Crimson Desert Enters R&D On Switch 2 - But Can The System Handle It?

Pearl Abyss has announced that it has begun its initial efforts to port Crimson Desert to the Switch 2, bringing what is already a technically challenging game on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S to an even less powerful system. While the Switch 2 is a huge upgrade over the original Switch hardware, significant compromises to fidelity, effects and performance are all likely versus the existing console versions of the game. If Crimson Desert arrives in an recognisable form, it would still be a coup worthy of the "impossible port" label we like to bestow.

While the developers say that they're still in the initial research and development phase, and therefore a shipping version is still months or years away, it's fun to think about what the game might look like based on our understanding of other Switch 2 ports and the hardware and features available to the Nintendo system.

As with other cases, looking at the Xbox Series S version of Crimson Desert can be instructive, as it's the most resource-constrained console offering of the game thus far. As you'd expect, it comes with significant hits to graphical settings, including models, textures and shadows. However, the junior Xbox is actually running at native 720p in performance mode and native 1080p in the quality alternative. On the Switch 2, there's the possibility of running at a much lower resolution then using DLSS to make up the difference, a technology available in "regular" and "fast" flavours with varying performance and quality profiles.

On every console and on PC, the game's graphical demands are substantial, but there's an equally demanding CPU burden in some areas. The famous "battle for Bug Hill" is a great example of this, with its large number of enemies contributing to frame-rates in the 30s and 40s even on the PlayStation 5 Pro's (nominally 60fps) performance mode, but you can face similar issues getting into fights in many well-populated areas.

The Switch 2 has a significantly less powerful processor, so ensuring adequate performance in these sorts of areas will be challenging. Developers do have some tools beyond overall optimisation, such as reducing NPC density or lowering draw distances, but any cuts will have to be carefully judged to ensure the game retains its characteristic scale.

Other cutbacks for the Switch 2 version are likely to include cutting back RT features and lighting, just like Series S. In its stead, we could see coarser solutions that can better preserve performance. Other settings make smaller impacts to performance based on our PC testing, but expect cuts to essentially all graphical settings and lower-resolution textures to boot. Given this, it's unlikely that there will be enough headroom to offer multiple performance modes, with a single 30fps mode being the most likely outcome.

As Pearl Abyss has continued to offer frequent MMO-style patches for the game in the weeks following launch, we have some measure of confidence that the eventual Switch 2 version will fit the bill. We've been particularly impressed by the improvements to graphical modes on PS5 and DLSS ray reconstruction on PC, not to mention frame-rate optimisations on Steam Deck, which suggests a good level of technical capability for the game's development team - and sufficient resourcing too.

Ultimately, while the project remains in its very early stages, the possibility of Crimson Desert arriving on the Switch 2 is an exciting proposition and obviously, we'll report back if and when firmer details emerge.