[Play Report] Experience a boss battle in the playable demo of 'Crimson Desert', which was exhibited for the first time. Highly difficult action depicted with overwhelming visual beauty [gamescom]

The demo version of "Crimson Desert" developed by Pearl Abyss is being exhibited at gamescom 2024, which is currently being held in Germany.

This work is an open world action adventure game set on the vast continent of Pywell. The player takes on the role of Cliff, the captain of a mercenary group, and goes on an adventure with his friends.
It is also the next flagship title from the creators of the company's MMORPG ``Black Desert,'' and features a seamless and vast world, a diverse combat system, and deep storytelling.

A PC version and a consumer version will be released although details are yet to be determined.

This demo version allows you to experience 4 boss battles. When you start playing, a short introductory video plays, after which the player is transported to a mysterious area. If you choose the boss you want to fight here, the battle will start. Each boss in the main story is in various locations, but this was a special version for the demo where you could enjoy a quick boss battle.
The combat system of "Crimson Desert" has a high level of action. In battle, players can freely switch between weapons such as swords, shields, and bows to perform a variety of combos. It also has a wide range of special abilities, including a gliding ability called ``Crow's Wing'' and ``Precision Focus,'' which allows it to slow down time and take precise aim.

It is also possible to use the environment to your advantage in battle. For example, if there is a burning area on the field, you can use tactics such as pushing enemies into the flames and dealing damage. However, the player character will also receive damage from the flames, so caution is required.
It's also interesting to see how the characters' actions affect the environment. When you are rolling during an evasive action or are blown away by an enemy attack, if you hit a tree or wall, the tree will fall or the wall will break. It can be said that the intensity of the battle is conveyed even more by the frequent destruction of things.

The beautiful graphics, even the depiction of destruction, are drawn using Pearl Abyss' proprietary ``BlackSpace Engine''. A highly immersive world is created with vast landscapes, detailed character models, and weather that changes in real time.

Now, let me introduce the four boss battles that I actually experienced. Please note that this article is based on the demo version, so the content may have changed in the commercial version.

As the name suggests, the entrance to the “Crimson Desert” booth is dyed in red

Staglord

The author's first challenge was the ``Stag Lord,'' who reigns in the ruins of a forgotten kingdom. He is a humanoid boss who skillfully wields a sword and shield.

When we entered the battle area, we saw ruins with a majestic atmosphere. The figure of the ``Stag Lord'' sitting in the center looks like the embodiment of a tragic king.

"Stag Lord" has no chance with his quick sword attacks and shield defense. After fighting for a while, you'll be able to predict their movements, but their attack power is high and if you let your guard down, you'll receive huge damage in an instant. Therefore, it is important to identify attack patterns and take advantage of opportunities to counterattack. Especially after a large attack, there is a gap of several seconds, so it was effective to aim for that and launch an attack.

By launching an attack from the air using "Crow's Wing", they were also able to break down "Stag Lord's" defense. However, as the battle progresses, the movements become more intense and new attack patterns are added, so you won't be able to let your guard down until the end.

White Horn

The next challenge was the ``Whitehorn,'' which is said to have been born from a snowstorm in the white mountains. This gigantic boss is awe-inspiring just by its appearance.

The battle area is a mountainous area covered in snowstorms. Visibility was poor and footing was unstable, so it was important to get used to the terrain first.

The characteristics of "Whitehorn" are its destructive attacks that take advantage of its large size and its ability to create storms. In particular, the occasional rushing attack is extremely difficult to avoid.

In this battle, the key to victory was to use "precision focus" to read the movements of the "White Horn" and avoid it accurately. Strategies that take advantage of the terrain are also effective, such as using Crow's Wing to escape to high ground and attack with a bow.

As the battle progresses, Whitehorn's attacks become more intense and the scale of the storm grows. At the end, it was literally a fight to the death in a storm, and I enjoyed the tense battle.

Reed Devil

The third boss is a "lead devil" who used to live in a slum. Although small in stature, this boss is highly mobile and will toy with you with unexpected movements.

The battle area is a swamp filled with reeds. The view was easily obstructed and I had a hard time following the quick movements of the "Lead Devil."
The characteristic of "Lead Devil" is its unpredictable movements. In addition to attacking with swords, they also use darts, etc., so it is difficult to completely defend against them. As the battle progresses, it creates clones and launches more complex attacks.

In this battle, it was important to use "precision focus" to assess the movements of the "lead devil." Also, when a clone appeared, identifying the main body and conducting a concentrated attack became a shortcut to victory.

Tactics that take advantage of the environment are also useful. By burning the reeds and reducing the hiding places of the "Lead Devil", you can advance the battle to your advantage.

Queen Stoneback Crab

The final challenge was the "Queen Stoneback Crab", which stands out from the other bosses. This boss, which looks like a giant crab, requires a special strategy.

The battle area is the back of the boss itself. Her footing was unstable and she was constantly rocking, making it difficult for her to keep her balance.
The battle with this boss was divided into three stages. First, you need to find the weak spot on her back and destroy it. The weak point was covered by a hard shell, so she had to hit it multiple times.

In the second stage, the "Queen Stoneback Crab" violently rages and tries to shake the player off his back. Here, it is important to use the "Crow's Wing" skill to maintain balance in the air and land safely.

Once all weak points are destroyed, the final stage will begin, and the movement of the "Queen Stoneback Crab" will temporarily stop. Here, use the "Spotlight" skill (I don't know the details, but it's probably the ability to shine a light on weak points) and deliver the final blow.

This battle required a completely different fighting style than other boss battles, and it was fun to explore the strategy as if solving a puzzle. At the same time, I was able to enjoy the overwhelming sense of scale of facing a huge boss.

Highly difficult action with exquisite control feeling

To be frank, the "Crimson Desert" demo I experienced this time was difficult. If it weren't for the frequent advice from the staff at the venue, we might not have been able to defeat it at all.
The attack power of each boss is quite high, and even the slightest mistake can cause major damage. In particular, the quick movements of ``Lead Devil'' and the special combat rules of ``Queen Stoneback Crab'' will make players cry.

I interviewed the game on the first business day of gamescom, and there was a line waiting to try it out

　しかし難度が高い一方で，操作感は非常に洗練されている。武器の切り替えやスキルの発動はスムーズで，プレイヤーの意図した通りのアクションをとりやすい。また，「クロウズウィング」による空中移動や「精密フォーカス」によるスローモーション射撃など，特殊能力の使用感も心地よい。
　なお，初めてのプレイで基本的な動きで精一杯ということもあり，ほとんど試せなかったが，格ゲーばりのコンボもあり，慣れれば華麗に戦えそうだった。

　「紅の砂漠」のデモプレイでは，本作の魅力を存分に味わえた。美しいグラフィックス，緊張感のある戦闘，そして多彩な戦略性は，プレイヤーを強く惹きつける。

　とくに印象的だったのは，各ボスの個性的な設定と戦闘スタイルだ。「スタッグロード」の悲劇的な背景，「ホワイトホーン」の圧倒的な存在感，「リードデビル」の予測不可能な動き，そして「クイーン・ストーンバック・クラブ」の独特な戦闘ルールは，それぞれに深い没入感をもたらしていた。

　「紅の砂漠」は，壮大なファンタジー世界での冒険と，緊張感のある戦闘を求めるプレイヤーにとって，間違いなく注目の一作となるだろう。今回は戦闘にフォーカス体験だったので，正式リリースの際には魅力的なストーリーも楽しみたい。

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