I’ve had the opportunity to experience Pearl Abyss’s Crimson Desert multiple times, with my preview of the boss battles being the most in-depth interaction I’ve had with the game—at least until my time at gamescom 2025. After engaging with the latest demo version, I can firmly state that the Korean developer is creating something that commands admiration, patience, and possibly a notepad to keep track of all the combat combinations. Don’t misunderstand me: there are still numerous rough spots, but the fundamental experience is definitely worth diving into.

The demo quickly establishes its grand scale, starting with a brief tutorial to orient you before literally dropping you into the world. Players embark on their journey from a floating island, skydiving into the war-ravaged continent of Pywel below. This introduction encapsulates what Crimson Desert seeks to achieve—epic scale combined with visceral action that makes every moment feel cinematic. The shift from aerial descent to ground-level combat creates an immediate sense of immersion that few games attempt, much less accomplish effectively. And yes, it’s undeniably beautiful.

Once back on firm ground, I finally grasped what the gameplay experience would entail: quests, an expansive world, and more. Playing as Kliff, leader of the renowned Greymanes mercenary company, the focus is on defending a beleaguered castle from overwhelming enemy forces—and you can decimate groups of foes in manners seldom seen in RPGs of this nature. This is no ordinary skirmish.

Countless NPCs engage in chaotic conflicts across vast battlefields while artillery strikes rain down around you. Pearl Abyss has evidently prioritized spectacle, designing confrontations that feel continental in scale rather than personal altercations between small factions. Black Desert Online is already among the most visually striking MMOs available, but Crimson Desert elevates this, offering one of the most frenetic and visually breathtaking missions I’ve witnessed in an RPG for quite some time.

Crimson Desert seems like a game that rewards players ready to commit the time to master its systems.

We need to take a moment to address the controls and combat. This is, genuinely, both Crimson Desert’s greatest asset and its most daunting hurdle for newcomers. Every controller button serves multiple functions, creating what resembles a fighting game character’s full moveset condensed into a single hero.

Light attacks, heavy hits, elemental abilities, time manipulation, ranged combat, and environmental interactions all vie for the player’s focus through a complicated network of button combinations. It’s not to say you can’t enjoy the game simply by experimenting with the controls, but with so many ways to modify your attacks and different actions, avoiding the more intricate controls means missing out on some of the game’s more captivating components.

I’ll admit: even after an hour of gameplay and finishing the complete tutorial, I found Crimson Desert somewhat overwhelming. Many of the more engaging attacks were challenging to execute effectively when I needed them the most. The tutorial does its utmost to cover the basics, but mastering Kliff’s skills demands commitment that may discourage casual gamers. That said, Crimson Desert certainly feels like a game that benefits players willing to invest the time to understand its systems. Environmental takedowns enable players to leap off walls and land powerful kicks, while well-timed combinations can unleash moves so potent that nearby foes simply capitulate in astonishment.

Pearl Abyss has implemented substantial adjustments since my last hands-on experience with the game. The 2025 demo I played at gamescom showcased more approachable difficulty scaling and shifted emphasis from pure boss confrontations to extensive battlefield scenarios. This alteration allows players to appreciate the game’s Dynasty Warriors-inspired combat flow more effectively, where slicing through enemy ranks feels genuinely significant. It also facilitated a smoother introduction to the game’s many systems, gradually guiding players into its more ferocious elements. I’ve heard comparisons to Dark Souls, and while I comprehend the reasoning, I would slightly contest it. Make no mistake—the game, even in this latest demo, isn’t simple and absolutely requires some acclimatization.

While the controls might lean towards the overly intricate side, one area where the team’s attention to detail genuinely shines is in the presentation. Make no mistake—Crimson Desert is an utterly breathtaking game. Character models display intricate armor that catches the sunlight in a natural way, while diverse landscapes offer stunning backdrops for the chaos. Pearl Abyss has utilized its BlackSpace Engine to craft a world that appears and feels inhabited, where every battle scar and weather phenomenon enhances the overall atmosphere. The level of detail in every facet of the game is remarkable, and I was genuinely taken aback by how splendid everything appeared. It feels like a dynamic, living world that yearns to be explored.

However, with such an expansive world, certain aspects of exploration can seem monotonous. The open-world design includes respawning enemy patrols that can render traversal feel more like avoidance gameplay than authentic exploration. During the demo, losing a horse to enemy