Despite some iffy reviews, Crimson Desert has sold over 2 million copies in its first day

When the Crimson Desert review embargo dropped, it didn’t exactly set the world alight. Many were expecting the Metacritic score to be in the 90s, but with it currently hovering around the 78 mark, some alarm bells might be ringing.

This doesn’t seem to have deterred people so far, though, as Pearl Abyss has announced that 2 million copies of Crimson Desert have been sold, less than 24 hours after the launch date.

Crimson Desert is a hit despite some flaws

In the lead-up to its launch, Crimson Desert seemed to have it all. It appeared to meld The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with Elden Ring, sprinkling some Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Assassin’s Creed into the mix.

This is extremely ambitious, and whether Pearl Abyss was able to pull it off was a huge question mark.

Some reviews have been very favorable but there have also been a number of damning experiences at the same time, with some gelling with Pywel, and others simply suggesting its dumpster fire material.

Despite what the reviews say, it’s clear that 2 million copies flying off the shelves before the weekend begins makes Crimson Desert a huge hit.

Some criticisms are valid, but the devs are already on it, listening “closely to the wide range of feedback,” while looking to “make improvements quickly.”

For me, personally, it’s a solid open-world experience that you should definitely play, whether that’s now, at full price, or a little later down the line at a lower outlay.

It’s just a good time. There are a plethora of gameplay systems to mess around with, boss fights are cool, and there’s just so much to do.

You could spend hundreds of hours in the gorgeous setting of Pywel if you really wanted to

Yes, the story isn’t exactly compelling, but it’s really not a be-all and end-all. Get some hours in, acquire some crazy skills, and just have fun.

I have the feeling it’s going to be one of those games that will get played years after launch, almost like a cult classic that a lot will go back to, exploring every nook and cranny possible.