As we get closer to the March 19 release date for open-world action RPG Crimson Desert, developer Pearl Abyss has revealed some details about the game, including the fact that boss fights will play an important role in how its combat system has been designed. In an interview with GamesRadar, a spokesperson for the studio spoke about how important boss fights are to the game’s intensity, variety and sense of progression.
Bringing up the example of the Staglord, the studio spoke about how it will focus on precise timing and movements to avoid its powerful attacks. Its sheer size will also force players to switch up their tactics, since grapple-styled moves simply won’t work. The Queen Stoneback Crab, on the other hand, will revolve around players making use of environmental cues to break through its solid defenses.
“Boss battles play a crucial role in shaping the game’s intensity, variety, and sense of progression,” explained the spokesperson. “For example, the Staglord, a towering stag-like boss, is so massive that grapples and wrestling-inspired moves are completely ineffective, forcing players to rely on precise timing and movement to avoid its powerful charges and wide-range attacks.”
“In contrast, the Queen Stoneback Crab requires players to use specific mechanics and environmental cues to break through its defenses, showcasing how different bosses encourage different strategic approaches. These encounters aren’t isolated set pieces, they embody Crimson Desert’s core combat philosophy of reading patterns, adapting abilities and equipment, and leveraging the environment.”
This comes down to how much the combat design of MMORPG Black Desert Online influenced the gameplay in Crimson Desert. The spokesperson described the single-player RPG’s combat as taking on a “more cinematic and tactile form” when compared to the MMO. Crimson Desert will give players plenty of tools to deal with these epic bosses, from a wide variety of moves, to a number of weapons, and even moves inspired by professional wrestling.
“Black Desert’s combat legacy also influenced the game’s direction,” said the studio. “Its intuitive yet deep action system evolves in Crimson Desert into a more cinematic and tactile form, combining a wide moveset arsenal, elemental enhancements, weapons, wrestling-inspired moves, and timed dodges and parries that let players create their own distinctive combat style.”
In a developer interview during the New Game+ Showcase from last week, the studio also spoke about how massive the open world of Crimson Desert will be. Bringing up comparisons to other popular open-world games, Pearl Abyss’ marketing and strategic planning expert Will Powers said that the upcoming RPG will have a bigger world than even Red Dead Redemption 2. He then noted that it will be “at least” double the size of Skyrim from The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.
Crimson Desert is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. For more details, check out our thoughts on why it might be the year’s breakout title. Also check out some of the cool boss fights showcased in the gameplay trailer from back in October. In case you’re interested in picking up copy of the game, also check out details about its physical release that is happening thanks to the studio’s partnership with PLAION.