The second preview video for Crimson Desert This puts the combat and progression system of Pearl Abyss' upcoming action RPG in the spotlight.
While in first video While the open world of Pywel and its characters were previously the main focus, this time it's all about weapons, skills and the development of your character – in short: how to survive in Pywel and fight your way up to Greymane.
Fighting like a gray mane
The developers have showcased a combat system that promises both practicality and tactical variety. Players have access to a wide array of weapons, from swords and shields to spears, axes, and two-handed weapons, as well as various ranged options. Each weapon offers its own advantages, allowing for dynamic switching depending on the situation.
The video also demonstrates the combination of weapon skills with basic attacks, grabs, and elemental effects such as fire, ice, or stun. These are intended to allow for flexible attack chains and the definition of one's own fighting style. Agility and timing play a central role: sliding, dodging, countering, and sweeping attacks flow seamlessly into one another. Perfect blocking and dodging maneuvers leave opponents vulnerable to counterattacks, thus maintaining pressure on the battlefield.
According to the developers, the system is designed to “explosive and versatile“It will be,” a phrase frequently used in the PR industry, but one that still needs to prove itself in actual gameplay. Similar mechanics are known from… Black Desert Online, also from Pearl Abyss, where timing and combos make the difference between victory and defeat.
The path of progress
Players don't start as a fully armed Greymane. At the beginning of their journey after the Black Bear attack, they only have basic skills and simple equipment. Through quests, battles, and exploration, they collect artifacts called Fragments of the Abyss. These increase base stats like health and stamina, unlock new abilities, and improve existing ones.
Some upgrades must also be discovered in the world, not just through artifacts. For example, stamina can be increased to run or glide for longer, while grappling abilities boost aggression in melee combat. Players can thus tailor their fighting style.
Equipment plays just as important a role as skills. It can be found, bought, or crafted, and improved using materials obtained from bosses, quests, or hidden locations. Combinations of weapons, armor, and special effects should allow you to be optimally equipped for the challenges of Pywel.
Ultimately, powerful bosses await, demanding diverse strategies and offering unique rewards, including items that copy their abilities or grant special effects. The publisher promises that this will allow players to progress from a survivor to a true Greymane. Crimson Desert Whether the finished game can live up to this claim remains to be seen.
