Crimson Desert Launches Massive Charting the Unknown DLC and Free 5-Hour Trial

Pywel now stretches far beyond its original borders, and console owners can test its vast expanses without spending a dime.

A Continental Scale on Consoles

Pearl Abyss has rolled out a five-hour free trial for its open-world action RPG Crimson Desert on current-generation consoles. The timing coincides with the release of the massive Charting the Unknown expansion, a DLC that pushes the game’s geography well past its initial limits.

According to reporting from GRY-Online.pl citing Sportskeeda data, the base game’s map for Pywel spanned roughly 200 square kilometers, with about 150 square kilometers actually open for exploration. The new maritime update adds vast ocean areas alongside northern and southern territories. That massive footprint has triggered intense player debate over scale, with some community members tracking the expansion noting that the combined play space threatens to outstrip upcoming releases like Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 6, which industry estimates place around 150 to 160 square kilometers.

Pearl Abyss Sets Different Trial Deadlines for Platforms

For players testing the waters before committing to a full purchase, Pearl Abyss has structured the trial across competing platforms with distinct expiration dates, as detailed by ppe.pl.

PlayStation Plus Premium and Deluxe subscribers on PlayStation 5 can access a five-hour trial running until October 29, 2027. Xbox Series X|S players face a tighter window, with until January 7 to log their five hours. The trial grants access exclusively to the base game, but progress carries over if users purchase the full title. That timed evaluation arrives for an action RPG that has already accumulated over 6 million in sales, holds an 8.7 user score on Metacritic, and secured a nomination in the Golden Joystick Awards 2026. The one-off five-hour limit cannot be reset by starting a new playthrough, and the Steam version of the Charting the Unknown add-on has already gathered 290 user reviews, of which 74% are positive.

Charting the Unknown DLC Adds Ocean Exploration and Marriage

Beyond the trial, the newly released Charting the Unknown DLC introduces extensive mechanical overhauls to Pywel. Gram.pl reports that the expansion adds ocean exploration featuring diveable ruins, collectible underwater mounts, player-built ship fleets, and maritime commerce. The update also brings the ability to establish private island strongholds and specialized gear allowing characters to stay underwater longer.

The update also implements a marriage and romance system. Protagonists can now settle down in 17 customizable residences and manage liberated fortresses complete with functional restaurants and workshops. If players have already completed the main storyline, they receive three additional story quests—one each for Cliff, Oongka, and Damiane.

Patching Pywel’s Launch Friction

To stabilize these sweeping additions, Pearl Abyss deployed hotfix update 2.04.00 across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. This patch was released simultaneously on PCs via Steam and Epic Games Store, as well as PlayStation and Xbox consoles, while macOS users on Steam could also install the new files though the Mac App Store release is delayed pending technical verification procedures.

According to Gamegpu, the patch resolves a critical bug that caused the protagonist Cliff to respawn in isolated, locked desert sectors after dying on sand dunes. The update also tweaks combat balance, prevents Damian from repeatedly exploiting shield-throw mechanics underwater, and fixes camera glitches during naval boarding sequences.

More on this story: Crimson Desert Charting the Unknown DLC: New Story, Romance, and Ocean Exploration