Crimson Desert Unveils Console Specs, Making Some Trade-offs for PS5

Crimson Desert’s pre-launch buzz has been quite the rollercoaster. As excitement swells online thanks to viral gameplay snippets and enthusiastic previews, the absence of console reviews at launch has left some gamers feeling uneasy, questioning if it’s all “too good to be true.” Pearl Abyss has finally disclosed how the game will perform on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, but gameplay footage on those platforms is still under wraps.

On March 10, just over a week before launch, the specs for PC and consoles were shared on social media. PC gamers will be pleased to learn that the game only requires 16GB of RAM across all settings and is compatible with graphics cards from the 1060 era. However, the console experience varies significantly. On the standard PS5, the performance mode is capped at 1080p resolution and aims for 60fps with Vsync and VRR.

In quality mode, the game utilizes ray tracing for lighting and reflections in its expansive open world, but it achieves 4K resolution by upscaling from 1440p. The balanced mode attempts to find a middle ground with 1280p upscaled to 4K at 40fps. The PS5 Pro can deliver native 4K with ray tracing, but only at 30fps. For those on Series S, brace yourself: performance mode will only manage 40fps at 720p.

While this could still translate into an impressive visual and gameplay experience, Pearl Abyss has yet to showcase any gameplay footage from the console versions of Crimson Desert. Although PC codes were distributed for launch reviews, they go live just a day before the game releases, leaving no time for hands-on console coverage before players decide whether to purchase.

“We’re not hiding anything, and I’m sick of having to repeat myself,” Pearl Abyss Marketing Director Will Powers stated on social media last week. “I’ve said countless times that we’ll reveal things ahead of launch to give people enough time to preorder the game for themselves. We’re being transparent… Let us cook? Please and thank you. /rant.”

Here’s hoping he’s right!