Deal | Steam is giving away an extensive sandbox MMO – but only for a short time
Black Desert immerses players in a vast fantasy world shaped by political intrigue, economic ambition, and mysterious powers. Always by the player’s side is the Black Spirit, an enigmatic companion that provides a loose narrative framework. The story itself remains optional, however, as the game places a stronger emphasis on deep sandbox mechanics and player-driven goals. Faction conflicts and large-scale PvP battles play a central role, leaving a lasting impact on the game’s evolving world.
When it comes to gameplay, Black Desert sets itself apart from traditional tab-targeting MMORPGs with its fast-paced, action-oriented combat. Battles unfold in real time, relying on combos and precise timing, and feel closer to an action RPG than a classic online role-playing game. With more than 30 classes available, each offering two distinct specializations, players can choose from a wide range of playstyles. Notably, the game abandons the traditional tank-healer-DPS trinity, encouraging more flexible and dynamic group compositions.
The world of Black Desert is seamlessly designed, featuring minimal loading screens and little reliance on fast travel. Instead, players traverse the vast landscape on horseback, by carriage, or by ship across rivers and open seas. Realistic terrain, a dynamic day-night cycle, and changing weather conditions contribute to a believable and immersive world. Beyond combat, the game offers a deep economic system with professions such as alchemy, fishing, and horse breeding. Players can also purchase and furnish homes, which may serve as personal living spaces or as production hubs.
Overall, Black Desert has received mixed reviews. On Steam, the game holds an average rating of 77% positive based on more than 90,000 user reviews. Its Metascore on Metacritic currently stands at 73, while the User Score is significantly lower at 4.7. Players frequently praise the fluid combat system, the visually impressive game world, and the high degree of freedom on offer. Criticism, however, is often directed at the heavy endgame grind, the chance-based gear upgrade system that many find frustrating, and the presence of certain quality-of-life features locked behind a paywall.
Despite its criticisms, Black Desert might still be well worth checking out – especially since it is currently available completely for free. Handheld players, however, are out of luck for now, as the MMO is not supported on the Steam Deck (available on Amazon for around $445). The giveaway runs until December 18, after which the game will return to its regular price of around $10.
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