Scheduled for release on March 19, Crimson Desert will arrive on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This ambitious project from Pearl Abyss has already garnered over three million wishlists on Steam.
On March 4, major media outlets from both Western and Asian markets shared their first extensive previews of Crimson Desert. Journalists were granted prolonged hands-on sessions, enabling them to form a comprehensive perspective on the upcoming title.
- The game features a remarkably vast and meticulously crafted world covering 80 square kilometers—dwarfing the landscapes of Red Dead Redemption 2 and Skyrim. Players can traverse this massive map using horses, dragons, and even piloted mechs.
- The protagonist can interact with urban populations in diverse ways: participating in mini-games, committing robberies, fulfilling requests, or recruiting individuals into a personal mercenary squad to handle external missions. However, players must stay alert, as some NPCs may attempt to mug or challenge the hero.
- Progression is tied to special artifacts obtained by defeating enemies. These relics unlock various skill branches, including standard combat maneuvers, elemental control, and supernatural traits like time manipulation. In a unique twist, the protagonist can even learn new techniques mid-battle by observing his opponents’ tactics.
- The combat system, which harmoniously merges physical strikes with magical abilities, is cited as one of the game’s greatest triumphs. It offers significant creative freedom in combat styles, though critics strongly suggest using a controller for the best experience.
- Players have the ability to switch between characters during active combat, radically altering the strategy and utilizing a fresh array of skills.
- Boss encounters are multi-phased affairs that emphasize cinematic spectacle and intensity.
- Visually, Crimson Desert is stunning, showcasing highly detailed models, advanced lighting technology, and fluid animations.
- On the downside, early impressions mentioned occasional frame rate drops and an abundance of environmental puzzles that can sometimes hinder the game’s overall pacing.
Source: iXBT.games