Recommended Free Tools
Charting the Unknown is a separate, digital expansion for Crimson Desert, not a free part of the base game. Pearl Abyss says it will add new stories, ship and underwater exploration, new enemies, housing upgrades, facility management, and deeper character interactions. The base game is already available; the DLC is scheduled for October 29, 2026. As of October 4, the expansion has not launched, so its features remain announced plans rather than confirmed in-game content.
What is different between the base game and the DLC?
The base game is an open-world action-adventure set in Pywel, following Kliff and his Greymane companions. Its announced core includes exploration, melee and ranged combat, climbing, gliding, and boss encounters. Charting the Unknown is intended to extend that experience with new story material and activities rather than replace the base game.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Crimson Desert: Standard Edition - PlayStation 5 | $62.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Perp The Persistence Enhanced Amélioré(e) Anglais PlayStation 5 | $18.18 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Maximum Entertainment 34 Sports Games - World Edition (PS5) | $26.97 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Area | Base game | Charting the Unknown DLC |
|---|---|---|
| World and exploration | Open-world exploration across Pywel, with climbing and gliding. | Ship travel to islands, plus underwater searches for treasure, sunken ruins, and secrets. |
| Story | Follows Kliff and the Greymanes in Pywel. | Announced new storylines involving an ominous desert presence, political conflict, a journey beyond time, and an ancient secret beneath the waves. Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane are named in the continuing story. |
| Combat | Combo-based melee and ranged combat, hand-to-hand fighting, and boss encounters. | New formidable threats across land and sea, with additional challenges intended to require tactical adaptation. |
| Life and social systems | The launch description emphasizes combat and exploration. | Upgraded housing, facility rental and management to earn money, and deeper bonds with Pywel’s inhabitants. |
| Purchase and format | Sold as the full game; physical editions were announced. | Separate digital download; no physical DLC edition was announced. |
The DLC’s announcement does not provide a full feature-by-feature breakdown of how the new systems work, so details such as the number of islands, facilities, quests, or new enemies are not established.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What new exploration does the expansion announce?
The clearest change is that exploration extends from Pywel’s land to the sea. Pearl Abyss says players will travel by ship, visit offshore islands, and dive to search for underwater treasure, ruins, and secrets. The announcement describes both surface sailing and underwater discovery, but does not specify how large these areas are or how much time they add.
#1 Best Overall
- Join Kliff, captain of the Greymanes, and his comrades as they embark on a relentless journey to defend Pywel and fulfill their mission.
- Along your perilous path stands both dependable allies and countless foes who will stop at nothing to see your downfall.
- Face trials to uncover the truth of the catastrophe looming over Pywel and restore peace to the continent.
- Explore the mesmerizing landscapes of the continent where mystical beings, hidden treasures, and thrilling adventures await.
- Pre-order to receive the Khaled Shield (Pre Order Code on Receipt). PS5 Editions include the Grotevant Plate Set DLC as a PS5 exclusive bonus. (In Pack DLC Voucher). Bonus DLC Includes: Grotevan Plate Helm, Grotevan Plate Armor, along with Grotevan cloak, gloves, and boots!
What story and combat content is planned?
Pearl Abyss describes new stories around several broad themes: an ominous presence in the desert, political conflict, a journey beyond time, and an ancient secret beneath the waves. Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane are identified as characters whose paths continue. Those descriptions establish the themes and named characters, but not more specific plot details.
The expansion is also announced to bring formidable new foes on land and at sea, alongside challenges that call for tactical adaptation. No enemy roster, boss count, or combat-system changes have been specified in the announcement.
What do housing and facility management add?
Beyond combat and exploration, Charting the Unknown is planned to upgrade the housing mode and let players rent and manage facilities to earn money. Pearl Abyss has not yet detailed the management loop, what facilities are available, or how earnings can be used.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe DLC also promises more ways to speak with Pywel’s people and build deeper bonds. The announcement does not explain the specific relationship mechanics or their effects on the story.
Rank #2
- PS5 Features include raytracing modes and immersive haptic feedback for DualSense
- Use darkness and cover to avoid being overwhelmed by the ship's deadly new inhabitants
- Seek out the weapon fabricators to increase your firepower as you journey deeper, into the dark and terrifying depths, but beware ammo is limited
- Gather materials & schematics for weapon upgrades and suit customizations with buffs
- Harvest DNA material to improve health, toughness and defensive capabilities.Survive an ever changing labyrinth. Each and every expedition into The Persistence will be disorienting and different.Death is just the beginning. Fatal encounters will result in Zimri's consciousness being uploaded into a new cloned body, ready to try again, with any upgraded stats, suits & weapon schematics kept to aid the next attempt to save the ship
Is Charting the Unknown included with the base game?
No. Pearl Abyss describes Charting the Unknown as a separate downloadable expansion. The free Enhanced-edition upgrade announced for existing base-game owners is a different offer; it does not mean the DLC is included. The publisher’s announcement described a preorder discount for qualifying PS5 and Xbox Series X|S owners, but that announcement-specific offer should not be treated as a current price or entitlement.
The DLC is presented as an expansion to Crimson Desert, not as a standalone game. If you want to play its additions, plan on owning the base game as well. No current DLC price is established here; check the relevant regional store for availability and price.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When does the DLC come out, and where will it be available?
Pearl Abyss’s latest notice sets the release for October 29, 2026, at 22:00 UTC (15:00 PT and 18:00 ET; October 30 at 07:00 KST/JST). This replaces the earlier October 15/16 date. The publisher said it moved the launch by two weeks to allow additional development time for a more polished and stable experience.
The announced DLC platforms are PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Epic Games Store. The notice expressly says the Mac App Store will not have the DLC at launch, even though the base game launched on Apple Mac. Pearl Abyss also says some markets will not receive the DLC, but the notice does not name them. Check your local store listing rather than assuming availability from the base game’s platform list.
Rank #3
- Enter the stadium and take part of one of the biggest competitions across 34 sports: from swimming, soccer, extreme bike, weightlifting, trampoline and much more!
- Defend your own country and visit the World: United States, Australia, Japan, France…
- Train yourself alone or compete with your friends!
- An enhanced version of “30 Sport Games in 1”, with revamped design, new games and more customisation!
How does this compare with the base game’s editions?
The base game was announced in Standard, Deluxe, and Collector’s physical editions. Pearl Abyss listed launch-era prices of $69.99, $89.99, and $279.99, respectively; these are historical announcement prices, not verified current prices or stock. The DLC, by contrast, is described as digital-download-only. If you want a physical copy, that applies to the base game, not the expansion.
Should you buy the base game now or wait for the DLC?
If you want to play Crimson Desert now, the base game is the available product; Charting the Unknown is still upcoming as of October 4, 2026. Its announced additions may appeal most if you want more exploration beyond land combat, new story material, or the planned housing and management activities. Whether those features justify buying the expansion cannot be judged from the announcement alone, because the DLC has not released and no current price is established here.
For platform-specific decisions, note that the base game’s launch platform list includes PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Apple Mac, Epic Games Store, and ROG Xbox Ally, while the DLC announcement lists a narrower set. Do not assume that owning the base game on every platform guarantees a DLC release there.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
