Crimson Desert is a new open-world action RPG from Pearl Abyss, the Korean studio behind Black Desert Online. We finally get to see the game in action thanks to a new gameplay trailer.
The game hopes to combine single-player with online multiplayer functionality, though the trailer mostly focuses on the environments and single-player action.
The gameplay trailer starts with a series of breathtaking vistas that look absolutely spectacular. As the video progresses, we see this vast world is full of monsters and foes to fight. The combat looks fast-paced, with grappling, side weapons, and hand to hand fights. It’s all in-line with Black Desert Online’s combat mechanics, but without AOE and mobs.
The game’s world also features some puzzles and more than a few ways to traverse it. You can climb, rope-swing, and sail. There’s even a dragon you can ride on, and that is already great.
Crimson Desert was introduced last year and intended to be an MMORPG, but now it is defined as an “open-world action-adventure with MMO elements.” Pearl Abyss hadn’t revealed the MMO elements in Crimson Desert. In an interview with the developers, they said the game would feature a single-server, massive open world that players can share. Pearl Abyss also confirmed PvP battles and castle sieges as we see in the trailer, although we do not know how those will work, exactly.
The game will tell the story of Macduff, a downtrodden mercenary fighting to reclaim their land. They travel with a group of mercenaries through the continent of Pywel, facing the harsh world. Rather than creating their own character, players will choose to play as one of the mercenary group. This is consistent with Black Desert Mobile and Shadow Arena, both made by Pearl Abyss, where you choose from a set of pre-made characters.
Pearl Abyss turned Black Desert Online into a well-monetized title, so it will be interesting to see how they’ll do the same with Crimson Desert (maybe that’s what the MMO elements are for). Genshin Impact is a great example of a single-player open-world with successful Gacha mechanics. It could be Pearl Abyss wants to mimic the success of that tile with Crimson Desert.
Crimson Desert is due in winter 2021, and Pearl Abyss will reveal more in time. In the meantime, you can follow the official Crimson Desert website or check out Crimson Desert’s predecessor Black Desert Online.
Or you can stick around and I’ll keep you updated on new information whenever it’s available.
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