Pearl Abyss’ open-world action RPG, Crimson Desert, has surpassed two million copies sold since its release on March 19th, despite facing mixed critical reception and performance concerns on PlayStation 5, according to multiple reports.
The game, developed by the creators of Black Desert Online, launched to significant player interest, offering a vast open world, deep combat systems, and a lengthy single-player campaign. Players assume the role of Kliff, a member of the Greymane faction, and embark on a journey to rebuild his clan and confront a looming threat to the continent of Pywel. The game features numerous quests, NPCs, and locations to explore, alongside environmental puzzles and side activities.
Early reviews, based primarily on the PC version, highlighted the game’s ambitious scope and unique blend of RPG elements, drawing comparisons to titles like The Witcher and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, the console release has been met with scrutiny regarding its performance and visual fidelity. PlayStation Universe reported spending over 150 hours with the game, noting that Crimson Desert effectively functions as a “singleplayer MMO.”
Testing on both standard PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro consoles indicates the game achieves a frame rate of 60fps in Performance Mode. Tom’s Guide’s initial impressions from playing on PS5 Pro suggest the game’s scale is impressive, but a full assessment requires a significantly longer playthrough. The game is “PS5 Pro Enhanced” according to the PlayStation Store, and requires a vibration function and supports trigger effects on the DualSense wireless controller.
Several outlets have noted the substantial amount of content within Crimson Desert. The main story consists of 12 chapters, in addition to a prologue and epilogue, and the world is comparable in size to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The PlayStation Store offers a Standard Edition of the game for $69.99, which includes the Grotevant Plate Set as a bonus, and a Deluxe Edition for $79.99, adding the Kairos Plate Set, Balgran Shield, and Exclaire Horse Tack Set. A Deluxe Pack is also available as an add-on for $12.99.
Despite the sales figures, critical reception remains divided. Reports indicate players have expressed concerns regarding various aspects of the game, though specific details of those criticisms remain largely unaggregated. Pearl Abyss has not yet publicly addressed the reported performance issues or player feedback.
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