5 Impressions from trying out Crimson Desert

Another big RPG with realistic details.

Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure game developed with a game engine from Pearl Abyss called BlackSpace Engine.

In the version of the game that the author tried out at the gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025, players will start in the middle of a fierce battlefield and move on to the main story as the protagonist, Kliff, and the members of the Greymenn clan fall into the trap of a vengeful enemy. Black Bear and were scattered after the fierce battle. Kliff then ventures across the Pivel Continent in search of his scattered comrades, and when he hears of his friend’s arrival, Oongka, he heads to Calphade.

However, the place where Kliff came to find traces of his comrades is being invaded by Black Bear.

Players are tasked with flipping the war board, such as bombing the Black Bear clan’s base to assist Calphade soldiers in the war and block enemy supply routes. In this tight situation, Players will encounter a separated comrade and must eliminate Cassius Morten, the initiator of the rebellion that has tarnished Calphade’s honor.

And now that the author has gone on an adventure with Kliff to find Oongka and deal with Cassius Morten fiercely, we can’t fail to share our impressions of this trial with everyone.

The opinions expressed in this preview are personal and the preview took place while the game itself was still in development. Each person’s gaming experience may vary when it is released.

Impression 1 – Eye-catching graphics It is so full of detail that you can’t stop looking at it.

The first thing that surprised the author from the moment he grabbed the joystick was that the game’s graphics were more beautiful and detailed than expected. Every element in the scene is carefully designed, including the environment, lighting, shadows, and textures that are so sharp that you have to stop looking at them, especially the space that is as vast as far as the eye can see, but still full of beauty. The attention to detail makes the game world truly come to life. The more you play, the more captivated you are by the spectacular atmosphere and effects that are released at almost every moment of battle. The author dares to guarantee that if you are a person who is fascinated by beautiful graphics or loves battle scenes full of spectacular effects, you can guarantee that if you are a person who is passionate about beautiful graphics, you can use this for you. This game is sure to impress you from the first moment.

besides Equally remarkable is the “fluidity” of the game, and throughout this trial, the author did not experience any lag or framerate drops, which is very impressive compared to the full graphics quality. This makes it possible to effectively control the use of resources and provide the most “beautiful” and “fluid” visual experience.

Second Impression – Realistic details that feel like you’re immersed in the game world.

If you are one of those people who are fascinated by the realism of open-world RPGs, this game will impress you from the first moment you experience it. This game will impress you from the first moment you experience it, because during the demo, the author can feel the “life” that is put into every element of the game. The beggars who run in to beg for money when we walk by, or the soldiers and townspeople with different gestures and behaviors. This makes the game world full of vibrancy and makes it feel like we are really in another universe.

But what amazes the author even more is the micro-resolution that the development team puts into the game’s “gameplay mechanics”, even small details like talking to NPCs who only have to stand facing each other to talk, the fact that characters can’t ride a horse if they’re holding a large flag, as well as the realistic physics of artillery fire, where players have to calculate gravity to find the exact angle of fire, and small details like the sky-attack skill that is “not available” if indoors, reflecting the thoughtful and realistic design in every aspect.

Overall, This game is one of the most experienced “fully realistic” experiences. The author believes that players may need some time to learn the system at first, but once you understand and start to get into the world, you can be sure that this game will suck up your life without knowing it.

Impression 3 – Intense gameplay that will challenge your fighter instincts.

I have to admit that at first, the author understood that this game was probably a general action game that focused on it, but when I actually tried it, I had to change my mind immediately. Because this is a “genuine hardcore action game” that is ready to test both skill, patience, and survival instincts. The player’s patience and survival instincts are at full strength.

From the very first scene of the battle, the game throws us into a battlefield full of many enemies. Loud explosions, chaos around you, and having to break into the middle of the encirclement alone. It’s both exciting and stressful at the same time. Sometimes the enemies seem to be just junior soldiers. The attacks aren’t very strong, but when they gather in large numbers, they can also make players bloody. The author even had to change his strategy from direct addition to retreating first and then counterattacking in a rhythmic manner to survive those thrilling situations.

And when it comes time to face the “big boss”, the challenge takes it to the next level. Because this boss doesn’t just kick or attack hard. But there are also complex battle patterns that require both wit and precise observation. Fighting them is no different from dancing with death. Every missed moment means disaster, but every time we read the path and successfully counterattack, there will be an indescribable sense of satisfaction, so overall this game is not the usual “Hack ‘n Slash” action, but a real fighting skill training ground that pushes players to think. Plan and learn from every mistake to become a stronger warrior in every battle you face.

Impression 4 – Combining action gameplay with fighting Elevate the fun like never before.

If anyone has ever wondered, “What happens if you mix a fighting combo system with an action game?” This game is the clearest and most amazing answer the author has ever encountered. In the game, players will experience a control system that focuses on “combining buttons” to create different attack combos. It’s not just a one-button press to unleash a typical action game-style skill, but a combination of buttons such as “press circle + triangle” to throw enemies or “jump and shoot an arrow in the air” before pressing R1 to release arrows in a series of arrows that the enemy has almost no chance to counterattack. The feeling when the combo hits the perfect rhythm can be said to be “super satisfying”.

Although at first the author was a little puzzled by the control system that was secretly complicated and required practice to get used to, once he started to catch the rhythm, he was able to get used to it. The oil immediately broke through the ceiling. It feels like enjoying the rhythm of the battles that we created ourselves. Every time you successfully mix buttons and create a rush of combos on enemies, it feels cool, powerful, and fun to put down the joystick.

This is what makes this game unique because it gives players the opportunity to “show off their fighting style” freely, whether it’s a breakthrough or a rhythm-oriented technique. Everyone can create their own combos. The author is confident that when the full game is released, We’ll definitely see some exciting battle clips from players around the world who show off their unique combos.

Impression 5 – Intense open-world adventures and intense boss fights

The adventure in the vast world of this game offers an experience that is both extremely liberating and challenging. The author was impressed from the first moment when he set out on a huge map with missions to destroy enemy towers for players to do, but players don’t need to run straight to do it at that time, they can run and chase the enemy first, as well as explore various areas that are open to players to choose the path they like, ride a horse to attack straight in, or use the power of “Crow” to glide over the mountains to get close in from a high angle. The game also offers a variety of options, from melee attacks to using special long-range attack arrows that deal extensive damage. This is where the author gets excited and enjoys the combat system endlessly.

The boss fights are equally intense and memorable. Because every time they enter the arena 1v1, the game forces players to learn the boss’s attack patterns and counter intelligently. The “Stagger” system that when we make the boss stop, It is a great mechanic that adds excitement to the battle, especially with the gimmick where players can lift a fallen pole and strike the boss. This creates a sense of true attack power. yet The boss in this game is not an easy enemy to defeat because in addition to his powerful attacks, he also has a self-regenerating move. This makes players have to keep their timing precise, know when to dodge or counterattack. Each battle is full of pressure. Fun and challenging until you can’t stop playing.

From the author’s trial of this game, it can be said that this game will definitely resonate with hardcore action genres, and the author will undeniably be one of them.

More information about the game can be found here: https://crimsondesert.pearlabyss.com