Pearl Abyss exec attributes Crimson Desert review scores to limited critic access
A Pearl Abyss executive says Crimson Desert's lower review scores came from critics not getting the launch build and having too little time to explore. European CEO Lybee Park argued that the game's hidden details and open-world freedom were difficult to experience during review periods. Pearl Abyss has continued updating the title and is planning a Switch 2 version for the first half of next year.
In an interview with The Game Business, Pearl Abyss’s European CEO Lybee Park discussed Crimson Desert’s 77 Metacritic average despite positive player reactions. She said reviewers got a version different from the retail release and too little time, often following the main story instead of finding scattered secrets and open-world freedom.
Pearl Abyss has continued patching the March release, adding difficulty options, storage changes, and visual upgrades. In August, it told shareholders a Switch 2 edition was planned for the first half of next year, aiming to preserve the game’s graphics, action, and open-world design rather than simply port it. The Switch 2 build had reached a playable baseline while technical reviews continued.
The debate may shape how players interpret review scores and how critics approach large open-world games. Developers could face pressure to provide earlier or more representative review builds, while platform expansion to Switch 2 may broaden Crimson Desert’s audience. Reviewers, players, and Pearl Abyss are affected; trust in reviews and launch expectations could shift, though the game’s ongoing updates may soften early criticism.