Silkroad Online is noted for its "Triangular Conflict System" in which characters can select from the three jobs of trader, hunter, and thief to engage each other in player versus player combat. Thieves attack traders who are protected by hunters. Hunters kill thieves getting experience to level up to a higher level of hunter. Traders complete trade runs to get experience to level up to a higher level of trader, and thieves kill traders and hunters to level up. Thieves can also steal goods dropped by traders to take to the thieves` den to exchange for gold and thief experience.

In the Legend I update for Silkroad, the European classes and areas were introduced to the International servers. In Legend II, Fortress War was introduced to the players of iSRO. In fortress war, guilds fight to take hold of a fort which gives them the ability to raise taxes and hold some prestige over other guilds. In Legend III, Roc Mountain and 90 cap were introduced, as well as 9th Degree Armor and Weapons for both races. In Legend III+, the Bandit Fortress was added to iSRO, as well as Devil`s Spirit silk dress.

Players are given the option to create either a Chinese or European character. Each of the races has its own advantages, disadvantages, cities, weapons, armor and classes

In April 2005, Silkroad Online received a score of 8.4 ("nice") out of 10.0 from GameSpot Korea. The reviewer praised the game`s three-way player versus player system, character customization, and berserker mode, but found the quests and storyline lacking.