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3 distinctive features of Crimson Desert

Sofia23 MARCH 2026
A dragon flies over water towards a castle. The dragon is dark in color. The castle is on the edge of the water.

Since its initial reveal in 2019, open-world game Crimson Desert has been drawing attention with its impressive medieval setting, where adventure lurks around every corner. The game stands out thanks to its thrilling battles against formidable bosses and offers a vast world that invites exploration. After spending more than an hour with Crimson Desert ourselves, we can safely say that the game lives up to all expectations.

Attack is the best form of defence

Two figures clash swords in a grassy field, with rocky terrain and a blue sky in the background. One figure holds a bow.

As Kliff, the main character in Crimson Desert, you have an extensive arsenal of offensive options at your disposal. Unleash powerful sword strikes with a simple press of a button or combine 2 buttons for special moves such as a wrestling attack that lets you hurl enemies over your shoulder. By chaining attacks together, the game transforms into a dynamic fighting game set within a gigantic open world, comparable to that of The Witcher or Elden Ring. But unlike the latter, you don’t sit back and wait. In Crimson Desert, you dictate the pace and dominate battles by taking the initiative and going on the offensive.

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Showdowns with beastly bosses

A horse rides through a grassy field toward a castle, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.

Crimson Desert guarantees an adventure full of epic boss battles. We went head-to-head with 4 different bosses, each requiring a unique approach. A nimble, smaller boss forces you to overpower them with grab attacks, such as a wrestling move. However, this tactic is useless against a gigantic knight who towers over Kliff. This variety of bosses challenges you to think tactically and adapt your strategies for every fight, all while keeping a close eye on Kliff’s stamina.

Vast world to discover

Stone buildings line a cobblestone street under a blue sky. Banners hang above as costumed performers walk by.

In Crimson Desert, you can explore a vast open world. Kliff can traverse the continent of Pywel on foot or on horseback and doesn’t hesitate to climb any cliff or mountain he comes across. Similar to Link in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Nintendo Switch, Kliff has the ability to climb walls, with his stamina bar indicating how long he can keep going. He can also glide from great heights, just like in the Switch game, but using impressive raven wings.