Try out MMORPG Black Desert's PlayStation 4 beta right now

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(Image credit: Pearl Abyss)

The Black Desert beta is now live on PlayStation 4.

While already available on PC and Xbox One, this is the first time the open-world action MMORPG has come to Sony's console system. The free-to-play beta is available now until the test ends on August 13, 2019, with an "enormous fireworks show for all players to enjoy". 

While you won't need a PlayStation Plus account to access it, you will need a valid subscription if you want to participate in multiplayer activities.  

The beta gives you the chance to sample three regions – Serendia, Balenos, and Calpheon – and you can rank all the way up to a max level of 50 with your own, highly customisable character. Playing the beta will also award you with "an exclusive Sky Hawk pet" when Black Desert formally launches on PS4 later this month.

There'll also be a chance for players to win a host of prizes over the beta period, including prizes for the top decorated residence, fishing skills, horse taming, cart racing, and even hide-and-seek with Pearl Abyss GMs.

If you've not come across it before, Black Desert is listed in our rundown of the best MMORPGs to play right now. It not not only offers standard levelling and questing, but also the opportunity to become medieval property landlords and even taking wholesale control of entire cities. 

"The world of Black Desert contains vast regions, fierce enemies, and an immersive story that’s waiting to be explored," explained Black Desert's lead producer, Kwangsam Kim, via the PlayStation Blog. "You’ll choose from six different character classes: Warrior, Sorceress, Ranger, Berserker, Wizard, or Witch. Each class offers various strengths and weaknesses, so choose wisely to cast powerful magic, launch stealth attacks, or deliver devastating damage in this open-ended sandbox world."

Running out of space on your PlayStation 4? Here's our rundown of the best PS4 external hard drives available now. 

Vikki Blake
Vikki Blake
Weekend Reporter, GamesRadar+

Vikki Blake is GamesRadar+'s Weekend Reporter. Vikki works tirelessly to ensure that you have something to read on the days of the week beginning with 'S', and can also be found contributing to outlets including the BBC, Eurogamer, and GameIndustry.biz. Vikki also runs a weekly games column at NME, and can be frequently found talking about Destiny 2 and Silent Hill on Twitter.