We don't have to be treated to a new one The Legend of Zelda game in 2026, but I feel like I've been there before Crimson desert. From the moment I entered Pywel, no, from the moment I saw Kliff use Axiom Force in the game's pre-launch marketing pitch, I've been comparing this game to Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomspecifically. However, the more I played it (and that means over 130 hours), the more I saw how similar The Legend of Zeldaone of my favorite franchises in many ways. As a result, I think I'd actually be fine if we didn't end up getting a new one Zelda game in 2026.
i know Crimson desert is not really a Zelda game, and it's a little tongue in cheek for me to say it's my new favorite Zelda game — because it isn't. But it basically has everything I love The Legend of Zeldaand that's probably why I enjoy it so much. Puzzles, mysteries, a huge world to explore. There are lots of things for a Zelda a fan like me to fall in love Crimson desert. And I know it's not for everyone, but what is a game? Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 it's not for everyone and look what it's done.
Crimson Desert Review: A remarkable open world that often asks for too much
Crimson Desert offers one of the most impressive game worlds, but the deeper you go, the more it asks you to experience it on your own terms.
Crimson Desert is basically Zelda and I love it
If Nintendo ever decided to make a Zelda a game that looked this good, it would probably be something similar Crimson desert. In fact, I'd argue that the hardware is really the main thing that separates it Zelda from Crimson desertalthough I could never give up my Nintendo Switch 2, especially now Pokemon Pokopia is outside But even though Crimson desert is basically a grab bag of almost any game or franchise you can think of, I'd say it's more like Zelda than anything else—even Red Dead Redemption 2.
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Crimson Desert is full of Zelda-like puzzles
First, there are so many puzzles Crimson desertit is almost impossible to count them at this stage. Zelda has always been a puzzle-filled series, and has even been known to use puzzles as a form of progressive gating. Crimson desert it doesn't necessarily use its puzzles as roadblocks to keep you from moving forward, but once you solve them, it rewards you with valuable Abyss Artifacts—primary skills, stats, and gear. This way it makes them really worth it if you are patient enough. The main difference between Crimson desert's puzzles and standard Zelda however, the difference between puzzles is that the latter are usually solved using a unique object or tool, while the former can be solved in a number of different ways.
If Nintendo ever decided to make a Zelda a game that looked this good, it would probably be something similar Crimson desert.
But it's there Crimson desert is starting to look like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomand this is starting to look even more like a game from a beloved Nintendo franchise. Tears of the KingdomMO is experimentation in the sense that it encourages players to solve the game's biggest conundrums in their own way. This is especially true when it comes to Link's Ultrahand ability, which allows players to move certain objects around the world to create their own path forward. As I stated earlier, Crimson desertThe Axiom Force ability is basically an Ultrahand and is also used to solve many of the game's puzzles.
Crimson Desert is a copy and paste of Tears of the Kingdom in some big ways
It takes more than puzzles to make something look like a Zelda game, although there are many titles that take a puzzle-oriented approach to gameplay. But the reason I'm so quick to compare Crimson desert on Tears of the Kingdom it's because of how many signature mechanics it emulates, including Ultrahand, and it also happens to focus heavily on puzzle-solving gameplay.
Not long Crimson desertin the story you visit one of the many sky islands in a concept world design that looks like it was copied and pasted directly from Tears of the Kingdom. They look different, serve a different purpose, but the concept is still the same. The sky is full of floating islands that act as a completely separate layer to Pywel, and even have their own fast travel points.
And that's not all, because shortly after discovering the first sky island, Kliff gains wings, which when used act exactly like Tears of the Kingdoma paraglider – although Kliff's wings can be upgraded to give him more speed and maneuverability. But why would you even need something like a paraglider? Well, that's because you'll occasionally dive from those sky islands to the land of Pywel below, much like in Tears of the Kingdom. And to avoid instant death on impact, you can extend your wings to cushion your fall. Wings also help you cover more horizontal ground when you're in the air, just like you might with a paraglider Tears of the Kingdom.
There are also several biomes Crimson desertworld, including snowy mountains, deserts and grassy plains. It also makes it look like that Tears of the Kingdom.
But then there it is Crimson desert's open world in general that primarily propels you forward with your own curiosity, much like Tears of the Kingdom and his predecessor, Breath of the Wild. There is almost no hand holding Crimson desert because he expects you to get in there and figure things out. He rarely, if ever, tells you what the next step is, simply because he wants you to discover that step for yourself. For me, it makes finding things out in the open world more satisfying, and it's one of the reasons I love it Tears of the Kingdom so many.
So at some point during my dozens of hours with Crimson desertit stopped feeling like an analogy and started to feel true. The more I played it, the more I realized how much it taps into that same sense of curiosity and discovery that always defines The Legend of Zelda for me, where the game trusts you to try things, push the boundaries, and figure it out without constantly pointing you in the right direction. This freedom is what makes his world so engaging, as he feels like he's reacting to you rather than leading you.
That's really the heart of the matter. It may not have a name and may attract ideas from all over, but the feeling it creates is unmistakable. Crimson desert it captures what I have always loved Zelda in a way I didn't expect, and after 100+ hours I've named it my new favorite Zelda the game doesn't feel like a stretch at all.
- Released
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March 19, 2026
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developers
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Pearl Abyss
- Publishers
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Pearl Abyss
