Gate to the Otherworld quest walkthrough in Crimson Desert The Scholastone Institute puzzle is a key part of the "Gate to the Otherworld" quest in the Crimson Desert, which players encounter during the "Forbidden Knowledge" chapter. This puzzle occurs when visiting the Scholastone Institute in the southwest region of Hernand. To solve it, players must follow a specific sequence of actions. After speaking with the Dean at the Scholastone Institute, the player is tasked with assisting Octavius' experiment by solving the puzzle. The first step involves locating the lock device switch, which is hidden underground. Players should walk south from the entrance, descend to the lower ledge, and proceed upstairs into a large chamber. Around a corner in this chamber, a square set of buttons will be visible. The puzzle requires pressing the buttons in a precise order. Once the correct sequence is completed, the player must pull the lever positioned behind the puzzle. Returning to Octavius outside, the next step is to activate the device by inserting floating electric cubes—referred to as batteries—into the square sockets. Each battery is already positioned near a pillar, making the placement straightforward. To move the batteries into place, players should use the Axiom Force ability. Once positioned correctly, the Force Palm ability is used to push the batteries into the sockets. After this, Octavius activates an unstable core, prompting the player to use Axiom Force on the core and pull it until it explodes. This action completes the puzzle. Following the explosion, a Tenebrum boss battle immediately begins. Defeating Tenebrum concludes the "Gate to the Otherworld" quest, allowing players to enter the Spire of the Stars.#crimson_desert #scholastone_institute #octavius #spire_of_the_stars #tenebrum
Pearl Abyss Shares Stabilize After Crimson Desert Sales Surpass 3 Million Pearl Abyss, the developer behind the action-adventure game Crimson Desert, reported that its share prices have stabilized following confirmation that the title has sold over three million copies. The company initially faced a sharp decline in stock value after the game’s mixed critical reception was revealed last week. Share prices dropped by 27.4% following the lifting of the review embargo, which exposed a divided response from critics. However, the developer has since taken steps to address feedback, releasing three patches between the game’s launch and the present day. The most recent update was deployed on March 24. Crimson Desert launched on March 19, sparking a range of opinions among reviewers. While some praised its RPG combat mechanics, others criticized the game’s underdeveloped narrative and overwhelming gameplay complexity. The title’s mixed reception contributed to the initial drop in share prices. In response, Pearl Abyss announced plans to conduct a "comprehensive audit" of its in-game assets, citing the "unintentional" inclusion of AI-generated art as a key issue. The company’s efforts to address these concerns appear to have helped stabilize its financial position. The game’s sales milestone of three million copies marks a significant achievement for Pearl Abyss, which has been navigating challenges related to its self-publishing model. The studio’s ability to maintain investor confidence despite mixed reviews highlights its resilience in the competitive gaming market. As the patches continue to roll out, the long-term impact on player satisfaction and share performance remains to be seen.#game_sales #crimson_desert #pearl_abyss #stock_prices #patches
Crimson Desert: A Unique RPG Experience That Captivates After 40 Hours After spending 40 hours immersed in Crimson Desert, I’m still eager to continue. This action-RPG masterfully combines elements from Dragon’s Dogma’s combat, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s open-world freedom, and innovative ideas from recent open-world titles. The result is a game that feels both familiar and fresh, offering a compelling blend of mechanics that sets it apart in the genre. The story follows Kliff, the leader of a mercenary squad called the Greymanes. After a sudden attack on their camp, Kliff is killed but resurrected by divine forces to fulfill a greater purpose. This setup immediately thrusts players into action, setting the tone for a game that prioritizes exploration and combat. However, the experience is far from straightforward. The game’s steep learning curve requires mastering a complex control scheme, which can feel overwhelming at first. Crimson Desert is a systems-heavy title that utilizes every gamepad button and combination to unlock Kliff’s abilities. While this creates unique interactions, such as the Ocarina of Time-style targeting system for engaging with NPCs, it also introduces unnecessary complexity. For example, I struggled to locate my lantern in the early hours of gameplay because I couldn’t figure out how to sheath my weapon to access it. This oversight led to hours of navigating dark environments without light, a frustration that highlights the game’s manual, "hands-on" approach. The controls demand muscle memory, requiring players to relearn genre staples, much like driving a manual transmission after being used to automatics. Despite the initial hurdles, the controls are worth mastering, as they contribute to the game’s engaging and rewarding gameplay.#red_dead_redemption_2 #crimson_desert #kliff #greymanes #tears_of_the_kingdom
Gamers Aren’t Happy With One of 2026’s Biggest New Games One of the most anticipated titles of 2026 has already achieved commercial success, but players remain split on whether it deserves to be considered a true contender for game of the year. Nearly three months into the year, several high-profile releases are vying for early recognition, yet the latest AAA title is struggling with mixed reactions despite its strong sales and positive reviews. Crimson Desert, the latest open-world adventure game, has quickly become a commercial hit, with over 2 million copies sold in its first few days. Critics have praised its stunning visuals, particularly on the PS5 Pro and high-end PCs, though it still delivers impressive graphics on the Series X and base PS5. The game’s ambitious design and immersive world have earned it a 78 Metascore and comparisons to classics like Red Dead Redemption 2. However, players are pointing out significant flaws in its execution. The game’s complexity and open-ended gameplay have led to frustration among some users. While its vast world and detailed environments are highlights, the steep learning curve and clunky interface have made it difficult for newcomers to adapt. The controller’s crowded button mappings and inventory system, which differs from traditional RPGs, have drawn criticism. Despite these issues, the game maintains a user score of 7.7 on Metacritic, which is strong but not yet indicative of a top-tier contender. Developers Pearl Abyss, known for their work on MMOs, have acknowledged community concerns and pledged to address bugs and usability problems through frequent updates. The studio’s experience with long-term game maintenance suggests they are committed to refining the experience. However, the challenge lies in balancing the game’s ambitious scope with a polished user experience.#crimson_desert #pearl_abyss #ps5 #xbox_series #metacritic
Crimson Desert's Steam Pre-Order Revenue Estimated at $20 Million Two Days Ahead of Launch Crimson Desert has generated significant buzz ahead of its March 19 launch, with research firm Alinea Insights estimating that the game has already surpassed $20 million in Steam revenue based on pre-orders. The figure is derived from an approximate 400,000 pre-orders, placing the title at the top of Steam's Top Sellers list. This achievement has allowed it to surpass long-standing chart leaders like Counter-Strike in the U.S. and the recent indie hit Slay the Spire 2, which dropped to fourth place. On SteamDB, Crimson Desert currently ranks as the fourth most-wishlisted game, with over 170,000 followers. The game’s success has been attributed to its accessible hardware requirements, which stood out in an industry increasingly focused on high-end specifications. This decision, announced prior to the launch, contributed to its growing popularity. Alinea Insights highlighted the studio’s community engagement efforts as a key factor in its success, noting the transparency and authenticity of its interactions with players. A recent gameplay demo shared on the PlayStation Japan YouTube channel further bolstered its reputation and anticipation. The pre-launch momentum has been sustained by the development team’s focus on fostering a strong online presence. The game’s position on Steam’s charts and its high wishlist count reflect the confidence of both players and critics. As the launch date approaches, the game’s performance in the first days of availability will likely provide further insights into its market impact.#steam #crimson_desert #alinea_insights #playstation_japan #counter_strike
Crimson Desert on PS5 Pro: A Stunning Open-World Experience Developer Pearl Abyss has made a bold statement with Crimson Desert, showcasing a unique approach to open-world design through its proprietary BlackSpace Engine. Unlike many games relying on Unreal Engine 5, the studio has crafted a system that emphasizes near-field detail and vast scale, creating an environment that feels both immersive and visually striking. The game’s ability to deliver such a distinctive experience has drawn attention, particularly with its performance on the PlayStation 5 Pro. While much of the game’s footage has been showcased on PC, Pearl Abyss has taken a confident step by providing a near-final version of Crimson Desert to PS5 Pro owners. The results are impressive, with ray tracing enabled across all three graphics modes. This ensures consistent lighting quality, though the denoiser occasionally struggles with streaking in high-contrast areas. Still, these issues are far less severe than the visual artifacts seen in recent titles like Resident Evil Requiem. The game also leverages displacement mapping at an unprecedented scale, adding depth to textures and making every surface—be it stone or brick—appear meticulously detailed. Pearl Abyss has outlined three graphics modes for PS5 Pro: optimal (performance), balanced, and quality. Each targets different frame rates and resolutions. The optimal mode prioritizes 60fps, while balanced and quality modes aim for 40fps and 30fps respectively. Base resolutions are set at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K, with upscaling used to enhance visual fidelity. This approach addresses the common issue of low base resolutions in current-gen consoles, though some minor artifacts may persist until the upgraded PSSR (PlayStation Super Sampling Renderer) is fully implemented.#playstation_5_pro #crimson_desert #pearl_abyss #blackspace_engine #unreal_engine_5
Crimson Desert is on track for a killer launch Crimson Desert, the highly anticipated action-adventure game from Pearl Abyss, is generating massive pre-launch buzz and setting strong sales metrics on Steam. Developed over seven years by the creators of the popular MMO Black Desert, the game has evolved from a prequel concept into a standalone open-world experience. Set in the war-torn continent of Pywel, the game blends high-fidelity combat with deep environmental interaction, offering players a vast array of gameplay mechanics and a sense of discovery. Launching on March 17 for $70 across PC, PS5, and Xbox, the title has already captured the attention of gamers and critics alike. Pre-launch data suggests Crimson Desert is outperforming other major titles in its category. As of recent reports, the game has surpassed 400,000 pre-orders on Steam, generating over $20 million in revenue. Notably, more than 10% of these sales occurred in a single 24-hour period, highlighting the game’s strong market appeal. The pre-launch metrics are particularly impressive when compared to other successful titles like Expedition 33 and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. Three days before its release, Crimson Desert’s Steam sales are estimated to be nearly 10 times higher than Expedition 33’s and four times higher than KCD2’s at the same stage of their respective lifecycles. Pearl Abyss has also focused heavily on community engagement, addressing concerns and fostering trust. The developers have been transparent about the game’s design, clarifying that it is an action-adventure title rather than a traditional RPG. They’ve avoided overhyping the game, emphasizing its lack of character creators, branching dialogue, or traditional leveling systems. This approach has helped manage expectations and avoid the pitfalls seen with other high-profile titles.#crimson_desert #pearl_abyss #black_desert #pywel #will_powers
Sony Announces PlayStation 5 Pro Upgraded PSSR For Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Crimson Desert, And More Sony has revealed that the PlayStation 5 Pro will soon support an enhanced version of its Spectral Super Resolution technology, known as PSSR. This upgrade allows developers to leverage the console’s advanced processing power to deliver sharper visuals and smoother gameplay. The improved PSSR system, which was first introduced with Resident Evil Requiem last month, is now being integrated into eleven additional titles. According to a blog post by Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications’ senior director Sid Shuman, the updated PSSR technology offers more precise image reconstruction, enhanced motion stability, and greater flexibility for developers to balance performance and graphical fidelity on the PS5 Pro. The blog also includes a list of games adopting the feature, along with developer quotes and sample screenshots. The latest PSSR upgrade will be included in the next PS5 system software update, which began rolling out on March 16 at 10 a.m. Pacific time. Games confirmed to benefit from the enhancement include Silent Hill f, Silent Hill 2 (2024), Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Control, Alan Wake 2, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Rise of the Ronin, Nioh 3, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Dragon’s Dogma 2. Additional titles such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Cyberpunk 2077 will receive the upgrade through future patches, with release dates to be announced in the coming weeks. Crimson Desert, a new game in the Final Fantasy series, will launch with the upgraded PSSR technology on March 19. The update underscores Sony’s ongoing efforts to enhance the PS5 Pro’s capabilities, ensuring developers can push the boundaries of visual quality and performance.#sony #playstation_5_pro #spectral_super_resolution #final_fantasy_vii_rebirth #crimson_desert
Crimson Desert's BlackSpace Engine: Rich On RT Without Compromising Performance Crimson Desert has been on my radar since I first saw it at CES, but conversations with developer Pearl Abyss have made me realize this could be a groundbreaking title. It’s a large-scale, single-player open-world RPG built on the proprietary BlackSpace Engine, designed to balance high-end rendering features with strong performance. The latest footage suggests Pearl Abyss may have succeeded in this ambitious goal. The RX 7900 XTX is a capable GPU, but the footage shows a work-in-progress build using last-generation AMD hardware. No upscaling is in use, yet performance remains impressive—unlike the typical experience seen in Unreal Engine 5 titles at similar settings. The visual cohesion in the presentation is standout. The medieval aesthetic blends vast landscapes, varied environmental types ("biomes"), dense towns, and expansive indoor spaces. It evokes Dragon’s Dogma 2 in terms of world structure but expands on it with broader scope and deeper systemic design. There are also hints of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in how the game world and its systems interact, including time-of-day cycles, dynamic weather, and a lived-in environment that complements an excellent lighting system. Ray-traced global illumination is central to the experience, applied across both indoor and exterior environments. Crucially, this appears to be a per-pixel solution rather than a probe-driven hybrid system, delivering convincing bounce lighting and nuanced indirect illumination with believable contrast. RT-based reflections are also evident, particularly in standing water, likely combined with screen-space reflections depending on distance and on-screen content.#crimson_desert #pearl_abyss #blackspace_engine #rx_7900_xtx #dragon_s_dogma_2
