Crimson Desert (Xbox One/SX)

Ein monumentales Meisterwerk, das trotz Bugs, sperriger Menüs und einer gewöhnungsbedürftigen Steuerung eine Sogwirkung entfaltet, der man sich kaum entziehen kann.

A vast single player game that's shaped by its original vision to be an MMO, it's gigantic and packed full of interesting places, but its story is incredibly rough and delivered awkwardly at best. Combat is excellent, but the bosses are mostly awful. There is always a negative side to the game's positives, but I feel those positives outshine them anyway.

A vast world and even vaster array of MMO-like activities mix with glittering fidelity in Crimson Desert, but what good is it without much character, texture or charm?

Yet despite these sore spots, Crimson Desert is a frequently thrilling game, elevated by an open world well worth exploring and hard-hitting combat that delights with its depth and emphasis on player expression. It might not always be the most cohesive game, mixing high fantasy with steampunk and sci-fi elements, but there's nothing else quite like it, and I can't help but be impressed by how little restraint Pearl Abyss has shown in its commitment to delightful absurdity. In some respects, Crimson Desert might not be too good to be true, but it's a world worth getting lost in.