Crimson Desert's new expansion follows in the footsteps of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

The world of Crimson Desert has just become even larger following the release of its first paid expansion, Charting The Unknown, on October 29. Developed by Pearl Abyss, the DLC introduces the Great Ocean of Pywel, substantially expanding the original game's geographical boundaries. Community estimates suggest the combined map is now more than twice its previous size, with the newly accessible ocean reportedly covering an area larger than the original mainland. For context, the base game's continent was previously estimated to span approximately 200 square kilometers.

The expansion doesn't merely add enormous stretches of water. Players can sail between newly accessible islands, explore submerged ruins, discover hidden treasures and even use sharks as underwater mounts. A pirate-themed questline near Delesiya introduces shipbuilding, while island strongholds provide additional opportunities for expansion and management. Diving equipment also allows players to spend longer exploring beneath the surface, with further ocean-related story content becoming available after the Howling Hill section. Interested readers can access the interactive map here.

Despite the impressive scale, some players have questioned whether additional ocean space necessarily translates into meaningful exploration. Nevertheless, the expansion introduces several substantial gameplay additions alongside its geographical expansion. Charting The Unknown is available now on PS5, Xbox and PC, priced at $24.99. Additionally, Xbox players players can try out the base game and expansion with a 5-hour free trial from October 29, 2026 through January 7, 2027.