Black Desert Online vs New World: Aeternum
Every attribute in the database, side by side — MMOlist scores Black Desert Online at 72 and New World: Aeternum at 66, but the right pick depends on how you play.
Black Desert Online
2015 · Buy-to-Play · Action
New World: Aeternum
2021 · Buy-to-Play · Action
The short version
What they share: a sandpark world, action combat, a buy-to-play model, open-world PvP and vertical endgame progression.
Compared with Black Desert Online, New World: Aeternum is less grindy, more casual-friendly, seen as less pay-to-win, lighter on scheduled chores and easier to catch up in.
Black Desert Online — strengths: Best action combat in the genre; Deep life-skill economy. Watch out for: Enhancement RNG progression.
New World: Aeternum — strengths: Satisfying gathering and crafting loop; 50v50 territory wars. Watch out for: Sparse update roadmap.
| Black Desert Online | New World: Aeternum | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Live | Maintenance ModeSunsetting 2027 |
| Release year | 2015 | 2021 |
| Developer | Pearl Abyss | Amazon Games |
| Business model | Buy-to-Play | Buy-to-Play |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation, Xbox | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| Combat type | Action | Action |
| World design | Sandpark | Sandpark |
| MMOlist score | 72 | 66 |
| Steam rating | 77% | 60% |
| User score | 6.4/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Critic score | 73 | 76 |
| Steam peak CCU | 30K | 913K |
| PvE focus | ||
| PvP focus | ||
| Grindiness | ||
| Solo friendly | ||
| Duo friendly | ||
| Casual friendly | ||
| Typical session | 1–2 hours | 1–2 hours |
| Time to endgame | 300h+ | 40–100h |
| Catch-up friendly | ||
| Chore pressure | ||
| Endgame progression | Vertical | Vertical |
| Alt friendly | ||
| Crafting depth | ||
| Guild importance | ||
| P2W perception | High | Low |
| Open-world PvP | Yes | Yes |
| Full-loot PvP | No | No |
| Housing | Instanced | Instanced |
| Steam Deck | Unsupported | Playable |
| Cross-play | Partial / N/A | Yes |
| Cross-progression | No | No |
| Update cadence | Very Active | Slow |
| Best for | Combat feel purists; Life-skillers; Grind enjoyers; Node war PvPers | Gatherers and crafters; Territory war PvPers; Players who want weighty action combat |
Pick Black Desert Online if you want…
- Combat feel purists
- Life-skillers
- Grind enjoyers
- Node war PvPers
Pick New World: Aeternum if you want…
- Gatherers and crafters
- Territory war PvPers
- Players who want weighty action combat
Keep exploring
Still torn? Add a third game, or let the quiz decide from how you actually play.