Crimson Desert Just Keeps Getting Better – 15 New Details That Impress

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Crimson Desert is generating a lot of excitement – and for good reason! The game boasts incredibly detailed environments, tons of things to do, and an impressive number of features, leading many to believe it could be one of the best open-world games ever made. With all the buzz, it’s no surprise even more details have been revealed recently. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights…

Wind’s Howling

The world of Crimson Desert feels incredibly alive thanks to its constantly changing weather – from heavy snow and rain to soft breezes. This weather isn’t just for show; it’s calculated in real-time and changes the way the game looks and feels for each player. According to Will Powers on the Dropped Frames podcast, the dynamic weather even impacts boss fights and cutscenes, enhancing the game’s atmosphere and making the experience more immersive, though it doesn’t change how the game is played directly.

No Cash Shop

Crimson Desert won’t have a traditional cash shop for in-game purchases. While there will be some ways to spend money – specifically through pre-order bonuses that include cosmetic items – the developers aim to create a premium game focused on enjoyment, not constant microtransactions. According to marketing expert Will Powers, the game is designed to be a complete experience you purchase once, rather than one that relies on ongoing purchases.

Horse Types (and Taming)

The latest gameplay trailer showed Kliff gracefully landing on a horse after gliding, which would have been an amazing way to travel. However, the horse isn’t immediately friendly and requires a quick mini-game to tame. This feels similar to games like Breath of the Wild or Red Dead Redemption 2, though it starts off a bit rougher. Keen viewers also noticed the different types of horses available. Some are powerfully built, while others are sleeker and faster. It’s possible the stronger horses are better for snowy terrain, and the faster ones are better suited for deserts?

You Can Call Me Evil

The recent trailer showed a “Wanted” system where Kliff can get a bounty for causing trouble in town. However, acting like a villain doesn’t actually change the story’s outcome, as the Greymanes aren’t truly evil. So, what’s the benefit of causing mayhem and risking jail time, besides just having fun? According to Powers, building up a “Wanted” level can actually increase your damage output with the right equipment. Honestly, the idea of intimidating villagers to get an edge in boss fights sounds pretty entertaining!

No Difficulty Settings or Enemy Scaling

It’s frustrating when games make you revisit old areas and fight tougher versions of the same enemies just because you’ve leveled up. Luckily, Crimson Desert avoids that – beating bosses depends entirely on how well you play. However, the game doesn’t offer different difficulty levels. While that might be disappointing for players who want an even bigger challenge,…

It Isn’t Easy (or a Soulslike)

If you’re wondering whether Crimson Desert plays like a Soulslike game – with penalties for dying or a focus on stamina-based combat – you can relax. According to Pearl Abyss, challenging boss fights aren’t meant to be relentlessly difficult. You’re free to step away, improve your gear, complete side quests, or gather items to help you succeed. However, don’t mistake that for easy. The developers assure players it will still be a tough experience.

(Un)Broken Sword

Originally, the game Crimson Desert tested a system where weapons would break with use. Luckily, that idea has been dropped! Now, your weapons will last forever, no matter how much you fight. However, some tools used for gathering resources – like hammers, axes, and pickaxes – do wear down. The good news is these tools are simple to find and make, so you won’t have to worry about running out.

Character-Switching

Beyond Kliff, you’ll be able to unlock two more playable characters – Damiane and Oongka – each offering a distinct way to play with their own abilities and weapons. Powers says each character has been motion-captured individually, giving them a unique feel and personality. What’s really intriguing, though, is what he didn’t say when asked about switching between characters. He hinted there are still surprises to be revealed regarding how and when you’ll be able to switch, suggesting it won’t be as simple as swapping at any time or going to a central hub. We’re eager to find out how this system will work and how it will impact battles.

The Campaign is Only the Beginning

Players are understandably curious about how long it will take to complete the game. While the developers haven’t given a specific number of hours, they’ve revealed that the story focused on Kliff and the Greymanes is just a small part of everything the game has to offer. You can play through that storyline whenever you like, but it won’t give you the full experience.

Attractive Distraction

It won’t be easy, though, as the game, Pywel, is intentionally full of things to pull your attention away, explains Powers. That’s because, like the best open-world games, the focus isn’t just on completing tasks, but on creating a believable and engaging world. Powers says the creators want players to become immersed, get sidetracked, and most importantly, enjoy the wide range of activities available.

Fog of War and Hidden Corners

Kliff hasn’t traveled much beyond his homeland of Pailune, so the world map starts out foggy. As you explore, the fog will lift, revealing more of the continent of Pywell. You’re still free to go wherever you want, which encourages you to discover everything the world has to offer.

I was a little puzzled by the decision to keep mounts like dragons limited to ground travel. The War Robot looks fantastic, but it seems odd to not take advantage of flying when exploring. According to Powers, the game world is filled with lots of secret areas that are only visible up close, so players need to thoroughly search the land to find everything.

Minigames Galore

If you rewatch the end of the third Features Overview trailer, you’ll notice a lot of fun side activities: horse racing, arm wrestling, shooting competitions, and even Kliff playing rock-paper-scissors with children. These details are what really make Crimson Desert exciting, even though the game isn’t out for a while. No matter how much we learn from previews and interviews, it’s clear there’s still a ton left to discover.

4K/60 FPS With Ray Tracing (And No Upscaling)

Pearl Abyss announced that Crimson Desert finished development two months before its release and the team is now focused on refining the game’s performance. While console frame rates and resolutions haven’t been fully revealed – though support for the PlayStation 5 Pro is confirmed – the developers told IGN that the game can run at a crisp 4K resolution with ray tracing enabled at 60 frames per second on PC without needing upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. They emphasized that the game is designed to look great even without extensive tweaking, though PC players will have plenty of options to further customize the experience. The performance on PS5 Pro may vary.

No Demo

We won’t be releasing a free demo before the game launches, even though we showed demos at events like Gamescom. According to the developer, Powers, a short, focused demo – like a boss fight – wouldn’t accurately reflect the core experience of the game, which is exploring a vast, open world. He understands the excitement and desire to play it now, but a full demo isn’t feasible at this time.

He explained that creating a playable demo of the game feels like a huge undertaking, and they’re not sure where to begin to make something that accurately reflects the final experience. However, he also mentioned that players will have access to enough information to help them decide if the game is right for them.

Potential Post-Launch Content

Even with a lot of content, players often ask for more in games. Will Crimson Desert get substantial updates after it releases, despite the developer suggesting completionists will have plenty to do? The potential is there – they could add features like New Game Plus (if it’s not included initially) or introduce new characters. Currently, the team is concentrating on the game’s launch, and they aren’t detailing future content. However, Powers says they’ll continue to support the game after release if there’s enough player interest.

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2026-02-25 15:13