Despite the impressive footage, 2023 was also defined by what didn’t happen. Pearl Abyss had originally targeted a winter 2023 release. However, by mid-2023, the company announced a delay, pushing the game to an unspecified date, likely 2025 or later. This was framed as a commitment to quality and scope expansion. In investor calls, Pearl Abyss admitted they were adding more single-player content and refining the game’s “unique identity” beyond its MMO roots.
: The footage featured varied travel methods, including horseback riding , climbing, and skydiving or gliding through the air. crimson desert 2023
from notice boards or help strangers to earn extra inventory slots. Skill Mastery Force Palm Despite the impressive footage, 2023 was also defined
The most significant development in 2023 was the release of a nearly 6-minute gameplay showcase. Far from a cinematic trailer, this footage was a dense, unbroken look at the game’s core loop. It depicted protagonist Kliff leading a small mercenary band through the war-torn realm of Pywel. The key takeaways were overwhelming: This was framed as a commitment to quality
One of the biggest criticisms of the 2023 gameplay demo was the UI. During combat, the screen was cluttered with button prompts and visual indicators. While the combat itself looked flashy, some players felt it looked too "automated" or arcade-like, lacking the deliberate, tactical weight of games like Dark Souls . Pearl Abyss has a history of complex combat systems (see Black Desert ), and there is a fear that console players may be overwhelmed by ability bloat.