| Crimson Desert | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
| Release Date | |
|---|---|
| March 19, 2026 More Details |
|
| Genre | |
| Open-World, Action, Adventure | |
| Platforms | Price (MSRP) |
    |
$69.99 |
| Developer | Publisher |
| Pearl Abyss | Pearl Abyss |
| Number of Players | Age Rating |
| 1 | ESRB M |
| Time to Finish | Cross Platform Play |
| 50-80+ Hours | No |
| Official Website | Official Website for Crimson Desert |
Crimson Desert Latest News
⚫︎ Crimson Desert supports FSR 4 and DLSS on PC, with Denoiser, MetalFX Upscaler, and Frame Generation available to Mac users. The developers also confirmed that players will need an internet connection for the initial setup of the game's day 1 patch. Subsequent bootups will be offline.
⚫︎ Crimson Desert is available for pre-load this March 17th for those who pre-ordered on PlayStation, Xbox / Microsoft, and Steam stores. This pre-load is around 48 hours before the official release on the 19th.
⚫︎ Crimson Desert released its official launch trailer, a week before the game's release. The trailer showcased Kliff shooting a grappling hook at a running train, flying with a jetpack, using a Japanese war fan, and more.
⚫︎ Pearl Abyss quietly added the Denuvo DRM, which is an anti-tampering software, to the PC version of Crimson Desert. The implementation of Denuvo DRM often caused performance issues, lowering FPS and increasing CPU usage, on top of its past controversy of performing online checks in the past.
⚫︎ Crimson Desert developer Pearl Abyss responded to criticism over the lack of console gameplay footage, with PR director Will Powers saying console footage will be shown before the game’s March 19, 2026, launch.
Crimson Desert Overview
Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure game by Pearl Abyss, set in the brutal medieval land of Pywel. Planned to be released on March 19, 2026 for the Steam, Epic Games, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Mac (App Store), Crimson Desert lets players follow Kliff and the GreyManes as they fight through harsh environments and dangerous enemies.
Development on Crimson Desert has been long and gradual. First revealed in November 2019, the game went through multiple delays as its mechanics shifted, particularly moving away from multiplayer elements toward a focused single-player vision. Over the past few years, Pearl Abyss showcased more polished gameplay and technical improvements at various industry events, signaling steady progress.
The project evolved into a standalone, story-driven experience with a strong emphasis on cinematic storytelling, exploration, and intense real-time combat. With other unique features like horse drifting and fishing, the game promises an unforgettable journey.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam |
 Epic Games |
PS |
Xbox |
 Mac |
|||||
| $69.99 | |||||||||
Crimson Desert Gameplay
Crimson Desert is a large-scale single-player open-world action-adventure game featuring gritty, grounded combat with touches of fantasy. Set in a medieval world, players can traverse wide-open fields on horseback, encounter dragons, explore scenic landscapes, and even perform horse drifts. Along the way, you can complete quests for townsfolk, try your hand at fishing, or interact with random animals by petting or picking them up.
The game’s standout feature is its intense and brutal combat, blending elements from Assassin’s Creed stealth and climbing, Final Fantasy XVI’s fast-paced combos, and Monster Hunter’s heavy, impactful strikes and monster encounters.
Crimson Desert Characters
Kliff
Kliff is the stoic leader of the Greymanes and the protagonist of Crimson Desert. He is fiercely loyal and guided by a strong sense of morality. He is played by actor Alec Newman, who played Adam Smasher in Cyberpunk 2077.
Damiane
Damiane is one of the two additional playable characters in the game, functioning as a glass cannon that can hit hard and fast with her rapier and pistol. She is down-to-earth, a fierce fighter, headstrong, and guided by a strong sense of justice. She is played by actress Rebecca Hansen, who is best known for her work as Alfira in Baldur's Gate 3 and Eve in Stellar Blade.
Naira
Naira is one of Kliff's Greymane comrades and fought in the ambush set by the Black Bears. She was shown using a bow and shortsword and was among the last to make a stand against the mercenary group. She is played by actress Emily Barber, who is known for her role as Violet Hayward in The Alienist.
Myurdin
Myurdin is the leader of the brutish Black Bears and the one who led the ambush of the Greymanes. He looks down on their rival group's ambitions of achieving peace, believing that there is nothing nobler than their selfish pursuit of "wine, wealth, and women". He is played by actor Alastair Parker, who is known for his role as Blackwall in Dragon Age: Inquisition and several characters in The Witcher 3.
Oongka
Oongka is one of the two additional playable characters in the game, boasting high AoE damage and defenses. Despite most depictions of Orcs being centered around their brutish love of battle and war, he is wise and philosophical. He is played by actor Steward Scudamore, who played Rictus in Arcane and Boz Ghaidos in the TV series Carnival Row.
Crimson Desert System Requirements
Pearl Abyss released the system requirements for PC, Mac, consoles, and the ROG Xbox Ally X | S to run Crimson Desert. Preset performance settings vary across platforms, ranging from minimum to ultra.
Crimson Desert Announcement Trailer
Official Launch Trailer | Crimson Desert
Collector's Edition Trailer | Crimson Desert
Release Date Reveal Trailer | Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert - Release Window Announcement Trailer | The Game Awards 2024
Crimson Desert - Official Reveal Trailer | Pearl Abyss Connect 2019
Crimson Desert Trivia
⚫︎ Crimson Desert initially started as a prequel to Pearl Abyss' MMO, Black Desert. This prequel was planned as an MMO before they shifted gears and reimagined it into a single-player experience in a continuity separate from its predecessor.
⚫︎ Crimson Desert uses Black Desert's upgraded engine, Blackspace. It is currently being used for two other games: PLAN 8, an exosuit MMO shooter, and DokeV.
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