Several testers were able to play Crimson Desert for several hours. The embargo actually lifts on March 4, 2026, but there are already first impressions.
What are the impressions? Unfortunately, since the embargo for the play event will not be lifted until March 4, the impressions are still limited. The testers likely do not want to take the risk of sharing too much information about Crimson Desert too early.
However, there are some testers on X who are already sharing some of the event with us:
- SOLIDFPS states that the testers were able to play Crimson Desert for about 6 hours. He recorded 4 hours of footage.
- G4G_Revenant also had the opportunity to play for 6 hours. As his fans keep asking him for feedback, he shares a little: “Yes, the game is real. Yes, it is absolutely insane.”
- EhpicPlays is equally excited: “Now I’m going home, going to sleep, and won’t wake up until the game releases…”
Overall, the impressions are positive. However, we must keep in mind that these are the very first impressions communicated before the embargo lifts on March 4. We will learn more details about the game and what individual elements the testers liked on March 4.
Testers could only play a small portion
Is 6 hours of gameplay enough for an impression? According to a report from 2024, Crimson Desert is expected to take around 50-80 hours for a full playthrough (read on Resetera). The playtime likely depends on how many side quests you complete and on what difficulty level you play the title.
The testers were only able to play a fraction of what Crimson Desert has to offer. Other areas of the game may be significantly more unruly. Therefore, it remains to be seen how the tests around the release will turn out.
What kind of event was it? The events took place in both Amsterdam and Los Angeles. Only selected professionals were allowed to participate and play Crimson Desert.
If the first impressions hold true, we could be looking at an incredibly good game with Crimson Desert. No wonder our MMORPG expert Karsten is incredibly excited about the title: Due to an MMORPG, Crimson Desert is the game I am most looking forward to in 2026
