Ahead of the Charting the Unknown DLC launch, Pearl AByss reveals a lengthy new trailer showcasing the many new gameplay features fans can expect to see in Crimson Desert, including a few surprising additions. Despite launching back in March 2026 has already been a massively busy year for Crimson Desert, an open-world action RPG that has seen plenty of evolutions, with even more right around the corner.
After quickly finding a dedicated fanbase, Crimson Desert‘s launch wasn’t flawless, with critics highlighting the many issues with the game. However, Pearl Abyss went to work, taking in feedback and rapidly applying updates, nearly on a weekly basis for months at a time. Not only did the various issues get resolved, Pearl Abyss used these post-launch patches for Crimson Desert to add new content and features, including endgame missions, in-game activities, and a ton more. All of that eventually culminated into a special Enhanced Edition of the game, a free update that not only collected everything released to that point, but continued to push the game even further before its eventual DLC launched.
Crimson Desert Reveals Tons of New Gameplay Features
While Crimson Desert is already regarded as a massive game chock-full of different gameplay features and elements, it seems that Pearl Abyss is taking things even further for the upcoming Charting the Unknown expansion. A new 6-minute trailer gives fans another look at the DLC content, revealing all the new features that are included, such as sailing around unexplored islands where new missions and enemy factions can be found. As part of that experience, players will be able to fully customize their ship through gathered resources from the sails and decorations, to the hull and other components.
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However, there’s even more here as well. Upon arriving at the various islands, players can take on various missions both above water and below the surface waves. Diving and mech suits can help players explore underwater, but they can also utilize mounts, including orcas, stingrays, and turtles. Players can also establish strongholds on these islands by assigning allies to occupy the land and granting special bonuses. Taking a page from Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced‘s open world, players will also take part in naval combat against rival ships.
Surprisingly, Charting the Unknown also leans heavily into gameplay inspired by games like The Sims. Players can now romance NPC characters based on bonds established while interacting, while trusted companions can now show up in allied spaces such as the Greymane Camp. In Charting the Unknown, players now have more agency over their strongholds, as they’re now able to fully manage and customize them by assigning allies, equipment, and even what the stores sell. However, one of the bigger gameplay elements is the house customization, which looks taken from The Sims, as players can fully build and design their exterior and interior living space with tons of options.
While there was disappointment when Pearl Abyss delayed the Charting the Unknown DLC, the time seems to have been spent wisely. On top of an already massive base game, the upcoming DLC pushes things even further by giving players even more ways to carve out their own path in the world of Pywel.
- Released
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October 29, 2026
- Developer(s)
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Pearl Abyss
- Publisher(s)
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Pearl Abyss
