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Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure game developed and published by Pearl Abyss - the South Korean studio behind Black Desert Online - marking their first foray into standalone single-player gaming. Set across the vast medieval fantasy continent of Pywel, players take control of Kliff, captain of the Greymanes, a band of mercenaries caught up in a conflict far larger than themselves.

Drawing clear inspiration from The Witcher 3 and Dragon's Dogma, it blends brutal combo-driven melee combat, large-scale boss encounters, and a richly layered open world to explore. The game has been delayed several times since its initial reveal back in 2019, but it finally launched on March 19, 2026, for PC, PlayStation and Xbox Series X|S.

Release date19 March 2026

Platforms

Developer (s)Pearl Abyss

Publisher (s)Pearl Abyss

AltChar score

80

GreatFull review

Crimson Desert screenshots

Crimson Desert NEWS

Crimson Desert surpasses 5 million copies sold worldwide

Crimson Desert surpasses 5 million copies sold worldwide

Crimson Desert has now sold over 5 million copies worldwide, with Pearl Abyss continuing strong post-launch support and future updates planned.

Belmin KopicAPRIL 15

Crimson Desert: The Best Two-Handed Sword That'll Carry You To the End of the Game

Crimson Desert: The Best Two-Handed Sword That'll Carry You To the End of the Game

No quest, no boss, no prerequisites. Darkbringer is sitting in a giant skeleton's mouth in the far northwest of the map, and you can pick it up from the very first day of the game.

Asmir KovacevicAPRIL 8

Crimson Desert reaches 4 million sales as Pearl Abyss eyes 5 million milestone

Crimson Desert reaches 4 million sales as Pearl Abyss eyes 5 million milestone

Crimson Desert has sold 4 million copies worldwide, with Pearl Abyss continuing post-launch updates and aiming for 5 million soon.

Belmin KopicAPRIL 1

Crimson Desert: Duskwood Waterside Ruins puzzle solution

Crimson Desert: Duskwood Waterside Ruins puzzle solution

It's a giant board game in the middle of a forest, and some of the pieces are alive and angry. The Duskwood Waterside Ruins puzzle is simpler than it looks, but only once you know what it's actually asking.

Asmir KovacevicMARCH 27

Crimson Desert: Drakesfall Gorge ruins puzzle solution

Crimson Desert: Drakesfall Gorge ruins puzzle solution

A stone monarch on a throne, a courtyard full of sword-raised soldiers, and a very simple rule: don't get caught moving. The Drakesfall Gorge ruins puzzle is essentially a game of grandmother's footsteps with worse consequences.

Asmir KovacevicMARCH 27

Crimson Desert: Trembling Woods Ruins puzzle solution

Crimson Desert: Trembling Woods Ruins puzzle solution

A giant golden disc, three broken controls, and no instructions. The Trembling Woods Ruins puzzle is one of Crimson Desert's more inventive environmental challenges, and the solution is hiding in your skill tree.

Asmir KovacevicMARCH 26

Crimson Desert: Kilnden Workshop puzzle solution

Crimson Desert: Kilnden Workshop puzzle solution

Four kilns, four completely different problems. The Kilnden Workshop quest doesn't repeat itself, which is either refreshing or exhausting depending on how the third one goes.

Asmir KovacevicMARCH 26

Crimson Desert: How to get a two-handed katana early in the game

Crimson Desert: How to get a two-handed katana early in the game

A powerful katana with three pre-unlocked ability slots is sitting in a chest in Lioncrest Manor. Getting to it requires a mask, a key, and a willingness to climb through a window.

Asmir KovacevicMARCH 24

Pearl Abyss confirm Crimson Desert has sold 3 million copies since launch

Pearl Abyss confirm Crimson Desert has sold 3 million copies since launch

Pearl Abyss have confirmed that Crimson Desert has sold 3 million copies worldwide, a strong result for a game that launched to a more divided critical reception than expected.

Semir OmerovicMARCH 24

Crimson Desert: How to solve the Dragon's Stone Chamber puzzle

Crimson Desert: How to solve the Dragon's Stone Chamber puzzle

Three switches, a locked door, and no instructions. The Dragon's Stone Chamber puzzle is one of the more satisfying secrets in Crimson Desert, once you know what it's actually asking you to do.

Asmir KovacevicMARCH 23

Crimson Desert: How to craft arrows

Crimson Desert: How to craft arrows

Running dry on arrows mid-fight is a bad time to find out you didn't stock up. Here's how to make your own and what you'll need before you can.

Asmir KovacevicMARCH 23

Ten hours in, Crimson Desert has yet to show me its magic

Ten hours in, Crimson Desert has yet to show me its magic

Crimson Desert is one of the most visually stunning open-world games in years. After ten hours, it is also one of the most frustrating. The magic everyone keeps promising is somewhere out there. I just cannot find it yet.

Semir OmerovicMARCH 23