Everything We Know About Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert - Release Date Reveal Trailer | PS5 Games
Crimson Desert - Release Date Reveal Trailer | PS5 Games | PlayStation
  • Release Date: March 19, 2026.
  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam), and Mac.

While we don't know much about the story, according to the Steam Description page, "Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure game set in the beautiful yet brutal continent of Pywel. Embark on a journey as Kliff, the Greymane, to reclaim all that has been lost. Explore uncharted lands, encounter mysterious factions, and experience this formidable world firsthand." (source)

Among the dozens of trailers Pearly Abyss has shown off, it would appear that the game centers around Kliff Macduff, of clan Greymane. There is a rival clan, the Black Bears, that ambushes the Greymanes, leading Kliff to search for remaining members of his clan. This takes him on a journey across the continent of Pywel. The 50 Minutes of Early Gameplay Trailer showcases these beginning events. Earlier trailers showcase the vast breadth and scope of features, locations, and ambitions that Pearly Abyss is willing to undertake.

According to their website, Crimson Desert is "An Open World Action Adventure - Step into the continent of Pywel, a continent embroiled in war for unprecedented power. Endless challenges and threats arise as the portents of calamity throughout the land begin to unravel."

Their website continues, "Kliff and the Greymanes - Amidst the shadows of adversity and the depths of despair, the Greymanes continue on their epic journey to fulfill their mission. Join Kiliff and his comrades as they engage in fierce battles to save Pywel from an impending catastrophe."

Finally, "A World Brimming with Adventure - Explore the mesmerizing landscapes of the continent where mystical beings, hidden treasures, and thrilling adventures await." (All Quotes above can be found here)

What has thrown chaos across the continent of Pywel? It's no longer listed on their website, but there was a mention of a "King Demeniss" being in a coma, which ushered in a power vacuum within the kingdom.

The strange sci-fi, Assassin's Creed aspect of Crimson Desert comes in the form of the Abyss. Alustin is the keeper of the Library of Providence where every book is a world, and chaos has been introduced and must be stopped or all of the worlds will face annihilation. Kliff is encouraged to cooperate as this was "Jian's" mission that has now been cast on Kliff. Are the "beings" who introduced chaos the Black Bears from another world? We don't know and are dying to find out.

The Blackspace Engine

According to Pearl Abyss, they want to immerse players with stunning graphics and craft unique, positive experiences. Seeing Kliff fall from one of the (Zelda) Sky Islands and glide to the ground with no loading screen is quite impressive. Not to mention the draw distance. This is all even more impressive when realizing that the weather and time of day affect multiple aspects of the world, not just what the player is currently seeing.

Cloth and hair simulations are affected by the wind as well as trees and grass. Clouds move in real-time across the sky.

Gameplay

The most interesting and concerning thing about the game would be the gameplay itself. Players thrown into the deep end at Demo shows (PAX, GAMESCOM, SUMMERGAMESFEST) often express complicated control schemes. Like every game, the controls can be awkward when you don't have time to experiment with them from the beginning. It's more than likely guaranteed that you'll end up doing something new every time you enter combat by randomly trying out combos.

During sieges, there can be multiple groups of enemies on screen at a time. Cannons are used throughout the story to clear paths forward.

Combat

Combat includes light and heavy attacks, overhead slashes, running, dashing, jumping, sliding, rolling, parrying, counterattacks, shield bashes, vaulting jump attacks, impaling, and repositioning enemies while impaling, slo mo bow attacks, dodging, glinting your sword to blind enemies, charge attacks to rush down opponents, spin attacks, flying front kicks, drop kicks, step back attacks, ground kicks, stabbing them on the ground, picking them up off the ground and suplexing them, mounting larger enemies, and Web slinging using a grapple to approach building sized rock turtles.

People over on Reddit have joked about doing an unarmed build as a WWE Superstar. You can kick, grapple, and dive-bomb enemies, and even sweep-kick or throw them over Kliff's shoulder. From the number of moves that can be done, it would appear that a lot can be accomplished in any manner of ways. The idea of being in the middle of a siege and suplexing an enemy, or landing a roundhouse kick, is absolutely ridiculous, and I can't wait to try it myself.

Attacks can have different functions depending on the L3 and R3 buttons, which are your left and right hands, as a force palm attack. This can also be used as a mid-air boost after a jump, a guard breaking low punch on the ground, or even used to launch during a side switch. It can also be used as a move where Kliff vaults over an opponent onto their backside, but then can cancel into this hand attack to blast the top of their head.

Certain skills, and or attacks drain stamina, as does gliding through the air. During certain missions, Kliff can call in air strikes/support when confronted with multiple enemies during a siege, for example.

Stealth is in the game. How well the guard detection is/isn't is yet to be determined. Sneaking into enemy camps to avoid detection seems like a viable option, but whether this is for specific missions only remains to be seen. Kliff can use disguises to gain entry into forbidden areas

There are status affects that can be applies to weapons.

Customization

Pearl Abyss has made it abundantly clear this is NOT an RPG. Kliff is not a character players can "create" he is an established character.

In terms of equipment, there are slots for a helmet, shield, sword, bow, vambrace, and boots. It’s unknown whether you can equip two swords, or just one sword without a shield, or even two shields.

Bosses

It would appear that there are a lot of bosses in the game, and allegedly, upon full release, there will be between 20-40 of them. We've already seen the White Horn, Reed Devil, Staglord, Queen Stoneback Crab, Hexe Marie, Cassius Morten, and Fortain Cursed Knight boss battles.

After defeating a boss, not only can Kliff take the weapons they were using, he can also use their moves.

MISC

You can fish, pet animals, take down enemies while on horseback, arm wrestle, horse racing/riding, archery, hijack wagons, rescue hostages, parkour, skydive, ride a hot air balloon, ride (and fight) dragons, on dragons, and more!

The map looks (and even sounds) similar to Red Dead Redemption 2. The lantern can be used to guide you to the main objective. There are "pause" and "Fast-forward" functions during cutscenes. It appears as if you can interact with a majority of NPCs.

Why this Game is Impressive

The one thing that can be said about the game is that every time a new trailer, demo,it or bit of gameplay is released, it's looks better than the last time it was seen. This game appears to have it all, from sci-fi to Sky Islands, to fantastical beasts, to mechs, to fishing, to wrestling moves, hot-air balloons, and riding dragons. It sounds like a medieval world I just want to ride and or fly in. I really want this game to be good. Potentially as good or better than my 2025 Game of the Year, Kingdom Come: Deliverance.

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