Crimson Desert can be a bit confusing when starting out since you are learning the massive amount of controls and menus. Once you finish the prologue and Chapter 1, the game opens up a lot more to freely explore. To help get you there, this will be a quick walkthrough on how to breeze through Chapter 1 (without wasting your time).
As a quick note before getting started, this guide starts once you see the “Chapter 1” display. If you just started the game, just follow the guided path the game forces you on until you see the Chapter 1 screen begin. I have a separate “must-know tips” guide that may be super helpful to you if you are just starting the game.
Crimson Desert The First Encounter Walkthrough
As soon as you start, exit the camp and make your way into town. Use the mini-map to move towards the tavern, marked with the red X icon.
Once at the tavern, head inside and approach the guard seated at the table. Hold L1 to interact with the guard, then press X to challenge.
After the cutscene, head outside towards the next objective. A beggar will be lying on top of a sewer hatch. Approach him, hold L1, and give him a coin. Doing so will trigger a cutscene. Afterwards, he rewards you with a random key for your kindness.
As soon as the scene finishes, stand on top of the sewer hatch that the beggar was previously lying on. It prompts you to open. If you can’t get the prompt to work, adjust your standing until the prompt highlights itself. Afterwards, enter the hatch.
There isn’t much to “investigate” here like the mission implies. Just hop across the platforms and approach the woman to “save” her. You can turn around and leave the sewer right after.
Once back on the surface, you can immediately follow the minimap to find a small child who needs you to save their cat. Simply jump on the roof and grab the cat!
Next, follow the minimap to the town below the city. You will find a man who just fell off the roof who needs your help to clear the smoke from the chimney. Grab the broom next to the door and climb onto the roof to clear the chimney.
Completing this will reward you with fancy clothing you can equip in your inventory. While you’re there, select the key that the beggar gave you earlier.
Head to the castle back in the city. Once you reach the gate, a couple of guards will stop you to ensure you are properly dressed. If they reject you, make sure you have equipped those fancy clothes you just unlocked.
Before heading directly to the objective, please take a look at the guards training in the courtyard. You can approach them for training, and an L1 prompt will appear to observe them. Doing so will grant you a couple of skills without requiring you to spend skill points.
Now you can head into the castle. Once inside, don’t worry about going into rooms (most of them are locked anyway). Instead, take the staircase to the right and go up a floor.
Make your way to the doorway with the 2 guards in front of it. Inside will be 3 doors on the left wall. A maid will mention she can never seem to unlock a door.
Now you have reached the sky islands! Head straight ahead to the platform to unlock the fast travel site. Then head on towards the building. A cutscene will trigger and give you your first ability. Use it to complete the small puzzle.
Attach your new ability to the right circle. Spin it by either moving the right analog, or holding push (or pull) to rotate it until the stone gloves. Disconnect and reattach to the left circle, doing the same process of rotating.
Once completed, head inside the building and trigger the cutscene. Once you are back outside, you must complete the trial.
Simply hop along the new path and make your way to the other end. A teleporter pad will be at the end. As a quick tip, you do not hold down X to run. Tap it once to run, then you can tap the square to jump while running.
After standing on the platform, you can head towards the small courtyard ahead.
Drop down into the lower area now that you have unlocked it.
Once in place, you can walk to the glowing blue figure. Hold L1 and observe to unlock a new ability. Hold R3 to use the new ability and push the object into place. After the animation plays, head to the left of the object you just placed. A textured portion of the wall allows you to climb out of the hole.
Once the animation finishes, head up the structure to the final objective. Talk to White Crow (the NPC) and unlock your next ability. Jump off the island and skydive down. Once you land, congratulations! You have completed the hand-holding portion of the game and finished Chapter 1.