Why Crimson Desert is Shaping up to Be One Hell of a Game for 2025

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the virtual worlds of RPG games, I can confidently say that Crimson Desert is shaping up to be a truly remarkable addition to the genre. Having grown up playing classics like The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy, the prospect of a game that draws inspiration from these timeless titles while offering something fresh and unique is tantalizing indeed.

As a gaming enthusiast, I must say that even though The Game Awards ran for quite some time, it didn’t feel long at all given the spectacular lineup of reveals! From whispers of The Witcher 4 and the comeback of Okami and Onimusha, to Elden Ring: Nightreign venturing the Souls-like genre into a standalone multiplayer realm, and Split Fiction promising another mind-blowing co-op adventure by Hazelight Studios – it was all simply thrilling! To top it off, the rumored Virtua Fighter reboot was officially confirmed with an amazing new trailer. What a night for gamers like myself!

Meanwhile, multiple other titles have been given release dates and trailers, such as “Crimson Desert” by Pearl Abyss, which continues to captivate. The intrigue surrounding it increases because the initial trailer was unveiled in 2019. At that time, we were unsure of what to expect beyond the developer hinting at a single-player prequel to “Black Desert Online”, their MMORPG. More information has since been disclosed as well.

2020’s The Game Awards saw a significant shift when Pearl Abyss unveiled an in-development gameplay trailer for Crimson Desert, emphasizing it as genuine in-game footage. What was showcased left us utterly astounded. Staggering landscapes spanning diverse climates, from towering mountains, forests, and plateaus to expansive deserts; settlements ranging from quaint villages to colossal cities teeming with NPCs; engaging dialogue sequences featuring lifelike facial expressions; and all this barely scratches the surface of its stunning visuals.

Initially, the style of play took many by surprise, mainly due to its extensive range. From intricate puzzles within dungeons, navigating swamps using boats, intense combat with noticeable screen shake, towering monsters for climbing, sieges, and aerial fights on dragon mounts – it all appeared almost too perfect. In a Dev Archives video, the developers admitted that they only showcased a third of what they actually filmed. They emphasized that this doesn’t mean a third of the game, but rather a third of everything they recorded. They also hinted at additional content in development for players to eagerly anticipate.

With numerous games capable of deceiving players, such as a relatively unknown newcomer titled “The Day Before“, it’s not surprising that many were wary. The proposed Winter 2021 release date for the game by Pearl Abyss seemed implausible to most. As for “Crimson Desert“, there was no doubt it wouldn’t be out in 2021. There were no updates, and considering the circumstances, it appeared more like a spectacular demonstration that Pearl Abyss might not have been able to fulfill.

That is, until it re-emerged at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023, and somehow, in some way, the development team crammed even more on top of everything from the previous trailer. Arm wrestling, real-time destruction of various structures, horse-riding and combat, hijacking wagons, tree-climbing, hot-air balloons, sky-diving, bullet hell bosses, first-person fishing, flute playing, sheep rescue, giant mechanical bosses, and yes, you could even pet various animals.

It was hard to believe that Pearl Abyss could create such an expansive game world with so many mechanics and high visual quality, as shown in the trailer for Crimson Desert. Although no release date has been announced yet, the impressive display suggests that this isn’t just a demonstration but a fully-fledged game. Additionally, the developer confirmed that Crimson Desert is not a prequel to Black Desert, but rather its own independent story set in the same universe, which further emphasizes its unique identity.

2024 became significantly memorable due to the release, as we were given approximately 50 minutes of preliminary gameplay, along with playable demos at Gamescom and G-STAR. Participants had the opportunity to directly interact with numerous bosses, witnessing the dynamic combat mechanics in action. In addition to sword and shield play, and the use of explosive arrows, the overall intensity of these interactions, each featuring distinct mechanics, is breathtaking. Yes, as unexpected as it appeared in the initial gameplay clip, you can still throw, slam, and surprise-attack enemies at will.

To sum up, the final trailer at The Game Awards 2024 made all the difference, with its impressive array of lethal strategies, various weapons, and additional playable characters. The world remains breathtakingly beautiful, whether it’s exploring the floating islands and their mysteries or simply wandering the countryside while battling monsters. With all the new features (such as the confirmation that you can indeed ride a dragon and unleash fire upon foes), it seems we’ve barely begun to discover what Crimson Desert has in store for us.

Absolutely, there are certain aspects that could benefit from further refinement, such as enhancing the footstep sounds in the 50-minute gameplay video and addressing some visual glitches like pop-in. Yet, the delay from the initially rumored Q1 release to a late 2025 launch suggests Pearl Abyss might be aiming for a more authentic timeline, focusing on thorough polish. Of course, plans can always shift, but based on what we’ve seen so far, it seems poised to be one of the standout games of next year, both in terms of size and anticipation. That’s quite an achievement, particularly when you consider some formidable competition, especially if it goes head-to-head with Grand Theft Auto 6 in the Fall.

It’s reasonable to have doubts about the depth of the story and side quests in “Crimson Desert,” given its numerous comparisons to games like “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” “Dragon’s Dogma 2,” and others. Even players familiar with “Black Desert” might wonder about the complexity of the side quests in this new title.

Disregarding the point that most games build upon mechanisms from previous ones, what truly sets Crimson Desert apart seems to be a shared trait among them – the exhilaration of exploration. Venturing into a vast, uncharted realm, encountering diverse characters and delving into their backstories, and uncovering numerous opportunities to develop your character and enhance its legend, are experiences that this game promises.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but notice how perfectly timed this upcoming release is. Not only does it serve as an exciting prelude to The Witcher 4, which is still far off in the future given that production began late last year in November 2024. But, it also satisfies the cravings of fans like me who are eager for more from other games in their library. The sheer magnitude and grandeur of this new title already leave me in awe. Yet, the development team seems to be holding back on revealing even greater surprises that they’ve got tucked away, leaving players like myself on the edge of our seats in anticipation.

From its consistent visual aesthetic and similar combat mechanics since the 2020 gameplay unveiling (despite some graphical reductions), Crimson Desert appears to have a clear and steadfast vision that has been upheld over time. It seems Pearl Abyss has invested effort in tailoring it for modern hardware, refining every aspect so that it aligns with the high expectations that have undoubtedly grown, and the final product looks all the more impressive as a result.

2025 looks set to be extraordinary, packed with blockbuster releases and groundbreaking apps across the spectrum. The second half of the year remains largely unexplored, as publishers appear hesitant to challenge Grand Theft Auto 6. However, Crimson Desert might just be its counterpart – an expansive open-world action RPG that equally emphasizes immersion and player involvement. Given these factors and more, we’re eagerly anticipating delving into all it has to offer.

As a passionate gamer, I’d like to emphasize that the opinions shared in this piece are my own personal perspective. They may not align with the collective standpoint of GamingBolt as a platform.

2024-12-26 22:12

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