If you’re a fan of gritty open world RPGs, you’ve probably had Crimson Desert on your radar for years. Pearl Abyss’ follow-up to Black Desert Online promises a massive, living desert world, tactical real-time combat, and a deeply personal story that changes based on your choices. When pre-orders dropped earlier this year, a lot of PS5 players got stuck wondering if the extra cost of the crimson desert deluxe edition ps5 is actually worth it, or if they’re better off sticking to the standard version. We spent weeks digging into all the confirmed perks, testing beta content, and comparing value to help you make the right call for your budget and playstyle.
What Exactly Is Included in the Crimson Desert Deluxe Edition PS5?
Pearl Abyss has been pretty transparent about what comes with the deluxe edition, and none of the content locks core story or endgame progress behind a paywall, which is a big win for players tired of exploitative upgrade schemes. All the perks are either cosmetic, quality-of-life boosts, or behind-the-scenes digital content for fans who want more context for the game’s world. The full list of confirmed inclusions is below:
It’s important to note that none of these perks give you a competitive advantage in PvP, if you choose to participate in open world player battles. All core story, endgame raids, and PvP modes are available to every player regardless of which edition they buy, so you won’t miss out on critical content if you opt for the standard version.
PS5 Exclusive Perks That Come With Every Edition (Including Deluxe)
One nice bonus for PlayStation players is that every copy of Crimson Desert for PS5 comes with platform-exclusive perks, even if you buy the standard edition. The deluxe edition includes all of these perks on top of the extra content we listed above, so you don’t have to pay extra to access the platform-specific features. These perks were built specifically to take advantage of the PS5’s unique hardware, and they make a noticeable difference in how the game feels to play.
First, you get full support for the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. When you swing a heavy greatsword, you’ll feel the weight of the weapon through the controller, and drawing a longbow will make the triggers get stiffer the further you pull back. 3D audio support lets you hear enemies sneaking up behind you in sand dunes, or pick up the faint sound of a hidden treasure chest buried under rock. PS5 owners also get a free exclusive desert fox companion that automatically loots items for you as you explore, a perk that isn’t available on any other platform.
I tested these features during the closed beta last month, and the performance mode holds a steady 60fps at 4K even in crowded city areas with dozens of NPCs on screen. If you prefer better visuals over frame rate, you can switch to fidelity mode, which adds ray tracing for realistic sun glare off sand and water, and runs at a consistent 30fps. Both modes work the same for standard and deluxe edition owners.
Pros and Cons of Picking the Deluxe Edition Over Standard
To make your decision easier, we broke down the biggest advantages and downsides of paying the extra $30 for the deluxe edition, based on confirmed content and playtesting from the beta. None of these are dealbreakers, but they can help you figure out if the extra cost aligns with what you want out of the game.
The biggest pros are pretty clear for long-term players. The 7-day premium pass cuts down on a lot of the early game grind, so you can upgrade your gear and unlock new skills much faster if you play consistently in the first week after launch. The art book and soundtrack are also really high quality, and they’re great for players who love collecting behind-the-scenes content for their favorite games. You also don’t have to worry about missing out on limited-time cosmetic items, since the Wanderer skin pack will never be sold separately after launch.
There are some downsides too, though. The $30 price jump is pretty steep if you’re on a tight budget, especially if you don’t care about cosmetic skins or digital art books. The premium pass only lasts 7 days from the first time you log into the game, so if you don’t have time to play consistently right after launch, you’ll waste most of its benefits. The skins are also only usable for the main character, so if you prefer playing as recruited companion characters for most of your playthrough, you’ll barely get to use the exclusive armor sets.
It’s also worth noting that Pearl Abyss sells a separate deluxe upgrade pack for $29.99 if you buy the standard edition first and decide you want the extra content later. The only thing you’ll miss out on if you wait is the pre-order bonus weapon skin, but that’s a minor cosmetic item that doesn’t affect gameplay at all.
Who Should Buy the Crimson Desert Deluxe Edition PS5, and Who Should Skip It?
At the end of the day, the deluxe edition is only worth it if you fall into a specific group of players. We’ve outlined exactly who will get the most value out of the extra cost, and who is better off sticking to the standard edition to save money.
You should buy the deluxe edition if you know you’re going to sink 50+ hours into the game in the first month after launch. The premium pass will save you hours of grinding for crafting materials and XP, and the cosmetic skins and extra content will feel like a nice bonus for your investment. It’s also a great pick if you’re a long-time fan of Pearl Abyss’ work, since the art book has a lot of interesting commentary about how the team evolved the combat and world design from Black Desert Online.
You should skip the deluxe edition if you’re a casual player who only plans to play through the main story and rarely buys extra cosmetic content for games. It’s also not a good pick if you’re still on the fence about whether you’ll even like Crimson Desert’s combat loop. If you’re unsure about the game, stick to the standard edition first, and buy the upgrade pack later if you end up loving it. You won’t lose access to any critical content by waiting.
One important note for pre-order buyers: Make sure you purchase from an authorized PlayStation retailer to avoid fake codes that don’t include all the deluxe edition perks. A lot of third-party sellers have been listing fake pre-order codes at discounted prices, and most of them don’t include the art book or soundtrack, or expire within a few days of redemption.
At the end of the day, the crimson desert deluxe edition ps5 is a solid, fairly priced upgrade for players who know they’ll spend a lot of time in the game’s world in the first few weeks after launch. It doesn’t lock any core content behind a paywall, which is a refreshing change from a lot of modern RPGs that force players to buy expensive upgrades to access the full story. If you care about extra cosmetics, quality-of-life boosts, and behind-the-scenes content, it’s well worth the extra cost. If you’re on a budget or unsure if the game is for you, the standard edition will give you the exact same core gameplay experience without the extra frills.