Crimson Desert Addresses Difficulty and Soulslike Comparisons

Pearl Abyss, the developer of the upcoming fantasy RPG Crimson Desert, has stated that the game will be challenging. While it won’t be quite as difficult as a ‘Soulslike’ game, it also won’t include any easy difficulty settings when it launches. Players are eagerly anticipating the game’s release, and Pearl Abyss wants to ensure everyone understands it will require effort and skill.

Originally announced in 2020 and after a delay, Crimson Desert is scheduled to launch in March 2026, meaning fans will be able to play it in just over a month. Pearl Abyss has made ambitious promises about the game, and initial trailers have impressed many viewers, with some saying it seems almost unbelievable. We’ll have to wait until after the game is released to see if it lives up to the hype, but the developers have recently explained how challenging the gameplay will be.

Crimson Desert Won’t Be Easy or Have Distinct Difficulty Modes

During a recent interview, Pearl Abyss clarified that Crimson Desert won’t include microtransactions, but will be a challenging game. Marketing Director Will Powers stated it isn’t a Soulslike game, but emphasized it will definitely not be easy. A Pearl Abyss developer also told Gamereactor that adjustable difficulty settings aren’t planned for the game right now. The developer explained that the game provides ample opportunities for players to prepare for difficult fights and tailor their experience, potentially making adjustable difficulty unnecessary.

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This explains why the developers of Crimson Desert don’t consider it a “Soulslike” game, even though it appears challenging. While some bosses might be difficult, players aren’t forced to beat them immediately – they can explore other parts of the game, improve their character, and come back stronger. Pearl Abyss says Crimson Desert has a massive world, even larger than Skyrim or Red Dead Redemption 2, offering plenty to do if players get stuck. By letting players explore freely instead of following a strict path, the game aims to strike a good balance between challenge and accessibility, much like Breath of the Wild did with the traditional Zelda series.

Game difficulty is often a point of debate. Some players find games like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Elden Ring too challenging for newcomers, while others enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with overcoming those hurdles. Developers also have different ideas about how to handle difficulty settings. Ghost of Yotei provides five different levels, but games like Dead Cells offer a consistent experience, gradually increasing the challenge to keep things balanced. Crimson Desert seems to be aiming for a compromise, not offering adjustable difficulty but allowing players to progress at their own speed and find their own solutions to tough spots.

Image via Pearl Abyss

It’s still uncertain whether Pearl Abyss’s new approach will be successful, but initial impressions of the game have already generated significant interest. Over 2 million players have added Crimson Desert to their Steam wishlists, placing it among the top 20 most anticipated games. As the RPG is scheduled to launch on March 19th, fans won’t have to wait much longer to experience its challenges for themselves.

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2026-02-17 20:04