So, I've been playing again. Turns out the sound thing isn't an issue at all anymore. I think I had a virus/spyware at the time, that BDO was somehow interfering with it (maybe their anti-hack software they use?). Cause last time I played, every time I'd shut the game down, my sound would suddenly completely turn off until I reset the PC. Plus I had other issues.
In any case, been playing about a week now. I actually really enjoy it. The "p2w" fiasco seems over with, and they improved their game a lot on that front. You get a ton of free stuff for returning, and every day they give out stuff. And even though I wasn't playing, any time they had server problems they gave out mail with free goodies in it. So I had a TON of free items and gold. I actually like that, because most MMOs don't give you nearly a sliver of a fraction of what BDO gives out. For free at that. I even got a little over 40 days of "free" veteran bonus time (which is kinda like a subscription with benefits that some MMOs have (like ESO in a way), costs 15 dollars for 30 days of vet bonus).
I ended up making a Witch character, which is a lot of fun. The game itself (at least on Orwen) is filled with people who just play BDO like a waifu-simulator (I'm guilty of that in a lot of games
) and just focus on the PVE aspects of BDO.
Here is my Witch with the Weenie Looney outfit I bought
http://imgur.com/a/yu8MfI aimed for a different look than what most people tend to give their BDO characters. I like how she came out a lot personally, really happy with her look. And the outfit looks great on her.
For content, I've mostly been doing quests and running around. Trying to get up my contribution points and stamina by running. But I also have a farm, and a house I can decorate. Once I get to level 20, I'm gonna try taming a horse. I saw one last night (a tier 2 one!), but I need a few more levels and some items I didn't have anyway. I also joined a casual guild that doesn't force voice chat or force their members to do stuff. But I helped out on a guild mission to collect a bunch of logs and something else, and that was a lot of fun to be involved like that.
There is a ton to do, so it can get a bit overwhelming without making goals of what to do.