Crimson Desert’s first paid DLC, Charting the Unknown, expands the map with ships, diving, and mansion systems

The useful part

Crimson Desert Is Already 2026's Most Expansive Game, But It's About to Get Even Bigger With Newly Announced DLC. Charting the Unknown, the expansion will significantly build on the base game, in terms of both geography and gameplay. Videos by ComicBook.com For those yet to dive into the high-fantasy world of Pywel, Crimson Desert released earlier this year to good, but not great reviews.

How it works

• Given a passing glance, the action-adventure – supplemented by plenty of RPG-leaning elements – could be mistaken for any other fantasy-fueled romp.
• Of course, between all the familiar open-world activities, there's also lots of combat, as players wield steel and sling spells at all sorts of creeps of the clawed, horned, and fanged variety.
• Those aforementioned battles, for example, aren't just against the expected orcs, dragons, and trolls, but also imaginative mechanical menaces that wouldn't seem out of place in a dedicated sci-fi universe.
• Its mounts are another great example of the game going above, beyond, and even a bit bizarre.
• The game also, famously, doesn't baby players, leading curious explorers to stumble upon cool discoveries dozens of hours into their journey.

What to take from it

Seasoned Greymanes and newcomers alike will want to hold onto their hats – or Leather Helmets of the Fallen Kingdom – as Charting the Unknown is promising tons more to do, see, and probably find accidentally. As the DLC's map-holding protagonist hints at in the reveal trailer, fans will indeed be charting new territory in a world they're probably still uncovering secrets in. Among the biggest inclusions are the ability to command your own ship and don a diving suit to explore the mysterious depths below it.

Example or evidence

• You'll also find more than secrets and treasures below the surface, as the DLC will introduce fresh threats and undersea uglies just begging to turn Kliff to chum.
• Pearl Abyss is also promising a massively upgraded housing mode, which – based on the reveal trailer – looks to offer players plenty of tools to tweak and tailor the sprawling Pywel estate of their dreams.
• Those who'd rather monetize their mansion can even play landlord, renting and managing properties to add to their coffers.
• Charting the Unknown appears to be adding a ton of fresh features to an experience that already has more content, systems, and mechanics than you can shake a Beehive Club at.

Details worth keeping

That makes the DLC's soon-ish release equal parts exciting and intimidating. So, if you've been wondering what all the fuss is about, and have been considering diving into Crimson Desert, now's probably the perfect time to get your passport stamped in Pywel.

Related coverage

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