Since its recent launch on PlayStation 5, the highly anticipated open-world action-adventure title, Crimson Desert, has encountered a few bumps in the road. Developed by South Korean studio Pearl Abyss, known for Black Desert Online, the game has seen a flurry of patches deployed on the PS5 to address player-reported issues, primarily concerning blurry visuals and game crashes.
Despite considerable pre-launch hype, Crimson Desert‘s console debut has been met with a mixed reception. Prior to release, reviewers were given access only to the PC version, and promotional footage largely showcased the capabilities of the PS5 Pro. This led to speculation about the performance and visual fidelity of the base PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions. Now that the game is in players’ hands, these concerns have been amplified by reports of crashes and noticeably blurry graphics, particularly when the game is running in performance mode.
Addressing the Visual Glitches
A significant point of contention for many players has been the visual quality, with numerous reports highlighting a pervasive blurriness. While some have speculated this could be a widespread issue, there’s a growing consensus that it might be linked to the PlayStation 5’s 120Hz output mode. Several users have reported successfully mitigating the blurriness by disabling the ‘enable 120Hz Output’ option within the console’s Video Output settings.
Pearl Abyss’s PR and marketing director has indeed acknowledged and recommended this adjustment. However, according to insights from Digital Foundry’s John Linneman, the problem appears to be more nuanced. He suggests that the visual artifact is primarily an issue for displays that support 120Hz input but struggle to maintain a stable 4K resolution at that refresh rate. Essentially, it’s a compatibility problem with certain TV models that can accept a 120Hz signal but only at lower resolutions.
Crashing Concerns and Workarounds
Beyond the visual compromises, some players on PlayStation 5 have also experienced frustrating game crashes. A notable instance captured by X user CountryKratos demonstrated the game freezing while navigating the in-game map, culminating in an error message. While not a Cyberpunk 2077-level crisis, these crashes are disruptive and detract from the overall player experience.
Rapid Patching Efforts
Pearl Abyss has been quick to respond to these early criticisms, rolling out multiple patches for the PlayStation 5 version in rapid succession. The initial patch, version 1.00.01, addressed a range of issues including user interface bugs, localisation errors, and general usability improvements for various systems and content.
A subsequent patch, released on March 20, delved into more specific problems. This update resolved a particularly irksome issue where players were forced to replay a puzzle section before a boss fight in Chapter 4 after dying. Additionally, the ability to fast-forward recently viewed cutscenes has been enhanced for a smoother progression. Players can find comprehensive details of these patch notes online.
Platform Parity and Future Prospects
It’s important to note that while the PlayStation 5 version has received immediate attention, Pearl Abyss has indicated that similar patches will be deployed to other platforms, including Xbox Series X/S, the Epic Games Store, and the Mac App Store, at a later date.
For those considering diving into Crimson Desert on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S, it might be prudent to exercise a little patience. Waiting a few weeks for the developers to iron out these initial kinks across all platforms could lead to a more polished and enjoyable experience from the outset. The developers are clearly committed to refining the game, and these early patches are a testament to that dedication.
