Crimson Desert’s Huge DLC, Charting the Unknown, Out Now on PS5
Pearl Abyss has released Charting the Unknown, a paid expansion for Crimson Desert on PS5, adding substantial post-game content to an already large open-world game. It matters because it extends the game’s story and playable world, while introducing a paid release after a period of free updates.
The expansion costs £19.99 in the UK or $24.99 in the US and includes three questlines, one for each playable character. Players must complete the main campaign to access them; the stories involve a desert threat, political conflict, a journey beyond time and an ancient secret beneath the waves, with the ocean added to the playable space.
In short
- Charting the Unknown is out now on PS5.
- The expansion costs £19.99 and adds three post-game questlines.
- Completing the main campaign is required to access it.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A paid expansion can fund substantial new writing, quests and playable areas, giving players who have finished the campaign a meaningful reason to return. At £19.99 or $24.99, its value may be fair for those who enjoy the game and see the three character storylines and expanded ocean as worthwhile additions.
The case against
Charging separately for post-game stories and a newly playable area may feel disappointing to players who expected continued content to arrive through free updates. The expansion’s value is also uncertain before players know how much playtime and narrative depth it offers, and requiring completion of the main campaign limits access to those who have reached the end.
Explained simply
Crimson Desert is a large open-world action game made by South Korean studio Pearl Abyss. Its main campaign follows three playable characters, and the game’s world includes different regions, quests and combat challenges.
Charting the Unknown is a paid expansion, meaning players buy it separately to add new content to the game. It centres on three questlines, one for each character, and requires players to finish the main campaign first. The added stories range from political conflict to an ancient secret beneath the sea, and open up the ocean as a playable area.
The expansion extends the game beyond its original campaign and follows a period in which Pearl Abyss had released free updates. Its £19.99 UK price makes it a separate purchase for players who want to continue exploring the game.
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