How will Crimson Desert differ from Black Desert Online? No doubt this will be a question many will ask as the two games share a developer and even the same universe. But are the two games similar in anything but name and setting?
While they share a "DNA," the gameplay experience is fundamentally different between the two games. Let's jump in.
Crimson Desert vs Black Desert Online
At a Glance
| Name | Black Desert Online | Crimson Desert |
| Genre | MMORPG (Multiplayer) | Action RPG (Single-player) |
| Engine | BlackSpace Engine | BlackSpace Engine (updated for Crimson Desert) |
| Location | Republic of Calpheon, Kingdom of Valencia, Serendia, Balenos, and Mediah | Pywel Region |
| Progression System | Traditional Level and Class MMO | Abyss Fragments + Exploration |
| Combat Style | Heavy ability focus plus fast combat | Flashy, combo-based combat |
At the most fundamental level, the main difference is that Crimson Desert is a single-player RPG, whereas Black Desert Online is an MMO. The two games are set in the same world; however, Crimson Desert is not a direct sequel or prequel to Black Desert Online. Though it was the original plan for Crimson Desert to act as a prequel to Black Desert Online, that was dropped. The game is now set in the region of Pywel, though we expect the game will feature a number of references to Black Desert.
The region is described as "From the vast plains of Akapen to the inhospitably cold lands of Kweiden, or the barren Desert, each region possesses its own unique beauty", with the region being a "vast continent of divided regions." We know the world of Pywel is massive and full of all sorts of unique regions, enemies, and people to meet.
Combat: The Shared DNA
The strongest link between the two games is the BlackSpace Engine. This in-house technology allows for a level of physical, "crunchy" combat that sets Pearl Abyss apart from the sea of Unreal Engine titles.
- Action-Focused: Like Black Desert Online, Crimson Desert leans heavily into flashy combos and chained attacks. This looks to keep you in the heart of the action, always looking to press forward.
- The Feel: If you enjoy the weighted, high-fidelity combat of Dragon’s Dogma 2 or modern Final Fantasy games, Crimson Desert will feel familiar.
- Visual Polish: Because it isn't restricted by the networking requirements of an MMO, Crimson Desert pushes the engine's graphical fidelity even further.
Character Progression: A Divergence
One change that is notable from the step away from the MMO genre of Black Desert Online formula is how your character grows.
- Black Desert Online: Uses a traditional MMO loop of leveling up classes, spending skill points, and grinding for gear.
- Crimson Desert: Progression is tied to Abyss Fragments. These are used to increase health, stamina, and skills.
Black Desert is a more classic MMO here, level up, skills, classes, talents, etc. Crimson Desert is not. Instead, character progression is tied to Abyss Fragments. These are the main way you will "level up" and increase skills, health, stamina, etc. However, it's not just as simple as level up, spend points. Crimson Desert will also reward you for doing other activities. Exploring the world, finding hidden areas, and defeating bosses will also grant rewards. All of these side activities will reward you with new stats, progress, items, and other ways to push your character forward.
The Verdict
The answer is that the games share some similarities, but ultimately Crimson Desert seems like it will be a distinct gaming experience.
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Choose Black Desert Online if you want a social experience, competitive PvP, and a game you can play for thousands of hours with a focus on optimization.
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Choose Crimson Desert if you want a cinematic, narrative-driven single-player journey.
FAQ
- Is Crimson Desert Multiplayer?
No, Crimson Desert is an entirely single-player experience, focusing on Kliff Macduff, his two playable companions and building out his mercenary company. The game does not feature any form of co-op play at launch. Developers have hinted at some form of multiplayer mode in a future post-launch update.
- Do I need to play Black Desert Online to understand the story?
The two games only share a world, with no direct story connecting the two. This is more akin to how Final Fantasy games are set in the same "world" sharing themes, and topics, but lacking much crossover. Expect to see a few similar monsters or maybe some fan service.
- When does Crimson Desert release?
Crimson Desert is due to release on March 19th, on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game will launch globally on all three platforms and feature a variety of standard and special edition versions for fans, including digital bonuses.
