Pearl Abyss has shared a new featurette, following the previous one released last week, on what to expect in Crimson Desert. This second features overview focuses on the combat and progression aspects of the upcoming open world action adventure.
Crimson Desert will have a large selection of weapon types. Mentioned in the video includes sword and shield, spear, greatsword, axe, ranged weapons. Weapons can be switched on the fly. One combat sequence shows how you can suplex an enemy and then fire a magical beam of lighting on another before switching to a musket.
You have the option to fight with hand-to-hand combat. Punch, kick and grapple like the ‘rassler that you are in chaotic battles. Abilities can also be enhanced with elemental properties. A weapon wheel can be seen in the footage.
As for defensive options, Crimson Desert’s combat system lets you slide, dodge, and even pull off counters and use a magical grappling hook to swing around the battlefield, because why not. If you’re in the air, you can absolutely do a divekick, or a ground pound, to really make that explosive landing hit hard. And it does feel like you hit the ground hard, there’s a lot of destructible objects that are littered around the combat area, which should sell the fantasy of being this absolute force of nature.
In regards to progression, Crimson Desert will have you start with most of the skills locked. Protagonist Kliff will get Metroid’d in that he loses most of his combat prowess so you can unlock them through game progression.
One way to unlock new abilities is by acquiring Artifacts. Found through quests, combat and exploration, this is the currency to unlock abilities and skills as well as improve stats like health and stamina in Crimson Desert. As featured in the previous featurette, some skills can be learned by observing someone else use that skill.
Weapons and gear can be bought, upgraded and crafted. Materials for weapon crafting will require you to go mining and hunting as well as fight bosses and searching hidden locations. Weapons and gear can have passives added as well.
Crimson Desert continues to look “too good to be true.” Gameplay footage continues to look crisp, stable yet so many things going on that one couldn’t believe can be attained on this generation’s consoles. Only time will tell whether Crimson Desert lives up to the hype, but as far as combat goes, if it’s as any good as the combat in Black Desert, then Crimson Desert can at least deliver that part.
Crimson Desert launches on March 20 for the PS5, PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), Mac and Xbox Series X|S.