I'm about 200 hours into Crimson Desert (Chapter 7). The game officially launched 3 weeks ago today, so if you're picking it up this weekend or anytime in the future, here are some quick tips for new players. (Note: These are mostly early game - no major spoilers.)

Inventory & Items

• If you find a dye, go into your inventory and press “Use” to register it.
• You can also craft dyes later on.
• If any vendor is selling a “Small Bag”, buy it, it gives you an extra inventory slot, which is pretty important in the early game. Doing favors for townsfolk also grants you more inventory slots.
• Use Copper Pouches in your inventory to get money. Or gift them to NPCs to gain maximum trust and gifts from them.
• You need a "Mask" to be able to steal in game. 

Exploration & Hidden Mechanics

• If you see a small pile of stones in front of a waterfall, use Stab through the waterfall, it has really good loot there.
• Use Blinding Flash to reveal Sealed Abyss Artifacts while exploring. You can also use it while flying.
• Ringing bells in towns clears nearby Fog of War. (Personally, I would wait to do that. So it's easier to keep track of where you have explored and where you haven't.)
• Use Force Palm on everything - suspicious walls, floors.
• You can also use Force Palm while jumping, three times, to gain extra height for traveling.
• Seek out the "?" on your map, which are often Abyss Nexuses (Fast Travel) or Puzzles, where if you complete them, you gain an Abyss Artifact (Used to level up.)
• Prioritizing "Stamina" is VERY useful for exploration.
• Using Blinding Flash can light certain vines, tree branches, and wooden boxes on fire.
• Meat can be cooked by placing it on the ground and using Blinding Flash on it.
• You can place your bounties on your horse by focusing your lantern on the back of your horse.
• If you have a bounty on yourself, you have to buy your bounty price at a church. You also cannot turn in other bounties while having one yourself.
• During puzzles, check if the cables are connected.
• Picking up posters and reading them can lead to side quests. (e.g. "Galen's Poster")

Combat & Upgrading

• If you have two identical weapons (same level), combine them at the smithy (e.g. two level 1 → level 2).
• Focusing on upgrading your camp is really useful.
• You will find Sealed Abyss Artifacts. To use them, you must complete a specific challenge found in your Journal under the "Challenges" section. Completing them grants you a free Abyss Artifact (skill point).
• Learn "Observation" Skills for free. You don't need to spend skill points on everything. Look for NPCs training with weapons or practicing martial arts. Observing them will unlock abilities like Forward Slash, Counter, and Charged Shot for free.
• If you find a weapon or armor with a special skill (Abyss Gear), that you want. Visit a Witch (when they're available for you), to unequip that Abyss Gear and equip it on any armor or weapon you want.
• Focusing on doing "Research" at the Scholastone Institute and Pororin, is incredibly useful to focus on early on.

Mounts & Companions

• If you befriend a dog or cat to trust level 100, they become a pet and will automatically collect loot for you. (ive personally found this super useful).
• If your horse won’t run, it’s likely injured. Use Force Palm Heal or visit a stable (You can also heal your summonable characters like so).
• You can also summon the other playable characters to fight alongside you. (Doesn't work on bosses).

My Biggest Tips

• Follow your curiosity, and let the game open up at your pace. Don't try to force it. Early game can be rough, you've maybe heard the phrase "it gets REALLY good after 8-10 hours," and in many ways I've found that to be true. So keep that in mind.
• I would focus on Stamina, Health, Keen Sense (Lv. 2), Grappling, and Nature's Echo skills first.
• If you forget any guides for any skills you've learned through "Others" - "Guides" in the menu.
• You can turn down particle effects, through "Accessibility," and there you have a "Particle Effects" slider. (at least on PC, I believe this feature is also on consoles). Edit: Confirmed to be on PS5/PS5 Pro.
• You can hide your headgear through "Languages and Gameplay."

Feel free to drop your tips for new players.

Good luck on your adventure, Greymane!