Black Desert
Action
Adventure
Massively Multiplayer
RPG
Strategy
Multi-player
MMO
PvP
Online PvP
Co-op
Online Co-op
Steam Trading Cards
In-App Purchases
Partial Controller Support

Played by over 20 million Adventurers - Black Desert Online is an open-world, action MMORPG. Experience intense, action-packed combat, battle massive world bosses, fight alongside friends to siege and conquer castles, and train in professions such as fishing, trading, crafting, cooking, and more!

Developers: Pearl Abyss
Publishers: Pearl Abyss
Release Date: May 24, 2017
Price (USD): $9.99
Current Players: 9.3k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mostly Positive(71%)
visual graphics
combat system
character customization
lifeskills
detailed world
story and quests
community feedback
auto-navigation
AFK activities
grind-focused
pay-to-win
complex systems
RNG enhancement
overwhelming
The general sentiment around Black Desert Online is mixed. There's praise for its graphics and combat system, and life skills keep players returning for more. However, there's ongoing criticism for the grind and monetization, which deter many new players and frustrate veterans. It's a game that seems most rewarding to those who have a tolerance for paywalls and complex gameplay mechanics.

Positive Points

  • The game is praised for its stunning visual graphics and world design, offering one of the most visually appealing experiences in the MMO genre.
  • Black Desert Online's action combat system is frequently highlighted as one of the best in the MMO genre, providing fast-paced, fluid combat with a diverse range of classes and specializations.
  • The game offers a wide range of activities beyond combat, such as lifeskills like fishing, trading, crafting, and farming, which many players find relaxing and rewarding.
  • Character creation is highly detailed and allows for extensive customization, which is appreciated by players who enjoy personalizing their avatars.
  • Negative Points

  • The game's progression is heavily grind-focused, requiring significant time and effort to advance, often described as feeling like a second job or a marathon.
  • Players are critical of the pay-to-win elements and monetization strategies, indicating that the game encourages spending for convenience or progress, with some items almost mandatory for competitive play.
  • New players often find the game overwhelming due to its complex systems, cluttered UI, and lack of guidance, contributing to a steep learning curve.
  • The RNG-based enhancement system is particularly disliked, as it can result in significant setbacks or failures, discouraging some players from trying to progress their gear.
  • Mixed Points

  • While the game world is expansive and beautiful, the story and quest design are often criticized as weak, with many players choosing to skip dialogues or finding them boring.
  • The game's community feedback is mixed; while some find the community helpful and engaging, others report a toxic and unfriendly environment in general chat and forums.
  • Auto-navigation and AFK activities are a point of contention: some players appreciate the convenience, while others feel it detracts from the immersion and active gameplay experience.
  • Common Themes

  • A significant portion of the player base enjoys the lifeskill elements of the game, particularly fishing and trading, as they offer a reprieve from combat-intensive gameplay.
  • Despite its flaws, many players note that they keep returning to Black Desert Online due to its unique offerings in combat and exploration.
  • The game's complex economy and crafting systems add depth and replayability, appealing to players who enjoy sandbox-style gameplay and long-term progression goals.
  • Updated 9/8/2025, 12:01:52 AM UTC