Okay, so everyone’s been calling Crimson Desert an action RPG, but the developers at Pearl Abyss are hesitant to use that label. Honestly, it’s getting tricky these days – a game just needs a few RPG bits and pieces to be called an RPG, and it’s confusing! That’s why the team behind Crimson Desert specifically avoids the term. I was listening to the Dropped Frames podcast (episode 457) and their PR director, Will Powers, explained that while the game has “a ton” of RPG stuff, they just don’t want to call it an RPG, and I get that!
The main reason players might be unsure about Crimson Desert is its approach to skills and leveling, which differs from typical RPGs. According to Pearl Abyss, traditional RPG elements like character creation, experience points, and leveling are intentionally missing. This design choice places Crimson Desert more firmly in the action-adventure genre, and its unique character and skill progression systems reflect that focus.
Crimson Desert’s Non-Traditional Leveling System
So, after talking with Powers, it sounds like Crimson Desert isn’t going to be your typical RPG when it comes to leveling up. Don’t expect to just grind for XP! Instead of levels, you get stronger by exploring the world of Pywel, finding cool gear, beating tough bosses, and upgrading your weapons and armor. Basically, your power comes from doing things in the world, not just repeating the same quests.
Who’s That Character? 
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Results
High Score: 0 —
How Leveling Works in Crimson Desert
- NO TRADITIONAL LEVELS — The game does not feature XP gains or level bars at all.
- EXPLORATION-DRIVEN GROWTH — Character power increases from exploration and discovery rather than grinding enemies.
- ARTIFACT STAT BOOSTS — Abyss Artifacts boost core stats like health and stamina, replacing level growth.
- GEAR PROGRESSION MATTERS — Weapons and armor upgrade core attributes, influencing strength.
- BOSS AND QUEST REWARDS — Defeating big foes and completing major tasks yields meaningful progression items.
Unlike most role-playing games where characters get stronger by earning experience and leveling up, Crimson Desert does things differently. It doesn’t use experience points or character levels at all. Instead of “leveling up” automatically, players become more powerful by exploring the game’s world and deciding for themselves how to develop their character. This means character progression feels more natural and depends on the player’s actions and discoveries.
Just running around in the world of Crimson Desert won’t help players get stronger. Instead, they’ll need to find special items called Abyss Artifacts, which directly improve their character’s stats. These artifacts are earned by defeating tough bosses, discovering hidden locations throughout Pywel, and venturing into the Abyss itself. Players use these artifacts to unlock upgrades like increased health and stamina through the game’s skill trees. This system replaces traditional RPG leveling with exploration as the main way to progress.
As a big RPG fan, I’m really excited about how different Crimson Desert is! Most RPGs make you grind for experience points to get stronger, but this game throws all that out the window. It doesn’t even have a leveling system, which is a pretty bold move and something I’m definitely looking forward to.
In Crimson Desert, equipment is key to making your character stronger. Players can obtain gear by buying it, finding it while exploring, or crafting it themselves, all to gain an edge in battles. This equipment can be improved with materials gathered through activities like mining, hunting, completing quests, and exploring the game’s world of Pywel. You can also customize your gear with extra stats and effects, letting you personalize your character’s development in a way that goes beyond typical RPG leveling.
Crimson Desert’s Skill System Explained
Okay, so Crimson Desert is doing things a little differently when it comes to getting stronger. Usually in RPGs, you grind for XP, level up, and then spend points to learn new skills. But in this game, it’s all about exploring! I basically unlock new abilities by wandering around, finding cool artifacts hidden in the world, taking down tough bosses, and even learning skills directly from the environment. It’s less about grinding levels and more about actually doing things in the game world, which I’m really digging.
How Skills Work in Crimson Desert
- ARTIFACT-BASED UNLOCKS — Skills gained by finding Abyss Artifacts scattered throughout the world.
- LEARN FROM THE WORLD — Some abilities are earned by watching NPCs use them.
- COMBO-FOCUSED SYSTEM — Skills emphasize combat chaining and player choice, not static presets.
- GEAR SYNERGY — Many skills interact with weapon types and enhancements for varied playstyles.
In Crimson Desert, Abyss Artifacts aren’t just for boosting your character’s basic stats – they also let you learn new skills. This makes them incredibly valuable for players looking to maximize their character’s potential and explore different ways to play the game.
As you explore the game world and discover new things, your character will become more powerful. You’ll unlock new skills by finding hidden items, defeating tough enemies, and even learning directly from the environment around you.
Okay, so you can get new skills in Crimson Desert not just from Abyss Artifacts, but also by watching NPCs around the world of Pywel. Honestly, I’m not sure how the game will tell us when we can actually learn from an NPC yet. But since this is a big way to unlock abilities besides the Artifacts, I’m hoping the developers make it pretty obvious when we can pick up a new skill by observing someone!
In Crimson Desert, players can also learn new abilities by defeating tough bosses and taking their gear. This allows them to potentially gain the boss’s special skills or unlock unique benefits, making these challenging fights very rewarding. These three ways to unlock skills highlight the game’s focus on player freedom, letting players customize their experience through exploration or combat.
In Crimson Desert, how a player fights depends on the weapon they choose. Different weapons – like swords, spears, greatswords, axes, and bows – will change their combat abilities and overall playstyle.
Ultimately, Crimson Desert doesn’t quite fit the traditional RPG mold. However, it intentionally moves away from typical RPG features like leveling up and experience points, focusing instead on exploring the world and discovering new things. Your character’s power comes from where you travel, what you uncover, and the challenges you decide to take on – not from simply grinding for levels. It’s about tangible progress through exploration, preparation, and skill.
Read More
- Poppy Playtime Chapter 5: Engineering Workshop Locker Keypad Code Guide
- Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 23 Preview: Yuji And Maru End Cursed Spirits
- God Of War: Sons Of Sparta – Interactive Map
- 8 One Piece Characters Who Deserved Better Endings
- Who Is the Information Broker in The Sims 4?
- Mewgenics Tink Guide (All Upgrades and Rewards)
- Pressure Hand Locker Code in Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5
- Poppy Playtime Chapter 5: Emoji Keypad Code in Conditioning
- I Used Google Lens to Solve One of Dying Light: The Beast’s Puzzles, and It Worked
- Starsand Island: Treasure Chest Map
2026-02-21 00:07