Despite a delay, our hype for Crimson Desert’s first paid expansion, Charting the Unknown, hasn’t dulled. Launching October 29th for $25, it sees Kliff and crew venturing beyond Pywel’s borders and getting involved in new conflicts. There are new mysteries and threats, but leave it to the development team to introduce several systems that are either brand new or build on what’s already available.
Thanks to a new features trailer, we have a better idea of what to expect, and how exactly these influence the Greymanes’ lives. Let’s take a look at ten new details you need to know about Charting the Unknown, and why it could take a once-in-a-generation experience to an all-new level, starting with…
Building Your Own Ship
Previously, the developer revealed that Kliff gets his own ship, but exactly how – and whether it was inherited in some Edward Kenway-level of deception – was unknown. Until now, because as it turns out, you can build your own ship (after taking care of some pirates and commandeering their shipyard, of course). Design the bow (with draconic and lion decorations available), the stern (which can have a snazzy steamworks design), cannons, and even the sails. Go for pristine off-white fabrics, torn cloth or crimson sails befitting a certain reddish desert – the choice is yours, though how many resources all of this will require is the real question.
Naval Combat and Ghostly Enemy Ships
For those who thought cannons meant naval combat, well, good news. At first, we see Kliff’s ship ramming an enemy vessel, but at one point, he passes by and unleashes two volleys of cannon fire into the latter’s hull. It’s also worth noting the foe in question – a ghostly ship with tattered sails and evil energy. So while it remains to be seen which human crews (like those aforementioned pirates) will step up to the Greymanes, there are more than enough supernatural threats to go around. Can I board them and loot their stuff, though? Asking the real questions.
Dive Suit Crafting and the A.T.A.G. Submarine
Much like the ship, you won’t just get a dive suit and call it a day, but craft one. Several other underwater structures, like ruins, were revealed alongside new species that help with exploration, from stingrays and turtles to whales and even sunfish. But that’s not all, since the A.T.A.G., which didn’t have much use in the base game, can be modified into a pseudo-submarine. You might want to be careful while venturing underwater or mining new resources, though, as those jellyfish could prove a major stinging hazard.
New Enemy Factions and Precious Resources on Islands
New islands await your exploration, and while some are empty (save for the odd underwater statue), there are new enemy factions, with what appear to be new weapons. Based on one of the new bosses, which we’ll get to in a bit, they’re none too happy that Kliff and friends are encroaching on their turf. Though not every mass is occupied, they offer underwater caves to swim through, valuables like pearls and more. It’s also worth noting a sunken galleon, which could hold its own treasures
Establishing Your Own Strongholds
Remember when the developer showcased the ability to customize your own home, building it up however you’d like? As it turns out, that’s different from a new feature: Creating your own strongholds. By assigning different comrades and having the required resources, you can turn an ordinary campsite and dock into a bustling seaport fit for wagons, traders and more. If you lack inventory space for trade goods, don’t worry, as your new ship has its own cargo hold. With the potential to create multiple strongholds, you could create your own network of traders and goods, as you sail back and forth, offloading, selling and making money.
Creating Businesses From Liberated Strongholds in Pywel
What about the strongholds that you’ve already liberated on Pywel’s mainland? Are they destined to remain either stagnant or in a never-ending war of reblockading? As it turns out, this is the key to that previously announced bit about renting properties. You can essentially turn them into businesses, leasing facilities and assigning equipment and comrades to sell goods and offer different services. These include a Tailor’s Shop and a restaurant, and they’re each governed by Recognition, which unlocks certain manuals, outfits like the Architect’s Cloth Workwear, and even blueprints for carpets as you ascend higher in the ranks.
Decorating and Customizing Certain Liberated Castles
If it wasn’t enough to extensively customize your own home, build a stronghold from scratch or arrange everything in a new business until it’s perfect, you can also decorate certain castles once they’ve been liberated. Think of yourself as a new count or baron, rearranging the courtyard and its structures to your liking, creating lavish rooms laden with furniture and paintings, and much more. Surely the people won’t mind, given everything you’ve done for the world.
Special Guests at the Greymane Camp
A neat little detail that feels somewhat underrated is how trusted companions will drop by to spend time with you at the Greymane Camp. While I didn’t see anyone I recognized in the trailer (which is fine because it allows me to scream, “Who are you people?!” after a long day), watching them dance together, conversing, and even letting loose fireworks at night to celebrate certainly makes the standard camp feel more lively.
Boss Rush
Boss rematches in the base game, whether previously defeated foes at their original strength or scaled to your current level, could be a blast, but you know what was missing? A proper boss rush. Well, it seems one of the Abyss islands above Pywel has been repurposed to accommodate the same. Each set has you changing particular bosses one after another. We spotted two enemy mechs and Marni’s Clockwork Mantis in one instance. Another pits you against Antumbra Order bosses, though only the Spear was showcased. Defeating them is more than a test of your combat prowess, however, as you’ll earn some “valuable rewards” in the process.
Brand-New Bosses
It wouldn’t be a Crimson Desert trailer without a tease of new bosses that will make Kliff, Damiane and Oongka miserable. One has a skeleton-faced helm and gold armor, seemingly reanimated through dark magic. He uses a sick red blade to attack, cleaving through the air in a giant arc. And remember those new enemy factions we mentioned? One of their bosses has heavy-set armor and a hookshot arm which lets him dash all over the place to attack, creating spots for eruptions.
Despite the extensive information, remember this doesn’t account for potential new abilities, armor sets, weapons and much more that could shake up build-crafting as we know it. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if the naval combat is far deeper than expected or if certain underwater species could be used as mounts above water (though Blackstar is still very much available for transportation). Based on the Enhanced Edition’s impressive overhaul, the story could also offer a far more memorable questline.
Whatever the case may be, Charting the Unknown certainly marks a brave new beginning for Crimson Desert and one that the developer will hopefully expand on for months to come, even if it’s past the point of overkill.
