Why Does Everyone Hate Black Desert Online, And Can It Make A Comeback!?

When Black Desert Online first launched in 2015, it felt like the future of MMORPGs. Pearl Abyss impressed players with jaw-dropping graphics, fast-paced action combat, and some of the most detailed character customization the genre had ever seen. For a moment, it seemed that the next big MMO had arrived.

However, a few years later, Black Desert Online has developed a reputation that ranges from controversial to widely disliked among MMORPG fans. The internet, in particular, seems to despise this game. Why do so many players hold a grudge against it? And is there any path for the game to make a comeback?

The largest complaint concerns its aggressive monetization. Black Desert Online is technically buy-to-play, but in practice, it feels closer to pay-to-win. Almost every system in the game — gear progression, inventory space, pets, costumes with stat bonuses — encourages players to spend real money. Other MMORPGs have found ways to monetize fairly, but Black Desert Online often blurs the line between convenience and advantage.

Take pets, for example. They automatically loot items for the player, making grinding significantly faster. Without them, progression feels slow and frustrating. Yet pets are available only in the cash shop. Costumes are another example, offering combat bonuses on top of cosmetic appeal. This system gives paying players a tangible advantage and pressures others to spend more in order to remain competitive.

Then there is the grind. Many MMOs require grinding, but Black Desert Online takes it to an extreme. Upgrading gear demands farming silver and enhancement materials, with brutal success rates. Fail an enhancement, and resources are wasted while gear can even downgrade. Such systems have driven away casual players who want to enjoy the game without facing endless repetition. By contrast, free-to-play MMOs such as Guild Wars 2 or Star Wars: The Old Republic allow players to access most content without hundreds of hours of grinding.

Even though Black Desert Online offers flashy and satisfying combat, it lacks the social systems that define MMOs. Dungeons, raids, and cooperative PvE content are minimal or missing. The game emphasizes solo grinding and massive PvP sieges, making it feel more like a single-player RPG with multiplayer elements rather than a true MMORPG.

Other games, such as Lost Ark or RuneScape, thrive on group activities and community events. Players collaborate in dungeons, raids, and world bosses. Black Desert Online’s limited cooperative content leaves many fans feeling deprived of the genre’s core social experiences.

Despite these criticisms, Black Desert Online has strengths. Its action combat system is praised as one of the best in the genre, with fluid combos and mechanics that make many other MMOs feel dated. The graphics remain stunning, and the sandbox elements — trading, fishing, horse training, life skills — provide unique ways to play. Some players continue with the game for these reasons. It can deliver a level of world immersion few MMOs can match, although the systems surrounding these features often frustrate more than they reward.

Could Black Desert Online make a comeback? It is possible, but it would require bold changes. Pearl Abyss would need to reduce pay-to-win elements. Making pets easier to obtain, removing combat bonuses from costumes, and decreasing reliance on RNG loot boxes could signal a serious commitment to fairness.

Adding raids, instanced dungeons, and more challenging group PvE content could also help Black Desert Online evolve into a true MMORPG. Even smaller cooperative activities would foster community. The gear progression system could be adjusted to make upgrades more realistic. Modern free-to-play MMOs such as Final Fantasy XIV’s free trial or Guild Wars 2’s horizontal progression demonstrate that it is possible to thrive without punishing players with relentless grind walls.

Better tutorials, catch-up mechanics, and more intuitive systems could help new players who currently feel overwhelmed. World of Warcraft has shown the value of easing players into complex MMOs, and Black Desert Online could benefit from a similar approach.

Is it too late for a revival? It is difficult to say. MMOs can reinvent themselves. Final Fantasy XIV went from one of the most criticized MMORPGs at launch to one of the most beloved, thanks to comprehensive overhauls and a dedication to listening to players. If Pearl Abyss is willing to make similar changes, Black Desert Online could transform from a cautionary tale into a redemption story.