Crimson Desert launched last week to fairly middling reviews, though some players have embraced it. However, finicky controls and a lack of meaningful story have led many to seek alternatives. Here are five open world games that offer similar experiences.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an obvious choice. Its stunning open world and attention to detail match or exceed Crimson Desert. Set in the early 20th century as the cowboy era ends, it features multiple biomes to explore on horseback. The focus system, which lets you hone in on NPCs for immersive interactions, is also borrowed from this game.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt shares a fantasy-medieval setting with magic. Its story, following Geralt of Rivia searching for his daughter Ciri, is superior to Crimson Desert's. Combat is less in-depth but relies on potions and spells. A secret DLC is rumoured, making now a good time to start.
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has sky islands with puzzles and an underground area. Its Ultrahand ability is similar to a skill in Crimson Desert. A 60fps update on Switch 2 makes it worth replaying.
Black Desert Online, from the same developer, is an MMO with many character classes, real-time combat, and a deep region system. It offers great value for time invested.
Dragon's Dogma 2, from Capcom, has a fantasy setting with various classes for different play styles, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
