Why I am Excited for Crimson Desert

Written By Ryan Hayden

Introduction

Crimson Desert, developed by Pearl Abyss, is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious RPGs of 2026. From its sprawling open world to cinematic boss fights, the game promises a mix of medieval grit and fantasy spectacle. While critics have raised concerns about performance and complexity, my excitement for exploring Pywel outweighs the risks, even if I know I should not, I may end up pre-ordering.

A World That Feels Alive

The medieval fantasy world of Pywel is beautifully detailed, with vast landscapes, bustling towns, and chaotic battlefields. Every preview highlights its jaw-dropping visuals, massive draw distances, and cinematic flair (TechRadar, 2025). It is the kind of world that makes exploration feel endless, with secrets tucked into every corner.

Crazy Settings and Boss Fights

One of the biggest draws is the wild variety of encounters. From the Clockwork Dragon to elemental foes wielding fire and lightning, boss fights look like cinematic spectacles. These battles are not just challenges; they are set pieces designed to immerse players in chaos and wonder (GameSpot, 2025).

Big Sieges and Epic Battles

Large-scale sieges promise to set Crimson Desert apart. Armies clashing outside castles, cannons firing, and chaotic melee combat create a sense of scale rarely seen in RPGs. It is the kind of spectacle that makes me want to dive in headfirst.

Weapons and Combat Variety

Combat looks versatile, with swords, axes, guns, and magic all available. Gameplay demos have shown lightning strikes, fire blasts, and even transformations into birds for traversal. This mix of medieval grit and fantasy spectacle is precisely what excites me.

Critics’ Concerns

While excitement is high, critics have raised concerns about performance. Some worry that the game’s demanding visuals may struggle on consoles and lower-end PCs, especially given its scale and particle effects (Push Square, 2025). Others noted that the controls feel overly complex, with unusual button mappings and steep learning curves (TechRadar, 2025). Combat previews have been described as “overwhelming” and “dizzying,” with too many flashy effects at once (Push Square, 2025). These critiques suggest that while the game looks stunning, accessibility and optimization will be key.

Community Voices: Luke Stephens and the Conversation Around Crimson Desert

It is not just critics who are weighing in. Content creators like Luke Stephens, known for his in-depth RPG coverage on YouTube, have also shared their impressions.

In his preview videos, Stephens praised the game’s stunning visuals and ambitious scope, highlighting how the Clockwork Dragon fight and large-scale sieges look unlike anything else in the genre. At the same time, he raised concerns about combat complexity and performance, echoing critics' worries that the game may overwhelm players or struggle on consoles and lower-end PCs (Luke Stephens, 2025a; Luke Stephens, 2025b).

Including voices like Stephens’ shows how the community is both excited and cautious. His coverage reflects the mix of hype and hesitation many players feel heading into release, a balance I share myself as I weigh whether to pre-order.

My Personal Dilemma: To Pre-Order or Not

I will admit it: I should not pre-order, especially after past experiences with hyped games that launched broken. However, every time I watch new gameplay footage, I feel the pull. The promise of exploring Pywel, facing the Clockwork Dragon, and leading armies in sieges makes me want to lock in my copy early. Rationally, I know waiting is more thoughtful, but emotionally, I may pre‑order anyway.

Conclusion

Crimson Desert is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious RPGs of 2026. With its open world, beautiful visuals, crazy settings, epic boss fights, large-scale sieges, and diverse combat, it feels like the kind of game that could define the next generation of fantasy RPGs. Critics’ concerns about performance and complexity are valid, but for me, the excitement outweighs the risks.

References

 

Ryan Hayden
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