I will never finish Crimson Desert. It's not because I'm unwilling to put in the time—I just don't think I'll ever stop being distracted. Today, that distraction is superhero cosplay.

The player community has kicked creativity into overdrive lately. I am constantly seeing fellow adventurers tearing around Pywel doing wild things I never realized were possible. It is just as fun to see how they have styled their trio of heroes, especially the main man, Kliff.

While the dye system is convoluted and obtuse (what a shock!), it combines with substantial gear options to allow for some pretty impressive cosplays. While looking for outfit inspiration recently, I noticed more and more takes on iconic characters from outside the confines of Pywel. It makes me want nothing more than to play Crimson Desert like a superhero game—and Kliff certainly has the skillset for it.

Turning Kliff into a Superhero

If you are looking for a fit change, here are some community ideas to get you started:

  • Superman: The absence of good Superman games puts this cosplay at the top of my list, and the choice of screenshots is flawless. Now if only we could put capes on dogs, we'd have Krypto as well (Credit: AelithiaRose).
  • Spider-Man: With great power comes too many traders asking you to do odd jobs. There are even some bonus points for the web-slinging antics in the clips.
  • Doctor Strange: Pywel has its very own Sorcerer Supreme. With Kliff's little beard, he'd make a respectable Tony Stark, too (Credit: Bitter-Appointment58).
  • Captain America: This is high-quality cosplay, and I'm even more impressed with how Kliff's moveset actually matches Cap's. Even without the shield-throwing—since only Damiane can do that—he can still chuck enemies pretty far (Credit: citizenfunk1997).
  • Doctor Doom: Kliff is a good boy, but sometimes you need a genius Latverian supervillain to save the world (@gaming_guts).

I did expect to see a Green Lantern recreation, but I haven't found one yet. We have green dye and Kliff is never without his trusty lantern, so that is my next quest.

Beyond the Capes: Gaming and Anime Legends

If you don't have a superhero kink, the fashionistas in Crimson Desert still have you covered with outfits inspired by gaming and anime.

Iconic Character Cosplays

  • Link: This version makes Crimson Desert my favorite Legend of Zelda. I am as serious as a heart attack (Credit: JustARTificia1).
  • Mario: I would not be remotely surprised to discover a quest that requires Kliff to do some plumbing. I'd bloody love it, especially dressed like this (Credit: honkhonkswithbailou).
  • Sub-Zero: This cosplay is fantastic, and AleXOlO2 has also recreated Altair and Geralt. I am already looking at Nexus Mods so I can give Kliff a lustrous Geralt mane (Credit: AleXOlO2).
  • Goku: I had to Google his name despite playing countless hours of Dragon Ball FighterZ. There are just too many anime guys.
  • Dante: I'm tired of waiting for a new DMC, so this will have to do (Credit: Bitter-Appointment58).

I suspect we will see much more cracking cosplay as Pearl Abyss adds new outfits to the game. Most of these looks can be recreated just by finding the right outfits and dyes in-game. For now, I have a dour Scottish man to dress up.