A new extensive gameplay clip was unveiled by Pearl Abyss for its upcoming game Crimson Desert, exhibiting an expanse of scarlet wasteland. Fans of the game will know that it has undergone a protracted development process.
Originally revealed at G-Star 2019 alongside PLAN 8 and DokeV, the initial plan was for a Winter 2021 release. However, Pearl Abyss made the decision to postpone the launch indefinitely. Crimson Desert resurfaced with a brief gameplay teaser at Gamescom 2023, reinstating its active status.
At the recent Gamescom 2024 event, the game was finally playable, marking a significant milestone. I had the opportunity to experience it firsthand, although it was a brief session centered around boss battles. The demo allowed players to choose from a selection of bosses to fight, providing a challenging experience. Fortunately, the demo included a resurrection feature for the player character after defeat, saving time and allowing for more gameplay. The combat mechanics rely heavily on combos and are already engaging, with each strike feeling impactful and satisfying.
On the visual front, I was somewhat underwhelmed. While not poor quality, the graphics seem to retain a roughness that I’ve long felt was a notable flaw inherited from Black Desert Online – namely, a lack of anti-aliasing. Since Crimson Desert shares the same engine as BDO, this visual issue is a concern. Hopefully, Pearl Abyss addresses this before the game’s release.
However, a release date is still elusive. Despite the playable demo at Gamescom 2024 and this extensive gameplay video, Crimson Desert remains without a confirmed launch window. Furthermore, there is uncertainty regarding the multiplayer support that was initially planned. According to Pearl Abyss, this feature is yet to be decided upon, indicating that key aspects of the game are still being finalized. Recent speculation points to two potential launch periods: early 2025 and Q2 2025. Based on current information, the latter part of the second quarter, possibly May or June, appears to be the most probable timeframe.
