Black Desert Online‘s Dynamic Movement Defies MMO Expectations

Climbing, jumping long distances, clambering up ledges? Is this a fantasy MMORPG or an action adventure game? Why not both?

Over the weekend I posted video and my impressions of the first 30 minutes of Black Desert Online, mentioning basic movement felt sluggish and unresponsive. Now that I’ve had more time with the parkour-inspired movement system, I’ve had a change of heart.

Once I got to a point where my overcrowded server wasn’t constantly choking I got a chance to really explore the Korean import’s movement system. It’s really unlike anything I’ve experienced in an MMORPG.

Part of my problem in exploring the system’s full potential was expectations set from years of massively multiplayer gaming. I’d been in the ditch surrounding the Western Guard Camp many times, but it never occurred to me that I’d be able to do this.

Even with the recent release of Blade & Soul, another game with an unconventional movement system, I still just figured jumping height was as high as I could go.

Between the ability to vault small obstacles parkour style, climb ledges and jump longer distances based on how fast I am moving (like real life), I can go much higher than that.

Black Desert Online gives players a choice between free movement and simply hitting the ‘T’ key to autorun to the next quest objective. It’s really not much of a choice.

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