PlayersForLife’s most dedicated readers are already aware that our team recently traveled to Los Angeles for the Summer Game Fest, organized by Geoff Keighley, an event now considered nearly indispensable and positioned as the spiritual successor to E3. Among the appointments I had carefully planned from Paris was one focused on Crimson Desert, a title that has risen to my personal list of most anticipated games for 2025, particularly after experiencing it at last year’s Paris Games Week. Until this point, the South Korean developers at Pearl Abyss had primarily showcased their press previews with spectacular boss battles, leaving limited opportunity to explore the open world. However, the demo presented in Los Angeles during the Summer Game Fest distinguished itself by focusing on an extensive exploration of the open world, interspersed with a full mission and an unseen boss fight. Initially scheduled for one hour, my session ultimately lasted two and a half hours. I am now prepared to detail this unexpected privilege in detail.
Before discussing the main topic, it is pertinent to briefly mention the recent rumors regarding the release date of Crimson Desert. Just 48 hours ago, South Korean media outlet MTN reported that the game would be released on November 2, 2025, based on information they claimed to have received directly from Pearl Abyss during an interview. This announcement was rapidly shared online as fans eagerly awaited a definitive launch date. However, there was an unexpected twist when the studio officially denied this specific release date, stating that all such information would be communicated through their official channels at the appropriate time. It remains unclear whether MTN made an error or inadvertently disclosed confidential information. Despite this uncertainty, those I spoke with in Los Angeles confirmed that Crimson Desert is indeed set for a release by the end of 2025. With Grand Theft Auto VI delayed to May 2026, Pearl Abyss appears to have a strategic window to establish itself. Behind the scenes, one can imagine the pressure on the studio to adhere to this ambitious timeline. Nevertheless, let them proceed and allow them the necessary time to perfect their creation.
PERFECT TIMING
Let us return to this renowned hands-on session. The demo enabled the exploration of a complete mission along with an encounter with an unseen boss, while still allowing freedom to explore within a limited portion of the open world. My session, scheduled for later in the day, lasted longer than the standard 60 minutes because the journalist following me did not attend, permitting me extra time to extend my experience. This unexpected period of exclusivity allowed me to thoroughly test several mechanics and explore areas that others might not have had the opportunity to discover. However, it should be noted that some areas were intentionally unfinished: sparsely populated with minimal fauna or enemies, they offered a glimpse into ongoing development work. One of the developers even specified that this build did not include all elements planned for the final game.
THE BLACKSPACE ENGINE THAT WORKS MIRACLES
When launching the demo, one immediately notices the high visual quality of the title. The gameplay sequences shared by Pearl Abyss accurately reflect what players experience when controlling the game. Utilizing its proprietary BlackSpace Engine, this South Korean studio presents open-world graphics that are exceptionally detailed and immersive. The world feels expansive and rich with various details. During my initial scenario mission, I encountered the first in-game cinematics, which were remarkably impressive. Character faces are incredibly lifelike, particularly Kliff’s armor, which is strikingly beautiful. Upon closer inspection, every piece of clothing, armor parts, shield, and sword can be distinguished; each element is not just a flat texture but fully 3D modeled objects.
The environments in Crimson Desert are likely one of its major highlights. The game features brightly lit snowy mountains, evolving clouds driven by a dynamic weather system, billowing smoke from cannons on the horizon, and the effects of wind on vegetation, creating a living world. Additionally, there is an abundance of non-player characters (NPCs), particularly in battlefields, which further enhances the sense of a vibrant, organic environment. Regarding the numerous particle effects, which some consider spectacular but potentially intrusive, I inquired about the possibility of disabling them. However, no definitive answer has been provided yet. Personally, I find their visual quality to be sublime. The demo was played on a PC with a PS5 controller, running at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, which is an impressive performance for that build.
KLIFF HUNGER
In the played mission, Kliff must locate his scattered and potentially endangered companions following an ambush. The journey leads us to Calphade, specifically a village where we encounter admiring soldiers who locally regard Kliff as a living legend. The player is invited to assist them before entering battle, particularly in repairing a cannon whose wheel has been damaged. This seemingly mundane task reveals an impressive degree of care in the animations. Kliff lifts the wheel, positions it, and pushes it in with his shoulders, in an animation as credible and fluid as any. Even replacing a fallen flag requires a complete sequence of manipulation. Each action is meticulously animated using motion capture and adheres to realistic physical laws, granting the game a visual and tactile consistency rarely equaled. This attention to detail recalls the meticulous work of studios like Rockstar Games or Naughty Dog. However, some players might perceive this “over-animation” as a hindrance to fluidity, especially in combat situations. The complex manipulations of certain interactions may seem tedious in an intense action context. Nevertheless, the developers assured me that these elements would be gradually introduced throughout the adventure, unlike this demo that thrusts the player directly with all unlocked skills. A choice they admit might disrupt the experience within such a short timeframe.
Immersive Gameplay of Staggering Wealth
Kliff is a protagonist with notably extensive gameplay capabilities. Depending on his equipment (weapons, powers, skills), he can significantly vary his actions in combat. He can perform light attacks, powerful blows, block with a shield, and even execute spectacular chainsaw-like sequences reminiscent of beat ’em ups, such as jump kicks, sweeps, catch-style grapples, or ground finishes. Additionally, he can use an enemy as a human shield or deliver a silent back stab with a sword. Notably, he can also blind his adversaries with the reflection from his sword. This level of finesse in combat sometimes gives the impression of playing an advanced fighting game rather than a simple action RPG.
I have also been able to experiment with various mechanics: consecutive jumps utilizing triple impulse, gliding thanks to a cloak shaped like a crow’s wing, aerial attacks, and a grappling hook that allows attachment to numerous surfaces, similar to Assassin’s Creed. This grappling feature can even be used as a pendulum to access impressive heights, particularly at the tops of trees. Additionally, there are mechanics specific to different weapons: for example, the bow enables designating a ground target for a cannon shot, which is especially useful tactically against crowds of enemies.
This demo version allowed me to familiarize myself with the horse, which responds well despite lacking certain features such as the renowned equine drift seen in trailers. The animations are refined, and transitions between gaits (walk, trot, gallop) are seamless. Kliff can also use his mount to perform impressive jumps. Summoning the horse is quick, efficient, and free of unnecessary complexity. In this regard, the experience stands out favorably compared to Red Dead Redemption 2, where mounting a horse could be cumbersome.
FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE
In summary, Crimson Desert is filled with promising features. Its rich mechanics, expansive world, high-quality animations, and deep combat system distinguish it from most contemporary Action-RPGs. Journalists present sometimes found it challenging to absorb the vast amount of information provided within an hour. With double the time allocated, I was able to approach the experience more calmly. However, the studio must balance this gameplay density to prevent overwhelming players. Pearl Abyss is aware of the significant anticipation surrounding the game and attentively gathered feedback from attendees—both positive and critical. Issues with lighting in dark areas have already been noted for improvement. The potential of Crimson Desert is immense, but finding the right balance between ambition and accessibility remains a challenge. The delay of GTA VI presents an ideal opportunity: even if Pearl Abyss were to push back the release date between January and March 2026, the game would still have ample time to shine. Take your time, Pearl Abyss; the world is watching.
Crimson Desert is shaping up to be an extraordinary adventure, drawing inspiration from notable games while also establishing its own identity. With over a decade of experience behind Black Desert Online and ambitious open-world games, Pearl Abyss has demonstrated its ability to deliver high-quality titles. The main challenge for the Korean studio lies in transitioning from solo narrative AAA titles aimed at an international audience, particularly in Western markets. However, since we had the opportunity to play Crimson Desert, it is clear that the game possesses compelling elements such as rich gameplay, technical grandeur, and ambitious storytelling. While the demo impresses with its density and visual mastery, it also presents a significant challenge: balancing depth and accessibility. Pearl Abyss must address this balance effectively to prevent overwhelming players.
For those eager to delve deeper into the world of Crimson Desert and explore its unique blend of familiar elements from beloved franchises like Zelda, Assassin’s Creed, and Final Fantasy, I highly recommend checking out Sophie Laurent’s insightful piece titled “Crimson Desert: When Zelda, Assassin’s Creed, and Final Fantasy Merged!” (August 22, 2023). In this captivating article, Sophie sheds light on the latest gameplay video unveiled at gamescom, offering a fascinating glimpse into how Pearl Abyss is pushing boundaries to create something truly special. Don’t miss out on this must-read for any fan of epic adventures and groundbreaking game design: Crimson Desert: When Zelda, Assassin’s Creed, and Final Fantasy Merged!
