Crimson Desert sold over 2 million copies, but it was also met with a flurry of negative feedback from players, particularly regarding its optimization, obtuse gameplay, and bizarre use of AI-generated content.
Crimson Desert Under Fire for Controls, AI, and Unfinished Game
Mixed Reviews on Steam
Crimson Desert has sold over 2 million copies since its launch on March 19, 2026, marking a huge success for Pearl Abyss’ debut in the AAA video game market. However, the celebration was cut short as its massive open-world action-adventure launched with numerous issues, resulting in a "Mixed" review rating on Steam.
While the game amassed around 250,000 players on Steam during launch, players reported several problems, particularly its bizarre controller mapping. Some players described the controls as "archaic."
For example, players had to press multiple buttons just to talk to a specific NPC, and crouching (usually bound to the circle button on PlayStation in most games) is instead mapped to L3, among many other unusual control choices. Fans are now calling on Pearl Abyss to implement an "immediate fix," especially since the game currently does not allow players to remap controls manually.
As of writing, Pearl Abyss has released a patch addressing control issues for mouse and keyboard on PC, which has gradually shifted its "Mixed" Steam rating to "Mostly Positive." However, console players, particularly those on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, are still unable to map their own controls.
Other players' concerns about Crimson Desert were also focused on its obtuse questlines and objectives. Players were complaining all over Reddit that the game has "the worst quest progression design" they have ever seen, where one quest led to a series of fetch quests, along with branching questlines that were unrelated to the main story. They even went as far as to claim that the game’s quests are "80% filler."
Generative AI Content Found In-Game
Following the initial wave of player feedback during the game’s launch, players also began noticing a questionable amount of AI-generated content in Crimson Desert, particularly in artwork found on in-game signboards and within the game’s selection of paintings.
Upon closer inspection, users discovered at least one in-game painting featuring the warped anatomy and unusual framing typical of generative AI. These visual inconsistencies led to widespread scrutiny regarding the use of these assets within the game's art.
It didn’t take long for Pearl Abyss to respond to these AI issues on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the AI-generated assets were "part of early-stage iteration using experimental AI generative tools." The studio explained that these assets were intended to be replaced before the full launch and that "some assets were unintentionally included in the final release."
Pearl Abyss has since apologized for the mishap and is conducting a "comprehensive audit of all in-game assets" while replacing affected content. Some players, however, remain skeptical, claiming the studio is merely "sorry they got caught" and criticizing its lack of foresight with the industry’s indifference to generative work.
A Confusing Mix of Features
Just two days ago, a former Pearl Abyss developer anonymously shared Crimson Desert’s internal workings on Blind, an anonymous community accessible only to industry professionals, lending credibility to their claims. The developer revealed that the game was not always as it is today, stating that "the story was not decided until right before release (translated from Korean)," fueling speculation among fans that the game was not fully finished.
They also shared that the main protagonist, Kliff, was initially called MacDuff or "Macbeth," and that the game’s original story focused on politics, involving a rogue usurper king and the Grey Mane Mercenaries, who ultimately betray Kliff and his crew.
Additionally, the developer claimed that Crimson Desert "hurriedly made sky islands that make no sense" after Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom first trailer dropped. They added that the studio borrowed functions from other games "without understanding at all why those functions were included."
While it remains unclear whether the allegations are fully accurate, many players reading the post remarked that "it all makes sense," citing the studio’s alleged toxic corporate culture as a likely factor behind Crimson Desert's questionable issues.
Overall, these developments have made for a rocky launch for Crimson Desert. While the studio is actively addressing the issues, the game still enjoys strong support from players who appreciate its open-world design and breathtaking visuals.
In our review, we describe Crimson Desert as "a sprawling adventure across a vast and living world that rewards every hour you put into it." While the game’s demanding gameplay and lack of narrative direction have drawn criticism, there remains a wealth of content to explore in this massive adventure.
Crimson Desert is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. To stay up-to-date with the latest information about the game, check out our article below.
Source:
Pearl Abyss Addresses Generative AI Concerns
Crimson Desert Sold 2 Million Copies
Former Pearl Abyss Developer Speaks Out About Toxic Culture
