Crimson Desert is Shaping Up to be a Wild PC Adventure
Crimson Desert is back in the spotlight and it looks very different from what many players remember. Shown off during the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted, Pearl Abyss’ upcoming narrative action game has gone from intriguing to downright wild, thanks to mechs, rideable bears, and a focus on precise, skill based combat.
If you enjoy PC action games like Middle earth Shadow of Mordor and you are always on the lookout for the next big single player adventure to test your reflexes, Crimson Desert is one to keep on your radar and on your Steam wishlist.
A World of Mechs, Mounts, and Over the Top Traversal
The latest trailer shifts the spotlight away from the boss rush style action that some players tried at Gamescom 2024 and instead shows off traversal and smaller scale combat. The result is a better look at how you will actually move and fight across the world of Pywell.
The standout features are the mounts and movement options. Crimson Desert is not just about running from point A to point B. It wants you to feel awesome while you travel.
- Flying mechs: You can soar through the sky in a chunky mechanical contraption that looks like it wandered in from BioShock. These mechs are not just set dressing. They are a full traversal option, letting you glide over the landscape in style.
- Winged creatures: If you prefer something more organic than steel, you can ride winged beasts and skim through the clouds.
- Ground mounts for every taste: Traditional players can stick to horseback. If that is too normal, there is a dinosaur style mount for a more primal vibe.
- A rideable black bear: The star of the show is a massive black bear that you can ride into battle. It is not just transport. The bear can maul enemies in front of you, turning your mount into a furry wrecking ball during combat.
These options suggest that exploration in Crimson Desert will have more variety than the usual open world run or ride. Whether you are flying over danger or charging through it on the back of a bear, the game wants movement to feel fast, cinematic, and fun.
A Gritty Story with Skill Based Combat
Under all the spectacle there is a story driven adventure. You play as Kliff, a member of the Greymane group. At the start of the game he is ambushed by a rival gang and left for dead. From there the core of the story kicks in. Kliff must track down his scattered comrades across the continent of Pywell.
This setup gives you a clear motivation to explore the world. You are not just ticking off map icons. You are hunting for allies and payback, moving through dangerous territory full of enemies, creatures, and rival factions.
Fans of Shadow of Mordor style combat will likely feel at home here. Crimson Desert does not seem interested in sloppy button mashing. Instead it rewards timing, positioning, and smart use of combos.
- Precise inputs: You need to pay attention to when you attack, block, dodge, or counter. Careless play will not get you far.
- Positioning matters: Moving around enemies, controlling space, and attacking from the right angle are part of the core gameplay loop.
- Combos and tactics: During earlier hands on sessions there was already a deep progression system with loads of moves to learn. This suggests the final game will let you build a style that fits how you like to fight, whether that means aggressive combos, counters, or a mix.
This focus on mechanical skill should appeal to players who enjoy mastering systems rather than just cruising through on autopilot. It sounds like the kind of game where you grow stronger not only because your character levels up but because you get better at reading enemies and using your toolkit.
When You Can Play and Why PC Gamers Should Care
Crimson Desert is planned to launch on March 19, 2026. That is still a while away, but the new trailer makes it clear that Pearl Abyss has been busy adding features and refining the vision since the earlier demos.
For PC players this is worth watching for a few reasons.
- PC focused showcase: The game is getting prime placement in events like the PC Gaming Show Most Wanted which usually highlight titles that are expected to shine on PC.
- Spectacle that begs for high end hardware: Between flying mechs, large open environments, and big cinematic encounters, Crimson Desert looks like the kind of title that will push GPUs and CPUs hard. If you enjoy tweaking settings and chasing high frame rates in demanding action games, this could be a future benchmark title for your rig.
- Single player action emphasis: In a sea of live service games, Crimson Desert is positioning itself as a narrative driven action adventure, which is great news if you prefer focused campaigns over endless grind.
Until launch you can add Crimson Desert to your Steam wishlist so it stays on your radar. If you like skill based melee combat, outrageous mounts, and big cinematic fantasy worlds, this is one upcoming PC release you will want to keep an eye on as 2026 gets closer.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/events-conferences/i-forgot-crimson-desert-has-mechs-and-dragons-in-it-but-you-know-what-now-im-even-more-excited-for-it/
