Crimson Desert is set arrive in 2026 after a delay pushed the new open-world action-adventure out of its earlier launch window, which would have placed it among the new games for 2025. But even if we have to wait a little longer to step in high fantasy setting as protagonist Kliff Macduff, it already looks like one very promising and ambitious singe-player experience.
Coming to us from Pearl Abyss, the developer behind the MMORPG, Black Desert, we've steadily been learning more about Crimson Desert since it was first revealed back in 2019. Developed on the proprietary BlackSpace Engine, with Dragon's Dogma 2 meets The Witcher 3 vibes in terms of its gameplay experience, more trailers have offered further insight into the open-world and the combat.
From big boss battles to plenty of exploration and discoveries to make, we've brought together everything that's been revealed about Crimson Desert so far below, so you can learn more about the medieval journey it's set to take you on in the future.
Crimson Desert release date speculation
Pearl Abyss has confirmed the Crimson Desert release window is now Early 2026.
Previously slated to arrive in Late 2025 with a release date window trailer that came during The Game Awards 2024, the delay into 2026 was revealed during a Q2 earnings call (via Gematsu). This isn't the first time the upcoming adventure has been pushed back, with Crimson Desert initially planned to arrive in 2024.
The amended launch window means we can expect to see Crimson Desert arrive at some point between the months of January to March next year. Hopefully we'll get a concrete release date soon.
In the meantime, you can read our list of the best single-player games to tide you over while we wait for more Crimson Desert updates.
Crimson Desert platforms
Crimson Desert will be available to play on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S once it releases in 2026. This is great news, since it means that both PC and console players will be covered for the release.
We are still awaiting confirmation on whether Crimson Desert will be available on Game Pass, or if it'll come to the Switch 2 in the future. Given how Nintendo's new console can run some pretty heavy-duty games, it could easily be an upcoming Switch 2 game in our eyes. Its predecessor, Black Desert Online, was also on Game Pass until August 2023, so there is hope that we'll see the new game on there in the future. Stay tuned for updates.
Crimson Desert setting and story
Crimson Desert was originally set to be a prequel to Black Desert Online. But during its development, Pearl Abyss decided to make the game its own story set in the same universe as Black Desert instead.
The upcoming RPG is set on the continent of Pywel, but takes place in the same high fantasy world that Black Desert Online fans are familiar with. According to Pearl Abyss's website, Pywel is a "vast but divided continent" that you'll have to travel as you take on the role of the mercenary Kliff Macduff.
The main story of the game revolves around various power struggles after the King of Demeniss, Unifier of Lands, falls into a coma. With the king's absence, there's a power vacuum that tons of enemies are keen to take advantage of and are willing to take you down in the process.
Our main character, Kliff, is said to be forced to rise into a leadership role as he forms a group of mercenaries to keep opportunistic villains in check. Along with forming a group of allies, you'll have to fight for survival and face the demons from your past, too.
We also know that Crimson Deserts' setting includes some mythical beasts and plenty of different environments to encounter and explore as you make your way through the war-torn continent of Pywel. It sounds like it has plenty of ingredients that are also seen in some the best adventure games with a fantasy setting.
Crimson Desert trailer
The Crimson Desert trailer was released during Gamescom 2023 and gave us plenty of sword-swinging action. In the clip above, we see Macduff duck, dodge, and draw his sword against several enemies as he travels through Pywel.
While the teaser gives us a look at the combat in the upcoming game, it also shows us stunning environments. Honestly, we are just as excited about riding around and exploring the vast landscapes with our horses as we are about all the medieval combat action heading our way.
Crimson Desert gameplay
Unlike Black Desert Online, an MMORPG, Crimson Desert is a single-player, open-world adventure game. According to Pearl Abyss's website, the new game will also take notes from all the best RPGs that came before it by letting your choices and actions as a player affect the world around you and the overall story of Crimson Desert itself (exciting times).
The mercenaries that you may meet on your adventure all have their own unique backstories, too, promising tons of stories to enjoy in between various battles with enemies. There's also an emphasis on action-combat in Crimson Desert, with three gameplay clips from Gamescom 2024 showing intense boss battles similar to the likes of those in Dragon's Dogma 2.
It also features some combo-heavy melee moves. If you want a full combat breakdown in the upcoming game, you can check out our in-depth dive on the subject in our Crimson Desert preview, or check out our hands-on impressions from Summer Game Fest 2025 in the video below.
Pearl Abyss has also promised players a new generation of weapons to accompany classic ones, along with the feature of alchemy that you can use to give your weapons special abilities. It's all very exciting, and before you ask, yes, you can also take down enemies while on horseback. Talk about living the dream, right?
Excitingly, there will also be plenty of activities to get up to in the world, too. From cooking to fishing and rock climbing, you can also expect to come across some puzzles to solve, with the devs also detailing that there will be faction / resource management.
Can you pre-order Crimson Desert?
Currently, you can't pre-order Crimson Desert on any platform, but wishlists are now live across PC and consoles.
We'll keep a close eye out for all the latest news to ensure you can see all the options and the best deals once they come through. In the meantime, we have a list of the best open world games for you to play if you want to refresh your exploring chops ahead of Crimson Desert.
For more future titles, check out our lists of all the upcoming PS5 games and upcoming Xbox Series X games heading our way this year.
