Aug 2019
Black Desert Online, or just Black Desert for those who like to keep things casual (read: us). Originally a sensation on PC, this MMORPG has now made its triumphant leap onto the PS4 and, boy, does it feel like a lavish buffet where you can sample everything from combat that makes you feel like a sword-wielding god to crafting systems that will have you living out your very own farming simulator fantasy. Get ready to explore a world that is as confusing as your ex's text messages.
In Black Desert, you won't just be a hero. You'll be *the* hero—or at least you will be until the gm finds out that you’ve been griefing low-level players for fun. Gameplay revolves around gorgeous landscapes, engaging PvE, and a combat system that's more fluid than a chicken in a grease factory. Forget click-and-wait mechanics of yore; think fast-paced action combat, rolling around like you’ve just come off a sugar rush. Combo moves, dodges, mounted combat—Black Desert makes traditional MMORPG gameplay feel like playing chess with a toddler who just learned how to throw pieces around. Character customization is where this game shines—like your weird cousin who can shout the periodic table backwards. With 28 classes to choose from, you can play as everything from a hulking Berserker to a graceful Valkyrie. And don't get me started on character creation. You can modify everything from your character’s nose width to how much they frown—seriously, I spent three hours just adjusting the angle of an eyebrow. You may find yourself in a time loop somewhere between crafting the perfect hero and watching your computer screen go dark because you forgot to blink. As for quests? They're the dream and the nightmare. While oftentimes you’ll find yourself ticking off boxes like a good little worker bee, there are moments when the game throws in some bizarre tasks that leave you questioning the sanity of the developers. ‘Fetch me 10 apples!’ is pretty standard. ‘Bring me a baby alligator whilst standing on one leg’? Well, get your yoga mats out, kids. Side quests can lead you to dark caverns and unexpected treasures. For reasons that I still don’t quite grasp, collecting frogs earns you some of best loot in the game. Who knew those slimy creatures would be the gateway to glory?
Visually, Black Desert is a masterpiece. Say what you want about its grinding system, but the graphics will have you questioning whether your console has started sucking settings from the nearest green screen. It’s more gorgeous than a sunset over a tropical beach, and the art design feels like a renaissance painting brought to life. The detailed characters make you want to decorate them in fashionable items—but good luck fighting that urge to design a character named `LusciousMuffin83` and then getting mad when everyone else has a more serious name—like `DeathDealer69420` or `LordOfTheBored`. The animations too, are something out of a high-budget Hollywood production, with the fluidity of movement making even the most mundane tasks look like something out of an action movie. You’ll be astonished by how even the running animations evoke a sense of power and grace. Just don’t let it confuse you into thinking you can run that fast in real life.
While Black Desert Online has its fair share of cringe moments and all those ‘go fetch’ quests that seem to multiply like rabbits, the beauty and depth of gameplay can make you forget about such trivial things. Yet, before you jump in, be warned: this game is not a casual stroll in the park. It’s more like wrestling a bear—exciting but bound to leave you battered and bruised. In short, Black Desert is a glorious hot mess of quests, sprawling environments, and character customization that’ll have you binging like it’s the latest show on Netflix. Let’s face it; whether you’re here for the PvP, the questing, or just to look fabulous, you’re bound to find something that will call your inner weeb to action. Pour yourself a drink; it’s gonna be a long, weird ride!
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