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  1. Games
  2. Open World Games
  3. Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert impresses some RPG fans with its dialogue fast-forward feature, but leaves others questioning "why" it's even a thing: "TikTok has ruined this generation"

News
By Anna Koselke published 5 March 2026

"What is the point of playing a story title if you're not even invested?"

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Macduff running from a monster during the upcoming PS5 game, Crimson Desert.
(Image credit: Pearl Abyss)
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As it stands, Crimson Desert is arguably one of the most exciting new games on the horizon – but not all of its more, uh, unique features are proving popular with fans.

Folks' thoughts (and more significantly, videos) following their hands-on time with Crimson Desert have gone live recently – check our own thoughts on the open-world RPG so far – and fans are, unsurprisingly, reacting to what they're learning about Pearl Abyss' hotly anticipated game.

One post in particular is making rounds online as it highlights a particularly interesting feature: the ability to fast-forward through dialogue, basically.

"One of the features I really liked in Crimson Desert is you can fast forward through dialogue while still being able to understand the context," writes the poster. "It's not a jump skip, but a time save."

You may like
  • A masked boss from the trailer for Crimson Desert, holding a knife. Crimson Desert was announced "too early," devs admit, and now has to prove it's not "too good to be true"
  • Crimson Desert: Macduff looking out into the distance during the new game, Crimson Desert. Crimson Desert devs aren't "hiding anything," will show console versions of the RPG "ahead of launch," says PR lead
  • Key art showing cliff with sword and shield in hand with supporting characters behind him and a lush world filled with ancient ruins behind him, with the GamesRadar+ Big in 2026 frame Crimson Desert's hack and slash boss bottles "play a crucial role in shaping the game’s intensity", but there's more to the open world adventure – like fishing, cooking, and dragon-riding

One of the features I really liked in Crimson Desert is you can fast forward through dialogue while still being able to understand the context, it's not a jump skip, but a time save pic.twitter.com/g3KiQVUxEEMarch 4, 2026

While some folks seemingly agree with their sentiment here, with one person saying, "I definitely can't wait to use this feature," many do not. Lots of people bring up the fact that the story is core to many open-world RPGs like Crimson Desert.

"You're… playing an RPG, but you're happy you can skip dialogue? I'd like to play an FPS, but can we have a button that lets me skip the shooting?" asks one commenter, sarcastically. Another says, "Skipping dialogue in an RPG is kinda crazy, imo. Unless it's a second playthrough."

Some are trying to work out why the feature has even been implemented in the first place. "I... huh, so if the story isn't that interesting maybe this speeds it up to the combat part but at the same time why not just skip the cutscene entirely? Also if the story is good, why would you speed it up?" one Twitter user asks. Another simply argues: "TikTok has ruined this generation lmao."

skipping dialogue??? fast forwarding even??? what is the point of playing a story title if you’re not even invested in what’s happening?! https://t.co/fFw5SzkoLiMarch 5, 2026

The controversial dialogue skip feature has made its way all over the web, with a separate thread showing similar disappointment about its existence: "Skipping dialogue??? Fast forwarding even??? What is the point of playing a story title if you're not even invested in what's happening?!" It's a valid point, and as a lover of all things story, I get it.

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I don't think I'll personally be employing the feature myself – I adore a good bit of story, and I also do like knowing what's going on while playing a game. Oftentimes, it pays off to be aware, so I'm interested to see how Pearl Abyss balances the dialogue fast-forward system with the rest of Crimson Desert.

I suppose it does also make sense for people who are more pressed for time, too. But, like most, apparently, I'm not a huge fan.

Crimson Desert was announced "too early," devs admit, and now has to prove it's not "too good to be true" without "over-promising."

CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Xbox Series X PS5 Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Anna Koselke
Anna Koselke
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Staff Writer

After spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.

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A masked boss from the trailer for Crimson Desert, holding a knife.
Crimson Desert was announced "too early," devs admit, and now has to prove it's not "too good to be true"
 
 
Crimson Desert: Macduff looking out into the distance during the new game, Crimson Desert.
Crimson Desert devs aren't "hiding anything," will show console versions of the RPG "ahead of launch," says PR lead
 
 
Key art showing cliff with sword and shield in hand with supporting characters behind him and a lush world filled with ancient ruins behind him, with the GamesRadar+ Big in 2026 frame
Crimson Desert's hack and slash boss bottles "play a crucial role in shaping the game’s intensity", but there's more to the open world adventure – like fishing, cooking, and dragon-riding
 
 
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I played 6 hours of Crimson Desert, but it feels like I've barely scratched the surface of this RPG's open world
 
 
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