Black Desert is an online role-playing game. Unlike other large online games (often called MMOs, Massively Multiplayer Online Games), it doesn't just focus on combat; you can explore the vibrant fantasy world, interact with inhabitants and choose how you want to live your life. This unique blend of online play, combat and thoughtful, detailed storytelling makes it unique.

The game is set in a high-fantasy world, not unlike Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and the map is split into four regions, which were once at peace but descended into conflict at the outbreak of a deadly plague. After an uneasy period of peace, two of the regions, the materialistic Republic of Calpheon and the spiritually-guided kingdom of Valencia once again go to war over precious Black Stones that can only be found in one place: the Black Desert.

You create your custom character then explore the intricately detailed world to meet and interact with characters to learn their stories and aid them if you choose. You can fight, in a combat system that allows you to team up with other players to overcome harder challenges. If you choose, you can forgo this aspect of the game, and instead focus on living a simple life; farming, fishing and hunting are equally as fleshed out as the combat. The game also receives regular updates that add more content and ways to play.

It's a unique game that allows you to fight in collaborative quests, or simply forge a simple life alone, all while being surrounded by, and interacting with, a world that's fleshed out with interesting characters, varied scenery and a novel and engaging story.