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Black Desert Online

Black Desert Online, hyped for its visuals and character creation, is a much more complex game than that.
Black Desert Online Game Cover
71%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:story, graphics
Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, monetization
74% User Score Based on 31,786 reviews
Critic Score 69%Based on 17 reviews

Platforms

PCWeb BrowserCloudNVIDIA GeForce NOW
Black Desert Online Game Cover

About Black Desert Online

Black Desert Online is a multiplayer casual role playing game. It was developed by Pearl Abyss and was released on March 3, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Black Desert Online is a sandbox MMORPG that features castle sieging, trading, crafting, player housing, parkour, and more. Players will enjoy jaw-dropping graphics, intuitive skill-based combat, and and immersive story encased in an expansive world just waiting to be explored. Accompanied by a Black Spirit, a companion whose destiny is intertwined with their own, players will discover the secret…

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Games Like Black Desert Online

Looking for games like Black Desert Online? Here are top casual role playing recommendations, selected from player-similarity data — start with World of Solaria, Crystal Saga Idle or Skillfite.io.

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Reviews

74%Audience ScoreBased on 31,786 reviews
story751 positive mentions
grinding3.9k negative mentions

  • grinding

    3,958 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 1% neutral mentions, 99% negative mentions

    The grinding aspect of Black Desert Online is a defining feature, with players noting that it can be excessively time-consuming and repetitive, especially after reaching level 56. Many reviews highlight the game's reliance on grinding for experience, gear upgrades, and in-game currency, often leading to a sense of monotony and frustration, particularly due to the RNG mechanics involved in enhancing gear. While some players find the grind enjoyable and rewarding, especially in terms of combat and character progression, others criticize it as a tedious chore that detracts from the overall experience.

    • “No grinding in any game felt fun for me, but this game actually felt that way.”
    • “It's really not that grindy with a lot of important materials and equipment on the central market.”
    • “When not grinding my levels, I had amazing fun doing guild quests and hunting around the world, as well as other professions.”
    • “If you're not into grinding in games, this game is not for you.”
    • “If you don't like hours of repetitive grinding, this game is not for you.”
    • “The grinding in this game is some of the most excruciating grinding in any game ever, but despite that I still kept playing.”
  • story

    3,770 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    20% positive mentions, 67% neutral mentions, 13% negative mentions

    The story aspect of Black Desert Online has received mixed reviews from players. Many find the main storyline to be bland and repetitive, often consisting of typical fetch and kill quests that lack depth and engagement. While some players appreciate the game's graphics and combat mechanics, they often skip through dialogue and cutscenes due to poor writing and translation issues. Despite the abundance of quests and lore, the overall narrative fails to captivate, leading to a perception that the game is more focused on grinding and combat than on delivering a compelling story.

    • “Instead of spamming 'R' to get through them all, you are pulled into the story with cut scenes, some you are able to interact with, and many quest lines to adventure down in.”
    • “The story is wholesome and while you'll probably drift off of it a few times, you'll complete it several times during the course of your time when leveling alts, etc. There is a special quality when it comes to the sound design and art style; I'm not even a huge anime fan, but that traditional and subtle implementation of that artistic flavor is relaxing and delightful.”
    • “The main storyline is captivating, and the numerous side activities ensure there's always something to do, whether it's fishing, trading, or crafting.”
    • “The storyline is a total snore-fest and the gameplay is good, but gets repetitive quickly.”
    • “The story is unfortunately a bit bland, but I don't mind that.”
    • “The story is weak, and arguably practically nonexistent.”
  • graphics

    3,601 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    69% positive mentions, 28% neutral mentions, 3% negative mentions

    The graphics of Black Desert Online are widely praised for their stunning visuals and intricate detail, often described as some of the best in the MMORPG genre. Players appreciate the vibrant environments, character customization options, and fluid animations, although some report issues with graphical pop-ins and performance demands on lower-end systems. Overall, the game's aesthetic appeal is a significant draw, enhancing the immersive experience despite criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and monetization practices.

    • “Very visually stunning MMORPG that captivates players with its breathtaking graphics, intricate character customization, and engaging sandbox features.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely mind-blowing if you have a beefy PC.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the combat system is a lot of fun, and you will never run out of things to do in this game.”
    • “My 5.3 hours of gameplay were spent trying to get the graphics to not be blinding and hurt my eyes.”
    • “The graphics look like shit even if you have a nice PC; it's grainy and the lighting will burn your eye sockets out.”
    • “The graphics are dull and look like something from a 2003 Xbox 360 game.”
  • gameplay

    2,300 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    37% positive mentions, 57% neutral mentions, 6% negative mentions

    The gameplay of Black Desert Online is characterized by its complex mechanics and steep learning curve, which can be overwhelming for new players. While many appreciate the fluid combat system and diverse activities, such as crafting and life skills, the game is often criticized for its grind-heavy nature and pay-to-win elements that can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the stunning graphics and engaging gameplay loop keep many players invested for hundreds of hours.

    • “The gameplay is amazing and the combat is fun.”
    • “Whether it's grinding mobs or enhancing gear, the gameplay loop somehow manages to stay entertaining.”
    • “The depth of the game goes beyond aesthetics, with a complex and engaging combat system that keeps gameplay dynamic and challenging.”
    • “The core game is draped in so many stupid little monetization schemes that the central gameplay isn't fun for me.”
    • “The mechanics in this game are extremely difficult to learn and you are thrown into the game with very little knowledge on how to get started, making your first few times playing the game extremely overwhelming.”
    • “The gameplay is very grindy, if you do not enjoy grindy games then BDO will be the death of you.”
  • monetization

    432 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    7% positive mentions, 58% neutral mentions, 35% negative mentions

    The monetization model of Black Desert Online has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to its heavy reliance on microtransactions that often feel necessary for a competitive experience. While some argue that the game can be enjoyed without spending money, the overwhelming presence of in-game purchases, particularly for quality-of-life improvements and cosmetic items, creates a perception of a pay-to-win environment. Overall, the aggressive monetization tactics detract from the gameplay experience, leading to frustration among players who feel pressured to spend to keep up.

    • “An incredibly enjoyable game that becomes even more exciting if you're open to making in-game purchases.”
    • “Most of the microtransactions seem to be cosmetic and inventory management.”
    • “The game is pretty fun so far; while there are microtransactions, I haven't felt like my progress was blocked and I couldn't continue without spending money.”
    • “The core game is draped in so many stupid little monetization schemes that the central gameplay isn't fun for me.”
    • “Unfortunately, it remains a grindy Korean MMO with heavy microtransactions through and through.”
    • “The game feels like a big money-grabbing machine that gives zero care about the community and keeps making pointless updates with just more grind and more microtransactions.”
  • optimization

    283 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    21% positive mentions, 47% neutral mentions, 32% negative mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting significant performance issues, particularly in crowded areas where frame rates drop dramatically. While some users report improvements over time and decent performance on high-end systems, others express frustration with stuttering, lag, and poor graphical optimization that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game's optimization remains a notable concern, impacting gameplay enjoyment for a substantial portion of the player base.

    • “Addressing this optimization challenge should be a top priority for the developers, as it currently detracts from an otherwise immersive experience.”
    • “The game runs really well, is quite well optimized, and looks beautiful.”
    • “The graphics look very nice and the graphics are very well optimized, running at a fairly high and constant fps on highest settings.”
    • “Despite the game's strengths, a noticeable flaw lies in its optimization.”
    • “Even on a high-end system, Black Desert struggles to maintain consistent frame rates, often succumbing to stutters and other performance issues.”
    • “The game's performance is awful, even on mid to high-end systems.”
  • music

    228 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    37% positive mentions, 57% neutral mentions, 6% negative mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its orchestral quality and ability to enhance the immersive experience, with many players finding it relaxing and enjoyable while grinding or exploring. However, some users noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive, particularly in certain areas, and a few expressed a preference for listening to their own music instead. Overall, the game's music is considered a strong aspect, contributing positively to the atmosphere despite some mixed opinions on its repetitiveness.

    • “They even hold music events/contests where people compose music in-game with the available instruments and play mini concerts... daft but cute fun and you may even witness some true talent.”
    • “The OST was brilliant and fitting in almost every situation, and the classes give you plenty to choose from so that there is one fit for you.”
    • “The music is fun and enjoyable and a blast to listen to while roaming the vast landscape.”
    • “3/10 combat good, character creation good, graphics pretty, there is sound indeed, I think there was music but it was some cringey anime music so I instantly turned it off, huge pay-to-win, mega-sexualization of everything to the point of looking like a porn game, hyper-grind fest, and ultimately: boring af.”
    • “The soundtrack is okay, but each region just has a loop of the same repetitive tracks.”
    • “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

    179 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    6% positive mentions, 2% neutral mentions, 92% negative mentions

    The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users express frustration over the game's unoptimized nature, including problems with quest progression, graphical errors, and lag during combat and exploration. Overall, the consensus is that the game feels unfinished and plagued by technical problems, making it difficult for players to enjoy the experience fully.

    • “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.”
    • “Looks great, runs great, just need to get more into the questing side of it.”
    • “Runs great on good and bad computers - I have two computers that I have tested it on, one is a pretty crappy laptop, and the other a PC with everything fully spec'd - both computers play the game well.”
    • “I just wish it didn't take me 30 minutes to an hour of troubleshooting to get it started every time.”
    • “The game is buggy including the rare crash to desktop and poor testing like video cutscenes that play more than once when they clearly shouldn't.”
    • “I have absolutely no idea why this game receives any praise from anyone, it is so buggy and unplayable.”
  • humor

    115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    99% positive mentions, -2% neutral mentions, 3% negative mentions

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying the comedic elements found in character interactions, community chat, and the absurdity of certain game mechanics. Many reviews mention the game's ability to elicit laughter through its quirky dialogue, funny character creation options, and the often hilarious dynamics within the player community. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate a comedic twist in their gaming adventures.

    • “The chat in the exp boost servers is fucking hilarious.”
    • “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.”
    • “A funny little part of the game is how your workers require so much alcohol to stay in perfect working condition.”
    • “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, so 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.”
    • “The humor in the game feels forced and often falls flat, making it hard to enjoy the lighter moments.”
    • “I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes are stale and the comedic timing is off, leaving me more confused than amused.”
  • character development

    81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    58% positive mentions, 37% neutral mentions, 5% negative mentions

    Character development in the game is often overshadowed by its exceptional character design and customization options, which many players find visually stunning and engaging. While the character creation process is praised for its depth and variety, some reviews indicate that the actual character development and progression within the game are lacking, with a focus more on aesthetics than meaningful growth or storytelling. Overall, the game excels in character design but falls short in delivering a compelling character development experience.

    • “Immersion is great, character development has depth and variety unlike any other in the genre as far as I'm concerned.”
    • “Black Desert Online has a beautiful character design system, detailed character customization, flashy and fun action combat, magnificent graphics, and a huge open world environment.”
    • “The character design in this game is amazing, by far one of the most customizable of any MMORPG I have ever played, and I have had my fair share of MMORPGs.”
    • “Male characters get screwed in options for character design and cosmetics constantly.”
    • “The character design in this game is mostly for horny dorks, and it's off-putting.”
    • “Character development - it's not really there.”
  • emotional

    76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    78% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 22% negative mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with some finding moments of connection and nostalgia, particularly through its art style and community interactions, while others criticize the lack of engaging storytelling and repetitive gameplay. Many players express feelings of frustration and disappointment due to the game's grindy nature and perceived pay-to-win mechanics, leading to emotional detachment from the narrative and characters. Overall, while some players appreciate the immersive world and community, others feel emotionally drained and dissatisfied with their experiences.

    • “I cried when TERA went offline... when I heard the community say 'Black Desert is the TERA replacement.' I didn't want to believe it, so I held off trying for two years.”
    • “My heart's a little heavier and my wallet's a little lighter, but I can confidently say I will never forget all the amazing times I've had in this RNG casino, emotional roller coaster of a game, Black Desert Online.”
    • “It is genuinely heartbreaking that such a unique game is run by such cash-grabbing devs because this game offers an experience that I really didn't get with other MMOs like ESO and WoW.”
    • “The game also likes to stop you from engaging in the most enjoyable part of it to feed you the boring story.”
    • “Just another pointless grind-fest with a basic and boring storyline, no real sense of immersion, and OP moves right off the bat that rob you of any sense of fulfillment.”
    • “Cons: very boring story/quests, no player trading, almost no way to interact with other players outside guilds, runs like dookie, installs invasive anti-cheat.”
  • replayability

    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    31% positive mentions, 61% neutral mentions, 8% negative mentions

    The game offers significant replayability due to its vast open world, diverse character classes, and extensive customization options, allowing players to experiment with different builds and play styles. However, some users note a lack of replayable content in the story, which can lead to repetitive grinding. Overall, while many players find the replay value impressive, there are suggestions for improvements to enhance the experience further.

    • “Replay value: Black Desert has a lot of replay value, with a vast open world to explore, a variety of activities to participate in, and a deep character customization system.”
    • “The replayability and longevity of this game is large and impressive.”
    • “Tons of replay value, multiple classes with all having their own play style.”
    • “Game doesn't have any form of replayable content.”
    • “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.”
    • “Story quest line can be a pro and a con - it is quick and leveling is extremely fast till you hit the mid-forties, simply only doing the story quest line leaves you in the proper area with your level as long as you save the side quests for later, however it doesn't offer too much of a story and the replay value of it is literally none.”
  • atmosphere

    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    61% positive mentions, 30% neutral mentions, 9% negative mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning graphics and immersive environments, with each location offering a unique feel that enhances the overall experience. While some players find the atmosphere calming and enjoyable, others note that it can be disrupted by repetitive gameplay or external distractions. Overall, the combination of beautiful visuals, sound design, and a vibrant world contributes to a compelling and engaging atmosphere that many players appreciate.

    • “From the deserts to the forests, every location in this game has its own unique feel and atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics, sound design, music, atmosphere, world building, lore, community, patch notes, diversity of gameplay, and ideas that this game offers outweigh any possible negative other than the sole fact that it's not your type of game.”
    • “The game is beautiful, with a unique atmosphere as you travel from place to place.”
    • “The loading screen has a commercial about Black Friday deals, which takes you out of the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game gives off that classic Chinese feeling, which can be bad, but they really make it feel great.”
    • “Quite a boring tutorial and a mediocre atmosphere.”
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Play Times

88h Median play time
701h Average play time
11-800h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 307 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Black Desert Online is a casual role playing game. Common tags for Black Desert Online include free to play and 3D.

Black Desert Online is available on PC, Web Browser, Cloud and NVIDIA GeForce NOW.

On average players spend around 701 hours playing Black Desert Online.

Black Desert Online was released on March 3, 2016.

Black Desert Online was developed by Pearl Abyss.

Black Desert Online has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked Black Desert Online for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Black Desert Online is a multiplayer game.

Similar games include World of Solaria, Crystal Saga Idle, Skillfite.io, Battle Arena, World of Dynasty: Shadows of Sagas and others.