What is the best game similar to Black Desert?

The closest game to Black Desert is RuneScape, scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. They share 16 gameplay attributes, including deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Black Desert?

The three closest games to Black Desert are: 1. RuneScape (95/100, 16 shared attributes) 2. Old School RuneScape (95/100, 13 shared attributes) 3. Tera (95/100, 18 shared attributes). All share Black Desert's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 45 candidates across 20 dimensions.

Is Old School RuneScape similar to Black Desert?

Yes, very much so — Old School RuneScape scores 95/100 similarity to Black Desert. They share 13 attributes, including deep RPG systems and MMO world and community. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What RPG games are similar to Black Desert?

The best RPG games similar to Black Desert are RuneScape, Old School RuneScape, Tera and ArcheAge. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Black Desert attributes like deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom.

How is similarity to Black Desert calculated?

We compare Black Desert against every game in our catalog using 20 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Black Desert experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

Are there free games similar to Black Desert?

Yes — Trove and Lost Ark are free and score well on similarity to Black Desert. They're a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.

45 Games like Black Desert that you should try

Games like Black Desert · Find similar →

More about this game →

If Black Desert left you wanting more, this list of 45 similar games is for you. Each one shares part of its essence — deep RPG systems, open world exploration and combat magic — and is ranked by a similarity score computed across 20 attributes. RuneScape comes closest (95/100).

iRank73/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

Top games similar to Black Desert

45 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Black Desert. Each one has been evaluated across 20 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1RuneScape

iRank82

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opMagicRangedMeleeOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 82%· 27K

Year 2001Dev JagexOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Fits the sandbox MMORPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, strong narrative focus and vibe casual, while skipping action RPG combat

Details →

Steam

#2Old School RuneScape

iRank81

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 83%· 20KIGDB77· 1

Year 2013Dev JagexOn Android · PC · iOS

✓ Both are sandbox MMORPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, PvP competition and visual isometric, while skipping action RPG combat

Details →

Steam

#3Tera

iRank77

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeRangedOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyHistoricalMedievalExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 79%· 15KIGDB73· 5

Year 2011Dev Bluehole Studio · En Masse EntertainmentOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the sandbox MMORPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with setting anime, PvP competition and loot and gear systems, while skipping combat magic

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opMagicMeleeOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 52%· 7.3KIGDB94· 1

Year 2013On PC

✓ Same family of sandbox MMORPGs: deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: PvP competition, crafting mechanics and visual first person, while skipping action RPG combat

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opMeleeOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyMedievalExploration

Steam👍 79%· 91KIGDB88· 4OC79· 10

✓ Fits the sandbox MMORPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, deep simulation and PvP competition, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

Steam

#6New World: Aeternum

iRank71

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opMeleeOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 67%· 297KIGDB76· 7OC72· 66

Year 2021Dev Amazon GamesOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ Same family of sandbox MMORPGs: deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, dark, oppressive atmosphere and PvP competition, while skipping action RPG combat

Details →

Steam Xbox

#7WAKFU

iRank66

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyExploration

Steam👍 76%· 11KRAWG👍 44%· 127MC76

Year 2014Dev Ankama Studio · Ankama GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the sandbox MMORPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, vibe casual and combat tactical, while skipping action RPG combat

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeOpen WorldSandbox WorldHistoricalExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 73%· 39KRAWG👍 49%· 365MC88IGDB79· 3

Year 2003Dev CCPPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the sandbox MMORPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, combat tactical and setting space, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

Steam

#9Trove

iRank61

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldFantasyExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 80%· 93KRAWG👍 24%· 474MC65IGDB62· 1OC67· 12

Year 2015Dev Trion WorldsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the sandbox MMORPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, turn-based strategy and vibe casual, while skipping combat magic

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#10Guild Wars

iRank90

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreTheme Park MMO

MultiplayerCo-opOnlineMagicMeleeRangedFantasyHistoricalMedievalThird Person

IGDB90· 3

Year 2005Dev ArenaNet · NCSOFTOn PC

✓ Shared with Black Desert: deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, post-apocalyptic world and single-player focus, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

#11Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues

iRank39

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldFantasyMedievalHistoricalExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 53%· 3.2KRAWG👍 19%· 27

Year 2014Dev PortalariumPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of sandbox MMORPGs: deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: card game strategy, survival mechanics and strong narrative focus, while skipping combat magic

Details →

Steam

#12Sky: Children of the Light

iRank85

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreTheme Park MMO

MultiplayerCo-opOnlineFantasyThird Person

Steam👍 87%· 23KIGDB82· 5OC82· 13

Year 2019Dev ThatGameCompany · NetEase GamesOn PS4 · Android · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Black Desert, expect deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, vibe casual and single-player focus, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam PS Nintendo

#13FINAL FANTASY XIV Online

iRank86

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreTheme Park MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opMagicMeleeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 87%· 84KRAWG👍 86%· 87MC82IGDB85· 9

Year 2010Dev Square EnixOn PC · PS

✓ If you enjoyed Black Desert, expect deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: JRPG narrative and systems, strong narrative focus and single-player focus, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam

#14Palia

iRank84

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreTheme Park MMO

MultiplayerCo-opOnlineFantasyExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 86%· 42KIGDB87· 2OC78· 10

Year 2023Dev Singularity 6On Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ Shared with Black Desert: deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, vibe casual and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam Epic PS

#15Dofus

iRank73

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreTheme Park MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opMagicRangedFantasy

Steam👍 74%· 552IGDB70· 1

Year 2004Dev Ankama GamesOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ If you enjoyed Black Desert, expect deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, combat tactical and setting anime, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam

Complete list of Black Desert alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Black Desert, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

The Elder Scrolls® Online

RPG · MMO

Throne and Liberty

RPG · MMO

Mabinogi

RPG · MMO

World of Warcraft Classic

RPG · MMO

Aion

RPG · MMO

Dune: Awakening

RPG · MMO

World of Warcraft

RPG · MMO

Star Wars: The Old Republic

RPG · MMO

Neverwinter

RPG · MMO

The Lord of the Rings Online

RPG · MMO

Rift

RPG · MMO

Dungeons & Dragons Online

RPG · MMO

Tibia

RPG · MMO

MapleStory

RPG · MMO

Lineage II

RPG · MMO

Pokémon Go

RPG · MMO

Lost Ark

RPG · MMO

Ragnarok Online

RPG · MMO

Metin2

RPG · MMO

Torchlight III

RPG · MMO

Spiral Knights

RPG · MMO

Champions Online

RPG · MMO

Dungeon-Party

RPG · MMO

Skyforge

RPG · MMO

Divine Souls F2P MMO

RPG · MMO

ELDEN RING

RPG · Action RPG

Orcs Must Die! 2

RPG · Tower Defense

Lords of the Fallen

RPG · Action RPG

Lord of the Rings: War in the North

RPG · Action RPG

Dauntless

RPG · Action RPG

Explore games similar to Black Desert by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Sandbox MMORPGs Best MMORPG Games Best RPG Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Black Desert?: The closest game to Black Desert is RuneScape, scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. They share 16 gameplay attributes, including deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Black Desert?: The three closest games to Black Desert are: 1. RuneScape (95/100, 16 shared attributes) 2. Old School RuneScape (95/100, 13 shared attributes) 3. Tera (95/100, 18 shared attributes). All share Black Desert's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 45 candidates across 20 dimensions.
Is Old School RuneScape similar to Black Desert?: Yes, very much so — Old School RuneScape scores 95/100 similarity to Black Desert. They share 13 attributes, including deep RPG systems and MMO world and community. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What RPG games are similar to Black Desert?: The best RPG games similar to Black Desert are RuneScape, Old School RuneScape, Tera and ArcheAge. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Black Desert attributes like deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom.
How is similarity to Black Desert calculated?: We compare Black Desert against every game in our catalog using 20 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Black Desert experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.
Are there free games similar to Black Desert?: Yes — Trove and Lost Ark are free and score well on similarity to Black Desert. They're a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.