Black Desert Online
Black Desert Online is maybe the most unique MMORPG on the market. Terrible for some, amazing for others, it truly is a mix of blazing fun and insane hardcore difficulties for a game out there. Black Desert is indeed hardcore. No matter how many years you could spend playing the game, you can’t master all of the levels available.
There may not be a story in the game - really, there isn’t - but Black Desert Online offers superb combat. Building and exploration run so deep in the game, but fighting is satisfying enough to carry the experience on its own. There are 14 classes available, and each commands a diverse and exciting set of skills. Rangers and Witches are fun, but Melee is where the money’s at. The sheer number of combos you can string together is staggering, especially given how natural it all feels on a mouse and keyboard.
This is not a cooldown-driven MMORPG where you just macro skill rotations. Black Desert’s combat system is a playground of invincibility frames and animation cancels that’s every bit as fun to experiment with as its world. Much like energy and contribution, you get skill points just by fighting stuff. You can also reallocate those points whenever you want, so it’s easy to find out what skills you enjoy using, upgrade them and purchase ‘flow’ skills that take your combos to the next level - and then unlock your alternate ‘awakened’ weapon to do it all again.
Whether you talk to or pummel everyone you see, Black Desert always comes down to choosing your own adventure. As a result, you can wring some great stories out of the world despite its lackluster central narrative. For instance, your characters all share the same family name.
Black Desert is not like most MMORPGs, and where it tries to be, it falls short. But it is a stunning and organic fantasy sandbox ripe with choices to make and questions to answer. It also recently came to Steam and has another major update on the way, so there’s never been a better time to give it a go. It’s a game that defies expectations. That’s precisely why it turns some people off, but also why it’s so damn fun.
latest
Jeonghee Jin On Black Desert Online's Anniversary & Future Of The Game: "We Are Working On A Lot Of Things"
Pearl Abyss America CEO Jeonghee Jin talks with Screen Rant about Black Desert Online's anniversary, quality of life updates, and the MMO's future.
Jeonghee Jin & Jaehee Kim On Black Desert Online's Land Of The Morning Light
Two of the minds behind the popular MMORPG Black Desert Online discuss the creating the new Korean-themed expansion Land of the Morning Light.
Black Desert Online Land Of The Morning Light Preview: In-Depth Korean Folklore
Black Desert Online's Land of the Morning Light expansion brings an entirely new island inspired by Korean culture and a folklore-based narrative.
DokeV News & Updates: Everything We Know
DokeV, an open-world monster-collector from the developer of Black Desert, made a splash at Gamescom 2021. Here's what's known about the game so far.
Crimson Desert Release Delayed Indefinitely For New Ideas
Pearl Abyss, developer of Crimson Desert, announced an indefinite delay to the open-world game via Twitter, citing new ideas for gameplay.
Everything We Know About Crimson Desert
Here's everything known about the upcoming medieval fantasy open-world MMORPG Crimson Desert, from the creators of 2014's Black Desert Online.
Crimson Desert Gameplay Trailer Revealed Ahead Of Winter 2021 Release
Crimson Desert's new gameplay trailer debuts at The Game Awards 2020, giving players a look at the upcoming MMO from the creator of Black Desert.
GIVEAWAY: Win A Portable SSD From Pearl Abyss & PNY For Black Desert
Pearl Abyss and PNY Technologies collaborate on Portable SSDs that benefit Black Desert players across North America, and we're giving some away!
Black Desert Announced for PlayStation 4
Pearl Abyss reveals during this year's E3 that Black Desert will launch on PlayStation 4, and Black Desert Mobile will also release globally.
Black Desert Launches Free Expansion On Xbox One, Joins Xbox Game Pass
Black Desert announces a free major content update, Valencia, for Xbox One, and the game will now be available on Xbox Game Pass as of May 9th.
Black Desert Xbox Review: Addictive & Layered but Lacking Innovation
Black Desert is a highly addictive and layered experience with great combat, but it mimics too many other MMORPG games to be truly great.
EVE Online Creator CCP Games Acquired by Pearl Abyss
CCP Games, makers of EVE Online and Project Nova, have been acquired by Black Desert Online developer Pearl Abyss but will remain independent.