As a huge fan of MMORPGs, I was very interested in checking out Black Desert Online.
But I also wondered if it’s worth getting into this game since it’s been many years since its release.
I finally caved and decided to give this game a try. That was about two years ago and I’m still playing the game.
Even though Black Desert Online was released in 2014, the game has since been remastered and I must say it’s the best-looking MMO I’ve ever played.
So, is BDO worth playing right now? Well, the short answer is a big YES!
And here’s why.
It’s A Stunning Game
My first impression of the game after jumping in was that the game was gorgeous.
For an MMORPG, this game looks gorgeous. From the graphics to the character models, animations, and everything about the game was incredible.
Even if you don’t want to play the game, I’d suggest that you just roam around in the vast open world of the game. Because it’s that beautiful!
Action-Packed Gameplay
BDO is massive. I mean it’s really really big.
There’s tons of content to explore in this game. And there are lots of stuff you can do as well. Like fishing, mining, farming, chopping down trees, training horses, and more.
Thankfully, there was one thing that kept me from getting distracted from all those things. And that’s the combat system in BDO.
Even though BDO is an MMORPG, its combat system makes the game feels like an ARPG. It’s highly action-oriented and the fighting mechanics are really smooth.
Coming from the clunky gameplay of Elder Scrolls Online, BDO combat feels like a whole new generation of MMORPG.
It’s Alive and Kicking
Even though it’s been many years since the release, BDO is still very much alive, and believe it or not, the player base is growing.
Pearl Abyss, the developer of the game, announced that Black Desert Online saw a 300% increase in new players in 2021.
Whenever I jump into a server, there were always new and veteran players running around. Which is always a great feeling when playing an MMO.
Rest assured, you won’t feel alone in BDO.
A Massive World To Explore
BDO has a massive map you can explore on your own terms. And the game is very solo-friendly.
The game eases you into this map one region at a time. But, there’s a huge world you can explore.
You can play the game for months or even years and still find new areas you haven’t seen.
Lots of Characters To Choose From
BDO has many different characters, or classes, to suit everyone’s play style.
The best part is that Pearl Abyss, the developers behind BDO, keeps adding new characters quite often.
This means even if you’ve played the game to the death, you’ll often get a new character to start a new playthrough with and have fun with new abilities.
Rebooted Classes
From December 22, 2021, all 17 of the classes in Black Desert Online are rebooted with new skills and combat animations.
If you’ve played the game before and looking for a reason to get back into the game, now is a great time. You’ll experience a brand new game.
New Winter Region
BDO also adds at least a new class every year. The latest class to join BDO in 2022 is Drakania. She’s a really badass character.
Along with this new class, the game received a massive update adding a brand new region to the already massive map.
The new Winter region is covered in snow and it’s beautiful. It also introduced lots of new content and quests, will full voice acting. That’s a first for BDO.
If you’ve played the game before, now is the perfect time to return to BDO to check out this new region. You can create a new character and start your journey directly from this region.
Season+ Content
Black Desert Online now also features battle pass-style seasonal content.
Each season gives players daily activities to complete and chase after new rewards. A season runs for 3 months and offers a great experience for new players for getting into the game for the first time.
With Season+, players can level up faster while grabbing better gear to get to the endgame content more quickly.
Solo Dungeons
For a long time, Black Desert didn’t have any solo dungeons. But in 2021, the developers started adding solo dungeons you can complete all by yourself.
More dungeons and new content is expected to arrive in 2022.
Developers Are In Charge
Pearl Abyss recently re-acquired the full license to BDO from its ex-publisher Kakao Games.This means the developers are now in charge of the game.
This is a good step that will surely help make the game even bigger and better.
Developers often have to follow the rules set by Publishers. That’s what kept games like Destiny 2 from growing. And look at those games now.
I’m certain that BDO will continue to grow in the coming years. And I can’t wait to play more of this game.
Is BDO Worth Playing?
The Black Desert Online often goes free to play from time to time. Especially during season content releases. It’s the perfect time to try this game out.
Additionally, you’ll find it discounted cheap on Steam and the official websites.
It’s also worth mentioning that this game is heavily monetized and has pay-to-win elements. However, you can play the game freely without spending any money.
Having said that, BDO is definitely worth playing in 2023. It’s a game that I actively play to this day and I always enjoy grinding new classes and leveling it up.
If you enjoy games like Warframe and Elder Scrolls Online, you’ll enjoy this one too!
Check out my guide on how to get into BDO to learn how to play it.
FAQs
What is BDO endgame 2023? ›
BDO does not have a defined endgame. It is a sandbox game, aka you make your content yourself. For one, it takes a long time to get "finished" gear, with all the best BiS items.
Is New world worth playing 2023? ›The game's unique blend of survival and MMO elements, coupled with the rich world of Aeternum, offers a refreshing and immersive gaming experience. With its ever-evolving gameplay, the Brimstone Sands expansion, and a dedicated player base, New World has truly established itself as a title worth exploring in 2023.
Is Black Desert Online worth playing casually? ›Is Black Desert online good for casual players? Some say that BDO is a grind fest, but you're not forced to take things so seriously. Work on your favorite life skills (professions) on your own time and level characters at your own pace, if you want to have good clean relaxing fun.
Is Black Desert solo friendly? ›Much of the content in Black Desert Online is geared toward solo play. As there is no structure, you can interact with other players as little or as often as you want. Some content is only available if you are playing with others, but there is still tons of content for you to play through by yourself.
How long does it take to finish Black Desert Online? ›| Platform | Polled | Main |
|---|---|---|
| PC | 21 | 126h 2m |
| PlayStation 4 | 2 | 100h |
| Xbox One | 4 | 66h 12m |
Guardian is probably the most recommended class in BDO and for good reason.
What will be the most popular game in 2023? ›| Rank | Game | Developer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PUBG | PUBG Corporation |
| 2 | Minecraft | Mojang Studios |
| 3 | Apex Legends | Respawn Entertainment |
| 4 | Fortnite Battle Royale | Epic Games |
No, New World is not in danger of being shut down. The most recent Roadmap update shows that AGS has plans for events, features and updates throughout the rest of this year of 2023. They most likely have more things planned for 2024+.
Is New World fun as a solo player? ›Solo play in New World is another feature that's more accessible here than in some other RPG-based MMOs. The game has a strong survivalist angle and it's easy to level in the wilderness without joining a party.
Is BDO still popular? ›Many of these are no doubt bots, like most MMOs are plagued with, but the game averages roughly half a million active players all year round. Despites its lows, and in spite of its highs, Black Desert Online continues to remain an MMO that players return to, every year.
Does anyone still play Black Desert Online? ›
DAILY PLAYERS
Black Desert Online is estimated to have 118,785 players per day this month.
Brewing up stuff that people need is another sure way to earn reliable income in Black Desert Online. Potions come to mind when it comes to brewing. The market can get rather saturated, so it pays to be smart about which items you craft through alchemy.
Is Black Desert a grind game? ›Black Desert is a grinding game. But a huge grinding game. There are so many little things you can do to optimize the grind, ranging from trivial to incorporate and utilize, to so incredibly obscure that I wouldn't even bother.
What class is best for solo player BDO? ›- Guardian.
- Ranger.
- Nova.
- Woosa.
- Wizard/Witch.
- Sorceress.
- Archer.
- Drakania.
Paying for anything in BDO is optional though and you can progress in the game just fine as a free player. The in-game shop lets you buy cosmetics, pets, and tents which will make life a bit easier but is in no way needed.
How long does it take to get to lvl 60 BDO? ›How long does it take to reach the max level in BDO? As we said above, leveling to 67 will take years of non-stop grinding. But reaching around levels 55-60 can be done in just a few hours or days, depending on your play style and leveling method.
What is the max level in BDO? ›There is no max level in BDO, but leveling becomes progressively harder, especially after level 60 and 62. The highest level character in BDO in 2022 is level 67. Just going from 66 to 67 took him almost two and a half years of grinding around the clock.
What is the current highest level in Black Desert Online? ›Black Desert does not have a level cap, but the “soft cap” for levels is considered to be 62. Once you have reached level 62, there are very minor buffs for reaching higher levels and it is not essential or required to grind purely for EXP.
What is the easiest boss in BDO? ›Kzarka. Kzarka, the Lord of Corruption, is relatively one of the easier World Bosses to defeat. When Kzarka becomes immune to all attacks, it means it is preparing to unleash its fiery breath or a large area of effect (AoE) attack.
What is the max character slots in BDO? ›Increased the max number of character slots obtainable via Character Slot Expansion Coupons to 26. - You will be able to expand up to 28 character slots after a future update.
What is the best main weapon for PVE in BDO? ›
Blackstar is the best in slot PVE weapon. Godr-Ayed weapons are an alternative to Blackstar weapons, with the same stats but a different enhancing method. You can swap from a PEN Kzarka to a TET Blackstar and it will still perform better in PVE due to the additional monster damage.
Does class matter in BDO? ›It's a Matter of Having Fun
None of the classes have a severe deficiency, but one may pair better with a particular play style than another. All in all, the choice comes down to which battle style the player will have the most fun with.
For beginners to BDO, looking for the easiest class to play, most recommend Guardian. This class boasts several benefits to beginners trying out BDO.
What is better than Black Desert? ›Fans generally agree that Tera is one of the best alternatives to Black Desert Online. The gameplay is nearly identical and fun; the classes are improved and serve a purpose in team combat, and the game is free.
Can you romance in Black Desert? ›If the NPC accepts your confession, you will become their lover and earn a special in-game title with a distinct color. However, your Amity with them will decrease by 10%. If you are rejected, you will get nothing back and Amity will decrease by 5%.
Is Black Desert good without DLC? ›yes it is worth it. The real price of this game is around $100-300 bucks. So beware. You'll have to buy upgrade for your character to be on par with other people.
Which game is No 1 in the world? ›1. PUBG. PUBG is the most popular online game in 2022, with a huge fan following.
What game is #1 right now? ›| Game title | Publisher | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Minecraft | Mojang Studios |
| 2. | Fortnite | Epic Games |
| 3. | The Sims 4 | Electronic Arts |
| 4. | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | Valve |
- Dragon Quest The Adventures of Dai: A Hero's Bond – April 26, 2023.
- Crimesight – May 1, 2023.
- Echo VR – August 1, 2023.
- Rumbleverse – February 28, 2023.
- Love Live School Idol Festival – March 31, 2023.
- Babylon's Fall – February 23, 2023.
Amazon Games New World continues to bring in a large player count daily.
How long is New World inactivity? ›
The New World AFK timer is 25 minutes. This means that if you sit idle for 25 minutes in New World, you will be disconnected from the server and returned to the main menu. You do get a warning at the 20 minute mark with a countdown for the remaining five minutes.
Is New World for free? ›Players can stay on the free track if they like, but upgrading to the premium version will grant more rewards per level including cosmetics, Marks of Fortune, Boost Tokens, and more.
What game is New World most like? ›- Old School RuneScape (iOS)
- Final Fantasy XIV (PS4)
- Destiny 2 (PS4)
- Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)
- Lost Ark (PC)
- The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited (PS4)
- Black Desert Online (PC)
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning (PS4)
Unfortunately for some, especially those that have never stepped into an MMORPG, New World can be downright daunting. There are a lot of mechanics to learn, things to see, and weapons to try.
Can you make money playing New World? ›The best ways to make money in New World's late-game are: Flipping items at the Trading Post. Crafting Gear Score 600 End-game items. Selling your refining cooldowns.
How many people play BDO 2023? ›As of June 19, 2023, the peak player count of Black Desert on Steam was 19,492. Compared to the previous day, it had a -2.99% decrease. In the past 24 hours, the daily player count ranged from 12,836 to 19,492. The peak in the past 24 hours was 19,492.
How many active players are there in BDO? ›| Month | Average Monthly Players | Average Daily Players |
|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2022 | 7,511,589 | 250,386 |
| May 30, 2022 | 6,980,544 | 232,684 |
| April 30, 2022 | 6,366,508 | 212,216 |
| March 30, 2022 | 6,846,454 | 228,215 |
| Month | Avg. Players | Peak Players |
|---|---|---|
| Last 30 Days | 15,128.5 | 20,404 |
| May 2023 | 14,179.6 | 20,404 |
| April 2023 | 15,906.4 | 22,319 |
| March 2023 | 19,393.5 | 30,247 |
This app has been retired and is no longer available on the Steam store.
Does Black Desert delete accounts? ›* Once you've completed applying for account deletion, your account will be permanently deleted after 15 days. * You can still cancel your account deletion by logging in within 15 days after applying for account deletion. 1.
Is Black Desert still p2w? ›
It's pay for convenience. You will get everything you need to play the game for free and can get to endgame for free. It just will be harder than people who've paid for the convenience factor.
Why Black Desert Online is good? ›By introducing ships and sailing into the core gameplay, Black Desert Online not only gave a new sandbox activity for players but also expanded upon the lore and the game world in multiple layers. There's even an aspect of maritime gameplay where players can hunt sea monsters with their towering and imposing ships.
How much is Black Desert Online monthly? ›Unlike MMOs like World of Warcraft, you do not need to pay a monthly subscription to play Black Desert. GamesBeat's creed when covering the game industry is "where passion meets business." What does this mean?
Do people still play Black Desert? ›About 200,000 people actively playing Black Desert on daily basis.
Is Black Desert Online free forever? ›HOW TO GET BLACK DESERT ONLINE FOR FREE: Just head over to Steam or navigate to the game in Steam Client before March 9th 2023, add the game to your cart and checkout. Simple as that. After that, the game is yours to keep, and play, forever.
How many people play BDO in 2023? ›As of June 24, 2023, the peak player count of Black Desert on Steam was 20,657. Compared to the previous day, it had a 6.12% increase. In the past 24 hours, the daily player count ranged from 14,520 to 20,657. The peak in the past 24 hours was 20,657.
Is Black Desert a grindy game? ›Black Desert is a grinding game. But a huge grinding game. There are so many little things you can do to optimize the grind, ranging from trivial to incorporate and utilize, to so incredibly obscure that I wouldn't even bother.
Does Black Desert have endgame? ›There is no end game. My advice is just play the game and decide for yourself if you like it or not.
What is the most profitable profession in Black Desert Online? ›Setting it up. The Imperial Crafting delivery is one of the most profitable money making methods in all of Black Desert Online. With that said, there are some downsides to this method. First of all, it's only partially AFK and requires some more experience and time to set this method up.
What is the highest level Black Desert Online player? ›There is no max level in BDO, but leveling becomes progressively harder, especially after level 60 and 62. The highest level character in BDO in 2022 is level 67. Just going from 66 to 67 took him almost two and a half years of grinding around the clock.
Is Black Desert a one time payment? ›
To play Black Desert, you need to make a one-time purchase of $9.99. There's also a variety of in-game microtransactions you can take advantage of, but there's no monthly subscription fee to access the game.
Is there a monthly fee for Black Desert? ›Unlike MMOs like World of Warcraft, you do not need to pay a monthly subscription to play Black Desert. GamesBeat's creed when covering the game industry is "where passion meets business." What does this mean?
Is it possible to play Black Desert offline? ›All you had to do was pay $80 and you got Black Desert as a Standalone Offline game with the option (if you payed for the deluxe offline package) to extract your account from the Online game into a save file so you dont have to start your progress over.