Crimson Desert: In-Depth Performance Benchmark Analysis

Pearl Abyss released Crimson Desert earlier this month. The studio is known for Black Desert Online. Filmogaz.com examined the game after several early patches improved stability.

Setting and story

The game unfolds on the medieval fantasy continent of Pywel. Players control Kliff, leader of a mercenary band. The narrative mixes focused missions with open-world exploration.

World design and visuals

Environments are expansive and seamless. Dynamic weather and day-night cycles shape each area.

Biomes include lush forests, snow-capped mountains, bustling towns, and subterranean ruins. HDR and ultrawide 21:9 displays receive full support.

Combat and gameplay

Combat feels more involved than in Black Desert Online. Animations carry weight and attacks land with noticeable heft.

Players have access to various weapons and abilities. Large-scale set-piece battles appear throughout the campaign.

Engine and rendering

Crimson Desert runs on Pearl Abyss’s BlackSpace engine. The title uses DirectX 12 for rendering.

Ray tracing is present as a single on/off option. Expect trade-offs between fidelity and frame rates.

Upscaling, frame generation, and extras

The game supports NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR 4 for upscaling. Frame generation works for both AMD and NVIDIA hardware.

• NVIDIA MFG support is available.
• NVIDIA DLSS Ray Reconstruction and NVIDIA Reflex are separate toggles.
• AMD Ray Regeneration is also supported.

Intel Arc launch controversy

Intel Arc users could not initially launch the game. Pearl Abyss advised affected owners to “seek refunds,” prompting community backlash.

After Intel noted it had offered optimization help, Pearl Abyss allowed Arc GPUs to boot the game. As of version 1.01.02, rendering remains severely broken for Arc, producing mostly black screens and artifacts.

Both companies are expected to collaborate on a future fix.

What Filmogaz.com will test

We will run an in-depth performance and benchmark analysis across contemporary graphics cards. Tests will compare image quality presets and upscaling modes.

VRAM usage will be measured to clarify recommended hardware. The goal is to help readers choose systems that deliver optimal play experiences.

Expect a detailed results article from Filmogaz.com with charts and recommendations. Our follow-up will outline settings for smooth performance and best visual fidelity.