No console review copies ahead of *Red Desert*'s release — that’s not a good sign

There is risk.

Only 24 hours remain until Crimson Desert officially launches. Media reviews are about to drop all at once. And the problems are surfacing too. Console reviews are absent.

Push Square has already confirmed it. They cannot take part in this first wave of review coverage. The reason is straightforward. PearlAbyss did not provide any media outlets with console review codes. All reviews currently published online. Are based entirely on the PC version. As for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions. There are still no pre-release reviews so far.

The key issue here. Is not that the media are complaining about not getting codes. It is that console players are missing the most critical information. Is the frame rate stable? What are the resolution trade-offs? Are there any obvious optimization problems? No one can provide conclusions on these before launch.

A publisher not providing console review codes. Does not necessarily mean the console version will be a disaster. But it is never a good sign. Especially for a game launching simultaneously across multiple platforms. If the public is only allowed to see the PC version first. Players will naturally be suspicious. Is the console version not ready yet? Or at the very least. The publisher is not confident enough.

Push Square’s response has also been very restrained. They said they will get access to the PS5 version on launch day. And will then immediately provide initial performance impressions, a full review, and guides. There is nothing wrong with that attitude. But the disappointment is real. For readers. Reviews added after launch are always one step too late in value.

My advice is simple. PC players can decide based on PC reviews. Console players should not rush to place an order. At the very least, wait until launch day. Check the first batch of PS5 gameplay feedback. Then see whether there is any performance information for the Xbox version. This is not being overly cautious. This is normal consumer judgment.

The current industry trend is also very clear. If a game dares to withhold console pre-release reviews. People in the comments will definitely keep asking about performance. It is not that players have become harsher. It is just that too many rough launch-day optimizations have taught them a lesson. The cost of trust keeps getting higher.

What the final quality of Crimson Desert will be. Cannot be judged solely by this issue yet. But one thing is very clear. There are no reviews for the console version before launch. And for console users. That alone is enough reason to wait and see.