Has *Red Desert*'s 78 score sparked another huge controversy? Should we trust the media this time?

We were talking about this in the dorm last night.\nOne guy said a 78 means just wait it out.\nAnother replied, don’t be so quick to write it off.\nAfter hearing both sides, I had just one feeling.\nThis whole Crimson Desert situation isn’t a trainwreck.\nIt’s a classic case of “the scores aren’t aligned, so the comments section starts fighting first.”\n\nLet’s start with the facts.\nThe media review embargo for Crimson Desert was officially lifted today.\nIts current Metacritic media average is 78.\nThat’s not a low score.\nBut it’s also definitely not at the “masterpiece tier” a lot of people were expecting.\nSo naturally, the controversy started immediately.\n\n

\n\nThe wildest part is this.\nForbes senior editor Paul Tassi directly gave it a 95.\nThat kind of score gap is like ordering takeout in the dorm.\nOne person says this place is god-tier.\nAnother takes one bite and says it’s just okay.\nLater, he even openly went on the mic on social media.\nHis point was very straightforward.\nHe doesn’t agree with Metacritic’s current average score.\nHe also thinks Crimson Desert’s current situation is a bit like Black Myth: Wukong in 2024.\n\n

\n\nHe even said something pretty provocative:\n“Let it be, Metacritic is wrong, lol.”\nThat definitely blew up the comments section.\n\nThe point of contention is actually pretty clear.\nOne side thinks that Black Myth: Wukong only got so much attention at the time because marketing pushed it up.\nAnd since discussion died down later, that just shows the game didn’t have much staying power.\nSo comparing Crimson Desert to it doesn’t exactly make people feel reassured.\n\nThe other side pushes back.\nThat’s just how single-player games are.\nOnce people finish them, discussion naturally drops off.\nThat doesn’t mean the game is bad.\nAnd some people are even more direct.\nThey simply think Black Myth: Wukong itself is fairly mediocre.\nSo if you use it as an example, it sounds more like a warning than a defense.\n\nTo put it bluntly.\nThe controversy around Crimson Desert is no longer just about the 78.\nIt’s about what players actually trust.\nDo they trust the media average?\nOr a small number of high-scoring editors?\nOr do they wait until they can try it themselves?\n\nFrom my perspective as a dorm-room multiplayer guy.\nI’m not naturally that hyped for pure single-player games.\nWhether the discussion is hot or not doesn’t really determine quality anyway.\nBut a 78 definitely has reference value.\nIt suggests Crimson Desert probably isn’t the kind of game that gets universal praise.\nBut a 95 also suggests it may be very taste-dependent.\nPeople who like it will really like it.\nPeople it doesn’t click with will find it boring.\n\nSo the buying advice is simple.\nIf you were already waiting for Crimson Desert.\nThen don’t let a 78 scare you off right away.\nBecause some outlets are already very optimistic about how it will perform going forward.\nBut if you’re just casually watching from the sidelines.\nAnd you care a lot about whether it’s a safe bet.\nThen waiting and seeing is the most reasonable choice.\nOnce actual player impressions and gameplay feedback come out,\nthat’ll be more useful than taking sides right now.\n\nHaha, the way the media and players are arguing this time is just like a late-night dorm debate.\nNobody is going to convince anybody else.\nBut for Crimson Desert.\nThe real verdict still comes after release, when players press the button on the controller themselves.\nWill you trust the 78?\nOr would you rather try it for yourself?