Crimson Desert Falls Short of Hype in PS5 Footage

Anticipation and PC Showcases

I watched the PC clips and they looked like real life to me. You probably want your game to look that good on your big TV at home. Pearl Abyss made a world that looked perfect in those early videos they shared. I found that the developers kept very quiet about how the PS5 version would run for a long time. Everyones excitement grew way too big because of that long silence. This game was supposed to be the next big thing for every console player.

Console Performance Details

Your PS5 runs the game at 1080p in the Performance mode. I think 60 FPS is okay but the ray tracing looks very weak in that setting. The Quality mode gives you 4K but the 30 FPS speed feels like molasses to me. Xbox Series S owners get a tiny 720p for their fast setting which is quite low. If you have a PS5 Pro, you get native 4K at 30 FPS or a better 4K at 60. I feel that less people own that expensive console than the base one right now. You should check your settings before you start playing the game.

Actual PS5 Gameplay Observations

I saw the Sony Play Play video and it made me feel a bit sad. You can see that the textures look way flatter than the ones on the PC. Lighting does not pop like it did in those first trailers we all loved. Youtube compression makes everything look more blurry than it should be in my opinion. The game still plays fine but the visual magic is mostly gone. You will notice the difference if you compare it to the high-end computer footage.

Why the Discrepancy?

My guess is that these consoles just cannot keep up with the newest PC parts. Developers hide things because they want you to buy the game before you see the truth. I remember how Cyberpunk did the same thing with their early console footage. This game looks like every other title you already own on your shelf today. It is very hard to shrink a giant world down into a small plastic box. You are seeing the limits of what a five year old console can actually do.

Gameplay Still Holds Value

I think the fighting still feels very fast and it is fun to play. You will love how big the battles feel when you are right in the middle of them. Exploring a huge world is still a good way for you to spend your free time. Graphics are not everything if the story keeps you hooked to the screen. My time with the game showed me that it is still a solid experience for most people. Try and focus on the action instead of looking at the grass textures.

Final Thoughts

You need to lower your expectations before you hit that start button on your controller. Pearl Abyss waited a long time to show us the truth about the PS5 version. I recommend you play it for the fun and not for the pretty pictures. Consoles are getting old and this game really proves that point. Get ready for a good game that just looks average compared to the hype. I hope you enjoy the journey even if it is not perfect.