Over the years, Black Desert Online has started to generate a loyal following, and thanks to the recent mobile release it’s gaining new life as players unfamiliar with the title dive into the rich action MMORPG sandbox. It's a remarkable member of the genre, sitting strong among many other MMOs with more attention and excitable fanbases.
While it is a great game there are some features that fans aren’t the biggest fans of; it costs money to play, there is a lot of grinding, and many fans complain about what they perceive to be pay-to-win incentives built into the game. If you found yourself enjoying certain aspects of the game and are looking for an alternative there are some other MMOs you could try.
Updated March 13th, 2021 by Gene Cole: As nearly any MMO player can tell you, an online game is only as good as the community it has. Many classic games have lost their player bases over time, while others have been entirely shut down, and we felt it was important to update fans of Black Desert Online on where their friends might be spending their time in the modern world of MMOs and online RPGs.
14 Elder Scrolls Online
If what you're feeling in your MMO is a classic fantasy world, it's hard to go wrong with the remarkably improved Elder Scrolls Online. This game has come a long way since its release, and has created a surprisingly engaging Elder Scrolls experience with hints of the MMORPG to give it a personalized and unique style.
Black Desert Online fans will especially appreciate the frequent updates of this game, as there have been tons of new content pieces and major changes that keep the game feeling fresher and fuller than most MMOs. It's an underrated gem right now that's very much worth your time.
13 Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact is hardly an underrated game, and might be one of the most popular experiences out there right now. This game has had comparisons to all sorts of games in and out of the MMO genre, but makes for a great explorative action game to play alone or with friends.
The one thing to be cautious of are the microtransactions, as the game runs on a variable gacha system that can feel very predatory if you want new characters and equipment. Nonetheless, it's one of the hottest games right now and an easy one to play if you want an MMO with a more fervent community than any other.
12 Monster Hunter: World
While not exactly an MMO, Monster Hunter: World will almost require you have friends to take on the challenges at play. The monsters you follow and have to take down have tons of health, and figuring out how to use your weapons to support your team and handicap your foes is an extremely fulfilling team experience.
If you prefer to take the single-player approach to your MMOs, though, this game is full of the grindy exploration you might enjoy to collect materials and make custom weapons. This series has always been great for any MMO fan, but this particular entry is an exceptional example and has a wonderfully full community currently.
11 Path Of Exile
If you need a huge shift from the typical MMO gameplay style, Path Of Exile is much more of a top-down fantasy action game that might be the shakeup you need. This features some of the deepest RPG elements of any online game, with skill trees larger than any you can get in even a typical JRPG.
Black Desert Online fans, though, will perhaps like the game for its more grim fantasy environment, similar to why they may also appreciate Elder Scrolls Online. It's also got a ton of magic and abilities to customize yourself with as well, and quickly becomes a very personal experience.
10 Final Fantasy XIV Online
Perhaps the biggest MMO currently besides Genshin Impact is much more traditional than the other entries earlier on this list. Final Fantasy XIV Online has seen a huge amount of updates over its lifetime, shifting from a mediocre RPG to a polished online experience that MMO players will assuredly feel right at home in.
This game especially excels in its diverse classes, which quickly gain a ton of powers to make the early game feel as deep as the remarkable late-game options. There's also an obscene amount of quests nearly everywhere once you start, making for an astoundingly deep and full experience right out the gate.
9 Tera
Fans seem to agree that Tera is probably one of the closest things you can get to Black Desert Online right now. The combat is very similar and a lot of fun, the classes are considered better and have purpose within team combat, and it has a free-to-play option.
That being said, the graphics aren’t as nice as BDO and fans have mixed feelings towards the Elin race characters, as some think they’re cute while others think they’re creepy. In any case if you want similar combat with better classes, Tera is your game.
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6 Revelation Online
If you liked the flying system in BDO than Revelation Online might be your cup of tea. In this fantasy MMO you are free to fly practically anywhere making the world feel much more open and alive than it might in BDO.
The combat isn’t half bad, the large 60 player battles can be fun and there’s even a MOBA style game mode called Legends of Nuanor. It’s a bit cartoony in spots, but it’s great for a more casual romp and the pay to win is very minimal.
5 Blade & Soul
A lot of players feel that the combat in Blade & Soul is about as close as you can get to BDO right now. Granted it does play out a little slower and requires more tactics for team combos, but it’s similar. PVP has issues now and then with team play, but it’s largely free of the pay to win plague because all stats and gear are equalized in matches.
The PVE is a lot of fun and there isn’t nearly as much grinding. The costume options can be a bit annoying at times, especially if you’re playing as a female and want to be taken seriously by other players, but it is worth taking a look at if you’re looking for some alternatives.
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3 Runescape
If you’re willing to sacrifice combat and graphics a little, then Runescape, or Runescape 3 as diehard fans refer to it, is a solid option. In exchange for sacrificing those features you’ll have an expanded class system and a whole mess of skills to train and develop.
If you enjoy the grind of BDO you’ll experience plenty of that here. If you want a game that has as many social features as it does combat then Runescape should be your next digital home, whether you play the classic or newer version of the game.
2 Guild Wars 2
Offering both a free-to-play and paid options, Guild Of Wars 2 is what many players were enjoying before trying out BDO. Whether you enjoy smaller PVP or large guild-sized combat, there is plenty to do and compete over in this game.
Granted, it isn’t receiving as much attention from developers as it used to, but the fanbase is still strong and there’s plenty to do and see if it’s been a while since you’ve played this fun game. The crafting is also a lot simpler.
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