Crimson Desert reviews say it's not the second coming of open-world games

After years of hype and a last-minute wave of skepticism, reviews for Crimson Desert have arrived. Critic reaction settles firmly in the middle: the game is not a generational masterpiece nor an over-hyped flop, but a solid open-world title whose appeal depends on how much patience players have for its rough edges.

It holds an aggregate score of 78 from 91 reviews, all of which were for the PC version provided to critics. Many reviewers praise the game's scale and density of activity. Joseph Bradford called it "the most ambitious open world I’ve ever experienced," and Forbes' Paul Tassi wrote, "A hundred hours into this game, I have never been bored," listing an almost endless range of systems and pursuits that can keep players engaged.

At the same time, a chorus of complaints appears across reviews. Joel Franey lauded the spectacle but noted the game lacks refinements and that "it does get better" only after a long investment.

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