Crimson Desert is a chaotic open world game with combo-focused controls

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I’d be happy to show you a peek at what goes on here at RPG Site. We’re all about the role-playing genre, whether it’s a sub-genre, originates from a specific country, or something in between. Occasionally, we might stretch the definition slightly, including visual novels and adventure games within our purview. However, we generally aim to focus on games that align with the ‘role-playing spirit’. One aspect we closely consider is the genre categorization provided by publishers and developers, as this helps us determine if a newly unveiled game suits our content or not.

Six years ago, the game titled “Crimson Desert” was initially introduced. At that point, it was labeled as an “open-world MMORPG set in a fantasy world with epic dimensions.” This description seemed logical enough to me. Given that it came from the same studio behind Black Desert, I assumed it was a sequel or spin-off of sorts, and the title change suggested a fresh product. Not exactly groundbreaking, you know? (By the way, whatever became of “DokeV”?).

Approximately a year from then, as Crimson Desert resurfaced, it was characterized as an expansive open-world game that blends action and adventure. This game offers content suitable for both solo gaming and multiplayer experiences. By not explicitly using terms like “RPG” or “role-playing,” the developers aim to keep the focus on the game’s unique combination of action and adventure, rather than immediately associating it with a specific genre that might deter certain audiences.

Following a considerable hiatus, Crimson Desert made its reappearance at the 2023 Gamescom Opening Night Live event. The description provided for the game now refers to it as an “immersive open-world action-adventure,” which has left me wondering: “Just what kind of game is this?” With numerous extended gameplay trailers viewed, my inquiry remains: Is it still considered an RPG? Does it incorporate online or multiplayer features? When can we expect its release?

OK, maybe I had more than one question.

In summary, I attended this year’s Summer Game Fest Play Days where I got hands-on with Crimson Desert, and at long last, I could address my longstanding queries about the game following numerous years of anticipation by interacting directly with Pearl Abyss.

From what I gather, I’m eagerly anticipating my journey in Crimson Desert – a single-player adventure that seems to veer away from the traditional multiplayer setup we often see. When it comes to role-playing, it appears there will be gear with fundamental attributes, but no Experience Points (EXP) or leveling up. During my demo, the Pearl Abyss representative hinted at some role-playing aspects, though they’ve expressed caution about labeling this game as a Role-Playing Game (RPG), as it may lack some classic features characteristic of the genre.

Following a brief initial scene in which I was assigned to locate a fellow “greymane” within an adversary’s camp, I am abruptly plunged into a colossal battlefield, where scores of my comrades are valiantly repelling hordes of enemies. It is evident that Crimson Desert boasts its impressive size, as both friendly and hostile Non-Player Characters (NPCs) populate the area in abundance, and the game’s real-time physics engine governs the destruction of towers and other structures nearby (according to Pearl Abyss).

Pearl Abyss advised me that in the game Crimson Desert, it’s not about indiscriminately defeating every enemy you encounter. Instead, focus on completing the objectives given during battles, like destroying towers and cannons in this instance. Only attack enemies that obstruct your path towards achieving these goals.

In Crimson Desert, since it’s not a traditional RPG, there isn’t much benefit in defeating enemies, just occasionally some loot. This made fighting random opponents feel like an unnecessary task because you don’t get rewarded for defeating them and there were always plenty more coming. I might have overcompensated, choosing to avoid enemies completely and rushing straight towards my goal, which resulted in a horde of enemies chasing me as I sprinted towards the objective.

During the demo, I encountered my main challenge in getting familiar with the game’s control scheme. Unlike many action games or role-playing games available today, Crimson Desert’s combat system was designed with fighting game combos in mind. Instead of separate buttons for light and heavy attacks, along with skills on face buttons, this game requires players to remember specific button sequences to fully utilize their weapons and abilities.

In truth, I found my initial experience with Crimson Desert’s demo a bit awkward. It reminded me of learning the intricacies of fighting games, where understanding the perfect timing and placement of moves takes practice. It seemed that I required some time to get accustomed to Crimson Desert’s combat system.

During my playthrough, there was a particular instance where I had to eliminate an armored vehicle by leaping into the air, jumping onto my glider, landing on the tank, and annihilating it with an aerial attack. On paper, the sequence of button presses for this maneuver doesn’t appear too challenging, but executing it flawlessly in the heat of battle, while evading a barrage of enemies and artillery, proved to be quite tricky.

I discovered that this game isn’t just button mashing like some fighting games; it requires a bit of rhythm and timing. In my hands-on experience with the demo, I soon figured out that pressing L1 + R1 produced a stun-flash with my sword, freezing enemies solid. A combination of R1+R2 unleashed a mighty down-swing, while various button combinations let me feint opponents and even execute a wrestling-style body slam.

You can combine moves together, you know. At some point, I jumped from one opponent and sliced through another in mid-air, but to be honest, I wasn’t really sure how I managed that as I was mostly just pressing buttons randomly.

Initially, it wasn’t too unexpected that the controls seemed clumsy, given I jumped right into the demo without any tutorials or practice sessions. It seems reasonable that a full game would gradually introduce players to the various control combinations. Nevertheless, certain control quirks stood out as potentially needing more intuitive design, as they felt excessively complex, even in combat-free situations.

A portion of the demonstration involved lifting a large flagpole and positioning it onto its base. I assumed this could be accomplished through several button clicks, but that wasn’t the case. To successfully carry out this action, I needed to:

  • Press both sticks in (L3+R3) to enter a sort of superpower mode.
  • Face my camera at the fallen flagstaff and press □ and X at the same time.
  • Repeatedly mash the X button to raise the flagstaff with this telekinetic superpower that main protagonist Kliff apparently has.
  • Press △ to grab the flagstaff once it was far enough off the ground.
  • Move over to the pedestal, look at it, and press X to place the staff in it.

During the demo, there were minor issues with control that occasionally caused frustration. To interact with Non-Player Characters (NPCs), simply approaching them wasn’t enough. You had to get close, press L1 to enter a “dialogue mode”, align yourself with them, and then press □. Additionally, the game didn’t always make it clear which NPC I needed to speak to for the quest’s progress. With many soldiers wearing similar armor, it would have been helpful if the user interface provided clearer guidance towards the mission-critical NPC.

Towards the conclusion of my demonstration, I unveiled the game map, revealing numerous percentages and an extensive collectible meter with over 1000 items listed. Although certain interactive elements were off-limits during the demo, it’s evident that the world in Crimson Desert is vast, making it a challenge for explorers who wish to traverse every corner of this land to overcome a colossal obstacle.

2025 finds me eagerly anticipating the release of Crimson Desert on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. After a one-hour sneak peek, I’m left with more questions than answers about this upcoming title. The game’s grand scale is undeniably impressive, and its innovative combat design promises something fresh. However, I can’t quite tell yet how seamlessly all these elements will mesh together to create the ultimate gaming experience.

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2025-06-12 09:57