Players who have been counting down to the Crimson Desert release date are now facing a very different reality on PS5. A growing number of early buyers say they regret purchasing the game due to technical problems that make exploring its world more frustrating than fun. While complaints range from blurry visuals to frame rate drops, one specific issue appears to be driving an unusual outcome: PlayStation Store refunds.
Refunds for PS4 and PS5 games are typically difficult to get once you’ve already started playing. In most cases, playtime on your account makes the purchase ineligible. However, there’s an important exception that players are leaning on here: when a game becomes effectively unplayable. According to multiple reports shared by players, some have successfully persuaded PlayStation Support that the PS5 version of Crimson Desert crosses that line.
The biggest culprit is a crash and freeze problem tied to the in-game map. Players describe the map causing the game to lock up for as long as 30 seconds, and in some cases triggering a full crash. In an open world game where navigation is essential, that kind of instability can turn basic progression into a constant interruption. One player explained the issue directly to support and said their account was credited with a full refund.
A key tip from users who succeeded: skip the automated chatbot and request a live agent. Outcomes reportedly vary, but players who emphasize that the game cannot be reliably played due to crashes seem to have a better chance of getting their money back.
Not every complaint is likely to qualify for a refund, though. Many players are also unhappy with performance and image quality, particularly in Performance Mode. Some describe the visuals as noticeably blurry and below expectations. A recent PS5 patch attempts to address parts of the problem by adding an option to disable 120Hz output, which may improve clarity on certain TV and monitor setups.
Controls are another common sticking point. Some players say the control layout feels awkward and difficult to master, slowing down combat and exploration. On top of that, input lag has been cited as a major frustration—and it was one of the focuses of the March 23 update aimed at improving stability and responsiveness.
It’s still too early to tell whether the latest Crimson Desert PS5 patch will meaningfully reduce refund requests, especially if the map crash bug continues for some players. Meanwhile, the conversation around the game isn’t limited to consoles. On PC, players have raised separate concerns, including backlash over DRM implementation, questions about asset use, and ongoing compatibility issues for certain GPU owners.
For now, the situation on PS5 is clear: if Crimson Desert is crashing or freezing to the point where you can’t reliably use core features like the map, some players are managing to secure PlayStation Store refunds—even though that’s normally rare after you’ve logged playtime.
