks of the continent’s distinct regions. Gather resources, craft, hunt, and partake in the various activities of Pywel to also aid in your journey.
FORGE YOUR OWN COMBAT
The world is yours to explore as you will and there are many paths for you to uncover; ride various mounts from horses to wolves, even a dragon and machines, scale cliffsides and walls which you can leap from to glide, and go through mystical gates to find yourself in the mysterious realm known as the Abyss.
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW JOURNEY
On the unforgiving battlefields of Crimson Desert, there is no single path to victory.
Acquire weapons like swords, spears, and bows, and wield powerful abilities and elemental enhancements. Take advantage of the wide arsenal available to you and create lethal combinations to unleash even greater power.
With every strike and move, forge your own way in a world where a split second can decide your fate in fast-paced, visceral battles.
FACE RELENTLESS CHALLENGES
From ruthless warriors to fearsome beasts, there are those in Pywel who will seek your downfall. Encounter a diverse array of challenging enemies and bosses in brutal one-on-one duels, large-scale battle clashes, and quick skirmishes, and prevail against the threats that stand in your way.
THE BEGINNINGS OF A NEW JOURNEY
On the continent of Pywel, the rival factions of Pailune maintained a tense balance.
At Kliff's side stood his steadfast Greymane comrades: Oongka, Yann, and Naira.
That fragile peace is shattered with the sudden assault of the Black Bears. The Greymanes fall one by one in the ambush. In a desperate struggle against their fearsome leader Myurdin, Kliff and the few Greymanes who survive are scattered to the winds. Kliff, etching the names of his fallen companions into his heart, vows to rebuild the Greymanes and exact vengeance upon the Black Bears. Along this path, he would meet those who seek to upend the very order of the continent and face a mission unlike any he has ever known.
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Developer
- Pearl Abyss
- Publisher
- Pearl Abyss
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Open-World, Exploration
