Is Crimson Desert an RPG? Does it even matter? What’s an RPG anyway? These are questions sparked by the hotly anticipated “open-world action-adventure” sport because it nears launch, and it’s truthful to say there’s quite a lot of opinion.
Let’s begin with developer Pearl Abyss’ official description of its personal sport:
Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure sport set within the stunning but brutal continent of Pywel. Embark on a journey because the Greymane Kliff and restore what has been misplaced. Discover uncharted lands, battle towards threats that stand in your means, and uncover the wonders the world has in retailer.
Pearl Abyss doesn’t name Crimson Desert an RPG right here. Nor does it name the sport a ‘soulslike,’ which I’ve seen some surprise about. It’s an “open-world action-adventure” sport, and it’s so simple as that. However why are individuals questioning if it’s an RPG within the first place?
X / Twitter person Synth Potato kicked issues off by posting about how development works in Crimson Desert, declaring the sport not to be an RPG. That’s as a result of it doesn’t have ranges or expertise factors, which we affiliate with role-playing video games. Quite, new skills are gained by discovering artifacts out on the planet, and you should buy or craft higher gear. This locations Crimson Desert firmly within the action-adventure class, in response to this evaluation, and not within the RPG class.
However does this imply Crimson Desert can’t even be thought-about an RPG? Some say that taking part in as a personality in an open world who can progress, even on this type, makes Crimson Desert a role-playing sport. Ranges and XP should not wanted for it to be so, they are saying. However, following that, does that imply all open-world video games are RPGs? Is GTA? Is Pink Useless Redemption 2? What about The Legend of Zelda? Hyperlink doesn’t stage up with expertise factors, however numerous individuals name The Legend of Zelda an RPG collection.
It’s price noting that, like in The Legend of Zelda video games, in Crimson Desert you play a set protagonist (the splendidly named Kliff) and expertise a set story. You’re not making large choices right here that change the course of occasions, or decide which ending you’ll get. It’s a extra fastened expertise, though there’s freedom of exploration inside it.
“I feel everyone seems to be conscious it’s not marketed as [an RPG],” a fan stated. “It’s nonetheless obtained a ton of RPG methods. Gear rating, ability factors to progress ability bushes and stats to extend for builds.” “It completely does have RPG parts,” added one other. “What makes an RPG has grow to be a really unclear line as effectively with what number of motion journey video games are RPGs.” “It’s extra akin to Simply Trigger or Shadow of Mordor, which is simply what I needed,” commented one fan.
I feel this is likely one of the the reason why they’re being actually cautious to not name it a RPG. That time period has expectations from the participant that crimson desert doesn’t have. CD undoubtedly strikes me as an open world motion journey with an extremely enjoyable fight sandbox https://t.co/7guY0AsEE2
— Ms5000Watts (@Ms5000Watts) February 17, 2026
Maybe the final phrase ought to go to Pearl Abyss itself. Will Powers, director of selling at Pearl Abyss America, lately informed followers to not anticipate RPG parts by way of decision-making and alternative and consequence because it pertains to your character in Crimson Desert. The sheer quantity of issues to do on the planet will facilitate the role-playing a part of the sport as a substitute, which gamers will type by means of “head canon.”
“You select the kind of character you wish to play as by way of your development throughout the methods within the sport,” Powers defined. “After which by means of head canon you’re having this very completely different expertise than different gamers due to the scope and scale of the sport. You’ll be distracted by one thing, you’ll go on this quest line, you’ll have an expertise that’ll be radically completely different than another person, despite the fact that they’re taking part in the identical sport and the identical canonical storyline that you just each are going by means of.”
And after the controversy over whether or not Crimson Desert is an RPG or not went large on-line, Powers himself defined why Pearl Abyss doesn’t wish to name it an RPG, despite the fact that it’s completely comfortable for followers to take action.
“Open world questing and motion sandbox for certain,” Powers tweeted. Then, in response to somebody who stated it must be made clear that Crimson Desert isn’t an RPG to keep away from mismanaged expectations, Powers said: “actually…. it isn’t my place to dictate another person’s expertise. If due to good quantity of RPG parts within the sport, they wish to name it an RPG… Certain. I am simply explaining why WE do not name it one.”
Crimson Desert is due out March 19 priced $69.99. Pearl Abyss lately confirmed it doesn’t comprise a beauty money store nor microtransactions of any form.
Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You possibly can attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.