Crimson Desert's Controls Spark Debate as Dev Compares Learning Curve to 'Riding a Bike' Amid Mixed Steam Reviews

Crimson Desert has made a splash on Steam with high concurrent player counts, but it's currently sitting at a 'mixed' user review rating on Valve's platform, largely due to player frustrations with the controls. Pearl Abyss's highly anticipated open-world action game launched yesterday for PC and consoles, and while console numbers aren't available, Steam concurrents peaked at 239,045, briefly making it the third most-played game behind Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2.

However, the 'mixed' reviews highlight issues with the controls, which the game encourages PC players to use with a controller. Players report that while combat feels responsive, normal movement and exploration can feel awkward, with mechanics like an aim-to-jump system drawing criticism. For instance, interacting with NPCs requires holding Square on a DualSense controller, but pressing it instead can trigger a jump, leading to confusion. Similarly, jumping while sprinting sometimes results in unpredictable outcomes, like the character Kliff running off a ledge instead.

Negative Steam reviews echo these concerns, with one user stating, 'Controls on the controller are so bad... It's REALLY annoying to have to hold one button then aim with a stick, then press another button JUST TO TALK TO AN NPC.' Complaints also mention slow item interactions, such as lengthy animations for reading notes, which detract from the gameplay experience. On the Crimson Desert subreddit, threads are filled with similar grievances, with one post calling it the 'worst controls ever seen in a game' and another noting, 'Controls are single-handedly hurting the game.' Some players have drawn comparisons to Red Dead Redemption 2, which faced similar control criticisms but is widely regarded as a masterpiece.

In response, Will Powers, PR and marketing director at Pearl Abyss, addressed a player's complaint on social media, likening the learning process to 'riding a bike, it comes naturally after you learn it.' He emphasized that it takes time to adapt but becomes intuitive. Pearl Abyss is likely eager to address these common issues to improve the Steam rating, especially after IGN reported a nearly 30% stock price drop yesterday, followed by an additional 9.78% decline today, linked to review scores.

For more on Crimson Desert, check out coverage including patch notes for the day one update, IGN's review-in-progress, and a launch interview with Will Powers. There's also a PC performance review and guides on things to do first, hidden tips, best early weapons, essential skills, and 34 tips and tricks for success in Pywel.