Notebookcheck Logo

Deal | Missed out on the hype? This 2026 AAA title just got its first Steam discount

Crimson Desert is 20% off on Steam until September 9.
ⓘ Pearl Abyss
Crimson Desert is 20% off on Steam until September 9.
The acclaimed open-world adventure Crimson Desert is getting its first discount on Steam. Instead of around $70, the versatile AAA title is available for just $56 for a limited time.

Crimson Desert generated enormous hype when it launched in March 2026. The game is particularly praised for its almost absurd number of gameplay possibilities – as well as its versatile combat system. Anyone who missed out or simply didn’t want to spend $70 on a game at the time now has a chance to catch up. Crimson Desert is currently getting its first discount on Steam. The 20% discount brings the regular price down from around $70 to $56.

Crimson Desert puts players in the role of the mercenary Kliff, whose group is torn apart after an attack by the rival Black Bears. Many of his companions are killed, while others are scattered across the land. Kliff sets out to find the survivors and reunite the Greymanes. Along the way, he inevitably gets caught up in a much larger conflict that threatens all of Pywel. Kliff fights with swords, axes, spears and ranged weapons, but he can just as easily kick his enemies, grab them or toss them around with wrestling moves. There are also counters, special abilities and elemental attacks that can be combined into some pretty wild combos.

Pictured: A gameplay screenshot from Crimson Desert.
ⓘ Pearl Abyss
Pictured: A gameplay screenshot from Crimson Desert.
Pictured: A gameplay screenshot from Crimson Desert.
ⓘ Pearl Abyss
Pictured: A gameplay screenshot from Crimson Desert.

Elsewhere, the game seemingly throws just about everything into the mix: Players explore forests, deserts, cities and ancient ruins, search for treasure, climb rock faces and throw themselves into massive battles. Horses aren’t the only way to get around, either. Crimson Desert also lets players fly dragons or stomp across the landscape in mechs. Those who need a break from fighting can go fishing, hunting and cooking, try out minigames or expand their camp.

Wccftech awarded the game 9 out of 10 points, praising its dense open world, enormous gameplay freedom and versatile combat system. However, the story remains rather shallow, and the controls can be overly complex at times, according to the reviewers. These are also the main reasons why the game has fallen short of the 90% mark on Steam. Steam players have submitted around 167,000 reviews so far, 83% of which are positive. According to Steam, the title is unsupported on the Steam Deck. ProtonDB, however, suggests that the game runs well after a few adjustments.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.

Source(s)

Google LogoAdd as a preferred source on Google
Mail Logo
static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2026 08 > Missed out on the hype? This 2026 AAA title just got its first Steam discount
Marius Müller, 2026-08-25 (Update: 2026-08-25)