2025 is shaping up to be a notable year with significant releases in the gaming industry, particularly for big games and AAA titles. China and South Korea are now key players to consider. Among the anticipated games for next year is Crimson Desert, which some already regard as one of the most ambitious action RPGs. During Paris Games Week 2024, developers at Pearl Abyss visited Paris and provided a new demo (1.5 hours of gameplay) to showcase all the gameplay mechanics. This experience confirms that when Crimson Desert launches on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series, it will likely redefine our expectations for current action RPGs, potentially outpacing its competition.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AT PGW 2024
Let us focus on Crimson Desert, which I had the opportunity to test for one hour and thirty minutes. Firstly, please note that all images in this video are from my gameplay session captured at 4K resolution with 60 frames per second on a PC, using a PS5 controller. Whether the final version will run at 4K at 60fps is unknown both to me and the developers at this time; however, the build provided for our testing was indeed running at that performance level. This demo was created specifically for this event. Essentially, we experienced the game’s introduction, which functions as a tutorial to introduce the combat system basics while also providing insight into Kliff’s story, the main character of the game. Kliff is the hero in Crimson Desert and it is through his perspective that players will explore Plywel, a continent embroiled in violent conflicts between two peoples: the Graymane, to which Kliff belongs, and the Black Bear, a ruthless faction known for the bearskin furs worn by their warriors.
The game begins immediately with intense action as Kliff’s troops face off against Black Bear’s army, which proves to be overwhelmingly powerful and superior. Kliff’s comrades are defeated one by one, and even Kliff himself fails to survive, being killed by Myurdin, the leader of Black Bear, who slashes, disembowels, and slits his throat before throwing his bloodied corpse into a river. This marks the point where Crimson Desert transitions into its fantastical, almost sci-fi elements. Kliff finds himself in a parallel world with the ability to return from the dead for revenge, not just for his own death but also for that of his comrades and people. He returns stronger than before, with numerous additional gameplay possibilities. To avoid spoiling the story, which plays a significant role in this vast, narrative, and immersive open world, the demo allowed me to travel through a spatial-temporal gateway where I could choose from four different bosses to face. Although these bosses had been introduced previously, I was able to confront them sequentially. The developers even suggested taking on the final boss, Queen Crab Caraparoche, as it is the most challenging and time-consuming to defeat.
I encountered and initially faced the Reed Devil, also known as the Devil of the Rushes in the original version, a boss that does not appear imposing at first glance due to his human-sized stature and ordinary appearance. However, his complex backstory and deceptive nature make him an intriguing opponent to fight against. From the outset, it is evident that behind this facade lies a tormented individual who endured abuse, particularly from his father, who apparently attempted to kill him because of a birth defect caused by leprosy. As an illegitimate son of nobility, he was destined to be eliminated, but ultimately, it was he who ended up killing his father. This sets the stage for Kliff’s battle against the Reed Devil in an open field of dry wheat, contrasting with other boss battles and offering insight into how Crimson Desert is structured. Beyond the intense fights I will describe, I particularly appreciated the game’s highly dynamic camera system, which serves both the game mechanics and the player, especially during expansive areas like this boss fight. The camera shifts naturally from different perspectives, similar to a long take, allowing players to control it using the right analog stick while also automatically adjusting angles based on the player’s position relative to the boss, drawing closer to the action or pulling back for dramatic effect.
The camera system functions effectively in open spaces but performs less reliably in more confined areas, such as near the King-Stag. Due to the presence of surrounding walls and dilapidated towers, it was common for the camera to malfunction and fail to recenter when Kliff became cornered against a wall. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that bosses are typically very aggressive and do not provide any respite. The developers are aware of this problem; I have provided feedback, and they will undoubtedly find a solution to improve camera readability in confined space combats. However, players also bear the responsibility to manually maneuver the camera to navigate through these dangerous situations. Despite this, the dynamic camera system adds dynamism, scale, and depth to the game, which is uncommon in its genre, making it one of the game’s strengths in my opinion.
In Crimson Desert, the enemy locking mechanism also changes when Kliff adopts a guarding stance, standing behind his shield and sword, ready for combat. In-game, pressing L1 locks onto enemies and is used for blocking and parrying attacks. The game features light attacks with R1 and heavy attacks with R2. Players can dodge enemy attacks using Circle, causing Kliff to roll forward. Triangle allows for a front kick, useful for destabilizing or dispatching numerous, clingy enemies. Kliff can run and sprint with Cross, climb with Square when near environmental elements; otherwise, Square becomes a jump, enabling aerial combos. Lastly, players can grab an enemy by pressing Circle + Triangle, then perform various grapples.
A GAMEPLAY INSPIRED BY VS FIGHTING
This paragraph is intended for basic mechanics, but it soon becomes apparent that Crimson Desert offers much more depth, featuring numerous key combinations and especially a multitude of combos inspired by Versus Fighting games. In summary, these features unlock more powerful attacks and additional movements. For example, pressing R1 + R2 triggers a slashing attack, easily identifiable due to the accompanying visual effects, such as a luminous curve with a camera movement that shakes the screen to convey power. Pressing Circle + Cross allows for a stabbing attack; Kliff will plunge his blade into the enemy’s body, immobilizing them. This is a highly effective move that removes significant health points and enables chaining into further attacks. Similar to wrestling moves mentioned earlier, various movements can be performed based on button combinations. Enemies can be thrown, grounded, or even have their necks broken. There are sweeps to knock enemies down for follow-up strikes, and holding certain buttons unlocks additional ground-based movements. With precise timing, some manipulations trigger other effects like blinding the enemy with a sword; Kliff positions his blade towards the sun to blind them, causing a brief stun that allows for combo chaining. Holding L2, then pressing R2, Circle while maintaining R2 also unlocks further skills. In short, the combat system is incredibly comprehensive and deeply layered, necessitating adaptation and training. Some journalists may find this complexity excessive, but it aligns with the trend of increasing player demand for intricate systems, while those familiar with SNK’s Versus Fighting games might view it as a welcome addition.
And then, to add excitement, there is the concept of climbing onto large enemies like the Crab Queen or White Horn, reminiscent of Dragon’s Dogma but more accurately resembling Shadow of the Colossus, since this game pioneered such systems and credit should be given where it’s due to Fumito Ueda. The possibilities are vast. Both gameplay and technical aspects are impressive, offering a rich experience. The game is visually stunning, from its landscapes to textures, visual effects, distinguishable particles, sparks upon impact, flying grass, traces of powerful strikes, smoke, and destructible environmental elements that explode. This ultra-gothic black parachute design is called Corvus, which adds an edge to Kliff’s style. Black Desert Online was already known for its beauty, but Crimson Desert elevates it further still. The game demands a powerful machine to run smoothly, particularly in open areas where the dynamic camera system truly excels, providing an unparalleled sense of scale and depth.
For those eager to delve deeper into the unique blend of gameplay mechanics and narrative depth that Crimson Desert offers, be sure to check out Sophie Laurent’s insightful piece titled “Crimson Desert: When Zelda, Assassin’s Creed, and Final Fantasy Merged!” published on August 22, 2023. In this blog post, Sophie explores how Pearl Abyss has seamlessly integrated elements from some of the most beloved game series to create a truly innovative experience. From Link’s versatile combat style to the strategic melee battles reminiscent of Elden Ring, Crimson Desert promises to be a must-play title for fans of action RPGs everywhere. Dive into more details and get excited about what’s ahead at Crimson Desert: When Zelda, Assassin’s Creed, and Final Fantasy Merged!.
