Crimson Desert Review (PS5)

Key Points:

• Crimson Desert is a vast open-world adventure drawing inspiration from major titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Breath of the Wild, but its identity only becomes clear after many hours of play due to a confusing and disjointed early narrative.
• The game excels in world-building with a dynamic, large-scale environment full of activity and exploration freedom, but is hindered by mundane MMO-style quests and a cumbersome inventory system that negatively impacts quality of life.
• Combat offers deep and unique mechanics blending swordplay with wrestling moves and elemental powers, though difficulty spikes in boss fights and lack of clear progression indicators can frustrate players.
• Technical performance on PS5 base hardware is problematic, featuring screen tearing, frame rate drops, and low resolution, while PS5 Pro improves stability but still suffers from pop-in, lighting issues, and frame rate drops in dense areas.
• Despite its flaws and feeling like an early access title, Crimson Desert's immersive world and depth keep players engaged, but significant improvements and post-release support are needed before it can be widely recommended.