Why Crimson Desert is not a Souls-like game

crimson desert is one of the most discussed games scheduled for release in 2026. The game is the work of Korean developer Pearl Abyss, who previously developed successful games. black desert online MMORPG. black desert It has been praised for its visuals and gameplay, especially its incredibly satisfying combat. crimson desert I think it's a few steps further.

The first important difference to understand is crimson desert and black desert online The former is that it is not an MMO. It doesn't actually offer any kind of multiplayer functionality. fairly, crimson desert We strive to provide a traditional single-player role-playing experience built around freedom and customization similar to: Skyrim. But otherwise Skyrim, dragon ageAnd many other massive single-player RPGs; crimson desert Focus on dynamic and intense real-time combat.

Inevitably, the game has been compared to Soullike, the dominant RPG subgenre of our time, but this is certainly not what the game is about. The soulful comparison was actually brought up by Will Powers, Marketing Director at Pearl Abyss, in an interview with the Dropped Frames podcast. He quickly shut it down and clearly declared: crimson desert It's doing something different from previous FromSoft-inspired ARPGs.

Rearranges covers into correct US release order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)hard (10)

start

Rearranges covers into correct US release order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Difficult (10)start

Differences between traditional Souls-like games and Crimson Desert

As for the key differences: crimson desert And so to speak, Elden RingThey were best illuminated by Powers himself: “This isn't a Souls-like game… Soulslike is semantics and has specific definitions of narrow dodge windows. It's much more combo-driven and you sort of dictate the pace of combat. So there are no 'good' moments.”

Powers' statement is somewhat broad, but his meaning is clear. “Directing the pace of battle” is a particularly elegant description. Games like Souls require players to constantly react to enemy movements and attacks. Enemies dictate the battle, and players must adapt and build strategies around much more powerful entities. Powers made it clear: crimson desert It won't necessarily be an easy game. It feels like players will have more control over certain encounters and can take down enemies with ease, or at least confidence.

“Does that mean the game is easy? Not at all.” Crimson Desert remains challenging.

In most Soulslikes, it's definitely possible to turn the tables and become a “Goliath.” But it's not possible without some effort and one or a few NG+ cycles, depending on who you want to be as a “David”. This sense of progress and ultimate success will never fade. crimson desertstill includes what Powers call “skill checks,” which are enemies, bosses, areas, or other challenges that can entice players to further explore the open world to find consumables, upgrades, or other advantages to use in battle.

“You can get extra buffs from food and camps, grind more consumables to make battles easier, and find blueprints for items that allow you to respawn in battle to get an extra second shot. […] And you can make multiple of them. So you can be over-prepared and make any fight approachable. Does this mean the game is easy? Hell no. But I don't think it's ever going to be a struggle because it allows for an accessibility layer, which I think is really, really important in a single-player game.”

This certainly sounds promising and similar. Elden RingA progression loop that typically involves facing difficult challenges, working out in the open world, and returning to those challenges with new capabilities. It's a seesaw of difficulty that balances player freedom with strong ARPG design. crimson desert Regardless of genre classification, this is a meaningfully engaging game.

It's a good thing that the Crimson Desert is not soul-like.

I am a big soul person. FromSoftware is my favorite major developer, and I think they can point to any game in between. devil's soul and Elden Ring And without mistake, it shouts ‘masterpiece’. However, the genre is oversaturated and dwarfed by a slew of mediocre projects. Ironically, Soullike, which first emerged as a bold counterpoint to the typical 3D melee action combat game of the 2000s, has now become somewhat of a cliché.

crimson desert Combat is much more explosive and fluid than your average Soullike, supported more by combos and “button skills” than Trial by Fire pattern recognition. From what's been revealed about the game's combat so far, it looks a lot like a character action game, e.g. Devil May Cry, Bayonetta) There's a clear element of RPG build crafting and playstyle flexibility, but more than anything like Souls. This kind of combat formula in a large-scale open-world game, complete with character customization and settlement building, sounds like a much-needed breath of fresh air at this point in the RPG genre.

released

March 19, 2026

ESRB

Age 17 or older / Blood, drug-related, high-intensity violence, verbal abuse

developer

Pearl Abyss

publisher

Pearl Abyss