Is Crimson Desert an RPG? Is that even necessary? What precisely is an RPG? These are the questions raised by the extremely anticipated “open-world action-adventure” sport that is nearing launch, and it is secure to say there are lots of completely different opinions.
Let’s begin with developer Pearl Abyss’ official description of their sport.
Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure sport set on the attractive however brutal continent of Pywell. Set out on a journey as Greymane Cliff and reclaim what was misplaced. Discover uncharted lands, combat looming threats, and uncover the wonders the world has in retailer.
Pearl Abyss doesn’t discuss with Crimson Desert as an RPG right here. Additionally, they do not name this sport “Souls-like”, which I used to be questioning about. That is an “open world motion journey” sport and could be very easy. However why do individuals surprise if that is an RPG within the first place?
X/Twitter consumer Synth Potato kicked issues off by posting about how you can progress in Crimson Desert and declaring the sport. shouldn’t have Being an RPG. That is as a result of there are not any ranges or expertise factors related to role-playing video games. Slightly, discovering artifacts around the globe gives you new skills and let you purchase or craft higher gear. In accordance with this evaluation, Crimson Desert is firmly positioned within the action-adventure class somewhat than the RPG class.
However does this imply Crimson Desert cannot be thought-about an RPG? Some say that even on this type, Crimson Desert turns into a role-playing sport, as you play as a personality in an open world the place you possibly can progress. They are saying you do not want ranges or XP to try this. However does that imply all open world video games are RPGs? Is it GTA? Is it Pink Useless Redemption 2? What about The Legend of Zelda? Though Hyperlink doesn’t degree up by way of expertise factors, many individuals discuss with The Legend of Zelda as an RPG sequence.
It is value noting that, just like the Legend of Zelda video games, Crimson Desert helps you to play as a set protagonist (significantly named Cliff) and expertise a set story. There are not any massive choices to be made right here that may change the course of occasions or decide which consequence will happen. It is a extra mounted expertise, however inside that there’s freedom of exploration.
“I believe everybody is aware of this isn’t marketed (as an RPG),” stated Huang. “There are nonetheless lots of RPG methods in place: gear scores, talent factors to progress by way of talent bushes, stats that improve with builds.” “There are positively RPG components,” added one other consumer. “The strains of what’s an RPG have change into very blurred, in addition to what number of action-adventure video games are RPGs.” One fan commented, “It is just like Simply Trigger and Shadow of Mordor. Precisely what I needed.”
I believe this is likely one of the the reason why we’re very cautious to not name it an RPG. These phrases comprise expectations from gamers that aren’t current in Crimson Desert. I believe CD is unquestionably an open world motion journey with an extremely enjoyable fight sandbox https://t.co/7guY0AsEE2
β Ms5000Watts (@Ms5000Watts) February 17, 2026
Maybe the ultimate phrase ought to go to Pearl Abyss itself. Will Powers, director of selling for Pearl Abyss America, not too long ago instructed followers to not anticipate RPG components by way of choices, decisions and outcomes associated to characters in “Crimson Desert.” The sheer quantity of issues to do on the earth as an alternative facilitates the role-playing portion of the sport, which gamers type by way of “headcanons.”
“You select the kind of character you need to play relying in your development throughout the in-game system,” Powers defined. “And thru headcanons, you are going to have a very completely different expertise than different gamers due to the scope and scale of the sport. You are going to be distracted by one thing, you are going to go on this questline, and you are going to have a basically completely different expertise than different gamers, regardless that you are taking part in the identical sport and experiencing the identical canonical storyline.”
And after a lot dialogue on-line about whether or not or not Crimson Desert is an RPG, Powers himself defined why Pearl Abyss would not need to name it an RPG, regardless that it is completely tremendous for followers to take action.
“Open world questing and motion sandbox for certain,” Powers tweeted. And in response to somebody saying that Crimson Desert needs to be made clear that it isn’t an RPG to keep away from false expectations, Powers stated: “To be trustworthy… it isn’t my place to dictate different individuals’s experiences. If there are sufficient RPG components within the sport that they need to name it an RPG… after all. I am simply explaining why I do not name it an RPG.”
Crimson Desert is scheduled to be launched on March nineteenth and can value $69.99. Pearl Abyss not too long ago confirmed that it doesn’t embody beauty money trade outlets or microtransactions of any form.
Wesley is videogameaddicted’s Director of Information. Discover me on Twitter @wyp100. Wesley may be reached at wesley_yinpoole@videogameaddicted.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.