Pearl Abyss on Crimson Desert Criticism: 'They Should Have Played a Build That Isn't Exactly the Launch Version'

I don't think critics will have a proper opportunity to review it.

"I don't think the critics have had a fair chance to review."

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"I think both sides have fair points, especially for reviewers — they had to play a build that wasn't exactly the launch version. They also had a limited amount of time ... but [in] Crimson Desert, our unique appeal is scattered throughout our in-game world. All those little details that are hidden ... I don't think reviewers have a good chance to explore and experience the game during the review period."

Honestly, I'm just glad we're not the only ones who feel this way - our own Molly Taylor, who reviewed the game, said: "I complained about the lack of storage in my Crimson Desert review, and four days after release? BOOM. Private storage box. Players complained about the location of the box, which moved a few days later, and it moved a few days later."

Mind you, we didn't take Pearl Abyss that hard and gave it an 80. Which, according to our own review scoring system, is a great game with exceptional moments or features; There are touches of brilliance. We love it.

Even the story, which Molly rightly criticized as being somewhat crass, is given a significant facelift in this film. In the intervening months - though on balance, some of its negatives are exacerbated. For example, the fact that it is a very dense set of systems and activities that paralyzes most people's analysis. And that was at launch, here are some of the things that have been added since then, or will be added soon:

Building and customizing a house in the Sims style.

133 new trading posts and economic overhauls through supply and demand.

20 new types of small animals. Also a shotgun.

Fish pond I just learned about this one.

And all this on top of the already existing camp management, minigames, pet loyalty and gathering system, transmog, market manipulation and banking, cooking, fishing, mountain gathering, rewards - and I'm pretty sure I'm missing some stuff. But hey, maybe that's actually an improvement, depending on your personal taste. For example, Fraser Brown, our online editor, likes chaos.

Either way: yes, Crimson Desert is a different game since we reviewed it. And judging by Pearl Abyss' blistering pace, it'll be a different game in a year. I'm very much looking forward to (throwing darts at the list of video game mechanics) beer distilling, dressmaking, and an RTS mode or something. Close them there

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Harvey's gaming history began when he first begged his parents for a World of Warcraft subscription at the age of 12, though he's since been cursed with Final Fantasy 14-brain and a strong interest in G'raha Tia. He started his career as a freelancer and wrote for websites like Techradar, The Escapist, Dicebreaker, The Gamer, Into the Spine and of course PC Gamer. He sinks his teeth into anything that sounds interesting, though he has a soft spot for RPGs, ghosts, roguelikes, deckbuilders, MMOs, and the odd indie title. He also plays some TTRPGs in his offline time. Don't ask him what his favorite system is, he has too many.

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