From its many disjointed parts and gameplay mechanics spread out across a gorgeous open world, Crimson Desert has slowly but surely taken shape. A new hands-on preview by IGN outlines everything that you’ll do in between battling spectacular bosses and assaulting forts, and that includes dealing with the “dozen and dozens” of factions.
There are some caveats, however. Pearl Abyss clarified that they’re not like the factions seen in, say, Fallout. Whether as allies or potential enemies, neither will affect the main story or ending. You will have some questlines, such as the House of Wells and its Duke, tasking you to retake a fortress, battling rebels throughout.
So what’s the point? The factions are more like “significant actors in the plot,” according to the developer, and offer “more content for players to complete.” Which isn’t the worst approach – look at the excellent side quests in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or Ghost of Yōtei, for example, that had no bearing on the main story. However, it remains to be seen if Pearl Abyss’s faction quests can achieve that same level of narrative quality.
Crimson Desert launches on March 19th, 2026, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Check out the latest gameplay here, showcasing an epic battle against a mechanical dragon named Golden Star. Alternatively, you can learn more about the different mounts, including a mech engineered by dwarves.
