How Long to Beat Crimson Desert: Main Story, Side Quests, and 100% Completion Time

Main Story Completion Time

The main story campaign of Crimson Desert takes approximately 40 to 50 hours to complete for most players. This estimate assumes you are following the critical path -- the central narrative following Kliff and the Greyhounds mercenary company through the continent of Pywel -- without significant deviation into optional content.

Your actual completion time will vary based on playstyle. Players who rush through dialogue and skip exploration can finish the main story in around 35 hours. Those who take time to absorb the story, watch cutscenes fully, and explore areas along the critical path will be closer to 50 hours. The game's pacing is generally well-balanced, with story beats spaced out so you never feel rushed or bogged down.

The main story is divided into several acts, each set in a different region of Pywel. Difficulty spikes at certain boss encounters may add a few hours if you need to level up or adjust your build. Overall, the main campaign is substantial but not bloated, making it a comfortable commitment for most RPG fans.

Main Story Plus Side Quests

If you engage with side content alongside the main story, expect your total playtime to reach 70 to 90 hours. Crimson Desert features a large volume of optional content, including mercenary contracts, companion side stories, exploration challenges, hidden boss encounters, and region-specific questlines that expand on the lore of Pywel.

Side quests in Crimson Desert are generally higher quality than the typical open-world filler. Many have their own narrative arcs, unique rewards, and tie back into the main story thematically. Companion quests are particularly worthwhile, as they deepen your relationship with members of the Greyhounds and can unlock new abilities or story outcomes.

Some side content is time-sensitive or tied to story progression, so it is worth checking your quest log regularly. Missing certain side quests can lock you out of specific rewards, though the main story remains completable regardless of how much optional content you tackle.

• Mercenary contracts: 10-15 hours
• Companion quests: 8-12 hours
• Exploration and hidden bosses: 10-15 hours
• Region questlines: 10-15 hours

100% Completion Time

For completionists aiming to do everything Crimson Desert has to offer, the total time investment is approximately 100 to 120 hours. This includes completing every quest, finding all collectibles, defeating all optional bosses, maxing out all skill trees, unlocking every achievement, and fully exploring every region of the Pywel map.

100% completion is a significant undertaking but is made more manageable by the game's fast travel system and clear map markers. Most collectibles are tied to specific locations, and the game tracks your completion percentage per region, so you always know what remains.

The most time-consuming aspects of 100% completion are the optional endgame bosses and the full skill tree mastery. Some late-game challenges are designed for maxed-out characters and may require grinding for materials or experience. Plan for an additional 20 to 30 hours beyond the main story plus side quests if you want to truly complete everything.