Crimson desert shines on ps5 pro: is this the open-world hope we needed?

Pearl Abyss's Crimson Desert, the ambitious open-world action RPG, has been facing scrutiny regarding its console performance. But a fresh look courtesy of Digital Foundry’s John Linneman suggests the PlayStation 5 Pro version might just deliver on its promise. The initial concerns, fueled by a perceived lack of console demos, appear to be easing with this early assessment – though significant hurdles remain.

Ray tracing and a fluid 60fps: a promising start

Linneman’s assessment paints a largely positive picture. The PS5 Pro demonstrably supports the game’s ray tracing features, and the water effects, in particular, are visually striking. Crucially, the system appears to be hitting the developer’s stated performance targets, with the “Performance Mode” largely maintaining a 60fps target. Linneman’s surprise at the overall quality is noteworthy, suggesting that Pearl Abyss has made substantial strides in optimization.

However, the picture isn’t entirely rosy. Linneman noted significant frame rate drops during intense scenes involving large crowds or numerous NPCs and enemies. One particularly brutal early battle saw the frame rate plummet to the 30s, a jarring experience that highlights the ongoing challenges. While these dips weren’t the norm, they underscore the demanding nature of Crimson Desert’s expansive world.

The 30fps and 40fps modes offer more consistent performance, though Linneman recommends the latter two due to the somewhat sluggish feel of the 30fps option. He posits that this responsiveness issue might be a deliberate design choice, intended to convey a sense of weight and heft to the gameplay.

The bigger picture: scale and systems driven gameplay

Digital Foundry’s Richard Leadbetter emphasizes that while the technical demands of Crimson Desert are considerable, the core appeal lies in its scope and complexity. “My main concern was not so much about graphics but on demands on the CPU,” Leadbetter stated, highlighting the game’s intricate systems and sprawling open world. The ability to translate the high-end PC experience to the PS5 Pro is a significant achievement, and the anticipation for the Xbox Series S and X versions is palpable.

Pearl Abyss’s recent transparency regarding console performance specs— detailing resolution targets and frame rate expectations across various platforms—is a welcome development. The developer’s reassurances, despite lingering fan anxieties about a potential Cyberpunk 2077-esque launch debacle, are a step in the right direction. Will Powers, a spokesperson for Pearl Abyss, recently stated, “We’re not hiding anything, and I’m sick of having to repeat myself.”

With a launch date looming on March 19 and a price tag of $69.99, Crimson Desert arrives without the baggage of cosmetic cash shops or microtransactions. The game’s success will hinge not only on its technical performance but also on its ability to deliver a compelling and immersive open-world experience.