Film

Crimson Desert PS5 Demo Leaves Gamers Divided

19 March 2026

There are just a few hours to go until the launch of Crimson Desert and with publications sharing mixed reviews, it seems as though the Pearl Abyss open-world action-adventure title is proving as polarizing as we had expected. However, there is one other thing that is making potential fans hesitant, especially as Crimson Desert is set to be one of the biggest game launches of 2026.

In recent years, both major AAA and indie releases allow players to check out their upcoming titles courtesy of betas, demos, or free access weekends. This not only allows the player to get a feel for the game ahead of splashing the cash, but also gives the developers an opportunity to gain some much-needed feedback.

However, it seems as though Pearl Abyss has not had the same worries.

No Demo For Crimson Desert Is A “Red Flag”, Gamer Argues

Strange floating monoliths in Crimson Desert

In a recent discussion over on r/CrimsonDesert, one user shared, “No demo is a red flag. “Confirmed no demo because “a demo would not show the game in the best light.” In my opinion, a straight-up lie and shows a lack of confidence from the studio. If they are too scared to release a demo, it tells a lot about the game. A demo would not be hard to pull off. Elden Ring managed it (beta test) and was really well received. What are your thoughts on this?… I just find it weird that they bombard people with videos about everything the game has to offer, but wet their pants at the idea of consumers trying the game to see how it feels and see its performance.”

It is true that Pearl Abyss has not allowed players to get a sneak peek at gameplay for Crimson Desert, with only game testers and reviewers getting the chance to play it ahead of launch. Now with a myriad of mixed reviews, it does seem like a demo or early access period could have benefited the upcoming release. Our very own Lee D’Amato called Crimson Desert “ambitious to a fault” in his review, giving it an above average 7/10.

Ultimately, Crimson Desert could’ve benefited from a willingness to say no. Sure, it’s cool to have all these different features under one roof, but I’d rather have half as many, and each one twice as deep, interesting, and impactful on the world. Crimson Desert is a beautiful game, and at times a fascinating one, but for all its interesting ideas, it never really meshes into a cohesive whole.

Crimson Desert Looks Like It Runs Fine On A Base PS5

Crimson Desert protagonist sitting in the woods

However, what is reassuring about Crimson Desert is that it seemingly runs perfectly fine on the base PlayStation 5, which is reassuring to learn considering that it is such a massive open world title. As demonstrated on the official PlayStation Japan YouTube page, both combat and open-world exploration seemingly run pretty smoothly, which is a relief to those who will be splashing upwards of $86 on the Pearl Abyss title. Nevertheless, performance may be one thing, but the game’s ambition may just prove to be its downfall and the rest of the world will be able to make their minds up when Crimson Desert launches worldwide in just a few hours.