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Black Desert(Retire) CD Key

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Release Date

23 Jun, 2020

Publisher/Developer

Pearl Abyss

Reviews

Steam: 76.28% positive (32746/42927)
Metacritic: -

System Requirements

Minimum:
  • OS: 32/64 bit Windows 10
  • Processor: Intel Core i3
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: GTS 250 / GeForce 9800GTX / Radeon HD 3870 X2
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 30 GB available space

Also owned by players

Black Desert(Retire) Steam AI Review Summary

SteamAI
Summary generated from 300 most useful Steam user reviews.

Users wrote

Reviewers consistently praise Black Desert Online for its fast, fluid action combat and its stunning visuals. Many players value the vast open world and the depth of life skills and sandbox features. However, the game is widely criticized for grindy, RNG-based progression and heavy monetization, which some players view as pay-to-win. The beginner experience and user interface are often described as overwhelming or confusing, and some language/regional issues hamper accessibility. Overall, combat and depth keep many players engaged, but monetization and onboarding problems temper the enthusiasm.

Last updated: 2026-03-05

Most Mentioned Advantages

  • Exceptional action combat (26 mentions) - Combat in Black Desert Online is widely praised as fast, responsive, and highly skill-based. Reviewers highlight that it feels weighty and rewarding to execute combos and land powerful hits. Many consider it among the best action combat systems in an MMO, capable of drawing players back despite other issues. The combat is supported by smooth, impressive animations that boost the feeling of fighting in an action game.
  • Stunning visuals and deep character creator (18 mentions) - Players frequently highlight the game's graphics and art style as outstanding. The character creator is described as extremely detailed and customizable, allowing a wide range of appearances. The world design and environmental visuals help immersion and exploration. While visuals can't fix other issues, they are repeatedly cited as a major draw.
  • Huge open world with diverse sandbox activities (12 mentions) - Reviewers appreciate the scale of the world and breadth of activities beyond combat. Life skills like fishing, farming, cooking, trading, and sailing provide long-term goals. The game supports choosing your path, whether to focus on combat, lifeskills, or exploration, delivering a sandbox experience.
  • Deep progression options and class diversity (10 mentions) - Several reviews mention the wide array of classes and playstyles and the depth of progression systems. The game offers multiple ways to develop your character, including combat, lifeskills, and trading. This flexibility helps players stay engaged over the long term.
  • Ongoing updates and content variety (9 mentions) - Reviewers note frequent updates, new classes, and events that keep the world feeling alive. The developers frequently add content, which helps maintain interest for long-term players. This ongoing development supports the game's longevity for fans of sandbox MMOs.

Most Mentioned Disadvantages

  • Grindy progression with RNG and pay-to-win elements (25 mentions) - Many players describe endgame progression as extremely grind-heavy, with upgrades often determined by RNG. The system can require long play sessions and repetitive farming for meaningful gains. There is a perception that monetization is heavy and can give advantages to paying players, contributing to a pay-to-win feeling. Casual players and newcomers may find progression slow and punishing.
  • Poor onboarding and overly complex UI (18 mentions) - Reviews frequently mention the first hours as confusing due to a cluttered UI and excessive dialogue. The learning curve is steep, and many players report difficulty understanding progression and systems. Several reviews note that even with strong combat, onboarding slows progress and can be off-putting.
  • Language/region issues and accessibility problems (9 mentions) - Some players report language defaults (Russian or Turkish) and difficulty changing language. There are mentions of regional locks or support issues that hinder accessibility for some players. These issues make it harder for new players to start or continue.
  • Performance issues, bugs, and unreliable stability (8 mentions) - Reviewers note bugs, crashes, and occasional performance problems on various hardware. The UI can be overly cluttered and difficult to navigate during combat. Some players also report controller support problems or difficulty binding controls.
  • Monetization and cosmetics concerns (6 mentions) - Several reviews express concerns about the cost of cosmetics and premium items, and a perception of aggressive monetization. Some reviews report issues with refunds or inconsistent support experiences. These financial dynamics can undermine enjoyment for some players.

Compared Games

  • World of Warcraft (2 mentions) - Some reviewers compare Black Desert Online to World of Warcraft and describe it as not the best WoW MMO, noting differences in progression and monetization.
Users wrote

Advantages mentioned by the majority
Less frequently mentioned disadvantages