Pearl Abyss goes easy on us critics for our Crimson Desert reviews: 'They had to play the build that is not the exact same version of the launched game'

• The Sims-style house building and customisation.
• 133 new trading posts and economy overhauls via supply and demand.
• 20 new types of small animal. Also a shotgun.
• Pinball.
• Birdwatching.
• A pond for keeping fish. I only just learned about this one.

And that's all already on top of the pre-existing camp management, minigames, pet loyalty and collection system, transmog, market manipulation and banking, cooking, fishing, mount collecting, bounties—and I am almost certain I've missed some stuff. But hey, maybe that's actually an improvement, based on your personal tastes. For instance, Fraser Brown, our online editor, loves the messiness.

At any rate: Yes, Crimson Desert is a different game since we reviewed it. And judging on the blistering pace that Pearl Abyss has managed, it'll be a different game in a year from now. I very much look forward to (throwing a dart at a list of videogame mechanics) beer distillation, dressmaking, and an RTS mode or something. Chuck 'em in there.