Black Desert Online Reviews

Black Desert Online is ranked in the 48th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Chris Wray
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jun 3, 2016

Black Desert Online is the most refreshingly unique MMO around. Introducing many new game mechanics and ways to play in a world that's so exquisitely designed, with characters, building, monsters and even the weather all working together to make the best looking MMO to have ever been released, BDO is only really let down by the game's unwillingness and/or inability to properly explain its mechanics. The post-launch updates have been great so far and there's no reason to think the game won't keep improving.

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RPG Site
Top Critic
7 / 10
May 1, 2016

While this Korean MMORPG brings a lot to the table concerning character customization, it doesn't do enough new to necessitate the cover charge.

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7.4 / 10.0
Apr 29, 2016

Black Desert Online is impressive on the technical standpoint, and sets a new standard for MMOs. On the other side the character progression is heavily based on grinding and the structure is complex and somehow overwhelming. The game has a well designed gameplay and a solid endgame; the fans of the genre should definitely give it a try!

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8 / 10
Apr 13, 2016

Black Desert Online succeeds as a sandbox massively multiplayer online game with deep character customization, and a combat system that rivals most action oriented games. The world feels alive, and is a visual marvel as well, just don't expect anything revolution regarding story telling.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 11, 2016

And conquer I shall, even if for the first time in so many years, a MMORPG finally restored that sense of awe and adventure that I thought irremediably lost. For the first time in almost a decade, the world of a game finally managed to make me feel small again, and boy, this feels so good.

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Apr 8, 2016

An absolutely beautiful MMO from developer Pearl Abyss. The beauty is backed by a complex sandbox MMO that offers a lot of freedom, but doesn't explain its systems to players all that well. If you're into starting up a second fantasy life and have the time to spend learning the mechanics, Black Desert Online might be the game for you.

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8.6 / 10.0
Apr 7, 2016

Listen, I've rambled on for about 1500 words here, and several thousand more in preceding weeks. You don't need me to tell you any more about this game than what you can learn by simply picking it up. I will say this though: so many of us here clamor for something new and unique to hit the market.  It's here now. Black Desert Online is one of the freshest takes on the MMO in years, and it deserves to be played.

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Chinh Tran
Top Critic
Unscored
Apr 3, 2016

Although elements of the game can become repetitive or frustrating, Black Desert Online does provide a staggering amount of content and is well worth considering if you're looking to try out a new MMORPG.

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3.5 / 5.0
Apr 2, 2016

Black Desert Online is a beautiful game marred by inept tutorials and an impenetrable story.

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7 / 10
Apr 1, 2016

Much of Black Desert Online is a convoluted mess, but few games let you create a virtual life this absorbing.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 31, 2016

Black Desert Online struggles with many of the weak points unique to MMORPGs, but rewards resilient players with unique, fascinating role-playing systems. If you're looking for a new MMO, Black Desert Online is well worth a try.

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Mar 30, 2016

Those desperate for a way to stay busy will find a seemingly inexhaustible number of grains of gameplay here.

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83 / 100
Mar 22, 2016

Black Desert Online has the potential to be a truly legendary MMORPG. There are so many interesting elements to it, each of which could provide you with many hours of enjoyment.

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Mar 18, 2016

Black Desert Online wants to be distinct from other MMORPGs, but it isn't different enough in the ways which really matter. The game's few innovations aren't enough to make up for its myriad shortcomings, making it come across as just another MMORPG.

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7 / 10.0
Mar 17, 2016

Despite my reservations, I can't wait to jump back into Black Desert Online. Its tight combat, numerous tradecrafts, and extensive setting have left me hooked. If you're craving something new over the well-traveled roads of many other MMOs, you owe it to yourself to give Black Desert a deeper look. But if dungeons, raids, and the treadmill of increasingly impressive loot are what you're looking for, then you'll have to look elsewhere.

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 17, 2016

It combines high-quality textures, voice acting (albeit not that great), action combat, an expansive world and open-ended leveling with a major focus on player interaction. Instead of trying to reinvent the MMO, Black Desert Online has focused on things that work for other games and it puts a fresh spin on them.

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85 / 100
Mar 15, 2016

A gorgeous world that feels truly alive, Black Desert Online is a solid entry into the sandbox subgenre of MMOs. Benefiting from having been launched in a major market for a year before coming to the West, it offers an open world to explore, and an especially deep tradeskill and trading system mixed with an action-oriented combat scheme.

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 15, 2016

I am still playing, which is always a key for games, and will be reporting more when I hit end-game and see what's available. There will always be more to do in the Black Desert.

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Unscored
Mar 11, 2016

It's exciting to play an MMO that understands the importance of building a world worth living in, not just erecting a corridor of static set pieces to run through on your quest for power.

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Mar 10, 2016

Pearl Abyss' Black Desert Online is an incredibly detailed, visually gorgeous MMORPG that succeeds at nearly everything but having a beating heart and soul.

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