On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Crimson Desert will launch on Steam and consoles. MeinMMO author Cedric Holmeier is just as hyped as many other gamers, but he can’t wait to do everything that the developers probably don’t want.
I am super excited for Crimson Desert. I have missed a new title in which I can completely lose myself over the past months. I want to spend my evenings gaming again and sink so deep into it that I forget the time.
I haven’t been able to play the open-world adventure myself yet, but I’ve watched all sorts of videos and news about it and have also gotten caught up in the hype of other players. But unlike most, I want to break Crimson Desert to my advantage.
Only one difficulty level and no XP? No problem
One topic that I have repeatedly discussed with my friends and colleagues here at MeinMMO is the decision to use a consistent difficulty level instead of a multi-tiered one. Additionally: There are no classic experience points or level grinds. I’m not a big fan of that myself, but I know how to handle it.
Crimson Desert does not want the player’s character to become OP right away, but rather wants us to measure ourselves against the challenges. The first gameplay videos have already shown this. Accordingly, the bosses look tough to defeat.
I’m not a fan of Soulslikes and need to come up with something accordingly. Because I do not plan to wipe for hours on a boss until I can defeat him like LetMeSoloHer
without taking damage. The developers want us to work for it. I’d rather solve this with tricks.
Main quest? No, thanks!
I can already imagine how the main quest will go. First, some basic functions are explained to me, then there’s a boss fight, and sooner or later, you’ll have unlocked the most important things and can explore the world freely.
From this point on, I will say goodbye to the main quest and will focus on two things right away:
- The side quests and tasks that will provide me with character upgrades and better equipment.
- The expansion of my own camp, as this will provide the most important “Quality of Life” improvements.
Before I tackle the next story boss, I want to be strong enough that the fights are not a problem. For that, I need good equipment first, which I want to get through side quests and trading.
Furthermore, I also want to unlock new skills for my character. The developers have already shown in their videos that there are scattered Abyss artifacts all over the world that will help the character progress. Since there are no experience points, this seems to be the best way to “crack” the game.
The underrated camp as a secret weapon
The Graymanes’ camp is probably a place that many players will underestimate. As an Asia MMORPG expert, I know, however, that this is exactly where the important quality-of-life improvements are hiding. It is basically my base for tricking the system.
In one video, the developers showed real farming work, which means for me: There will also be buff and heal food to buy here. A blacksmith, a merchant, and other NPCs right at my doorstep sound like an indispensable advantage that I need before the first real boss hits the ground.
Especially the topic of healing potions/healing food will become very important for me. With the already shown bosses, it seems essential to start every fight with a maximum number of healing items to compensate for the lack of XP grind.
The goal: Terminator
In the end, my goal is to go into battle as a Terminator. Armed to the teeth, packed with healing potions and food, and artificially overleveled
through the Abyss artifacts I have already picked up before I was supposed to be in the respective area.
This may not be the playstyle of casual players who let themselves be carried through the story and bosses and grow through the challenges like in Dark Souls.
But for me, the way to deconstruct the game and the developers is exactly what I see as fun and joy. Because when I can melt through the enemies that others fail against, it gives me the feeling that I’ve done everything right.
What do you think? Are you trying to shape your cliff into a Terminator as well, or are you playing Crimson Desert just as intended, so that you grow with every hardcore challenge? Feel free to let us know in the comments! What you need to know about the release this Thursday can be found here: Crimson Desert will be released on Thursday – everything important in 3 minutes
