Akapen

Overview

Akapen is a named territory on the continent of Pywel in Crimson Desert. It is defined by vast open plains and verdant, fertile expanses, making it one of the most visually distinctive and hospitable areas on the continent. Pearl Abyss has featured Akapen in their official description of Pywel's geographic diversity: "From the vast plains of Akapen to the inhospitably cold lands of Kweiden, or the barren Desert, each region possesses its own unique beauty." Akapen's wide-open terrain makes it a natural setting for large-scale mounted combat and horseback exploration across rolling green landscapes.

Geography and Climate

Akapen's terrain is characterized by open grasslands and rolling green plains. Official press materials describe it using terms like "vast plains," "verdant expanses," and "fertile plains," emphasizing its lush, productive landscape. The region stands in sharp contrast to the frozen peaks of Kweiden and the arid red sands of the Crimson Desert biome.

Each region in Crimson Desert maintains a distinct, preset biome. While the game features dynamic weather with real-time calculations based on elevation, wind, precipitation, and temperature, the fundamental environmental character of each region remains fixed. Akapen appears to have the most temperate and hospitable climate among the named territories, with warm conditions conducive to agriculture and open-field activities.

Location Within Pywel

The continent of Pywel is divided into five major regions: Hernand, Pailune, Demeniss, Delesyia, and the Crimson Desert. Within these broader divisions, named territories serve as sub-regions with distinct identities. Akapen and Kweiden are the two most frequently cited examples of Pywel's environmental variety in official press materials.

Akapen as a Settlement

In addition to being a territorial name, Akapen also functions as a settlement or town that players can visit. Preview coverage describes it alongside other named locations: "You will arrive in places like Kweiden and Akapen, with each town feeling unique and immersive." Like other settlements in Crimson Desert, Akapen is populated by blacksmiths, tailors, merchants, and residents who follow daily routines. NPCs in settlements offer commissions, sell region-specific equipment, and react to player behavior.

Settlement activities available in towns across Pywel include arena fighting, arm wrestling, shooting contests, horse racing, coin gambling, and other diversions. The specific activities available in Akapen have not been individually confirmed, but the game's design ensures each settlement offers a selection of these options.

Mounted Combat and Traversal

Akapen's wide-open plains make it particularly well-suited for mounted combat and traversal. Crimson Desert features an extensive mount system with seamless transitions between mounted and on-foot fighting. The open terrain of Akapen provides ideal conditions for the full range of mounted activities.

Horseback is described as "the most popular way to traverse the map," and the full Pywel map takes approximately two hours to cross on horseback. Akapen's flat, open terrain would allow riders to take advantage of the horse's speed without the obstacles and narrow passages found in mountainous or forested regions.

Large-Scale Battles

Crimson Desert features large-scale battles with dozens of NPCs clashing simultaneously across sprawling battlefields. These encounters include artillery fire, cannon barrages, and environmental destruction. While the primary demonstrated large-scale battle takes place during the Calphade Rebellion questline near a castle, Akapen's open plains terrain would be a natural setting for cavalry charges, mounted warfare, and open-field engagements between rival factions.

The game features "dozens and dozens" of factions that control different regions of the map. Faction relationships progress through states from "at war" to "neutral" to "alliance," and these relationships can change based on the player's actions. Liberating settlements from hostile factions causes residents to return, structures to be rebuilt, vendors to appear, and trade routes to unlock.

Regional Context

Akapen is referenced in official materials alongside Pywel's other distinctive territories to showcase the environmental diversity of the game world.

The story of Crimson Desert is set during a political crisis: the King of Demeniss, the Unifier of Lands, has fallen into a coma, sparking a fierce struggle for the throne among ambitious factions. Each region is affected by this power vacuum, and the player's actions across Pywel (including in Akapen) shape the factional balance.

World Scale

The full Pywel map has been described as at least twice the size of Skyrim's playable area and larger than Red Dead Redemption 2's world, with approximately 80 or more square kilometers of explorable terrain. Pearl Abyss marketing director Will Powers has emphasized that while the map is massive, the focus is on density over raw size, with the world described as "incredibly interactive" and filled with hidden dungeons, secret caves, and underground fight clubs scattered throughout.

Trailer Appearances

Akapen has not been specifically labeled in any individual trailer, but footage showing vast green plains and horseback riding across open landscapes appears in several official videos. The Game Awards 2020 gameplay trailer was particularly notable for its extended landscape shots featuring a horseman riding through open terrain. The Features Overview #1: Kliff and the Open World of Pywel trailer from January 2026 also showcased the environmental diversity of Pywel, including lush plains sequences that likely depict Akapen or similar terrain.