![The image shows [left half] a set of ruins with dragons flying around, with everything a pinky-reddish tint. [Right half] a castle under siege with multiple bonfires going, all with a blueish tint. In the middle is a strange, square blocky structure. In front of it all are three people reading weapons. [Left to right] and ork with an axe wearing yellow leather armour, a black haired man with blue stripes down his face, brandishing a sword and shield, and a woman with a long cloke and a rapier. The text above them in white reads 'CRIMSON DESERT'.](https://www.thumbculture.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Crimson-Desert_20260319102621-1024x576.jpg)
1 
0 Back last year I was lucky enough to check out a preview for Crimson Desert. Now, I Finally get to review the finished product. So just like many, I will be exploring the vast world that is Pywel. Thanks to the team at Pearl Abyss, for creating this large open-world RPG. The game is available on Steam, but for now, I am checking the PS5 version. Which goes for £54.99, with a Deluxe Edition priced at £64.99. That will also net you some additional armour pieces.
Welcome to Pywel
Gameplay
Players don’t level up traditionally but can improve their characters through gear and a skill tree. To improve skills in the tree, you can collect, find, and earn Artefacts through-out the world. The best way I managed is by killing a load of bandits. This too works well for also earning money. Although I haven’t struggled with cash so far. Other known ways are through quests and puzzle spots on the map, for example the Dragon’s Stone Chamber. The chamber required me to find three rocks outside with the symbols and then return and rotate three wheels.
Gear also plays a large role in how you can strengthen characters in Crimson Desert. Since some weapons may hold special properties, like the sword you obtain from a goblin boss very early game. It allows the sword to give off like an energy wave, offering a bit more reach with the sword. The basic enemies you fight don’t really offer that much of a challenge. Since the real problem comes from other mechanics fighting against you, like no traditional lock on. Or blocking not working as intended. Bosses will shred you thanks to these same problems. Luckily, the Pulmer Pills help out a lot. As they serve as a revive for the player upon being killed. I wouldn’t have beaten the Reed Devil without these.
Comrades and self-heals.
When playing through the story the player will eventually unlock a camp in Crimson Desert. You will then unlock new missions for you to send comrades out to aid the citizens. Such as farming, construction, or dealing with bandits. To do these missions the camp will need its own supplies, these are materials such as stone, wood, weapons, and most important money! Most mission will aid in the camps’ growth by providing the materials, while occasionally some loot for Kliff. While you and your crew help out, the player will slowly earn contribution coins. That can then be used at special stores for new gear. By doing anything really, will level up the factions trust and thus give a coin. Also, any gear earned is re-sellable and will return the full cost.
Healing is a tad bit harder, thanks to the player needing to rely mostly on cooking. Scattered around everywhere, are recipes for new crafting goods and food. Some offer higher healing while others will replenish stamina. Which was useful when I aimed to climb massive cliffs. For healing, I would suggest focusing on just a load of grilled meats or fish. Due to them not being costly for ingredients. Beyond that, Kliff can heal by sleeping or stupidly slow from just standing. It was annoying that the move Focus Palm, has healing but only for your mount. You can commit crimes, but this will lower the trust of the faction. To even commit crimes you must wear a mask, which is easily obtained from killing bandits.
Graphics & Audio
Though I heard many people saying Crimson Desert didn’t look too great on a standard PS5, I would have to disagree. Colours are vibrant and fun, and the world is incredibly detailed and alive, and animations for every blade of grass and leaf in the trees blown in the breeze. I love the bluntness of Kliff, and the varying accents of characters and NPC’s alike. My only gripe is that while the voice acting is stellar, the facial animations are lacking, with the mouth moving only and little else. I also think the visuals could do with less particle effects.
Longevity
This game starts off slow, which might not be for some, with me even hating it around the 20-hour mark. But after sticking with it and finally getting some decent armour, you grow to love it. The constant exploring, never not having something to do. You just end up losing yourself into this massive world. As of writing this review, I have now clocked in 60 hours into Crimson Desert, by just being in the one area, purely because of never being left bored. I am always doing a quest or gathering materials for cooking and refining gear, it is great. There isn’t a lot of hand holding in the game which can leave you a bit confused at times. But to some it all up Crimson Desert offers a lot of time for you to sink in. Unless you are someone who is aiming to rush through the game.
Final Thoughts
The biggest complaint I have for Crimson Desert is definitely the control scheme. It just feels awkward. Holding R1 to perform a full combo, instead of individual prompts really throws me off. And not being able to lock onto enemies besides when holding block doesn’t help. It ruins the whole flow of combat. Tie that with blocking not working as intended most of the time, then get ready to be mauled a lot. Overall the world is rich with life and vast, but the janky controls do ruin it. I did slowly get use to them but only enough to get by, but it still feels off to me.
Crimson Desert has a lot of fun ideas, but they come across as unfinished. Take the multiple characters for example. They don’t offer anything for the actual game-play besides a preference for the player. But even then you are forced to stick with Kilff mainly due to what seems the world being made for him. Such as puzzles and armour. Another big issue comes from the storage in Crimson Desert. And what I mean by that, is there really isn’t any for the player. Yes we can sell goods, or donate to the camp. But I feel as if we should be able to store produce for cooking, and ore for levelling gear. This should have been a bare minium feature. I know I haven’t mentioned the story, this is because I honestly don’t have a clue beyond the fact the Graymanes, were slaughter and that there is an imbalance of good and evil. Crimson Desert has so much I couldn’t fit it all in this review even if I wanted too. There is just that much depth to the game.
Update dropped, so Final Thoughts part 2.
While playing Crimson Desert an update did drop fixing some issues, like the storage problem. And man does it help a lot. The combat hasn’t changed much, but I have got somewhat use to it more over time. I hope they allow us to switch it from holding down R1, to simple singular prompt. And that they fix the camera style while fighting bosses.
I will give credit, where it’s due, I have enjoyed the world of Pywel. But there is just so much that should have been checked before release. So if you can deal with the awkward jankyness, then you should love it. But personally, I flick between loving and hating it. But in the end, I am giving Crimson Desert the Thumb Culture Gold Award. However, I can see why some people might suggest a lower rating.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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