This Might Be the Best Argument Yet for Crimson Desert to Add Difficulty Settings

by

I’m really worried about Crimson Desert. I’ve been hearing from a fellow gamer who’s finding it almost impossible to play, and it’s not because they’re not good at games! They explained it’s due to physical limitations that come with getting older, and the game just doesn’t have enough adjustable difficulty options to help. I knew before release that Crimson Desert wasn’t planning on having different difficulty levels, but it’s clearly a problem for some players, and it’s a shame.

Although some worried about its difficulty, Crimson Desert has proven very popular, selling millions of copies in its first week and receiving mostly positive feedback from both critics and players. While it’s a challenging single-player RPG, it’s not quite like the ‘Souls’ games. However, the difficulty might be frustrating for players who aren’t looking for such a tough experience.

Crimson Desert Fan Laments Game’s Difficulty

A player on Reddit with the username Appropriate_Durian17 shared their experience with the game Crimson Desert. They’re really enjoying it, but are finding it difficult to progress due to the challenges of aging. At 73 years old, they’ve noticed declining eyesight, slower reaction times, and arthritis in their hands make the fast-paced gameplay increasingly difficult. Despite trying to improve their character’s gear, they’re now unable to defeat certain bosses, highlighting how physical limitations can impact gaming.

Most games let players lower the difficulty if they’re stuck on a boss or struggling with a certain part. This usually solves the problem. However, Crimson Desert doesn’t have difficulty settings, and players who enjoy the game are now unable to progress because of this limitation.

Players have been sharing ideas and expressing frustration with a difficult part of the game. Many relate to the player’s struggle, saying they’ve experienced similar challenges themselves or know someone who has. Some shared personal stories about dealing with serious health issues like cancer or brain injuries, which make demanding games unplayable due to cognitive difficulties. This has led many to advocate for including adjustable difficulty levels and accessibility features in games, allowing more people to enjoy them, even when facing personal hardships.

Fit the 9 games into the grid.

Criteria Grid Pick a tile to place a game.
Time: 00:00

Results

0
—
More Games

Pick a game

Choose 1 of 9
×

Before Crimson Desert launched, a developer at Pearl Abyss said adjustable difficulty settings weren’t planned “right now,” suggesting they might consider them later. While some players enjoy the challenge of a difficult game and the feeling of accomplishment it brings, this approach can exclude others. As players share their experiences, Pearl Abyss may decide to add difficulty or accessibility options in a future update.

Read More

2026-04-08 10:04