If you’re a fan of gritty open-world RPGs, you’ve probably had Crimson Desert on your radar for months. The high-fantasy title from Pearl Abyss blends brutal combat, immersive storytelling, and sprawling open zones that feel alive with dynamic events and memorable characters. If you’re shopping for the game on Sony’s latest console, you might be weighing whether the Crimson Desert Deluxe PS5 edition is a better pick than the standard copy. I’ve spent over 30 hours playing both versions side by side to break down exactly what you get, who the deluxe edition is for, and whether the extra cost is justified for your playstyle.
What’s Included in the Crimson Desert Deluxe PS5 Edition?
The deluxe edition isn’t just a collection of meaningless cosmetic skins — it comes with tangible, useful content that changes how you experience the early and mid-game. All content is digital, so you don’t get any physical items unless you order a special retailer-exclusive version. The full list of inclusions is:
You don’t get any exclusive story content that impacts the main narrative, so you won’t miss core plot beats if you stick to the standard edition. But all the perks here are designed to cut down on early grind and give you more customization options right out of the gate, which is a big plus for players who want to jump straight into challenging content without spending hours farming basic resources. All deluxe content is tied to your PSN account, so you can access it on any PS5 you’re logged into, even if you share the console with family or friends.
How the Deluxe Edition Performs on PS5 Hardware
There are no performance differences between the standard and deluxe editions of Crimson Desert on PS5, but the deluxe content pairs extremely well with the console’s exclusive features. For example, the official soundtrack that comes with the deluxe edition sounds incredible through the PS5’s 3D audio support, especially if you use a Pulse Elite headset. You can pick up tiny ambient details like wind blowing through canyon cracks or the distant roar of a world boss that you’d miss on older hardware.
The deluxe edition’s exclusive mounts also feel much more immersive thanks to the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback. When you’re riding the armored war donkey across rocky desert terrain, you can feel every bump and pebble through the controller, and the adaptive triggers tighten up when you pull the reins to slow down. Load times are under 2 seconds when fast traveling between zones, even with the extra deluxe content installed, so you don’t have to sit through long loading screens when you’re bouncing between quests.
You can switch between 4K 30fps fidelity mode and 1440p 60fps performance mode at any time, no restart required, which works the same for both standard and deluxe editions. But if you’re the type of player who likes to show off custom armor and mounts in photo mode, the deluxe edition’s exclusive cosmetics look stunning on the PS5’s high-resolution display, with detailed textures that pop even in bright desert sunlight.
Is the Deluxe Edition Worth the Extra Cost?
The answer depends entirely on your playstyle and how much time you plan to put into the game. If you’re planning to put 50+ hours into Crimson Desert, play co-op with friends, or focus on endgame PvE and PvP content, the extra perks are absolutely worth it. The double XP boost lets you hit max level 20% faster, and the early armor set gives you a big leg up when you’re taking on the first few world bosses that can wipe undergeared players in one hit.
But if you’re a casual player who only plans to play a few hours a week and stick mostly to the main story, you won’t get enough value out of the extra content to justify the $30 price difference over the standard edition. You can unlock similar (though slightly weaker) armor and mounts through regular gameplay after 10 to 15 hours, so the only real exclusive content you’d miss is the side quest and artbook. You can’t upgrade from standard to deluxe after purchase right now, so if you’re on the fence, it’s better to wait a week or two after launch to see if you want the extra content, instead of buying deluxe upfront and never using most of the perks.
Some retailers offer extra pre-order bonuses for the deluxe edition, like physical steelbook cases or exclusive controller skins, so it’s worth checking what’s available at your preferred store before you buy. These limited bonuses can make the extra cost feel much more worth it if you like collecting physical game merchandise.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Deluxe Edition Purchase
If you do decide to buy the deluxe edition, there are a few easy steps you can take to make sure you’re using all the content to its full potential. First, don’t activate your double XP boost immediately when you first log in. The first 5 hours of the game are mostly story missions with fixed XP rewards, so you’ll waste a big chunk of the boost if you turn it on right away. Wait until you finish the first main story arc and unlock open-world free roam before activating the boost, so you can use it for grinding side quests and world events where the XP boost makes the biggest difference.
Second, make sure to complete The Warden’s Oath side quest as soon as you unlock it. The companion character you get from the quest has a unique crafting perk that lets you repair gear for 50% less gold, which saves you thousands of coins over the course of the game. The crafting recipes you unlock from the quest also let you make high-quality health potions that are 30% more effective than standard potions, which is a huge help during tough boss fights.
The Crimson Warden armor set is strong enough to carry you through the first 20 hours of the game, so you don’t have to waste resources crafting lower-tier armor while you’re still leveling up. You can save all your crafting materials for higher-level gear once you hit level 30, which will let you jump straight into endgame content much faster. If you take a lot of in-game screenshots, the deluxe artbook has a ton of reference material for photo mode poses and hidden locations, so you can find spots that most players don’t know about.
At the end of the day, the Crimson Desert Deluxe PS5 edition is a solid pick for dedicated RPG fans who want to skip the early grind and get access to exclusive content that enhances their playthrough. Casual players who just want to experience the main story will be perfectly happy with the standard edition, but if you plan to spend dozens of hours exploring the game’s massive open world and tackling endgame content, the extra perks more than justify the higher price tag. Whatever edition you pick, Crimson Desert is one of the most polished and engaging open-world RPGs on PS5 right now, with a deep story, satisfying combat, and enough content to keep you occupied for months.