Pearl Abyss has released a new overview video for Crimson Desert, diving deep into protagonist Kliff’s story and the game’s ambitious open world. The footage confirms three playable characters, fortress assaults, a rideable dragon, and a world that Pearl Abyss claims you can explore without level restrictions.
Pearl Abyss clearly isn’t messing about with Crimson Desert’s scope. A new overview video dropped today, and it’s packed with enough systems and features to make your head spin. Whether that’s a good or bad thing remains to be seen, but there’s no denying the scale of what’s on offer.
You play as Kliff, a formidable warrior from the Greymanes, a peaceful faction dedicated to protecting the innocent. After dark forces attack and scatter your group, you’re left to rebuild both the faction and your homeland whilst hunting down fragments of the Abyss that have fallen into the world.
The story centres on Kliff, but you’ll also control two other characters throughout the adventure. Gameplay footage shows an agile female character and a heavy weapons specialist wielding guns, each with their own distinct combat style. It’s the kind of variety that could keep combat fresh across what looks like a very long game.
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Three playable characters each bring unique combat styles to Crimson Desert
Open World Without Limits
Crimson Desert’s world spans multiple biomes: northern-inspired frozen regions, medieval cities, and sprawling deserts. Pearl Abyss promises you can go anywhere without level gating, which is either liberating or asking for trouble depending on how well they’ve balanced encounters.
Kliff can climb and glide across distances, and as you progress you’ll unlock a missile-launching mech and a fire-breathing dragon for traversal. The Abyss, a mysterious realm spilling into the world of Pywel, plays a major role in exploration, with fragments scattered across the continent granting powerful artefacts and abilities.
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Crimson Desert will emphasize exploration, say Pearl Abyss
Ubisoft-Style Outpost Clearing
Quest variety appears substantial, ranging from large-scale fortress assaults to helping random NPCs with mundane tasks like escorting wagons. The footage includes what looks suspiciously like Assassin’s Creed-style outpost clearing, complete with a boss fight at the end. Liberating areas brings NPCs back to settlements, unlocking new merchants and equipment.
Various puzzles, secrets, and treasures await discovery, with exploration rewarded through new skills like fishing and conversation clues that open quest paths.
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The world certainly looks stunning, no matter where you decide to explore
It’s safe to say that Crimson Desert looks absolutely stunning but I have a nagging concern that a game this massive could end up bloated like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, drowning players in busywork rather than meaningful content. Pearl Abyss have showed they have the technical chops and if they can they nail the pacing, we’re looking at something really special.
Crimson Desert launches 19th March 2026 on PC (Steam and Mac), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
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