Get ready to be blown away: Pearl Abyss has just revealed that the open world of Crimson Desert is not just big—it’s bigger than Skyrim and Red Dead Redemption 2 combined. But here’s where it gets controversial: is size alone enough to make an open world great? According to Pearl Abyss, the answer is a resounding no. In a recent interview on the Gaming Interviews YouTube channel, Will Powers from Pearl Abyss explained that while the playable area of Pywel—the game’s sprawling continent—is at least twice the size of Skyrim and larger than Red Dead Redemption 2, the focus has always been on interaction, activities, and meaningful distractions rather than empty space. And this is the part most people miss: Crimson Desert isn’t just about crossing vast distances; it’s about what you do in that world. Players can fly on dragons, ride bears and raptors, pilot mechs, and even swing through the air like a superhero. The game also introduces explorable sky islands, adding a vertical dimension to the already massive map. But here’s the kicker: Powers hinted that what we’ve seen so far is just a tiny slice of the full map, suggesting there’s still so much more to uncover. With a release date set for March 19, 2026, and review codes reportedly going out a month early to avoid rushed critiques, Crimson Desert is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious open-world games of the generation. But here’s the question: Can Pearl Abyss truly deliver a world that’s not only massive but also packed with meaningful content? And if they do, could this set a new standard for single-player RPGs? Let us know what you think in the comments—is bigger always better, or is it how you use the space that counts?
