“Action RPG” crimson desert It's often been called an RPG, despite developer Pearl Abyss refraining from labeling it an RPG. The definition of “RPG” has become increasingly confusing over the years. Because now it seems like a game only needs RPG elements to be considered a new entry in the genre. Naturally, this has led to a lot of confusion about what games actually claim the RPG label. crimson desertThe developers of have explicitly stated that they do not describe the game as a single game. While analyzing the game on episode 457 of the recent Dropped Frames podcast, PR director Will Powers said, “There are tons of RPG elements… but the developers don't want to call it an RPG.”
The reason for such hesitation is ultimately as follows. crimson desertIt has implications related to its skills and leveling system, and to the RPG genre in general. “The term RPG has a lot of connotations for character creators,” Powers said. [like] Experience points, leveling system, etc. “As players expect, there is nothing like that in this game.” crimson desert It's closer to an action adventure than an action RPG, and the character growth and skill system are a direct result of that.
Crimson Desert's non-traditional leveling system
As Powers strongly implied, crimson desert does not have a progression system found in traditional RPGs. There is still character progression in the game, but it is not facilitated by the XP-based leveling mechanics of the RPG genre. Instead, the character power is crimson desert It increases as players explore the world of Pywel, finding important items, defeating bosses, and taking advantage of the stat boosts provided by weapons and armor.
Who is that character?
Check out the silhouette before time runs out.
start
Check out the silhouette before time runs out.
Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Eternal Death (2.5 seconds)
How leveling works in Crimson Desert
- No traditional levels — The game has no XP gains or level bars at all.
- Growth through exploration — Character power increases through exploration and discovery instead of crushing enemies.
- Artifact Stat Boost — Abyss Artifacts replace level growth by improving core stats like stamina and stamina.
- Gear progression is important — Weapons and armor upgrade their core properties, affecting their power.
- Boss and Quest Rewards — Defeating big enemies and completing key tasks generate meaningful progression items.
Unlike traditional RPGs where players gain experience points and level up their characters, crimson desert Avoids the XP/leveling system completely. There are no defined character levels that automatically increase through combat or quests, so players do not “level up” in the typical RPG sense. To fill that gap, crimson desert Placed front and center in the world, it invites players to explore the world if they want to make their characters stronger. Ultimately, this makes character growth more important in the game, with what players do and where they go determines how they grow.
That means simply moving around the world won't get players anywhere. Rather, they will have to keep a close eye on valuable items known as Abyss Artifacts. crimson desert. These artifacts can be found hidden in inconspicuous locations throughout Pywel, or even in the possession of powerful bosses in the Abyss itself. Once Abyss Artifacts are acquired, players can use them to improve statuses such as health and stamina in the game's skill tree. This system effectively replaces the XP and skill point based progression systems of typical RPGs. That said, the main “grinding” players need to do is exploration.
Unlike traditional RPGs where players gain experience points and level up their characters, crimson desert Avoids the XP/leveling system completely.
Equipment also plays an important role in character development. crimson desertPlayers can purchase, find, and craft equipment to gain a greater advantage in battle. You can then upgrade your equipment to improve its stats, and materials for this can be found through mining, hunting, killing bosses, completing quests, and discovering them in various locations. crimson desertPywel's open world. Equipment can also be customized with additional stats and special effects, encouraging experimentation but allowing for a more personalized approach than an RPG's XP-based character progression can offer.
Crimson Desert skill system description
because crimson desert The skill system is also affected by not using traditional leveling mechanics as a means of progression. In most RPGs, players gain experience points, level up, and then use skill points earned after leveling up to unlock new abilities for their characters. in crimson desertHowever, because character progression is broadly tied to exploration, skills are primarily unlocked as players venture off the beaten path, seek out Abyss Artifacts, defeat powerful bosses, and learn these abilities from the world around them.
How skills work in Crimson Desert
- Artifact-based unlocks — This skill is obtained by finding Abyss artifacts scattered around the world.
- Learn from the world — Some abilities can be acquired by watching NPCs use them.
- Combo-centric system — Skills emphasize combat chaining and player choice rather than static presets.
- gear synergy — Many skills interact with weapon types and enhancements for a variety of playstyles.
Just as you can use Abyss Artifacts to enhance your character's core stats. crimson desertPlayers can also use them to unlock new skills. This makes this item more valuable than anything else in the world if players are looking to turn their character into a force to be reckoned with and pave the way for a more unique play style.
Because character progression is broadly tied to exploration, skills are primarily unlocked as players venture off the beaten path, seek out Abyss Artifacts, defeat powerful bosses, and learn these abilities from the world around them.
Skills can not only be acquired through Abyss Artifacts, but players can also learn them by directly observing NPCs scattered throughout Pywel. At the moment, it's unclear how players will be notified once the skill has been observed, but considering this is one of the main ways players can unlock new abilities outside of Abyss Artifacts, crimson desert If possible, this should be made clear.
Here are some other ways players can gain new abilities: crimson desert It's about defeating challenging bosses and equipping yourself with gear. Doing so will allow players to potentially learn that boss' signature abilities or gain unique effects and other bonuses, making it more worthwhile to seek out these encounters in the end. Three ways to unlock new skills are: crimson desertIt emphasizes freedom of playstyle, whether players prefer to make their journey more exploratory or combative.
Player's combat skills and play style crimson desert It is also affected by what weapons you use: swords and shields, spears, greatswords, axes, and various ranged weapons.
at last, crimson desert It's not really an RPG by definition. What's important, though, is that the game's progression system clearly rejects some of the genre's best-known staples and replaces them with something more world-centric and discovery-based. There are no experience bars to fill or arbitrary levels to pursue, just tangible rewards for exploration, preparation, and mastery. Power comes from where players go, what they find, and the battles they choose.
- released
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March 19, 2026
- ESRB
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Age 17 or older / Blood, drug-related, high-intensity violence, verbal abuse
- developer
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Pearl Abyss
- publisher
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Pearl Abyss
