Crimson Desert PS5 impressions slam performance, after criticism for no release date reviews

In the run-up to the Crimson Desert release date, there were concerns over the lack of PS5 footage. Pearl Abyss focused on the PS5 Pro and PC versions rather than showcasing base-console performance. Now that the game is out, many PlayStation gamers are noting blurry textures and inconsistent frame rates.

Some delayed PS5 reviews could be unkind

Reddit posts may hint at Crimson Desert reviews that deduct points for lackluster graphics. Many complaints describe blurriness regardless of whether gamers select Performance, Balanced, or Quality modes. There is a slider to tune this effect, but testers say it only has a minimal impact. Toggling off the 120Hz setting on compatible displays has helped some players.

Frame rates are also an issue, as they fail to maintain their targets. With the Performance option, the game often drops well below 60 fps. This is particularly true in towns or areas with many NPCs or enemies. Quality mode improves the resolution and gets closer to the advertised 30 fps. Yet the camera stutters noticeably, and movement is even more sluggish than expected.

On the Crimson Desert release date, YouTuber Reforge Gaming broadcast a live comparison of the console versions. He calls the overall image quality poor on the PS5, agreeing with posts highlighting the choppy visuals. While a powerful PC is the ideal way to experience the open world game, consoles suffer from screen tearing.

Did Pearl Abyss hide PS5 performance?

Reforge Gaming was more scathing than most testers, claiming that performance was unacceptable for a 2026 release. He advises against purchasing the title and even labels the Pearl Abyss marketing campaign as “misleading”. The company had defended its decision to prioritize showcasing videos for the PC audience.

Crimson Desert reviews may be more positive for the PS5 Pro, but not glowing. Benefiting from upgraded PSSR upscaling, images are sharper, though crowded scenes still cause frame rates to plummet.

Buyers should be aware that developers may push additional patches targeting the visuals. Also, there will likely be an in-depth technical analysis from sites like Digital Foundry soon. Even so, naysayers now feel justified in saying the publisher purposely hid the base PS5's performance.