We're only days away from the release of Crimson Desert's first big DLC (it's set for 29 October, the same day Phantom Blade Zero lands) and Pearl Abyss has just dropped a new 'overview' video running to nearly 7 minutes. Expect fresh storylines for Kliff, Damiane and Oongka, but also a vast stretch of ocean to explore, islands to conquer, love interests that can lead all the way to a wedding, and far deeper customisation options. The expansion is called "Charting the Unknown" and, if you can spare us 3 minutes, here's what you need to know.
The call of the sea
Until now, the great expanses of water bordering the continent were essentially scenery, even if players could already soar over them on dragonback. With the "Charting the Unknown" DLC, Pearl Abyss finally gives that maritime space a genuine purpose, letting you sail out to islands that remain unexplored. Some are held by hostile factions you'll have to see off before settling there, while others are simply waiting to be found. To get going, you'll first need to deal with the pirates controlling certain sea routes, particularly east of Delesyie, in order to secure safe passage to these new territories. Once the Greymane camp is established, players will be able to unlock shipbuilding, gather the necessary resources and construct their own vessel. Customising your ship lets you prepare for expeditions before setting sail, with the prospect of uncovering regions that were, until now, little more than specks on the horizon.
That's not all, either, because the adventure continues below the surface. Pearl Abyss is planning to add equipment that will let you dive into the depths and the abyss beyond, where sunken ruins and treasures await the most curious explorers. There will also be new ways to get around underwater to make life easier. The ocean will no longer be simply something to cross, but a fully fledged part of the open world, and that changes things considerably.
Love and marriage enter the fray
Flirting, striking up a romance and eventually asking for someone's hand aren't exactly the gameplay mechanics you'd associate with Crimson Desert. But in "Charting the Unknown", the bonds you form with certain inhabitants of Pywel can blossom into romance and, potentially, marriage. Kliff, Damiane and Oongka are all part of these new possibilities, of course, though Pearl Abyss hasn't yet specified which characters can become partners or how these relationships will actually develop. The changes will also have knock-on effects at the Greymane camp. Companions you've grown close to can come and pay you a visit, to spend some time together. The studio clearly wants to make the place feel more alive and give greater weight to the relationships built up over the course of the adventure, rather than confining supporting characters to their usual roles. You get the sense that Red Dead Redemption 2 left quite a mark on the developers at Pearl Abyss.
The DLC will also let you take direct charge of certain strongholds liberated by the Greymanes. In the base game, companions can already be sent on missions to these locations, but "Charting the Unknown" will give you far more control over how they run. Players will be able to manage the available facilities and decide which goods go on sale in order to grow trade and boost their reputation. Home customisation is getting more depth too. You'll be able to alter your house's interior, but also tinker with its structure by choosing where walls and windows go. Some castles can even be claimed once they've been liberated, which is a first. Their interiors can then be furnished, turning these former fortresses into new places to live.
A new trial for proper players
Those who'd rather fight than redecorate haven't been forgotten, as the 'Charting the Unknown' expansion adds a trial in which you take on several bosses already encountered during the adventure, one after another. Naturally, rewards await any player who can see this gauntlet through to the end. Mark 29 October 2026 in your diary to try it all out for yourself.
