Deal | Free on Steam: This stunning open world MMO is free again on Steam, but you shouldn’t expect a smooth ride

Pearl Abyss has once again made Black Desert available for free to keep on Steam, which continues its periodic strategy to boost the player base and celebrate milestones. Here's what you should know - past freebies, what works, what's broken, and whether it’s right for you.

Free runs in Steam

• January 2025: The game was available at no cost to celebrate its 10th anniversary, running from December 2024 to January 6, 2025, and included a free starter.
• Years prior: A similar free-steam-note giveaway occurred around mid-2021 when the game first added Steam PC launches.
• Now: It’s free again for a limited time. While the English version typically costs $9.99–$10, Steam lists it as "Free to Keep" during the promo.

What makes it worth trying

• Stunning graphics & fluid combat: Even in 2025, Black Desert’s action is smooth and visually impressive for an MMO.
• Sandbox depth: Beyond combat, you get farming, fishing, crafting, trading, housing, and massive guild sieges.
• No purchase barrier: Once claimed, you own the base game permanently - a solid deal for such a vast MMO.

What comes with the caveats

• Grind-heavy progression: High-level gear relies on random enhancements that can erase player effort - yes, gear loss is a real frustration.
• Pay-to-win concerns: Cosmetic and convenience items in the cash shop led some to label it "P2W," while others say you can play without spending.
• Shallow PvE endgame: There’s little traditional group content like raids - fans often say the PvP focus and grind outpace dungeon depth in the game.

Still, plenty of players acknowledge the strong visuals, stating that the game world is "beautiful" and "worth exploring".

You can give the game a try if:

• Are curious about action MMO combat and deep sandbox systems.
• Don’t mind a hefty grind and can weather occasional gear frustration.
• Appreciate stunning open worlds and don’t mind optional cash-shop perks.

You can decide to skip it if you:

• Prefer PvE dungeons or structured content.
• Dislike cash stores with "pay-for-progress" elements.
• Want deeper group content than BDO traditionally offers.

Black Desert will be free until July 10. You're welcome to check out the Steam Store page for the game here. It's also worth noting that the game is unavailable in certain regions, like India, Pakistan, and South Korea.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.