The sandbox MMO Black Desert Online continues to enjoy immense popularity even almost three years after its release and is still played in 2019. Is it worth starting for newcomers or for veterans to play again?
What is it about? Black Desert has been playable in the West for almost three years. Since then, it has been regularly expanded with new content. At launch, Black Desert Online had only seven classes, while players on PC can now choose from 16 impressive options.
Is Black Desert Online worth it for new players?
This is what new players can expect: The first thing new players see in Black Desert is the sophisticated character editor. Once you have chosen one of the 16 classes, you can create the characters of your dreams with it. At release in 2016, it was regarded as the best character editor in the genre.
In-game, you can expect beautiful graphics that are unparalleled in the MMO genre, as well as an action-packed combat system that heavily relies on player skill. You can block attacks, dodge them, and use control effects to hinder your opponents from moving. Especially in the endgame, where other players can attack you at any time, a good handling of your own abilities is crucial.
The community of MeinMMO voted Black Desert as the most beautiful MMORPG and praised the action combat system as the best of its kind. So, if these two features are important to you, you should take a look at the game.
And while PvP is the focus of Black Desert, PvE content, as well as crafting and gathering professions, are also important parts of the MMO. In Black Desert, you can engage in fishing, hunt creatures, or take out waves of monsters in the Savage Rift. Just don’t expect a large PvE MMORPG, because that’s not what Black Desert is. The focus in the endgame is primarily on obtaining better equipment or competing with other players.
The various game offerings in Black Desert may overwhelm new players at first. However, developer Pearl Abyss has already announced that they want to make the game more accessible.
Black Desert is set to release in early March on Xbox One. Since all players start from scratch there, it will be very easy to start.
Is Black Desert Online worth it for returning players?
New content: Black Desert received a whole lot of new areas and quests in 2018. But new classes and features were also added.
- Players can choose from two new classes. The Lahn, an agile battle priestess that dances around opponents. And the Archer, a pure ranged class that shoots opponents with magical bolts of light.
- The playable area has been expanded to include the large zone of Drieghan. There, you can fight the red dragon Garmoth and earn a cute baby dragon pet.
- The main campaign of Black Desert has been revamped. It now offers three different paths that allow you to experience different adventures. You will have to play through them three times to learn all the details.
Game systems have been revised: But Black Desert was not only expanded with new content. The developers also took a look at the existing mechanics and partly drastically revised them or announced changes for 2019.
- The Renown Score is set to be abolished in the near future. Additionally, further quality of life changes are planned. For example, players will be able to see how high the chance is to successfully upgrade an item in the future.
- Black Desert Remastered revolutionized the MMO completely. With new graphic effects, the game is expected to look great in the future. The game’s soundtrack was re-recorded by various orchestras around the world.
- The new character swapping system allows switching between two characters. Since this comes with a loading screen, you cannot use it spontaneously in a heated duel.
- And finally, since mid-2018, you can date certain NPCs. However, relationships are usually of very short duration.
What does the future hold for Black Desert?
Black Desert for console: Players had to wait a long time for a console version of the MMO. It has been announced since 2017. After a beta at the end of 2018, the release of the game has been confirmed for January. From March 4, 2019, players can explore the world of Black Desert on Xbox One.
All players start from scratch. Over time, the console version is expected to catch up to the PC version. There have also been hints about versions for PS4 and Switch. Players on consoles who enjoy sandbox MMOs should definitely try Black Desert Online.
Black Desert on mobile: The mobile version of the MMO has been playable in Asia since 2018. However, we in the West still have to wait a little. Developer Pearl Abyss is reportedly planning a release in the West in the first quarter of 2019. So between January and March.
In terms of scope, the mobile version is no less than the PC version. The graphics are outstanding. Currently, there are even features in the mobile version that do not exist on PC. Players can build their own town there. Mobile players should definitely keep an eye on Black Desert Mobile.
Global version: Currently, developer Pearl Abyss has other companies marketing Black Desert all over the world. For example, Kakao Games handles Black Desert in Europe and America. However, this means that the game in the West often has to wait a long time for content from the East.
In the future, developer Pearl Abyss aims for a global version of the game, where all players receive content at the same time.
What is the mood among players?
Players voice criticism: Players sometimes criticize developer Pearl Abyss and publisher Kakao Games regarding Black Desert. In 2018, the poor PvP balance and issues with bots and hackers were particularly discussed.
Publisher Kakao Games must continuously face pay-to-win allegations.
Players praise Black Desert: However, especially towards the end of 2018, players were in a more positive mood. For example, the Archer class was released worldwide for all players at the same time.
The rating on Steam has been “mixed” since its release on Steam, with a slight positive bias. The sandbox MMO polarizes. In the reviews, the abundant content that players receive for the entry price of €10 is particularly praised. However, those who want to stay longer need to prepare for additional in-game purchases, such as a bag expansion.
Black Desert has stable player numbers: According to the website SteamDB, slightly more than 15,000 players play the sandbox MMO daily. Thus, Black Desert on Steam has about as many players as the highly successful The Elder Scrolls Online.
In addition to the Steam players, there are also players who start the MMO through the Black Desert client, which is not linked to Steam.
These 15,000 players are not all active. In Black Desert, players are rewarded for keeping their computer running even when they are away or at work. They can assign tasks to their characters that they can carry out in their absence. But ultimately, what matters for the player is that they find a lively MMO with enough fellow players. And yes, this is the case here.
Much content is also planned for Black Desert in 2019. This is what awaits us in 2019 in Black Desert, the most beautiful MMORPG in the world.
