Pearl Abyss goes easy on us critics for our Crimson Desert reviews: 'They had to play the build that is not the exact same version of the launched game'

Pearl Abyss has admitted that critics did not get a fair look at Crimson Desert before launch. A studio representative said reviewers had to play a build that was not the same as the finished game, and had limited time with it. The comments came as the studio kept adding features within days of release, including housing, a trading overhaul and a private storage chest. Crimson Desert is an ambitious open-world action RPG.

Pearl Abyss is the Korean studio behind the long-running online game Black Desert. Crimson Desert was first shown years ago and went through several delays. Games are often reviewed from early copies before launch, so reviewers can describe a version that gets patched heavily by release day. Players later posted much friendlier reviews on Metacritic than many critics gave. The studio says both sides have fair points.

It raises a fair question for gamers: are early reviews a reliable guide when games change so much after launch?