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[Column] Elder Scrolls Online: The Best & Worst Things About ESO
SBFord
Former Associate EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 33,129
If you've turned on a computer in the last week, you've probably heard the news: Zenimax is finally pulling back the veil on Elder Scrolls Online. Beginning with the lifting of the press NDA last week and now the total opening of the floodgates, MMORPG has been on the cutting edge every step of the way. I have remained silent, a member of the weekend betas and an occasional visitor to the 24/7 internal test. That time has come. Read on to see my personal take on the good and bad of ESO.
Read more of Chris Coke's The List: The Best & Worst Things About ESO.
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Comments
I find that eso didn't focus enough on group play. Its funny what still devs don't get that an mmo should do everything it can to make it easy to play with your friends. Grouping is a mess trying to get everyone in the same phase. A lot of unneeded running around. Guild and group tools are bare bones.
You should be able to do quests together. There should be ways outside of pvp to group with your friends no matter the level. Eso is a game that cane decide if its a single player game with multi-play or an mmo. The game as a whole suffers because the devs are trying to please everyone.
I agree with most of this though I don't really have issues with the first person combat (I use it a lot) and I question, at least to the levels I achieved, if there really are things to discover other than more quests or a chest here and there.
I find that I can't play ESO like I play Morrowind, Oblvion and Skyrim. In those games I head out and discover places and can spend a lot of time in those places. I haven't found many places in ESO and the places I did find were explored in a few minutes.
edit: I'll also add that I have a concern for RvR in that it feels like it's just flipping keeps. Not to say I didn't enjoy them, I did! But I am concerned that it will keep players engaged over the months to come.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
my 'MAIN" #1 problem with ESO was and still is- the body and armor detail- after playing TSW (the secret world) you are spoiled!
i hope they can fix this in the future because as a graphic designer i see the details. as many do...
the story telling is the most solid here in any mmorpg.
you see, the thing is - a lot of people - me included - couldnt care less about raiding... and whats better? 40 men raiding? or 2000 men pvp?
i think its kinda hard to get a more layered look with large sclae pvp performance wise? honestly, i thought it to be much worse in earlier betas or earlier pictures than it is now - so they clearly improved it...it could be better, but i prefer a good performance over it.
One point that eso does superb where most other mmo's fail regarding armor is that the armor looks actually worn, with scratches and dents and dirt...it makes for a realistic gritty look instead of the usualy shiny new look - i really really like that.
ok-im open this.
and you are right, the armor has looked better once i change my mage to mail. maybe they are slowly improving this...
Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.
some good forget;
no cooldowns on skills, no more hotbar watching.
looting dont require corpse clicking, same goes for mining and gathering.
Even with it's flaws, I was more immersed in the world during my time in Beta than I have been in any MMO released in the last 7 years.
With some continued refinement, this could be something special.
I agree across the board....
Although I'd add
The worst 1-7 grind of any game in the history of mankind.
The combat is boring but AvA is a riot. It is a mixed bag.
/Agree with OP
Completely disagree with the combat. As a DK tank it was more fun and action packed than any previous TES title. Add in the cooperation with other peoples skills and its very fun. I don't like range combat much though, archery mainly, as there is no true aiming. I like to lead and arc my shots. Not watch the arrow curve when he runs.
The phasing isn't a huge deal for me. It was a little buggy during BETA and there are restrictions but it wasn't a big problem for me. Lost 2 groups out of 20ish due to phasing.
I didn't really notice a problem with the animations and armor detail (besides bugs). Sure it wasn't top notch but if that's what it takes for the game to run as smooth as it did, I don't care.
More MMO that elder scrolls? Don't get this. It is an MMO and elder scrolls. You can play it just like ES plus have a bunch of MMO features. Well minus the true aiming and less interactive items. I did find a lot of stuff exploring. From fun quest to tough fights and loot of course.
I'd be happier with 1st person view if they increased the field of view, its to tight right now. I like to use it when I'm roaming the country side (and no UI). In battles, especially with melee, I switch to 3rd person.
I only have two issues with the game.
1. The slow start that may detour people.
2. No true aiming.
Most fun I've had in a game in a long time. Group dungeons are my favorite and PvP was epic.
RIP Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan and Paul Gray.
I've love to see some XB1/PS4 gameplay... it's only 4 months to launch.
That is going to be what makes me buy or skip- if it looks/runs good on XB1 and how the control scheme is setup.
Pretty much for the worse parts
- first person needs fov slider
- armor is painted on, that's why you can still see your flimsy arms, they need more variety for armor
- phasing is bad
- range targeting needs work
- potion slots needs work /datringsrsly
- need collision for pvp /stuck
- wtb lipsync for muppetnpcs
Ryoshi1 as Rikimaru
A sure sign that you are in an old, dying paradigm/mindset, is when you are scared of new ideas and new technology. Don't feel bad. The world is moving on without you, and you are welcome to yell "Get Off My Lawn!" all you want while it happens. You cannot, however, stop an idea whose time has come.
agree 100%
If your a crafter then you should love the starting zones. Horde all the mats you can before you leave, because once you do, they become harder to get.
i agree with most of the OP positives and only one of the negatives and that is the phasing. I don't care for it, though I understand why they have it.
I'm not an IT Specialist, Game Developer, or Clairvoyant in real life, but like others on here, I play one on the internet.
i guess "fun" in a game is pointless for you....
I wouldn't say that combat speed is slow.I like it that way.
But animations are indeed awful.
What i would like to remark is that this game indeed fails to impress just like wow did back in the days.
I feel that a game to be successful has to charm and impress the player and go OMG!