Crimson Desert is such a large game that there are many different reasons why players might appreciate it (or not). Pearl Abyss’ new title tries to do a lot of things at once, but its main focus lies on exploration, a strong sense of adventure, and combat.
Has your adventure in Crimson Desert come to an end, and are you ready to immerse yourself in a completely new atmosphere? Then look no further than the games below.
Red Dead Redemption 2
In certain ways, Crimson Desert breathes Red Dead Redemption 2. You can see it at first glance in the game’s style. The light grey map icons with question marks indicating undiscovered quests or activities, the style of the subtitles, and the transitions between gameplay and cutscenes all strongly resemble Rockstar’s game.
But a much more important similarity lies in how alive both worlds feel. Nearly eight years after its release, the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is still widely regarded as one of –if not the – most living worlds in gaming.
You can spend hours simply walking or riding around without actively looking for a quest or side activity, and you will still constantly encounter interesting situations. Random encounters might occur, such as someone bitten by a snake or a woman in need of help getting back home. You will come across wildlife going about their daily routines, NPCs living their own believable lives, and events that progress naturally over time.
Like Crimson Desert, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game that revolves around the immersive experience. Players will truly feel like they are stepping into the boots of protagonist Arthur Morgan and becoming part of the world itself. That same sense of immersion is also one of Crimson Desert’s greatest strengths.
And as an added bonus: unlike Crimson Desert, Red Dead Redemption 2 also offers a fantastic story and one of the best protagonists gaming has ever seen.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Another game where the landscape itself almost functions as much as a protagonist as the actual main character. Eleven years after its release, CD Projekt RED’s masterpiece has aged like the finest wine. The Continent still looks stunning and, much like in Crimson Desert, invites players to explore every corner of its world while rewarding those who take the time to do so.
Where the paths of Crimson Desert and The Witcher 3 mostly diverge, and quite strongly in favor of the latter, is in its story and characters. To this day, The Witcher 3 features the best side quests I have ever experienced in a game. Protagonist Geralt of Rivia has a personality that Kliff could only dream of matching, and through dialogue choices you can still shape parts of that personality yourself.
The one aspect of The Witcher 3 that has aged less gracefully is its combat, though it was never particularly special even at the time of release. It does its job well enough, but the real focus lies on world-building and character development.
Crimson Desert also seems to draw some inspiration from this game when it comes to its soundtrack. Wild Hunt features one of the best soundtracks of all time and also includes what might just be the best minigame ever created in the form of Gwent. More than enough reasons to embark on this adventure.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
In Crimson Desert, I often find myself enjoying the simple life. I like searching for comrades to expand my camp, sending them out on various missions to gather resources, and then heading back into the world myself to explore.
That experience closely mirrors how I spent most of my time in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. In my review of Warhorse Studios’ fantastic RPG, I awarded the game a remarkable 9.5 and called it the most immersive game I have ever played.
This game also presents players with a breathtaking and enormous map where you can easily lose yourself for hours. The world is packed with main quests, side quests that come surprisingly close to matching those of the game above, and plenty of random activities.
The one area where the game falls slightly short is combat. However, if you are looking for another game world where something interesting is always happening, you really cannot go wrong with Kingdom Come. It is not strictly necessary, but if you want to experience the full story of protagonist Henry of Skalitz, I would recommend starting with the first game, which is every bit as immersive.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
If it is the living world of Crimson Desert that brought you to this list, you will find it taken to the next level in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The inhabitants of the beautifully crafted kingdom of Hyrule rarely feel programmed. When it starts raining they comment on it, take shelter, and certain quests may temporarily become unavailable. At one point, while I was simply exploring outside of any quest, I jumped on a bridge and a nearby NPC shouted in panic for me to come down, reminding me that there was still plenty to live for.
These are just a few examples in a massive adventure filled with moments like this. In some ways, Crimson Desert feels like a more photorealistic version of Breath of the Wild. Everything you see around you and in the distance can be explored, and there is often a reward waiting for those who take the time to investigate.
The physics-based puzzles in Crimson Desert also appear to take clear inspiration from this game. Moving objects using special abilities is something you will frequently do while making your way through the many temples scattered across Hyrule.
Elden Ring
If there is one game that has been widely praised for its sense of freedom and exploration, it is Elden Ring.
One major similarity with Crimson Desert is how the deep field of view constantly reveals interesting points of interest when you look around. When a building or location in the distance catches your eye, there is a good chance that something worthwhile is waiting for you there.
As we have come to expect from FromSoftware games, the difficulty level here is high. The many boss fights will push players to their limits, but overcoming these challenges will almost always reward you with something valuable.
Unlike Crimson Desert, however, you can expect a real death penalty here. Caution is advised if you are brave enough to venture into the Lands Between as your next breathtaking game world.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Released in 2011, Skyrim is the oldest game on this list, but Bethesda Game Studios’ classic is still an excellent choice if you are looking for the same sense of freedom that Crimson Desert offers.
The graphics and texture sharpness may take some getting used to if you have grown accustomed to the razor-sharp visuals of Crimson Desert, but the world itself more than makes up for it. Few games have managed to make me feel like a true adventurer quite the way Skyrim does. You can follow the many engaging main and side quests, or simply set out on your own and stumble into spectacular fights and unexpected situations.
Just like in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, your choices can influence how events unfold, and both main and side quests can play out in different ways. In Skyrim, you decide your own path. That freedom also gives the game a tremendous amount of replay value.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Skyrim may have the legendary status, but personally I prefer another Bethesda title: Oblivion. The remastered version of it released in 2025, so for players who value graphics alongside a strong sense of freedom, that alone is an extra reason to go for this one.
The world is beautiful and hides countless secrets and quests that still stand out clearly in my memory even after twenty years.
Closing the many Oblivion Gates can become a bit repetitive over time, but the side quests and faction quests are excellent. The sense of freedom is enormous. You can sneak, pick locks, spill blood, or decide to follow the rules instead.
If you are looking for the next inviting world filled with swords, magic, and monsters, look no further than Oblivion.
Dragon’s Dogma II
Capcom’s fantasy RPG Dragon’s Dogma II is a game that, much like Crimson Desert, is more about the journey than the actual destination.
On your way to the next quest, all sorts of things can happen that make you forget where you were heading in the first place. You might suddenly find yourself fighting gigantic enemies, or stumble upon caves that are well worth exploring.
You travel alongside AI-controlled companions called Pawns, which makes the adventure feel like a true group journey. This is similar to the sense of camaraderie the Greymanes in Crimson Desert might have given you.
While Dragon’s Dogma II may not be the best game on this list, it is the one that comes closest to Crimson Desert in terms of overall feeling.
