Even months before launch, Crimson Desert had already earned a reputation for being a massive amalgamation of what feels like almost every genre, every mechanic, and really the most popular games ever made. It was often cited as “too good to be true” for that reason, as many gamers could not imagine that a single game could pack so much into a video game and still be playable. As it eventually turned out, Crimson Desert proved to be very true, and while it had plenty of quality-of-life issues at first that prevented it from being the cohesive experience that Pearl Abyss intended it to be, the developer has worked hard to smooth out the game's rough edges, increase its accessibility, and ultimately turn it into one of 2026's best games so far.
But again, many of these early problems were simply due to how much the game was trying to do at once, and how challenging it is to make a melting pot that Crimson Desert into a coherent composition. However, that scope doesn't just show up in combat, puzzle-solving, or large-scale encounters, but extends to the types of activities it supports across the board. For a game based on intense battles and demanding progress, Crimson Desert still manages to house a whole cozy gameplay loop within its design, with fishing, cooking, crafting and camping all sitting alongside its more aggressive systems. And while it's easy to approach the game as constantly demanding more from the player, it's equally capable of letting them slow down and engage with it at a completely different pace.
Crimson Desert has already done what many AAA games fail to do soon enough
Crimson Desert sold millions quickly, but its real story is how quick fixes changed everything before early criticism caught on.
Crimson Desert is almost entirely playable as a cozy game
Crimson Desert is not a cozy game by any means. For example, if players were to try to clear up the game's story – which involves encounters with some incredibly tough bosses – or even focus on finding the most overpowered armor and Abyss Gears, they're likely to find a considerable challenge to overcome at every turn. But breaking away from all this is possible to simply exist in Crimson Deserts open world, almost without a single care in the world. In fact, once players get past a certain point in the game's early history, they can ignore all but its cheesiest activities and have the kind of stress-free gaming sessions they can normally only find in other genres.
Crimson Desert's Coziest Activities
- FISHING — Catch fish in calm waters all over the world.
- COOKING — Cook meals using collected ingredients and recipes.
- AGRICULTURE — Grow crops and harvest resources over time.
- GATHERING — Collect herbs, wood and natural materials manually.
- RANCHING — Raise animals and collect renewable materials passively.
- BREAK — Extract ores and resources from environment nodes.
- HUNTING — Track wildlife and collect materials at a relaxed pace.
- CRAFTS — Create items and tools with collected materials.
- HORSE TAMING — Capture and bond with wild horses around the world.
- CAMP BUILDING — Expand the Greymane camp into a functioning settlement hub.
- MISSION ASSIGNMENT — Send companions to passively collect resources.
- PLAYER RESIDENCE — Decorate a personal home with a variety of furniture.
- MINIGAME — Compete in arm wrestling, horse races, archery competitions and more.
- EXPLORATION — Wander freely and discover places without structured pressure.
Crimson Desert shows its cozy side in many ways, but it starts with a handful of activities that players can find in almost any cozy game that Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing. Players can fish in almost any body of water in the game. Herbs can be picked from the ground, and trees can be cut down, mineral veins mined, for wood and ore respectively. Crimson DesertThe abundant wildlife can be hunted using melee weapons, bows, or rifles, and their meat can then be cooked over a campfire to produce meals that can restore the player's Health, Stamina, Spirit, or provide other bonuses. But all this is far from the bottom of the barrel.
Crimson Desert's camp system gives players a cozy, comfortable home in Pywel
Crimson Desert has a camp building system that is almost entirely optional, but still worth the investment. For what it's worth from a gameplay standpoint, though, it's nice to be able to have a fully upgradeable settlement in Pywel that players can call home. By participating in Crimson Deserts best quest line revolves around reuniting the Greymanes, players will eventually turn their humble camp into a one-stop-shop of sorts they can rely on for various resources and luxuries they would otherwise have to travel elsewhere for.
Crimson Desert shows its cozy side in many ways, but it starts with a handful of activities that players can find in almost any cozy game that Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing.
To upgrade the camp in Crimson Desertplayers can send their Greymanes out on dozens of different dispatch missions that offer valuable resources like wood, stone and food when completed. Of course, it's not possible to upgrade the camp until certain quests are completed, but it's still perfect for cozy fans since these side stories generally involve following quests and fetching quests that require very little effort.
Once the camp has been fully upgraded, players will have unlocked a fully functional farm where they can plant seeds and harvest the produce from, a ranch where they can raise animals and even slaughter them if they want, and a nearby house that can be furnished with decorations and other items found around. Crimson Deserts open world or purchased from certain merchants. They will also have access to various vendors at their camp offering everything from haircuts to jewelry, and even a forge where they can craft weapons, armor, and accessories.
Crimson Desert's World is still cozy just to exist in
But a large part of it does Crimson Desert feels like a cozy game within a game is how relaxing just existing in your world can feel. There's almost never anything that pulls players in one direction or another, and while it can be difficult to get used to initially, it's actually one of the most liberating things about the game. What it wants more than anything is for players to hop on their horse and ride towards the horizon, letting their curiosity lead them where it will. And speaking of horses, there are plenty of wild horses out there for players to tame.
While out exploring Pywel's world, players will likely pass through towns filled with NPCs that feel like they really react to the player's presence. Even bumping into NPCs Crimson Desert can get a reaction out of them – almost annoyingly so. However, within these cities, beggars may often walk the streets asking for money, some NPCs may request the player's attention so they can deliver a letter on time, or the local butcher may try to sell fresh meat for cooking. There are also mini-games that players can enjoy in these locations, such as archery contests, melee brawls, arm wrestling matches, and even Crimson Deserts own game play Duo.
A large part of what does Crimson Desert feels like a cozy game within a game is how relaxing just existing in your world can feel.
Of course, Crimson Desert may feel like a game that constantly demands something from the player, but that's not the only way to play it. For a game built around intensity, scale and challenge, the fact that it can just as easily support slower, more relaxed play is part of what makes the design so unusual. Taking the time to lean into that page, then, doesn't mean taking a step away from what the game is, but simply seeing more of what it already offers, and realizing that some of its best moments aren't in the fights, but in everything that happens between them.
- Released
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March 19, 2026
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood, drug reference, intense violence, strong language
- Developer
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Pearl Abyss
- Publisher
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Pearl Abyss
