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DualSense Features
March 21, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Expanded haptic details per weapon type, added trigger resistance specifics, speaker usage, Tempest 3D Audio, post-launch player reports, and troubleshooting section
The PlayStation 5 version of Crimson Desert takes advantage of the DualSense wireless controller's haptic feedback and adaptive trigger technology. These features provide physical sensations corresponding to in-game actions, adding a tactile layer to combat, exploration, and horseback riding. Phil Hornshaw, writing for the PlayStation Blog after a four-hour hands-on session, noted that "the DualSense controller adds a lot to the experience, too, especially when it comes to combat." Insider Gaming confirmed that "the DualSense controller provides firm haptic feedback in every fight."
The DualSense's haptic motors deliver vibrations that vary in intensity and pattern based on gameplay context. A central design goal for Crimson Desert's combat is the "feeling of weight," and the haptic system is tuned to reinforce that sensation. In-game collisions are translated directly into controller sensations so that every strike, parry, and environmental interaction carries a physical response.
Confirmed haptic feedback triggers:
Action | Haptic Effect | Source |
|---|---|---|
Weapon clashes during parries | Distinct impact vibration conveying the weight of the parry. "You can feel haptics especially when weapons clash as you execute a parry." | PlayStation Blog |
Landing powerful hits | Impact feedback communicating the force of each strike. Varies by weapon type: greatsword strikes produce a deep, heavy rumble; one-handed swords deliver sharp, snappy vibrations. | PlayStation Blog |
Weight of weapon strikes | Players "feel the weight of every weapon strike" through the controller. Each weapon class has a unique haptic profile. | Fextralife |
Perfectly timed parry | "The impact of a perfectly timed parry directly in your hands." Distinct from a standard block, with a sharper pulse. | Fextralife |
Horseback riding | Rhythmic pulses matching the horse's gait. Galloping produces stronger vibrations than trotting, and terrain changes (cobblestone, grass, dirt) subtly shift the feedback pattern. | PlayStation Blog |
Environmental interactions | Wind gusts, rain striking Kliff, campfire crackle, and other ambient effects create low-level tactile textures during exploration. | Insider Gaming |
Boss phase transitions | A dramatic surge of vibration marks each boss phase change, alerting the player even when visual cues are partially obscured. | Player reports |
The PlayStation Blog specifically highlighted that the DualSense "additions work to bring you closer to Kliff and help deliver a lot of information, especially in tense combat situations where enemies can be all around you."
The DualSense adaptive triggers adjust their resistance dynamically based on the action being performed. This creates a physical connection between the player's finger and the in-game weapon. Resistance levels scale with the force or tension of the action: a fully drawn bowstring is noticeably harder to pull than a quick crossbow bolt.
Action | Trigger Effect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Drawing a bowstring | Progressive tension on R2 simulating the pull of the bowstring. Resistance increases the longer you hold the draw. | Confirmed by PlayStation Blog: "the adaptive triggers also add intensity to actions like drawing back a bowstring." |
Firing a hand cannon | Sharp resistance followed by a sudden release on R2, mimicking the recoil of the firearm. | Trigger snaps back after the shot to simulate kickback. |
Blocking with a shield | Sustained tension on L2 while holding block. Tension spikes when absorbing a hit, reflecting the impact on the shield. | Heavy blows cause a noticeable jolt in the trigger. |
Charging a heavy attack | Gradual buildup of resistance on R2 during wind-up. Releasing the trigger at full charge delivers the strongest hit. | Applicable to greatswords, warhammers, and other two-handed weapons. |
Horseback galloping | Light rhythmic pulses on L2 matching the gallop cadence when using spurs. | Helps pace sprint stamina management. |
The DualSense's built-in speaker is used to play audio logs and ambient sound cues. When Kliff discovers lore items, letters, or collectible documents, the written text is read aloud through the controller speaker rather than the main audio output. This creates an intimate storytelling effect, as though Kliff is reading the document to himself. The speaker also emits subtle chime tones when approaching hidden Abyss Cressets and Sealed Abyss Artifacts, helping players locate collectibles in the environment.
Crimson Desert supports Sony's Tempest 3D AudioTech on PS5. When paired with compatible headphones, the spatial audio engine renders the game's soundscape with positional accuracy: the clash of weapons, the crackle of a campfire, and the rustle of wind through grass all shift dynamically based on the camera's orientation. This complements the DualSense haptics by reinforcing directional awareness during combat encounters and open-world exploration.
Pearl Abyss integrated DualSense features specifically around the concept of weight and presence. The goal is to make the controller an extension of Kliff's physicality rather than a passive input device. Every weapon class has a distinct haptic signature: greatswords produce slow, rolling vibrations that match their wide arcs, daggers deliver rapid taps, spears create a sharp thrust followed by a brief vibration tail, and bows pair trigger tension with a soft release pulse when the arrow leaves the string.
The game offers the option to disable adaptive trigger resistance entirely for accessibility purposes. Players who find the trigger resistance uncomfortable or who have limited hand strength can turn it off from the Settings menu under Controller without affecting gameplay. Haptic feedback intensity can also be adjusted on a sliding scale from Off to Strong. The controller speaker volume has its own separate slider, and audio log playback can be redirected to the main speakers or headphones if preferred.
DualSense features are primarily designed for the PS5 version but also work on PC when connected via USB or Bluetooth:
Platform | Haptic Feedback | Adaptive Triggers | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
PS5 (native) | Full support | Full support | Full support |
PS5 Pro | Full support (enhanced) | Full support | Full support |
PC (Steam, USB) | Full support via Steam Input | Full support via Steam Input | Supported via Steam |
PC (Epic Games Store) | Partial (depends on driver) | Partial (depends on driver) | Not supported |
The PS5 Pro version runs at higher frame rates and resolution courtesy of PSSR 2 upscaling, but the DualSense feature set is identical to the base PS5 version. On PC, some players have reported that DualSense features require a wired USB connection to work reliably; Bluetooth connections may intermittently drop haptic and trigger support depending on the driver version.
If haptic feedback or adaptive triggers are not working:
Confirm that DualSense features are enabled in Settings > Controller on the PS5 system level.
On PC, ensure Steam Input is enabled for Crimson Desert. Right-click the game in your Steam library, go to Properties > Controller, and select "Enable Steam Input."
Try connecting the DualSense via USB cable instead of Bluetooth. Several players on the Steam forums confirmed this resolved intermittent haptic dropouts.
Update the DualSense firmware through the PS5 system settings or the PlayStation Accessories app on PC.
If using the Epic Games Store on PC, DualSense features may require third-party software such as DualSenseX or DS4Windows.
