Crimson Desert's soundtrack is criminally inoffensive — one song drives me insane

There is so much about Crimson Desert that enthralls and deeply frustrates me, but its soundtrack had almost no impact—and that surprised me. I absorb every single note, melody, and instrument videogame music has to offer; I literally have a column about this every week called Critical Hit, where I celebrate and lament all things videogame music and audio design.

Something about the score feels a bit bland, perhaps even inoffensive. Nothing particularly stands out, and a particular melody keeps appearing when I cook a meal over the bonfire or purchase goods from a grocer or butcher. Hearing it three times in quick succession is grating: it’s a roughly 30‑second track that loops over and over.

The contrast with the rest of the soundtrack makes it worse. A traditional Irish, folksy tune plays when buying armour or weapons or refining gear at the smithy; it’s pleasant on its own but feels like a flashbang when it cuts through the game’s otherwise ambient music.

crimson desert, soundtrack, videogame music, score, melody, loop, ambient music, irish tune, bonfire, smithy