Pearl Abyss has dropped a fresh 13-minute gameplay showcase for Crimson Desert, giving fans an extended look at what’s coming in the Gamescom 2025 demo. 
While the delay news still stings – the release is now pushed into Q1 of the company’s FY2026 – this footage is the clearest view yet of the ambitious action-adventure that’s been in the works since its reveal back in 2019.
The demo slice shown includes cinematic narrative beats, open-world exploration, and a lengthy combat section culminating in a fierce boss fight against Cassius Morten. We see protagonist Greymane Kliff and his companions barely survive an ambush before Kliff steps up for a one-on-one duel that’s as brutal as it is cinematic. It’s the kind of battle that shows off the game’s fluid combat system and attention to detail.
This marks the second big delay for Crimson Desert. Initially set to arrive after Gamescom 2024’s showcase, it slipped to fall 2025 – and now to early 2026. Seven years from announcement to release is a long wait, but judging by the polish and scale in this gameplay, Pearl Abyss seems committed to delivering something worthy of that patience. For those heading to Gamescom, the playable demo will reportedly include all the footage shown here plus a bit more, giving fans a rare chance to step into Kliff’s boots ahead of launch.