Pearl Abyss has released a new feature-length video detailing the main character and the open world of their upcoming game, Crimson Desert.
The fifteen-minute-long video starts off by showing the beautifully rendered open world and massive cities with streets lined with NPCs. After a scenic overview, we are introduced to the main character of the game, Kliff, a warrior of the Greymanes. There are five distinct regions making up the world called Pywell, Hernand, Pailune, Demeniss, Delesyia, and the Crimson Desert. The Greymanes themselves hail from the northern region of Pailune and are famous for their commitment to uphold the peace and unity of the world. However, the story begins with the peace of the world being shattered, which coincides with the arrival of the Abyss.
The Abyss is not inherently evil, but the people, including the villainous Black Bear forces, who use its power for chaos, corrupt its pull over the broader world and turn it into an opposing force. It is our hero Kliff’s job to reunite the members of the Greymanes in order to restore peace to the land, which starts simply, but as the story evolves, he discovers that the fate of the world is at stake. Along the road, Kliff will meet two other characters that we will be able to play as. Each of these characters will have their own unique combat style, skills, and weapons that will let players explore and fight in many different ways.
Exploration seems to be a highlight of the Crimson Desert features overview. In fact, after an opening segment, the main character skydives off an island floating in the sky to presumably glide down to the surface. For regular travel around the regions, you will obtain a trusty steed to carry you around the vast open world. Later on in the game, you will even gain access to a missile-spewing mech and a dragon, which lets you fly anywhere you want. Kliff himself isn’t without his traversal methods either; a triple jump, glider, and grappling hook will all be a part of his arsenal of tools, which could be just the beginning.
The combat is quick and fluid, reminiscent of a mix between the Arkham games and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. In Kliff’s journey, you will fight against a range of enemies from regular soldiers to experienced mages to mysterious entities and even auto-mechanical menaces. You will be able to find better equipment inside heavily guarded camps, challenging puzzles hidden throughout the world, and more. Sometimes you can only find something in Crimson Desert by overhearing a rumour or private conversation from an NPC in a city or by helping someone drive a cart back home.
With a world brimming with puzzles, mysteries, and otherworldly power, Crimson Desert seems to be the game we’ve all been waiting for. If it interests you, you will be glad to know that pre-orders are now open for a March 19th release date.
