Quick spoiler free summary

Pearl Abyss, the studio that gave us the medieval action game Crimson Desert, is working on something very different. Instead of castles and brutal sword fights, the next title is bright, cartoonish, and full of collectible creatures called Dokebi. Think adorable monsters roaming a cityscape while chaos and charm collide.

What happened with Crimson Desert

  • Crimson Desert launched on March 19, 2026 and has drawn a lot of attention for its sprawling fantasy world and heavy melee combat.
  • Early player reaction was mixed mainly because the controls felt rough. Once players had time to adapt and Pearl Abyss made some fixes, the Metacritic user score climbed from about 7.7 at launch to 8.6 within a week.
  • Fans and critics praised the game for its deep gameplay and strong visuals, qualities that echo the studio's earlier MMORPG, Black Desert Online.
  • There are still complaints about image clarity and resolution on some consoles, especially reports from players using PS5 Pro hardware.
  • ESRB rating for Crimson Desert is Mature 17+, with mentions of blood, drug reference, intense violence, and strong language.

Enter DokeV: cute monsters in the city

Pearl Abyss first unveiled DokeV in 2019. The initial reveal presented it as an open-world action-adventure with a big emphasis on collecting and interacting with creatures, the Dokebi. The trailer showed a city kid on a skateboard summoning playful, bipedal monsters and then spending time with them doing everyday and wild things.

Highlights from that footage included:

  • Dokebi trying on clothes, driving in convertibles, and hanging out like teammates rather than pets.
  • A variety of creature designs that feel playful and eclectic, such as:
  • a husky with a sailor scarf,
  • a panda-like fighter wearing boxing gloves,
  • a pineapple-armadillo hybrid,
  • a pink bear with a toucan beak,
  • a yellow duckling in a gardening hat,
  • a roller-skating white rabbit in a leotard,
  • and a cybernetic insectoid hero with a strawberry sticker and a giant candy cane holster.

If the trailer is any indication, the Dokebi roster is large and full of personality, leaning into an urban setting rather than a pastoral fantasy world.

When might DokeV arrive?

Information has been sparse since the initial announcement. The game was once planned for 2023 but missed that window. In October 2024, Pearl Abyss responded to inquiries by saying they intended to release DokeV roughly 18 months after Crimson Desert launched. If that schedule still holds, a rough estimate points to around September 2027, but that could change.

Bottom line

Pearl Abyss is clearly diversifying. After a gritty, mature fantasy release, the studio’s next big project swaps swords for skateboards and monsters with big personalities. Fans who expected more medieval combat should prepare for something far more colorful and chaotic. Meanwhile, Crimson Desert is already getting closer to the positive reception it aimed for, even if there are still visual polish issues to iron out on some consoles.

What to watch for next

  • Official updates on DokeV from Pearl Abyss, including a new trailer or gameplay dive.
  • Any further patches for Crimson Desert addressing console visuals.
  • A confirmed release window for DokeV beyond the rough timeline given in 2024.