Crimson Desert Unveils 15-Minute Video Highlighting Open World and New Gameplay

Taylor Keatsman

Published: January 29, 2026 2:35 PM ET

Crimson Desert Unveils 15-Minute Video Highlighting Open World and New Gameplay

Developer Pearl Abyss is gearing up for the long-anticipated release of Crimson Desert. To build excitement, they have unveiled a 15-minute video that showcases the rich story, expansive open world, and engaging gameplay mechanics of the game.

Overview of Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert centers on the character Kliff, a warrior belonging to the Greymanes faction from the northern region of Pailune. As the storyline unfolds, players witness Kliff navigating a fractured peace and striving to reunite his faction while reclaiming their homeland.

Seamless Open World Exploration

The continent of Pywel offers a seamless and immersive open world experience. According to Pearl Abyss, players can expect:

Sprawling wilderness
Bustling cities
Ancient ruins
Diverse regions

This vast landscape sets the stage for escalating conflicts and supernatural dangers as the narrative progresses, involving the mysterious realm known as the Abyss.

Regions of Pywel

Pywel is divided into five distinct regions:

Hernand
Pailune
Demeniss
Delesyia
Crimson Desert

While the main quest follows Kliff’s journey, players have the freedom to explore these regions in any order. The game features a variety of missions, including faction-driven quests and large-scale battles.

Additional Playable Characters

Pearl Abyss has announced that, as the game progresses, players can unlock two more characters, each equipped with unique combat styles and skills. This adds layers of strategy to the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.

Traversal and Exploration

Exploration is a key aspect of Crimson Desert. Players can:

Travel on horseback
Climb various terrains
Glide across distances
Access advanced traversal options like a missile-firing mech and even a dragon

The world is filled with hidden treasures, ancient mechanisms, and challenging puzzles that reward curiosity and discovery.

Combat System

Combat in Crimson Desert promises to be intense. Players will encounter various enemies, including:

Soldiers
Sorcerers
Beasts
Machines

Massive Open World Compared to Other Games

Pearl Abyss describes Crimson Desert’s open world as “absolutely massive,” positioning it as larger than renowned titles like Bethesda’s Skyrim and Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2. Will Powers from Pearl Abyss emphasized that while the size is impressive, the key lies in the interaction and activities available in the world.

He noted, “The continent of Pywel is absolutely massive, but size doesn’t really matter if there’s nothing to do.” This highlights the developers’ commitment to creating a meaningful and engaging experience beyond just scale.

Combat and Role-Playing Elements

Unlike traditional RPGs, Crimson Desert does not focus heavily on character decision-making or consequences. Instead, players can shape their experience through their interactions and quests. This approach allows for a unique gameplay experience, with players experiencing varied storylines based on different quests and choices.