Crimson DesertWiki

The ultimate fan guide for Crimson Desert, the open-world action-adventure from Pearl Abyss. Follow Kliff and the Greymanes across the continent of Pywel.

Launching March 19, 2026

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What is Crimson Desert?

An open-world action-adventure game from the creators of Black Desert Online. Experience a gripping story of mercenaries, revenge, and a threat that could destroy the world.

Game Overview

DeveloperPearl Abyss

PublisherPearl Abyss

Release DateMarch 19, 2026

PlatformsSteam, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Mac

GenreOpen-World Action-Adventure

Game Length50-80 hours

About the Game

Crimson Desert is developed by Pearl Abyss, the South Korean studio behind Black Desert Online. Unlike its predecessor, Crimson Desert is NOT an MMO – it's a single-player focused experience with a definitive story ending.

Players control Kliff, leader of the Greymanes mercenary group, as he journeys across the vast continent of Pywel to reunite his scattered comrades and uncover a threat far greater than he imagined.

Key Features

Seamless Open World

Explore the massive continent of Pywel without loading screens. Discover diverse regions from frozen wastelands to scorching deserts.

Visceral Combat

Fast-paced action with swords, magic, and hand-to-hand combat. Emphasizes player expression over rigid builds.

Three Playable Characters

Switch between Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane. Each has unique combat styles, weapons, and abilities.

Camp Building System

Rebuild the Greymane camp, manage resources, farm crops, and send mercenaries on missions across Pywel.

Epic Boss Battles

Fight massive creatures including dragons and mechanical beasts. Climb enemies Shadow of the Colossus-style.

50-80 Hours Campaign

A complete single-player experience with a definitive story ending. Not an MMO.

Gameplay & Trailers

Experience the stunning visuals and intense combat of Crimson Desert through official trailers and gameplay showcases.

Combat System

Crimson Desert emphasizes player expression over rigid builds. React to the moment rather than following predetermined patterns. The combat rewards awareness and decision-making.

Weapon Variety

Swords, spears, greatswords, bows, dual-wielding, and hand-to-hand combat

Elemental Effects

Fire, ice, and stun enhancements for devastating combos

Defensive Mechanics

Timed blocks lead to devastating counters and parries

Climbing Attacks

Scale massive enemies Shadow of the Colossus-style for critical hits

Progression System

Abyss Fragments

Special artifacts that boost Health and Stamina while unlocking new skills. Find them through exploration and boss battles.

Exploration-Based Upgrades

Power comes from discovering hidden locations, defeating bosses, and finding blueprints – not traditional leveling.

Flexible Playstyles

Focus on mobility, grappling, combat chains, or crowd control. The game supports your preferred approach.

Playable Characters

Control three unique Greymane warriors, each with distinct combat styles and abilities.

Kliff Macduff

Main Protagonist

Leader of the Greymanes mercenary group. A gruff, no-nonsense warrior burdened by leadership and painful memories.

Weapons:Versatile – swords, shields, various combat styles

Playstyle:Balanced warrior with access to all weapon types

Voice:Alec Newman (Scottish)

Oongka

Greymane Warrior

A large, burly barbarian-like character who brings raw power to every fight.

Weapons:Greataxe, arm cannon, pickaxe (for mining)

Playstyle:Heavy-hitting barbarian with devastating strength

Damiane

Greymane Warrior

An agile woman who combines speed, magic, and ranged attacks for versatile combat.

Weapons:Greatsword, magic, pistol

Playstyle:Agile fighter with magic and ranged options

Character Customization

While you cannot change the protagonists' faces, Crimson Desert offers extensive appearance customization options.

Barber Shop

Change hairstyles, hair color, beards, and eyebrows for all three playable characters.

Tattoos

Add face and body tattoos to personalize your character's appearance.

Armor Dyes

Customize individual armor parts with different colors and materials.

Another Journey Mode

Want full character creation? The "Another Journey" mode unlocks Pearl Abyss's famous character creator, letting you build a custom character from scratch using the same tools as Black Desert Online.

Story & World

A tale of mercenaries, revenge, and a threat that could destroy the world of Pywel.

The Story of Kliff and the Greymanes

The Ambush

The Greymanes, a mercenary band led by Kliff, are ambushed by their sworn enemies – the Black Bears. After a brutal battle, the clan is scattered, with many killed or missing.

The Mission

Kliff survives and vows to find the surviving Greymanes across Pywel, rebuild the mercenary group, and exact revenge on the Black Bears.

The Discovery

As his journey unfolds, Kliff discovers a far greater threat: The Abyss – a mysterious realm whose growing instability is sending dangerous fragments into Pywel.

The Continent of Pywel

Pywel is a war-torn medieval fantasy continent divided into multiple regions. Each area offers unique environments, enemies, and stories to discover.

Hernand

Starting region

Pailune

Diverse landscapes

Demeniss

Dangerous territory

Delesyia

Ancient lands

Crimson Desert

The barren wasteland

Akapen

Vast plains

Kweiden

Frozen wastelands

The Greymane Camp

Your home base that evolves throughout the game. Inspired by Red Dead Redemption 2's camp system, the Greymane Camp is where you rebuild your mercenary group.

Build

Construct facilities

Farm

Grow crops & livestock

Recruit

Find scattered allies

Deploy

Send on missions

Release Date & Platforms

Everything you need to know about when and where to play Crimson Desert.

March 19, 2026

Worldwide Release (March 20 in Asia-Pacific regions)

Supported Platforms

PC (Steam)

Confirmed

Pre-order available now

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PlayStation 5

Confirmed

DualSense haptic feedback support

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Xbox Series X|S

Confirmed

Optimized for Series X|S

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Mac (App Store)

Confirmed

Apple Silicon optimized

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Crimson Desert on Steam

Add to your Steam Wishlist now
Pre-order available with exclusive bonuses
Epic Games Store also available
GeForce NOW cloud gaming supported

Crimson Desert on PS5

DualSense haptic feedback support
Adaptive triggers for immersive combat
Exclusive pre-order: Grotevant Plate Set

Pre-Order & Editions

Choose your edition and secure exclusive pre-order bonuses before launch.

Standard Edition

$69.99

Base game
Khaled Shield (pre-order bonus)

Digital Deluxe

$79.99

Base game
Kairos Plate Set
Balgran Shield
Exclaire Horse Set
Khaled Shield (pre-order bonus)

Best Value

Physical Deluxe

$89.99

All Digital Deluxe contents
Steelbook case
Fabric map of Pywel
Greymane brooch pin
Character photo cards
Developer letter

Collector's Edition

$279.99

All Physical Deluxe contents
17" Dragon Battle Diorama
Hyperion Horse Tack Set
Exclusive weapon (choose 1 of 3)

Pre-Order Bonuses

All Editions Include

Khaled Shield – In-game equipment for Kliff

PS5 Exclusive Pre-Order Bonus

Grotevant Plate Set – Includes helm, armor, cloak, gloves, and boots

Collector's Edition Exclusive Weapons

Choose one of three exclusive weapons:

Tormented Soul Bow

Derictus Spear

Sielos Longsword

Pre-Order Now on Steam

PC System Requirements

Check if your PC can run Crimson Desert. The requirements are surprisingly modest for a modern AAA game.

Minimum Requirements

Target: 1080p @ 30fps

Windows 10 64-bit

CPU

Intel i5-8500 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600X

GPU

GTX 1060 / RX 6500 XT

RAM

16 GB

Storage

100-135 GB SSD

DirectX

Version 12

Recommended Requirements

Target: 1080p @ 60fps

Windows 10 64-bit

CPU

Intel i5-11600K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600

GPU

RTX 2080 / RX 6700 XT

RAM

16 GB

Storage

100-135 GB SSD

DirectX

Version 12

Steam Deck Compatibility

Steam Deck compatibility has not been officially verified by Valve. The modest GPU requirements (GTX 1060 minimum) suggest it may be playable on Steam Deck, but players should wait for official testing or community reports after the March 2026 launch.

16 GB

RAM Required

135 GB

Storage Space

SSD

Recommended

About Pearl Abyss

The South Korean studio behind Black Desert Online brings their expertise to a new single-player adventure.

Founded 2010

South Korean studio based in Anyang

Black Desert Creator

Known for stunning MMO visuals

BLACKSPACE Engine

Proprietary game engine technology

Global Reach

Games played worldwide

The Studio Behind Crimson Desert

Pearl Abyss is a South Korean video game developer founded in 2010, headquartered in Anyang, South Korea. The studio is best known for creating Black Desert Online, one of the most visually stunning MMORPGs ever made.

Crimson Desert is powered by Pearl Abyss's proprietary BLACKSPACE engine, known for stunning visual fidelity, seamless open-world streaming, advanced character customization, and realistic physics.

Notable Games

Black Desert Online

2014

PC, Console, Mobile

Award-winning MMORPG known for stunning graphics

Black Desert Mobile

2018

iOS, Android

Mobile adaptation with full MMO features

DokeV

TBA

PC, Console

Upcoming creature-collecting open-world game

Crimson Desert

2026

PC, PS5, Xbox, Mac

Single-player action-adventure

FAQ – Common Questions

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Crimson Desert.

Have more questions? Check back as we update this FAQ with more information closer to launch.