- Crimson Desert does not have any romance options.
- The title emphasizes combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving, instead of companions or romanceable NPCs.
- When asked about the system's absense, a Pearl Abyss rep stated that Crimson Desert just isn't "that type of game."
RPGs are known to have relationship mechanics and romance options, which allow players to personalize their in-game experience. Seeing as Crimson Desert carries many hallmarks of the genre, many players have naturally been wondering whether the game supports such a system. We already know that the title is stuffed with interesting characters, three of whom are even playable, but does it offer room for something more? Find out the answer in our Crimson Desert romance guide.
Is There Romance in Crimson Desert?
No, Crimson Desert does not have romance, and naturally, features no romanceable characters. Unlike recent RPGs such as Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, the title does not have any romance mechanics or companionship meters that escalate if you pick the right dialogue options.
The absence of romance was confirmed during the New Games + Showcase. When asked why the system had been omitted, the Pearl Abyss representative simply said that “this is not that type of game.” What they meant was that the title is more of a gameplay-centric RPG, where the emphasis is on solving its many, many puzzles, and mastering combat with all three playable characters in Crimson Desert.
Given how popular romanceable characters in games can be, some fans might be disappointed to hear about Pearl Abyss’s approach. But for what it’s worth, there’s been a host of RPGs and massive action-adventure games that didn’t need romance to be memorable. Hell, Fallout: New Vegas, widely recognised as one of the greats of the genre, had no traditional romance options, but delivered in many other aspects. So, here’s to hoping that Crimson Desert can do the same.
And that covers everything you need to know about romance in Crimson Desert. While you’re here, we highly recommend checking out our Crimson Desert weapons guide to familiarize yourself with the game’s combat system.
No, Crimson Desert does not feature any romanceable NPCs.
Based on comments from the studio, romance isn’t an ideal fit for what Crimson Desert looks to emphasize, which includes the core combat, open-world exploration, and puzzle solving.
Sanmay Chakrabarti
