Black Desert

If you can get past its flaws, Black Desert will reward you with a gorgeous game world and some incredible combat, but poor tutorials, repetitive missions, a messy interface, and the odd set of bugs stop it from being anything more than average.

72%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

grinding, monetization

76% User Score Based on 47,425 reviews

Critic Score 65%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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About

Black Desert is a historical open-world MMORPG that offers a rich and immersive gaming experience with its remastered graphics and audio. Test your limits in thrilling combat, exploration, trading, and life skills such as fishing, alchemy, cooking, and gathering in its vast game world. Play solo or join forces with up to 2 other players for co-op adventures in this massively multiplayer game. Enhance your gameplay with various characters, classes, and advanced customization features.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 47,425 reviews

story1.1k positive mentions

grinding5.3k negative mentions

story
5,700 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
68%
13%
The story in Black Desert Online is often described as convoluted and lacking depth, with many players finding it difficult to engage with due to its repetitive quest structure, which primarily consists of "fetch" and "kill" tasks. While some appreciate the game's expansive world and character customization, the narrative is frequently overshadowed by the grind-heavy gameplay and poorly translated dialogue, leading many to skip through story elements entirely. Overall, the game is seen as more focused on combat and life skills than on delivering a compelling story.
- “The story is really fun and the graphics are stunning, not to mention the gameplay is engaging and keeps you wanting to explore more.”
- “The main quest line gives you lots of good gear to progress through the game and sends you right across all corners of the game world.”
- “The story is immersive, and overall wonderful to play.”
- “The story is boring, and I don't care about the quests as I do them.”
- “The quests are kind of boring; most of the time I don't even know what I am supposed to do and I just go along with it. Most of the quests are just talking non-stop, which is okay for people who like storytelling, but I feel like it needs more balance.”
- “The story tries but it's hours of stilted dialogue, sometimes 5-10 minutes of exposition between hand-ins.”
grinding
5,351 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The grinding aspect of Black Desert Online is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. While some enjoy the grind for its own sake, appreciating the game's beautiful graphics and engaging combat, others find it overwhelming and frustrating, particularly due to the RNG elements involved in gear enhancement and the necessity of afk farming. Overall, the game is best suited for those who relish grinding and are willing to invest substantial time to progress, as it often feels like a second job rather than a leisurely gaming experience.
- “Not too grindy in comparison to some MMOs.”
- “Here you're not grinding for gear or experience; you're grinding for the main story quests.”
- “I have spent about 1,104 hours in Black Desert Online as of this review, not grinding mobs or testing my combat against other players, but in life skilling and questing.”
- “If you like pretty graphics and grinding until your fingers fall off, this is certainly the game for you.”
- “Black Desert will not only instill in you a love for pressing the same three buttons for six hours straight of grinding, but they will indeed teach you to love the complete and total loss of everything you just ground for.”
- “The endless hours of grinding just to get one upgrade at the endgame just isn't worth it.”
graphics
5,100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
29%
3%
The graphics of Black Desert Online are widely praised for their stunning detail and vibrant aesthetics, often described as some of the best in the MMORPG genre. Players appreciate the intricate character customization options and the immersive environments, which contribute to a visually captivating experience. However, some users report performance issues, such as graphical pop-ins and lag in crowded areas, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “The graphics are so stunning you’ll forget you’re playing a game... until your character dies for the third time because you accidentally wandered into a mob that’s way too powerful.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the world is expansive, and the combat system is flashy enough to make you feel like an action hero.”
- “The graphics are absolutely breathtaking, from the lush forests and bustling cities to the tranquil deserts and serene beaches.”
- “The graphics might have been decent at release almost a decade ago, but for today's standards they barely reach average.”
- “The graphics are pure Xbox 360.”
- “The graphics are just mind-blowing, and the world is so huge and detailed.”
gameplay
3,410 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
58%
6%
The gameplay of Black Desert Online (BDO) is characterized by its stunning graphics and intricate mechanics, offering a mix of action-oriented combat, crafting, and exploration. While many players appreciate the depth and variety of gameplay options, including life skills and PvP, the experience can be marred by a steep learning curve, overwhelming UI, and a heavy reliance on grinding and pay-to-win mechanics. Overall, BDO provides an engaging but often frustrating gameplay experience that requires significant time investment to fully appreciate its complexities.
- “Black Desert Online is a visually stunning and mechanically rich MMORPG that offers unparalleled freedom.”
- “The gameplay in Black Desert Online offers a refreshing mix of action combat, crafting, and exploration.”
- “Overall, Black Desert Online is perfect if you want a beautiful, open-world experience with tons of freedom and action-packed gameplay.”
- “That is why it is too bad the gameplay is absolute garbage.”
- “Sadly the gameplay has been made pointless, progression has been made pointless, accomplishments have been made pointless, all content has been made pointless...”
- “The gameplay is shallow and the world is somehow good looking yet so insanely uninteresting and generic.”
monetization
646 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
58%
36%
The monetization model of Black Desert Online has drawn significant criticism for its aggressive and often predatory practices, characterized by a plethora of microtransactions that many players feel are necessary for a satisfactory gaming experience. While some argue that these purchases are optional and primarily cosmetic, others contend that the game is heavily pay-to-win, requiring substantial financial investment to remain competitive, particularly in end-game content. Overall, the game's monetization strategy is seen as a major detractor, overshadowing its otherwise engaging gameplay and stunning visuals.
- “The game's monetization model has also been a point of contention for many players, but it offers a unique experience, though the monetization strategy might be a turn-off for some.”
- “There are quite a few microtransactions in the game, but so far they seem to be optional, mostly for cosmetics, so it's optional.”
- “As any other game nowadays, it has microtransactions, but in general, the game is amazing and works pretty well without having to spend money.”
- “The game's monetization model has also been a point of contention for many players.”
- “Black Desert Online is a prime example of a game with stunning visuals and potential, completely overshadowed by predatory monetization and horrendous game design.”
- “The game is plagued by a heavy focus on pay-to-win mechanics, with microtransactions heavily influencing progression and gameplay.”
optimization
391 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
46%
32%
The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players reporting frequent crashes, severe lag, and poor performance even on high-end systems. Many users noted that the game struggles with frame rate drops, particularly in crowded areas, and suffers from significant visual pop-in issues. While some players experienced decent performance on lower settings, the general consensus is that the game requires substantial improvements in optimization to enhance the overall gameplay experience.
- “The graphics are top-notch and the game’s optimization allows for a smooth and lag-free experience, even on lower-end computers.”
- “The game runs smoothly on my aging computer.”
- “This game really took me by surprise, the graphics are beautiful and very well optimized (which is unusual for an MMO), the combat, dare I say, is even more engrossing than TERA.”
- “Terrible optimization, keeps changing my monitor's resolution and you can't even tab out.”
- “The game is poorly optimized, resulting in frequent crashes, frame rate drops, and lag spikes.”
- “Despite the game's strengths, a noticeable flaw lies in its optimization.”
music
332 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
55%
6%
The music in Black Desert Online is widely praised for its beautiful orchestral compositions that enhance the immersive experience of the game. Many players find the soundtrack relaxing and fitting for various gameplay scenarios, although some note that it can become repetitive over time. Additionally, the game features a unique music composition system that allows players to create and perform their own music, adding a creative layer to the overall experience.
- “The music is amazing; I want to feel like I am in the game, and I feel that way with BDO.”
- “Sometimes I don't even want to actually play this game but only listen to the wonderful songs in it.”
- “The game's soundtrack is epic and immersive, with a variety of different themes and styles that fit perfectly with the game's tone.”
- “The combat music becomes annoying after 10 minutes; I turned it off, it was way too much 'in your face'.”
- “The music is about as annoying as it gets and completely fails to add any atmosphere.”
- “Most of the time, you will find yourself not paying much attention to the sounds around you and usually end up turning off in-game music altogether after hearing the same song play for the thousandth time.”
stability
263 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
2%
94%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users experienced frustrating technical problems, including crashes, slow loading times, and unresponsive quests, leading to a general perception that the game feels unfinished and poorly optimized. While some players noted that the game can be enjoyable if one can overlook these issues, the overwhelming consensus is that the game's stability is a major drawback.
- “Other than that, I've never had any technical issues (on my modest gaming laptop or PS4/Pro) with this game, no glitches, and if your joystick won't work at first, check the box in options and reboot the game; after that, mine always works.”
- “BDO plays exactly as designed, no glitches, no lag, no load screens.”
- “Looks great, runs great, just need to get more into the questing side of it.”
- “One of the worst experiences I've ever had; the startup section is so slow and old school, so buggy and clunky. This game feels like it was released in the early 2000s.”
- “The game is very uninspiring, it fails to catch interest on any level, and doesn't offer anything not already seen before. It's also kind of buggy, messy, and strangely, even open spaces give you claustrophobia because of how everything is bunched up.”
- “The most buggy game I have ever played, and the support team's response time can be days.”
humor
184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players finding amusement in various aspects such as character creation, quirky bugs, and the often absurd situations that arise during gameplay. Many reviews mention the community's comedic interactions and the game's self-aware humor, which adds to the overall enjoyment, despite some frustrations with mechanics and design. Overall, the humor is described as both intentional and unintentional, contributing to a lighthearted gaming experience.
- “The character customization was pretty funny.”
- “The chat is downright hilarious... if you love memes and whatnot.”
- “The cutscenes gave my friends motion sickness, and the voice acting is so bad that I couldn't actually focus on the story because I was laughing so hard at the voices.”
- “Other than boring and not funny, this is actually a good game.”
- “This game sucks; it's only for rich people and it's so confusing. The crafting, the control of the buildings, and getting your workers to work is a joke. It's not good at all. You will spend a lifetime trying to read all the instructions and it still makes no sense. Have fun pulling your hair out.”
- “Some updates are great, really, but they balance it around people who just abuse some mechanics (i.e., bartering, having multiple characters, locked at level 49, etc.) using sailing coupons. They nerf it in such a way that it's only worth it if you do it like that, and it's just not funny.”
character development
133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
36%
3%
Character development in the game is primarily focused on character design and customization, which is widely praised for its depth and detail, allowing players to create highly personalized avatars. However, many reviews indicate that the actual progression and narrative development of characters are lacking, with a linear path and minimal unique development options. Overall, while the character design is considered one of the game's standout features, the depth of character development in terms of story and progression leaves much to be desired.
- “The game boasts incredible attention to detail, with lush landscapes, intricate character designs, and breathtaking vistas.”
- “The character design in this game is amazing, by far one of the most customizable of any MMORPG I have ever played.”
- “Immersion is great, character development has depth and variety unlike any other in the genre as far as I'm concerned.”
- “Progression is a linear path with no unique character development options.”
- “The character design in this game is mostly for horny dorks, and it's off-putting.”
- “Character development - it's not really there.”
emotional
113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses from players, with some finding it deeply immersive and capable of creating strong emotional bonds through its storytelling and community interactions. However, many others criticize the game for its repetitive gameplay, boring storylines, and frustrating mechanics, leading to feelings of disappointment and emotional drain. Overall, while some players appreciate the emotional highs and community connections, others feel the game ultimately falls short, resulting in a mixed emotional experience.
- “The attention paid to dialogue and actually interacting with NPCs made me feel immersed in a way I have not in years.”
- “This game is an emotional roller coaster; one minute you feel as if you're on top of the world doing everything you can.”
- “The property system made me feel very attached to certain cities, while quests gave me insight into the lore of the land and its people.”
- “The game also likes to stop you from engaging in the most enjoyable part of it to feed you the boring story.”
- “Having to wait for 6 seconds to skip each cutscene or boring storyline makes the gameplay for hardcore MMO grinders an impossible task to do anything; I literally fall asleep trying to even launch this game.”
- “Just another pointless grind-fest with a basic and boring storyline, no real sense of immersion, and overpowered moves right off the bat that rob you of any sense of fulfillment.”
replayability
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
60%
6%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its vast open world, diverse character classes, and extensive customization options that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some users feel that the main story can be tedious and lacks replayable content, leading to a less engaging experience for those who prefer narrative-driven gameplay. Overall, while there are significant opportunities for replayability, particularly in character experimentation and community engagement, some players find the repetitive nature of certain elements detracts from the overall experience.
- “The game's vast open world and various activities offer a great deal of replayability, and the game's community is large and active.”
- “Overall, Black Desert is a beautiful MMORPG with a lot of depth and replayability.”
- “Tons of replayability, lots of creation options, lots of fun, I highly recommend.”
- “No replay value since you won't ever feel like you finished the game.”
- “The game doesn't have replay value, and frankly the main story is so long and boring you likely won't finish it even after making 3 or more characters.”
- “The story is interesting but the replay value is bad because you always start at the same place and pretty much grind the exact same stuff.”
atmosphere
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
37%
6%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and richly detailed environments, enhanced by dynamic weather and lighting effects. Players appreciate the calming ambiance and unique feel of various locations, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience, despite some criticisms regarding repetitive gameplay and monetization issues. While the visuals and sound design are generally well-received, some players note that certain elements, like music and NPC interactions, could be improved to further enhance the atmosphere.
- “The game's environments are richly detailed and atmospheric, with dynamic weather and lighting effects that enhance the sense of realism.”
- “The atmosphere, scenery, and the graphics really make you feel immersed.”
- “This game has great atmosphere, amazing graphics, and fun combat.”
- “The commercial about Black Friday deals in the loading screen takes you out of the atmosphere of the game.”
- “This game had such promise but is ruined by its greedy atmosphere.”
- “The music is about as annoying as it gets and completely fails to add any atmosphere.”