Crimson Desert has finally arrived and the reviews have left a lot of people a little shocked. There was a lot of intense hype surrounding the game before it launched Crimson Desert it made it seem like developer Pearl Abyss' long-awaited single-player project could be one of the biggest launches of the year. Crimson Desert has certainly had a strong start, but that launch has also been met with a tidal wave of reviews that are far more mixed than many probably expected.
Divided Crimson Desert the reviews even caused Pearl Abyss' stock price to drop by nearly 30%. Despite the critics' feedback, however, players are seemingly equally divided Crimson Desert. Whether it's the controls, the story, or the world itself, Crimson Desert makes no apologies for how it implements many of its core features. This is definitely not a game for everyone, and those who have been curious about jumping into the world of Pywel may want to take some things into consideration before purchasing the game.
Crimson Desert sold 2 million copies in just 1 day
Following its March 19th release, developer Pearl Abyss announces that Crimson Desert has passed a huge sales milestone in just 24 hours.
If deep, engaging stories and complex characters are your thing, skipping Crimson Desert is probably the best decision
One of the main reasons the game generated such hype is because many saw its complex world and were quick to compare Crimson Desert to popular open world games Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Witcher 3. As for the lived world, yes, the comparison makes sense. However, Crimson DesertThe storytelling doesn't hold a candle to these other games.
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Gamers gravitate towards certain games for different reasons. Many especially appreciate the story of the game and Crimson Desert it's just highly unlikely to scratch that itch. An oversized world can get in the way of creating a cohesive story because it's so easy to get lost in side quests. By the time players return to the main story, it's easy to forget what Kilff was doing in the first place. Those hoping to find another complex protagonist are in for a treat RDR2is Arthur Morgan or CharmerGeralt is also likely to be disappointed Crimson Desert's Kliff and other characters he meets along the way.
Crimson Desert's control system was one of the biggest complaints from players
Those looking for a game that lets players jump into the game with easy controls and mechanics are probably better off skipping it Crimson Desert. The control system isn't just complicated, it's weird. Even those who loved their time with the game were critical Crimson Desertcontrols. The way everything is mapped out can throw you off your feet when you immerse yourself, which is counterproductive to the game's goal of immersing the player in a rich world worth getting lost in.
Some examples Crimson DesertWeird controls include: In a specific game with a DualSense controller, players must press LB, aim at nearby NPCs, and then press X to talk. It's the clunky approach to in-game chat that has frustrated many players. Also the jump button and interactions are the same. This causes a lot of moments where Kliff jumps around an object or environment instead of engaging with it.
Players unwilling to slow down need to beware
Crimson DesertCombat is often fast-paced, but much of the game requires players to move slowly. For example, players finally get to the dragon mount after about 50 hours of gameplay. That amount of time is daunting enough, but the slower pace doesn't stop there. Once players dismount the dragon, it has a one hour cooldown. So, Crimson Desert it may have a vast world, but it doesn't allow for the fantasy of free reign that some players may have hoped for.
Crimson Desert is for players who love extensive exploration that encourages them to get lost for wild amounts of hours
Eventually, Crimson Desert it is made for players who were more interested in discovering all the side quests Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Witcher 3 instead of focusing on the story. WITH RDR2there are players who are perfectly happy spending hours fishing, hunting and even playing poker. Not everyone RDR2 that's right, but Crimson Desert likely to appeal to that particular camp. Crimson Desert it's all about the journey, not the destination. So story lovers probably won't enjoy it. That doesn't make it a bad game. It means just that Crimson Desert caters to a specific niche.
Whether it's the controls, the story, or the world itself, Crimson Desert makes no apologies for how it implements many of its core features.
What Pearl Abyss has been able to do with the game's open world is truly impressive, and players who like to get sidetracked with every single quest along the way will find a lot of fun in Pywel. Although it is an action-adventure, Crimson DesertThe slow pace makes it feel quite cozy at times. It would not be surprising if it became a hit among lovers of cozy life sims. There are definitely more fights than like Stardew Valleybut the ability to build a house and even a farm adds a surprising layer of convenience Crimson Desert. In addition to combat and exploration, Crimson DesertThe 's puzzles will also really appeal to those who love complex problem solving in a game.
Only on Steam, Crimson Desert had a maximum of 239,045 players at launch.
Crimson Desert can still be a solid success, despite a divisive start
Crimson Desert it may not have become the universal hit that some expected, but that's okay. The game definitely has its audience, it just won't be every type of player. Marketing for Crimson Desert has always emphasized the world of Pywel, and in that regard it fully delivers. Crimson DesertThe game's main story may be lackluster, but the amount of content and hours of exploration it manages to fit into one game is astounding. It will be really fascinating to see how the players feel as the year goes on Crimson Desert because they spend more time with it.
Crimson Desert
- 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
