Gaze long into the abyss, and the abyss also gazes into you, as Nietzsche said, but the Abyss is calling in Crimson Desert, and I have to say: It looks fantastic. For those unaware, a new extensive overview video was released for the open-world action RPG, which finally offers some much-needed information on Kliff’s story, his objective, and what he’s fighting against. And while we’ll delve into that, the 15-minute overview trailer offered up never-before-seen areas, new gameplay, and even brand-new features. Let’s dive in, starting with the biggest surprise…
Additional Playable Characters
For everyone who guessed that it would happen, stand proud, you were right. Aside from Kliff, players can control two other Greymane members – one wielding a greatsword and a flintlock pistol, who can also quick-step around, picking off enemies at range; and another with an axe and a wrist-mounted crossbow with fiery bolts. Besides unique weapons and playstyles, they also have separate skills to learn and employ against the many enemies of the realm. How they’re unlocked is unknown, though it wouldn’t be surprising if you just need to progress enough through the story; once available, you can freely control them throughout the world of Pywel.
Finding the Greymanes
We’ve heard for a while now that the Greymanes are a mercenary group, and something happened that separated them. Kliff is on a journey through Pywel to locate and reunite them, but that’s not all they have going on. Their homeland of Pailune has seen better days between their leader’s death and the brutal Black Bear faction, causing chaos. So while reassembling the Greymanes is key – one scene shows them all together, ready to enter battle – saving their homeland is even more so.
The Abyss
But that’s only the start of Kliff’s troubles because a much larger force threatens to engulf Pywel. Say hello to the Abyss – a strange realm, high in the clouds, which plays host to raw power (and we wouldn’t be surprised if that’s putting it lightly). As you’ve probably guessed, various forces want some of it for their own nefarious reasons, including a group of shadowy, teleporting assassins who couldn’t be shadier or more insidious if they tried.
The Five Regions
As an explorable world, Pywel is pretty big – almost big enough to make you forget that there are five main regions. You start in Hernand with its quaint atmosphere and towering mountains. Soon you’ll venture to Demeniss, the so-called center of Pywel, with its more regal-looking castles, and Delesyia, described as “at the forefront of science and technology.” And yes, even Pailune, with its gorgeous Autumn weather, is accessible, but above all else, it’s finally confirmed: The large desert region is indeed the Crimson Desert.
Faction Wars
You’re offered a lot of freedom to just roam around the continent and experience things at your own pace, but following the golden path means interacting with the many factions. At least, those who want to interact with Kliff – the others exist to stand in his way and get pummeled into submission when a faction sends you to liberate an area. Of course, there are bigger faction battles to experience alongside castle sieges, but it’s not surprising to see Kliff sent into places as a one-man wrecking crew.
Liberation Accommodation
After taking down all the enemies and the big boss in charge of the area, it’s officially liberated, but it’s more than just a box ticked on your map. You’ll score contributions to the factions and see residents moving back in. Structures are rebuilt, new vendors become available, and you’ll even receive materials that can go towards rebuilding Pailune.
The Quieter Moments
Factions likely aren’t the only thing that Crimson Desert’s story has going on, but they’re certainly the most important. These main story quests are described as “grand,” which likely means multiple steps, epic set pieces (like reclaiming fortresses that we’ve seen in previous gameplay walkthroughs). Thankfully, there’s an emphasis on quieter moments as well. Besides the sheep herding we’ve seen from the past, one NPC may ask you to drive a wagon to a trading post, Red Dead Redemption-style. Simple, or at least it seems on the surface.
Abyss Fragments
Speaking of the surface, that Abyss realm in the sky? It’s raining down pieces on Pywel, Tears of the Kingdom-style. You can go forth and investigate them – after reflecting light off your sword to narrow down their locations, of course. While the currency and Abyss Artifacts are appreciated, they also play an “important” role in the story. Subtle foreshadowing that maybe those floating isles will crash down into Pywel at some point? Or just Pearl Abyss reminding you of their branding?
Artifacting
Abyss Artifacts could be likened to skill points – collecting them unlocks new skills and upgrades the current selection, so seeking them out is in your best interest. They’re awarded from quests, liberating locations from hostile factions, and even investigating out-of-the-way locations, such as an area with poison mist. Interestingly, Abyss fragments can provide Sealed Abyss Artifacts, which could offer even more benefits.
Fixing the Abyss
But that’s not all. Eventually, you’ll venture into the Abyss itself, scouring these floating islands and using an Ultrahand-like tool to align fragments. The sheer length and breadth of these is pretty impressive, and there’s a fair amount of puzzle-solving for those who want to unravel its mysteries. That said, pay close attention to the surface of Pywel; plenty of hidden secrets abound there as well.
Nooks and Crannies
It could be as simple as infiltrating some Ritual Grounds to find a powerful Soul Spear, breaking away a boarded-up fireplace to discover a chest, or nabbing a treasure map in a crypt – Crimson Desert offers a lot of secrets. Some appear obvious enough – like the ol’ revolving bookshelf – but others require manipulating mechanisms, platforming across falling pillars and stabbing your sword into structures to move them.
Knowledge is Power
Of all the currencies that Crimson Desert likely offers, Knowledge may very well be the most powerful. It’s simple enough – enter a region, perform a scan of sorts, and boom, you’re more knowledgeable than before, maybe gaining some insight into completing quests. However, it goes even deeper. Observe an NPC that’s fishing for a time, and you’ll unlock that skill for yourself. If this applies on a grand scale, then imagine all the different skills waiting to be learned.
Threatening
One particular moment that didn’t go unnoticed while observing that same NPC is the option under “Talk”: “Threaten.” We didn’t see it in action, but my mind is already racing at the possibilities, from threatening violence to glean new information, robbing NPCs (which could mean some kind of wanted system may also be in effect), or simply using it to interrogate enemies. Either way, it does give an edge to the otherwise straight-laced Kliff.
The Thrill of Discovery
Perhaps one of the more beautiful moments from the overview is in the forest. Sunlight seeps through the massive shrubbery, illuminating some massive tree creature, and there are tons of platforms, connecting cables, and more between the trees to explore. And that’s only one aspect of the exploration. From climbing up mountain sides to gliding over the continent with its incredible draw distances, there’s just so much to discover, each area calling to you in different ways.
The Constellations in Your Eyes
Last but certainly not least is a strange constellation that can be discovered when observing a tower in the Steel Mountains. It’s during the daytime, but suddenly, the starry sky becomes visible, which makes me believe that you need to align this constellation with its real-world counterpart. What does this do? Your guess is as good as ours, but with less than two months to go before Crimson Desert’s release and even more information to come, we won’t have to wait long to find out.
