10 Games Crimson Desert Fans Should Play

Crimson Desert is generating a lot of buzz online, with opinions ranging from extremely positive to incredibly negative. Some are calling it the best game since Red Dead Redemption 2, while others strongly disagree. You might be wondering if it’s worth trying, or perhaps you’re looking for other games like it after hearing all the discussion.

Open world games have become incredibly popular over the last ten years, with many new titles being released. But Crimson Desert is different – it stands out from the crowd. It’s a challenging game that requires effort from players, but rewards them for it. We’ll be highlighting similar games for fans who enjoyed Crimson Desert.

10. Outward

The World with No Direction

Outward, released in 2019, offered a different kind of open-world experience. While many games at the time focused on completing endless tasks, Outward put the emphasis on true exploration and discovery. It doesn’t hold your hand or offer much guidance, and you can easily miss significant portions of the game – even entire systems like its magic – if you don’t actively seek them out.

Outward is like a video game version of a ‘choose your own adventure’ book, offering the same freedom to explore as Crimson Desert, but with a much harsher challenge. It’s incredibly difficult – even common enemies can easily defeat you if you’re not prepared. Plus, there are consequences for dying, making it a great choice for players who found Crimson Desert too forgiving.

9. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

Viking Quest

At first glance, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla and Crimson Desert feel remarkably alike. Both games feature huge open worlds, plenty of characters offering quests, and spontaneous, undirected events. The combat systems are also very similar, with powerful and impactful moves like tackles and grappling hook attacks. Though Pearl Abyss hasn’t explicitly stated Valhalla was an inspiration, the games share a strong resemblance, almost like different interpretations of the same concept.

Like Crimson Desert, this game lets you climb almost anything. There’s a huge world to discover, filled with secret spots, hidden entrances, and small puzzles. It blends medieval fantasy with sci-fi elements, so if you enjoyed that combination in Crimson Desert, you’ll likely enjoy this game too.

8. Elex

The Eurojank Adventure

Elex, similar to Crimson Desert, keeps its story and world shrouded in mystery, but that’s part of what makes it so engaging. While the setting is unique, it shares a similar blend of fantasy and science fiction. You’ll find yourself choosing between different factions, with plenty of optional quests and secrets to uncover – and the best discoveries often happen simply by exploring, not by following a map.

Elex isn’t polished – the fighting is a little rough and the story jumps around – but it’s similar to the hugely popular Crimson Desert, which sold over 3 million copies in its first week. If you’re willing to overlook some flaws, Elex is definitely worth checking out.

7. Red Dead Redemption 2

The Western Fantasy

Crimson Desert often feels similar to Red Dead Redemption 2. While the games look and feel different, the controls, how realistic the characters move, riding horses, and the thoughtful way the main character, Kliff, acts are all clearly inspired by Red Dead’s Arthur Morgan. Like Red Dead Redemption 2, Crimson Desert is a fantastic world to explore, full of mysteries you can only solve through your own thinking.

As a fan, I’ve noticed the world feels really similar to Red Dead Redemption 2 – it’s huge and beautiful, but often just exists to be a world. Don’t expect to stumble onto a quest in every new area; sometimes it’s about soaking in the atmosphere and letting the environment tell the story. It’s less about following map markers and more about the world itself. And while the story is a huge deal in Crimson Desert, the core idea isn’t totally new. Like in Red Dead 2, you’re with a group trying to pick up the pieces after everything goes wrong. It’s definitely more focused on narrative here, but playing as Kliff actually reminded me a lot of playing as Arthur – there are a surprising number of parallels between the two characters and their journeys.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Blueprint

Crimson Desert clearly drew a lot of inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom when creating its open world. Features like Kliff’s versatile tools and the separate, explorable realm of The Abyss are very similar to elements found in Zelda. In fact, Crimson Desert’s development shifted significantly after Tears of the Kingdom was released, with the goal of replicating its gameplay – especially the ability to climb almost any surface with enough stamina – more effectively.

The story in Tears of the Kingdom isn’t the main attraction. It’s a game that truly lets you create your own adventure. You can build almost anything and use Link’s wide range of abilities to explore and battle however you choose. While there are impressive boss fights and fun side quests, the massive underground area called The Depths offers a serious challenge for players wanting more. If you enjoy open-ended exploration and don’t mind wandering, you’ll likely love this game, much like those who enjoyed Crimson Desert.

5. Elden Ring

There’s so Much to See

Elden Ring is a truly remarkable open-world game. It provides a huge world to explore with minimal guidance, and you’re consistently rewarded for venturing off the main path. If you’re curious enough to investigate something in the distance, you likely will find something – often a challenging boss fight that feels earned. Crimson Desert shares this same spirit of free exploration, driven by a subtle underlying story, which is a major reason why it’s captured so much attention.

Elden Ring creates a strikingly different atmosphere – it’s dark, somber, and feels like a world after a cataclysm. You get the sense that humanity doesn’t quite fit there, whether you’re battling frightening bosses or uncovering the story through item descriptions. With cooperative gameplay and the massive Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, it’s a game you can easily spend hundreds of hours exploring.

4. Dragon’s Dogma 2

A Would-Be Great

Crimson Desert gives off a similar vibe to what many players hoped Dragon’s Dogma 2 would be. That said, Dragon’s Dogma 2 still has plenty to offer. The series’ signature ability to climb and battle massive monsters returns in the sequel, and it’s been improved with more weapons and stunningly beautiful environments.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Crimson Desert share a lot of similarities. Both games offer huge worlds to explore with minimal guidance, encouraging players to discover optional bosses, new gear, and various combat skills. While Dragon’s Dogma 2 focuses more on action, both games emphasize the thrill of discovery and feature epic battles – especially against powerful creatures like dragons, medusas, and cyclopes. The sheer scale of these fights in Dragon’s Dogma 2 remains particularly impressive.

3. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

A Lone Soldier in a Big Land

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a realistic and immersive open-world RPG where you play as a soldier named Henry. Your mission starts with delivering a vital message, but things quickly go wrong, and you’re forced to rebuild your life, earning money and surviving in a harsh world. Similar to Crimson Desert, the game lets you forge your own path, both in how you explore and the choices you make. The world is full of interesting discoveries, but you’ll need to actively explore to uncover them.

Honestly, this game is absolutely stunning to watch – the graphics are incredible. And the story? It feels like I’m living my own version of Game of Thrones. The writing is seriously impressive, and the combat is really challenging and feels realistic. I thought Crimson Desert was huge at the start, but the bit before the wedding in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2? It’s even bigger! This is easily one of the best RPGs I’ve ever played, and if you’re into the genre, you absolutely HAVE to check it out.

2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Original Open World King

Skyrim is a landmark open-world RPG that truly changed the genre. It set a new standard, and its influence can be seen in almost every similar game released since. What makes Skyrim so special is its incredible sense of discovery – there’s always something interesting to find, whether it’s a new quest, a random event, or just a unique place to explore. It’s the ultimate game for those who love to wander and see what’s over the next hill.

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There’s a huge amount of content, but it’s all created with incredible care and fits perfectly into the game’s world, making it feel seamless and intentional. Unlike some games where the map is already filled in, this one starts empty. You discover and map locations by actually traveling to them, exploring the world firsthand.

The game boasts stunning locations, including the depths of Blackreach, the gates of Sovngarde, and the towering peaks of High Hrothgar. While the combat system feels a little old-fashioned, you have a lot of freedom in how you build your character and play the game. It’s consistently ranked among the best RPGs ever made and remains incredibly popular, even today.

1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Standard

It’s going to be hard for any game to surpass the impact The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt had, especially in the open-world genre. Crimson Desert clearly takes a lot of inspiration from it – from its tough main character, Kliff, to features like investigating memories to uncover past events, and even the music during battles. Many elements of Crimson Desert feel directly inspired by CD Projekt Red’s classic game.

Okay, if you haven’t played The Witcher 3 yet, seriously, you’re missing out! As a huge fan, I can tell you it’s easily one of the greatest games ever created. What really sets it apart are the side quests – they’re not just filler, they’re as good as entire games themselves! The main story is gripping, and you’ll actually care about the characters. Plus, it’s absolutely beautiful to look at, with incredible monsters and enemies. The combat isn’t just button-mashing either; you really need to think about timing and get prepared before each fight. Honestly, The Witcher 3 raised the bar for RPGs, and I’ve seen so many other games try to copy what it does, even in the small details.

2026-04-01 17:41