my review might sound a bit pessimistically, however I still recommend BDO IF u are looking for great graphics and second-to-none action combat.

final fantasy got story, WoW got.. I dunno tbh, BDO got graphics and a great action combat system.

BDO does have a story and a bunch of quests, but u'll end up skipping everything eventually (which BDO luckely allows for the most part)

there have been a bunch of QoL changes like:
-players get a bunch of shop items from playing and events nowadays and the p2w aspect has been reduced dramatically (personally never felt that it's p2w but as a reference; when I started I spent about 50$ after a short time, if I would start today, I'd spend 27$ for the tent on discount, the rest of the items I would get for free after max 1 month)
-being able to use every storage anywhere.
-easily get mid-range gear so u can enjoy most of the available content after 1 week of relaxed playing.
-teleportation is finally a thing (altho the fee is high enough to kill any veteran if used too often)
-the progression in general has been made easier over the past few years to the point where a casual player can progress without feeling dead inside.
-overall improved minor details which are noticeable to a veteran, but can't rly specify what they are.

the game can get repetitive considering it's main gameplay is some type of grinding (mobs, gathering, weekly/daily quests, etc) so for anyone interested in an MMO, I'd say u would only come to BDO for the graphics and it's phenomenal action combat (altho PvP fights are usually just 5 seconds long and it's just about who lands their stun first)

I have definitely gotten my moneys worth considering my playtime, but at this point I'm just a casual player who stays because I love the graphic and there's not rly any other game out there that has the same type of action combat when it comes to PvE as BDO.

just be warned in case u wish to get the best gear there is; it seems that the devs main strategy has become to create new gear pieces to grind for on a regular basis, they do give options to change ur old gear into the new one so u can continue enhancing rather then having to restart, but u will most likely never get the best gear out there as they will make a new piece once u get close (or right after u finally got it).

there are a bunch of active players, but everyone tends to keep to themselves. there are some guilds that try to be social, but I have gotten more socialisation out of the "chat group" chat, then I have from any guilds (PvP guilds are more active internally)

my review might sound a bit pessimistically, however I still recommend BDO IF u are looking for great graphics and second-to-none action combat. final fantasy got story, WoW got.. I dunno tbh, BDO got graphics and a great action combat system. BDO does have a story and a bunch of quests, but u'll end up skipping everything eventually (which BDO luckely allows for the most part) there have been a bunch of QoL changes like: -players get a bunch of shop items from playing and events nowadays and the p2w aspect has been reduced dramatically (personally never felt that it's p2w but as a reference; when I started I spent about 50$ after a short time, if I would start today, I'd spend 27$ for the tent on discount, the rest of the items I would get for free after max 1 month) -being able to use every storage anywhere. -easily get mid-range gear so u can enjoy most of the available content after 1 week of relaxed playing. -teleportation is finally a thing (altho the fee is high enough to kill any veteran if used too often) -the progression in general has been made easier over the past few years to the point where a casual player can progress without feeling dead inside. -overall improved minor details which are noticeable to a veteran, but can't rly specify what they are. the game can get repetitive considering it's main gameplay is some type of grinding (mobs, gathering, weekly/daily quests, etc) so for anyone interested in an MMO, I'd say u would only come to BDO for the graphics and it's phenomenal action combat (altho PvP fights are usually just 5 seconds long and it's just about who lands their stun first) I have definitely gotten my moneys worth considering my playtime, but at this point I'm just a casual player who stays because I love the graphic and there's not rly any other game out there that has the same type of action combat when it comes to PvE as BDO. just be warned in case u wish to get the best gear there is; it seems that the devs main strategy has become to create new gear pieces to grind for on a regular basis, they do give options to change ur old gear into the new one so u can continue enhancing rather then having to restart, but u will most likely never get the best gear out there as they will make a new piece once u get close (or right after u finally got it). there are a bunch of active players, but everyone tends to keep to themselves. there are some guilds that try to be social, but I have gotten more socialisation out of the "chat group" chat, then I have from any guilds (PvP guilds are more active internally)