I spent more than 130 hours Crimson DesertI learned a lot of valuable lessons, namely the fact that this game is far from what I expected. My initial impression of it was that it would be a simple action-adventure game with a story that I would be able to breeze through when I wasn't exploring its massive open world. It initially seemed like a game that almost anyone could enjoy, simply because it seemed like it was trying to rewrite the rulebook by enforcing what seemed like every rule in the industry. In that way, I thought it would appeal to a variety of preferences and playstyles. However, despite spending only about 10 hours Crimson DesertI was already realizing how quickly this game would turn off a lot of people, because it's not what it seems.
To be clear, Crimson Desert Not an easy game, and in many different ways. When it tries to hold your hand, it has a hard time doing so because there's so much going on in the game that even its tutorials can't keep up. Gear and skill progression is a big grind because it requires what feels like an increasing number of Abyss artifacts and crafting materials. And its combat takes some getting used to because it will punish you for playing the way it's supposed to play. However, at about the 30-hour mark of my playthrough, I came to terms with the fact that you need to play at its pace rather than at your own pace, and there's one rule you should learn quickly to avoid frustration and burnout.
Crimson Desert developer shares tumbled nearly 30% after disappointing reviews
Pearl Abyss shares took a big tumble after critics' reviews of Crimson Desert failed to live up to the long-awaited game's high expectations.
Don't mainline Crimson Desert's story – enjoy its world
Here's the long and short of it: Don't main line Crimson DesertWho's story, or you'll be in a world of misery, and you might even feel like quitting the game at some point. for some reason, Crimson DesertMandatory bosses can be extremely difficult if you're trying to breeze through the game's main objectives. I guess I'm just used to open-world action-adventure games telling their stories that they actually want players to experience and enjoy filled with huge difficulty spikes that seem insurmountable at first. However, that is not the case here Crimson Desert It takes pride to check your ego at every turn.
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
get started
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Permadeath (2.5 seconds)
Those of us who helped out during the review process for the game still haven't stopped talking about its first major ego check (which I won't spoil here), admitting that it will likely be a brick wall for many players who just went in hoping to get through the story. I personally was able to beat that particular boss on my second try, but only because I started playing Crimson DesertThe most important unwritten rules and fighting became easy. Naturally, I walked away from the encounter feeling like I could take on the world, only for another massive difficulty spike to stop me in my tracks, grounding me and ultimately forcing me, once again, to play by the game's rules rather than my own.
I don't know why developers insist on making boss fights this difficult in their games, especially since the rise of the Soulslike genre seems to burn out many players for that reason. In fact, it's now at the point where many developers are clear about their game not being a Soulslike, simply because they don't want to turn away players before they get a chance to play the game — looking at you, Black Myth Wukong. However, while Crimson Desert Might not be a Soulslike, it can definitely feel like one at times because of how challenging its main bosses are. But, again, forcing yourself to observe the biggest unwritten rule of the game is the way to get through those encounters.
Once you learn to pace yourself in the open world of Crimson Desert, it becomes very easy
I said this in my review Crimson DesertBut it seems like this game makes slowing you down every chance it gets its top priority. As soon as you start to feel like you're actually making progress, it throws a wrench in with an overly complex puzzle or, as I said before, a difficult boss fight. But that's all-If you want to be successful Crimson DesertYou have to let it slow you down. It's trying to speed you up because that's the way to play. Of course, it can present itself as something that you want to play it your way, but it's probably because of what we usually see in this genre that we've created in our own minds.
That's what I say Crimson DesertThe story is actually designed as a side character, while its open world plays the main role. As such, engaging with the intended protagonist is, in a way, how you can lose Crimson Desert At his own game. I started to feel it after about 30 hours, and it changed the game for me. The boss fights stopped being so difficult, and the puzzles didn't stump me as often as they used to. Also, I've failed to mention up to this point how difficult it is to manage this list Crimson Desert Because there is no player storage and the only way to increase inventory space is to complete side quests and buy small bags from vendors.
Pearl Abyss has confirmed that a patch is on the way that will give players storage in their homes, which should help with the game's persistent inventory limitations.
But it also lends itself to my point. Every obstacle in the Crimson Desert Defeatable if you pace yourself and enjoy its open world. There's a lot to do in the game, and, thankfully, there's enough variety that it doesn't get old, even after 100 hours. But engaging in those activities eventually nets you more Abyss Artifacts than you can count for gear, skill, and stat progression, more inventory space to store all your junk, and even powerful gear unobtainable in the main story.
So, take your time Crimson DesertYou'll probably enjoy it more, and you won't lower your personal score of the game because it's “too hard”. The moment you stop treating its story as something you need to advance and start treating its world like something to inhabit, everything clicks into place. Bosses will begin to feel organized, progress will feel effortless, and frustrations that once seemed inevitable will begin to fade. Learn that rule early, and Crimson Desert It's less about surviving its most difficult moments and more about embracing everything it has to offer in between.
- issued
-
March 19, 2026
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ / Blood, drug references, intense violence, strong language
- developer(s)
-
The Pearl Abyss
- publisher(s)
-
The Pearl Abyss
