The ambitious action role-playing game Crimson Desert will no longer be released in 2025. To bridge the waiting time, the developers have released new gameplay that makes you want more, but above all overlooks a certain type of player.
What is missing in the gameplay? In a new video on YouTube, previously unreleased gameplay of Crimson Desert was shown. However, the focus, as with previously shown material, was solely on the single-player experience. As a result, fans who have long been waiting for the first material on multiplayer are left empty-handed once again.
Crimson Desert was originally announced as an MMORPG. However, the development has now shifted to a single-player RPG with multiplayer elements that are said to resemble an MMO. The goal is to create a kind of “own genre” that aims to combine the best of both worlds.
After a second delay from the end of 2025 to the first quarter of 2026, without a specific new release date, new gameplay material has now been released. While the video does whet the appetite for more, this multiplayer aspect is still overlooked. Nevertheless, the video shows some exciting things and can impress with some previously unseen aspects.
If you haven’t gotten an impression of Crimson Desert yet, you can see the graphics and the world here that are supposed to captivate you:
What kind of gameplay is shown? The nearly 13-minute gameplay video delves deeper into the combat system but also shows impressions of exploration and traversing the open world, following along a quest. In this, you follow the protagonist Kliff, who reclaims a besieged city, helps a colleague, and protects the local ruler.
A new boss battle is also shown, as well as various ways you can navigate through the world, such as grappling hooks or gliders. Previously unseen combat maneuvers make their appearance, like the “Axiom Force” maneuver that allows you to come crashing down from gliding and create a shockwave. Additionally, it is shown how you can call allied artillery to you with the ability “Artillery Whistling Arrows” and deal devastating damage.
You can see the full 13 minutes of gameplay here:
How does the gameplay resonate with the community? In the comments under the YouTube video, many fans praise the graphics, sound design, and soundtrack. Many fans among the users also appreciate the shown interactions of NPCs with each other.
Some viewers make a joke about how long they have been waiting for the game. Others note that the delay and the waiting time will hopefully be worth it:
- @alimurtaza9141 writes: “This delay better be worth it; I have really high hopes for this game.”
- @Nobodysurvivesevenonebit jokes: “Such hype. It has been 84 years”
- @darrengee6076 praises: “Graphics, animations, voice acting, atmosphere, gameplay – so far so good.”
- @360Fov celebrates: “The background music and sound design are absolutely top-notch. They build so much tension and sound fantastic.”
- @SDGameReviews notes: “This game focuses on pure action instead of trying to be just another soulslike, and I like that.”
So you’ll have to wait a bit longer for the multiplayer aspects of the game. A new, specific release date is still pending. Crimson Desert will also be present at gamescom 2025 with a playable demo, so you can get your own first impression there. Another gameplay aspect draws parallels to a popular series: Crimson Desert shows further parallels to Game of Thrones, allowing you to ride dragons in Targaryen style
