Pearl Abyss recently announced that its highly anticipated open-world action-adventure game, Crimson Desert, has garnered significant attention from major global gaming outlets, including IGN, which featured it in their “most anticipated games of 2026” list.
The recognition from IGN, North America’s largest gaming media outlet, came through their “IGN First” program, which provides exclusive previews of upcoming titles. The six-part series highlighted various aspects of the game, including its combat system, expansive open world, quests, and epic boss battles. IGN praised the developers for crafting a “deep, multi-layered combat system” and noted the team’s “surprising” creative vision, reinforcing the game’s reputation for rich content and innovative combat design.
In addition to IGN, MMORPG.com also recognized Crimson Desert as its “Most Anticipated” game for 2026, following a vote among its journalists; over half of them chose Crimson Desert. The outlet expressed excitement after playing various demos, describing a sense of longing to keep playing after their sessions exploring the game’s immersive world and combat scenarios.
ComicBook added to the accolades by listing Crimson Desert as one of the “Biggest Open-World Games” of 2026. The outlet highlighted the game’s stunning landscapes and interactive environments, asserting that it weaves gameplay and narrative together seamlessly to leave players with a lasting impression.
Expectations were echoed further by Wccftech, which expressed eagerness to experience Kliff’s adventure on the continent of Pywel. They predicted that Crimson Desert has the potential to be the leading open-world action game of the year based on its impressive demonstrations so far.
European media outlets also shared their enthusiasm. TechRadar recognized Crimson Desert as the most ambitious action game anticipated for release, noting that it could serve as a “dream game” for fans by integrating elements from various gaming masterpieces. GameStar, Germany’s largest gaming publication, praised the game’s expansive view distance and noted how Pearl Abyss’ proprietary BlackSpace Engine showcases modern gaming features, including real-time global illumination and ray tracing.
Spain’s HobbyConsolas selected Crimson Desert for its promising graphics, while Japan’s GameSpark emphasized the game’s ability to combine vast battlefields with numerous NPC interactions, predicting its substantial influence on the market in 2026.
Notably, Digital Foundry, a leading North American YouTube gaming channel, recognized Crimson Desert as “CES 2026’s best game,” commending its informative demo and innovative technology from the in-house BlackSpace Engine. The focus on realistically rendered environments added to the game’s appeal and underlined the advancements being made by the Korean studio.
Crimson Desert is set on the vast continent of Pywel and follows the journey of protagonist Kliff alongside his Greymanes companions. The game is scheduled for a worldwide release on March 20 for PC and console platforms, with pre-orders now available through the official website. It will be accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Mac, and the Epic Games Store.
The continuous positive reception of Crimson Desert highlights the anticipation surrounding its release and the potential for it to become a groundbreaking title in the action-adventure genre. With its commitment to delivering a polished experience during global game shows, Pearl Abyss shows promise in developing a captivating gaming experience for players.