Few games have surprised me as much in recent years as Crimson Desert, both in its scale and ambition. From the first moments of the adventure, it’s clear that developer Pearl Abyss aimed high. It’s an open-world action-adventure game boasting deep combat systems, incredible graphics, and a universe that begs exploration.
The game centers on mercenary leader Kliff and his warriors, the Greymanes. The adventure unfolds across the vast continent of Pywel, as you attempt to rebuild your fallen group and confront powerful enemies. The story immerses you in a world rich with action and adventure, complemented by an incredibly detailed fantasy world and demanding combat system, easily establishing Crimson Desert as one of the most ambitious action role-playing games of the year.
It’s a game that dares to do more, and in many ways, succeeds. Unfortunately, not all goals are met. To truly understand the positives and limitations of Crimson Desert, let’s dive into a comprehensive review.
Crimson Desert Details
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and macOS
Tested on: PC
Developer: Pearl Abyss
Publisher: Pearl Abyss
Genres: Open-world action-adventure / role-playing game
Mode: Solo
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Explore a War-Devastated Pywel
At the heart of Crimson Desert is a story of loyalty, survival, and rebuilding. You play as Kliff, leader of the Greymanes, a band of seasoned mercenaries. After a brutal ambush by their rivals, the Black Bears, the group is decimated and several of Kliff’s companions are killed. He must then find the survivors and confront the powerful enemies responsible for their downfall.
Multiple Narrative Threads
Adding to Kliff’s journey is a supernatural dimension: a dimensional rift grants him mysterious powers and access to technology from another world. This element is just one thread in a vast narrative, which also introduces two playable characters, Damiane and Oongka. Experiencing the game with each of them provides modern perspectives and side quests that enrich the world of Pywel, though the core story remains firmly centered on Kliff.
From Main Story to Marathon Adventure
The main arc alone took a little over 40 hours to complete. Yet, it only scratches the surface of everything Pywel has to offer. Enjoy side quests? Hunting legendary bosses? Exploring every corner of the map? Completing everything can easily exceed 200 hours of gameplay.
Beyond combat and quests, Pywel is filled with activities like fishing, cooking, resource gathering, and puzzle-solving. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the game still has surprises in store, from dragon rides to dozens of encounters with colossal bosses. Together, these elements create a rich, unpredictable, and infinitely explorable world.
Combat, Chaos, and Immersion in Pywel
The gameplay experience of Crimson Desert is one of the game’s strengths, even if it sometimes stumbles under the weight of its ambition. Combat is swift-paced, fluid, and highly dynamic, supported by a deep skill tree. During my playthrough, I opted for a “hack-and-slash” style with sword and shield. However, the possibilities are numerous. Kliff has an immense arsenal of weapons and skills, allowing for fluid combinations of sword combat, grappling, aerial attacks, and special abilities to create stylish combos.
Intense and Visceral Combat is Very Satisfying
One thing I particularly appreciated was the physicality of the combat. Enemies react to hits, and objects in the environment can be used during encounters. Boss fights often require adapting your strategy in real-time. Some encounters almost feel like cinematic action sequences, especially when fighting enormous creatures or enemy commanders.
A Somewhat Complex Game
However, to be honest, a lot happens in this game. And sometimes, that works against it. From the start, a large number of skills and mechanics are presented without explanation. For some, this may be positive, as it allows for experimentation. But at times, the controls felt a bit awkward and cumbersome. There were moments where I had to pause to remember which button combination triggered which movement. The depth of the combat system is impressive, but it takes time to fully understand all its possibilities. Once mastered, combat becomes very enjoyable, whereas the learning curve is particularly steep at the beginning.
Crimson Desert Offers an Incredible Open World
Exploration is a major strength. The open world is so filled with activities that it’s easy to get distracted. I’d start with a clear objective, like completing a quest, and suddenly find myself drawn to a hidden dungeon, a new village, or a strange event unfolding in the distance.
If you enjoy open-world games, this constant sense of discovery is fantastic. It’s among the best experiences I’ve had in a game. That said, some might find the immensity of the world a bit overwhelming. There’s a tremendous amount to do, and not everyone will feel the need to spot it all. If you’re willing to spend hours exploring, that’s where Crimson Desert truly shines.
A Stunning Fantasy World Powered by BlackSpace Engine
Visually, Crimson Desert is simply spectacular. Pearl Abyss developed the game with its in-house engine, the BlackSpace Engine. The results are truly impressive. Environments are incredibly detailed, with dynamic weather, realistic lighting, and immense draw distances that give Pywel a sense of true vastness.
Whether I was riding across the countryside, exploring ruins, or scaling a castle wall, the level of detail was consistently impressive. Water physics, volumetric fog, and atmospheric lighting all contribute to bringing the world to life in an incredibly immersive way.
Performance occasionally faltered during particularly chaotic moments. This was especially true during large battles or when multiple physics systems were interacting simultaneously. The experience remained smooth enough that it rarely disrupted the gameplay.
Final Thoughts on Crimson Desert
After spending dozens and dozens of hours exploring Pywel, I arrive away from Crimson Desert impressed by its ambition. It’s the kind of game that tries to do it all: a grand narrative, deep combat, a massive open world, and countless side quests to keep you occupied for hundreds of hours.
Not every element is perfect. The story loses some steam towards the finish. The controls can sometimes feel a bit complex. The scale of the game may intimidate some players. But despite this, I constantly found myself drawn into the world. There was always another quest to complete, another boss to fight, or another corner of the map to explore.
| Pros | Cons |
| Immense open world filled with activities and secrets | Combat controls can be difficult to master initially |
| Combat offers developed moves and combos | The scale of the world can be intimidating for some players |
| Stunning graphics powered by BlackSpace Engine | Some minor performance hitches |
Overall Rating of Crimson Desert
Gameplay Experience: 4/5
Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound: 4/5
Long-Term Interest/Replayability: 4/5
Overall Score: 4/5 (80%)
For fans of open-world role-playing games, Crimson Desert offers a truly memorable adventure. It’s a massive, beautiful, and sometimes chaotic experience that is highly rewarding if you’re willing to fully immerse yourself in everything it has to offer.
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