Crimson Desert Review: Stunning open world but short on narrative depth

Crimson Desert, the highly anticipated open-world RPG from Pearl Abyss, offers a visually stunning world and engaging exploration mechanics. However, clunky controls, technical inconsistencies, and a shallow narrative prevent it from achieving the immersive brilliance of The Witcher 3.

Crimson Desert is – or was – my Moby Dick. There, the secret is out. Just as the White Whale was the singular focus of Ahab’s life, exploring open-world RPGs has been mine. Since 2014, I have single-mindedly searched for a successor to The Witcher 3, a game that enthralls, captivates, and leaves you entirely unaware of the sheer number of hours you’ve sunk into it. First showcased in November 2019, the scale of the world and the potential scope of play left me excited and hopeful that my search had finally ended.

In the seven years since, much has changed. The game is no longer a prequel to Black Desert Online; set in the world of Pywel, it is now a standalone title that seeks to immerse players in vast open-world possibilities. However, the question that demands an answer remains: does it truly match what The Witcher 3 offered?

My answer to that question is both yes and no. For starters, Pywel, with its diverse regions and landscapes, is truly gorgeous. As I make my way through its craggy mountains, vibrant flower beds, and forested swamps, I can feel my PS5 sputter as it is pushed to its limits.

However, a breathtaking world isn’t enough to make a great game, and that is where the first problems with Crimson Desert emerge.

The movement feels inherently buggy, and even on the PS5’s Performance Mode, the inconsistency persists. Furthermore, the UI and instruction systems are messy and clunky right from the get-go. In the very first mission, playing as Kliff, even the simplest act of speaking to fellow soldiers proves challenging.

However, despite these technical challenges, the world of Crimson Desert is detailed enough to remain consistently intriguing. Most players will find genuine joy in navigating the game’s fast-paced combat and exploration mechanics once they find their rhythm.

Lastly, the game’s main campaign lacks significant drive and purpose; at times, there is almost no sense of mystery to propel you forward. Kliff is ostensibly in search of other Greymanes, but this isn’t Geralt searching for Ciri, and thus, there is little motivation to keep things moving.

Ultimately, Crimson Desert is a solid modern RPG, but it is too narratively shallow and mechanically cumbersome to be considered a ‘great’ game. It is a title worth trying if you crave a detailed, expansive world with high exploration value, but it unfortunately lacks the soul required to take the crown. Alas, the search for The Witcher 3’s successor continues.

Sneak Peek: Title Crimson Desert

Developer: Pearl Abyss

Game Type: Open World Action Role

Playing Game (RPG)

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, macOS, and Microsoft Windows

Price: Rs 4,499 on PS Store, Steam, and Xbox Store

Verdict (all scores out of 10):

Innovative Gameplay: 8

Game Handling and Quality: 6.5

Value for Time: 7

Value for Money: 6.5

Overall: 7

What Stands Out

Crimson Desert’s spectacular open world design, combined with its various regions and geographical terrains, makes it the closest contender to The Witcher 3.

The game’s side quest system is exceptionally well-crafted;

Fails to impress

Unfortunately, the menus, controls, and instructions are very poorly designed. Routine navigation and the process of learning new skills take significantly longer than necessary.

Movement and combat are glitchy and inconsistent and while most games of this scale need a lot of polish, Crimson Desert needs significant fixing.