Pearl Abyss's next-generation open-world action-adventure title "Crimson Desert" is drawing mixed reviews a day before its global launch. With its Metacritic score landing in the high-70s, analysts say it is a disappointing start for a game that had been spotlighted as a highly anticipated release. As critiques that surfaced during previews—complex controls and an overload of systems—are now cited as reasons for point deductions, whether it becomes a hit will likely hinge on early user reactions.
◇ Expectations priced into the market… sharp cooldown after reviews went live
According to the game industry on the 19th, after the official review embargo lifted, Crimson Desert's Metacritic score was set at 78. Considering that scores in the mid-to-high 80s were discussed during previews, the consensus is that it fell short of expectations.
Metacritic is an average index that converts review scores from major global game outlets to a 100-point scale, and the industry uses it as a key benchmark for gauging a game's completeness. Generally, 90 or above is in "game of the year (GOTY)" contention, 85 or above is a "masterpiece," and the low 80s is regarded as a "highly polished work." In contrast, scores in the 70s often indicate a "love-it-or-hate-it game" whose artistry is recognized but limited by shortcomings in certain elements.
Expectations were very high before launch. The game surpassed 3 million global wishlists, ranked No. 1 in paid game sales on Steam, and sat near the top of the PlayStation popularity charts. U.S. business outlet Forbes even cited it as a title that could post the highest sales after "GTA6." At China's "17173 Game Awards," it was simultaneously selected as a most anticipated title by both users and editors, underscoring continued global interest.
These expectations were reflected in the stock price as well. Pearl Abyss shares more than doubled over the past year, pricing in the potential success of Crimson Desert, and the securities sector also pointed to the title as a key variable for an earnings rebound.
But once the actual evaluations were published, the market reaction cooled rapidly. Early on the 19th, Pearl Abyss shares plunged about 30% from the previous session, falling into the 40,000-won range. With hype already priced in and the Metacritic score coming in below market expectations, investor sentiment appears to have chilled quickly.
Global game outlet IGN gave it 4.5 out of 10, saying, "It lacks completeness across the story progression, character design, and overall control scheme." PC Gamer, based on more than 100 hours of play, noted, "The game has high potential but inconsistent execution," pointing to extreme peaks and valleys.
Even compared with domestic console titles, the current evaluation is somewhat disappointing. Neowiz's "Lies of P" scored 83 on PC, and SHIFT UP's "Stellar Blade" landed in the low 80s. Given that Crimson Desert was the most anticipated among Korea's AAA console games, the current score is seen as falling short of market expectations.
◇ Narrative, controls, and UI widely criticized… technical prowess remains a strength
Specifically, there is significant criticism of the narrative progression and character composition. Reviewers say the main story's flow is weak during the first few hours, and the quest structure unfolds in fragments, undermining immersion. Combat offers a variety of systems, but in actual play they are underutilized, and the difficulty curve is poorly balanced, with an overly easy opening and certain sections that spike sharply in difficulty.
Critiques of the control scheme are particularly common. Some inputs are complex and occasionally unresponsive, diminishing the game's intuitiveness as an action title. The UI and interface are also called inefficient, with repeated inconveniences during interactions and menu navigation.
Opinions are split on the open-world design as well. While the broad fields and high degree of freedom are cited as strengths, critics also point to low content density and weak incentives to explore. Some reviews say the perceived content feels sparse relative to the overall scale.
On the other hand, assessments of technical prowess remain positive. North American IT channel Digital Foundry praised the graphics and physics realized on Pearl Abyss's in-house "Blackspace Engine," calling it "the best among the recent open-worlds we've played." Ray tracing-based global illumination, distant vegetation rendering, and water and metal reflections are rated at the highest global level, and optimization that maintains stable frames on high-end PCs and consoles is also seen as a strength.
Taken together, the evaluations suggest that while Crimson Desert nears global AAA standards in technical execution and content scale, it still has homework to do in accessibility and user experience. It is a somewhat subdued start compared with expectations that once had it as a "GOTY contender," but observers say perceptions could change depending on whether patches improve controls and streamline systems.
An industry official said, "Because the initial evaluation fell short of expectations, the prospects for commercial success and awards ultimately depend on user response after launch and how quickly the developer responds," adding, "As with 'Cyberpunk 2077,' which was panned at release but improved through patches and updates, how quickly control schemes are improved and systems are streamlined will determine performance."