Walking through the hallowed halls of Gamescom 2025, I was invited to play one of the most anticipated titles on the horizon: Pearl Abyss’s Crimson Desert. In a world filled with countless promises of next-gen glory, this game is a refreshing splash of reality. I had the absolute pleasure of getting my hands on a 50-minute demo, a hands-on experience that was as generous as it was spectacular. It’s a true testament to the game’s quality that I left with not only a handful of memories but also an entire, uncut recording of my own gameplay on a USB stick. What a way to get a souvenir! It’s one thing to hear about a game’s stunning visuals, but another entirely to be able to rewatch and dissect your own awe-inspiring journey through its world.
From the very moment I stepped into the sprawling continent of Pywel, I was struck by its sheer scale and breathtaking detail. This is no static backdrop; this is a living, breathing character in itself. Rendered with meticulous detail by Pearl Abyss’s proprietary “BlackSpace Engine,” the world vividly experiences various natural phenomena, from dynamic lighting that shifts with the time of day to realistic weather patterns that can change in a flash. My demo took me from a chaotic battlefield to serene natural environments, and I found myself getting momentarily distracted from the main objective, captivated by a scenic vista of towering rock cliffs and majestic mountain ranges. It’s the kind of game where you might just forget your quest objectives for a minute or two, lost in the sheer beauty of a new landscape.
The gameplay, too, feels incredibly fluid and dynamic. Traversal is a particular highlight. Beyond the classic horseback riding where your trusty steed can be summoned to your side at almost any time, a feature I’m already emotionally attached to you can also take to the skies. The “Crow’s Wing” ability allows you to glide across the air, offering an exhilarating and efficient way to navigate the vast map. For those who want more maneuverability, the “Axiom Force” skill adds another layer to traversal, allowing for strategic repositioning both in exploration and in the thick of combat. Combat itself is a joy, offering a wide array of strategies that go beyond simple button mashing. You can fluidly switch between multiple weapons, from swords and shields to bows and arrows, and adapt your style to the situation. The “Axiom Bracelet” is a game-changer, enhancing attacks with elements of fire, lightning, and ice. I had a blast watching fire-enhanced arrows explode on impact and freezing enemies solid with an ice-infused sword, only to shatter them with a follow-up blow. For a perfectly balanced mix of finesse and controlled chaos, you can even fire an “Artillery Whistling Arrow” to call in allied forces to lay down fire on a designated location, which is incredibly useful for taking down enemy structures or clearing out large groups.
Of course, no game is perfect. During my demo, I had a brief but humorous encounter trying to get into a building to save someone. I spent a few moments trying to figure out if a particular door was an inaccessible part of the scenery or just needed a little more, shall we say, persuasion. But this is the kind of minor polish a game receives on its way to launch. It’s a testament to the game’s overall quality and stability that these were the only small hitches I encountered.
The narrative, even in the brief glimpse I got, felt rich and compelling, drawing me in immediately. You play as the protagonist, Kliff, who finds himself entangled in a violent rebellion after a fierce ambush by his enemies, the Drunken Black Bears. It’s a story of loss and reunion, as Kliff fights to get back to his comrades and allies, taking on formidable bosses along the way. I had a blast facing off against a massive Black Bear opponent, a foe whose sheer size rendered grappling skills ineffective, forcing me to rely on dodges and strategic strikes. Later, the final boss of the demo, Cassius Morton, was a perfect test of skill, wielding a mace and shield with deadly precision. These battles were not just tests of brute force but required strategic thinking. The moment I lifted a broken pillar, a result of our battle’s destruction, to deliver a finishing blow to Cassius, felt incredibly epic and truly highlighted the game’s dynamic combat system.
What truly sold me on the game, though, was the team behind it. The developers were on-site, super receptive to feedback, and genuinely enthusiastic about their creation. This kind of open dialogue with the community is what turns a good game into a great one. Overall, Crimson Desert is shaping up to be a monumental fantasy RPG. It’s a game that respects your intelligence, rewards exploration, and wraps it all in a visually jaw-dropping package. It’s the kind of experience that makes me excited to see what the future holds for this title.