Crimson Desert presents a study in contrasts. The new open‑world effort from Pearl Abyss makes a competent technical showing on PlayStation 5 Pro, yet its opening sequence risks alienating players before the wider world and its systems can be appreciated. Those are the core takeaways from a recent Push Square hands‑on.

On performance, the PS5 Pro build runs well enough. Frame‑rate stability, loading times and visual fidelity are all serviceable for a modern console open‑world title, with the hardware helping to smooth out some of the demands created by the game’s scale. The game’s landscapes and production values underline the developer’s ambition, and there are clear moments where the technical groundwork succeeds in supporting the intended spectacle.

Sponsored

The more significant problem lies in the game’s introductory design. The opening sequence imposes unfamiliar control mappings and a reliance on held button combinations that frustrate long‑established muscle memory. Core actions such as jumping and sprinting are mapped in ways that feel counter‑intuitive, creating an onboarding experience that is jarring rather than welcoming. The result is an early stretch of gameplay that often feels like relearning basic inputs rather than settling into the promised open‑world adventure.

That control friction has practical consequences. Momentum is lost during a portion of play that should function as an invitation to explore, learn mechanics and get comfortable with the game’s systems. Instead, players are liable to spend time wrestling with input schemes and relearning rudimentary actions, which undercuts pacing and the sense of immersion.

Despite these issues, the bigger picture is not without promise. Pearl Abyss’ ambitions are evident in the world design, set‑pieces and combat scope. If the developer addresses the introductory control choices and refines the onboarding flow, the game’s technical foundations on PS5 Pro could support a much smoother player experience.

Push Square’s hands‑on provides the most detailed description of these early‑game problems and the technical performance on PS5 Pro. The account highlights a title that is competent under the hood but hamstrung at first by confusing design decisions that will shape early impressions.

Expectations around whether those impressions will shift following patches or further updates will shape conversations about Crimson Desert as it reaches a wider audience over the coming months.

Source: Push Square hands‑on.