I been away from the game over a year. Started in beta and when release took my character to max level. I would like to return and start a new character from level 1 since I completely forgot how to play my high level lol. Is it worth returning?
-Rig
Former GM and associate game designer for SOE and Square Enix. (2001-2008)
Comments
Is it worth it?
Well as far as stability and bugs go things should be a lot better. Depends when you left but there was a big push prior to the console launch last summer. Changes to the way phasing is handled as well - so better. And lag in PvP is better. (Some will say its still not perfect and I won't dispute that, for all intents and purposes though it is now a very polished game in a way that it was "lacking" at launch.)
Content. By max. level do you mean level 50 I wonder or VR 10, 14 or 16? In other words did you do all three quest lines and Craglorn?
If yes then the new content in the game is pretty much what has been released in the DLCs: Imperial City (mixed PvE/PvP), Wrothgar - new region, Dark Brotherhood and Thieves's Guild. And a new small expansion recently. Alll but the last (and smallest) are available as part of the new Gold edition. And to optional subscribers. (See edit.)
If no then there may be some content e.g. Craglorn that was released before you left. And some new content stuff will also be added - for everyone - in the next patch e.g. Craglorn revamp.
If you stopped at 50 however and decided not to do the "VR grind" then the other faction stories are still there. And - when the next patch drops - you will be able to do the content in any order. Mix and match at will.
And there have been some "game system" changes. VR abolished. A Champion system introduced.
The PvP campaigns are - probably - as they were when you left.
Tough to say though without knowing whether you have done all the content - and whether you want to do it again - and why you left. As I said though you can try it. Maybe when the new patch drops? All mobs will be "level CS160" with new characters being boosted. And as long as you didn't delete your old character the new ones will have CS points to allocate if they wish. The game is still "vibrant" though. The megaserver has its problems but being empty is not one of them.
Edit: for existing subscribers who want to add DLC the Gold edition is not an option - getting a Gold edition will simply create a new account, it will not add DLC to an existing account. However their is a 4 DLC combo pack (listed at 5,500 crowns) which will, a decent mark down on the cost of buying the four DLCs individually.
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Sz
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
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“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
I rarely say this but if you play the game you would know this. If you provide details of some games you do play I will offer some comparisons on how "extensive" the "rot" goes.
You can already buy XP pots and rare crafting items to circumvent gameplay. Casino boxes are adding even more powerful XP potions. With the Champion System in place it's no secret that the more XP you get the more powerful you become so it's all just different shades of P2W in my book.
Also, if you think they are stopping with those boxes in their current form you are delusional. Adding more and more "valuable" items to those boxes will be key for them to keep revenue up (and that is their only concern) so it's not a matter of "if" but "when" the cash shop/casino boxes become more and more P2W in the classical sense.
First thing I did was delete all my old chars and everything in the bank. I have been happily playing a sorc and a templar for the last 60 days. I had a thousand or so crowns in my account and I have been subbing. So far the only things I have bought for the cash shop is a fluff mount and the pack of crafting motifs for general races. The mount is no faster or better than the in game gold purchased mounts and the crafting motifs can be bought with in game gold and also in drops
I find the game is better now than it was at release and as long as I continue to enjoy it they will be getting my 15 bucks each month. FOr me playing a game is like dating someone, when it stops being fun just say bye and find another one.
It's a game not a lifelong commitment
I miss DAoC
And the optional sub - that grants an xp boost - absolutely a p2w feature but pretty trivial. And meaningless in PvE.
Yes I agree that - in the future - more valuable items might be added. You could say that about any game though - even ones with no cash shop today. So do you opt to play no games?
What you have to do is look at what they are now and assess how likely they are to change. Currently the stuff available is benign - especially in a p2w game.
Looking ahead I am not sure the boxes will catch on. More likely to be bought by "optional subscribers" with nothing else to spend there crowns on imo. Those p2w subscribers again!
And I will have to provide some hard examples with experience curves and so forth. Specifically regarding what a 150% experience bonus can do - assuming that makes it into beta. And the 10% subscriber stuff I suppose.
(And just to be clear I don't use RNG boxes, would rather they were not there but c'est la vie.)
I only wish there was some stability in regards with hopping between stam and mag builds every DLC.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
As for the OP's question i would say it is, one tamriel just dropped so you can now lvl in ANY zone you with (pve wise) without issue. no more out lvling quests or anything of that kind. So what faction you pick is only determining your races (unless you have any race any faction) and your PVP side. Other then that you can go and lvl where you wish. They have fixed a lot of bugs that have been haunting the game since beta, but with every expansion there are new bugs (per normal mmo standards)
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“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
He can still take on 4 - 5 humanoid mobs without breaking a sweat. My mid 30's temp is also PFM with zero points in stamina and he is pretty awesome also. No more world boss soloing since the patch but I would hardly call either one gimped.
Now something could change once they get into the champion levels but as of right now in my opinion magic is fine. My play style which is "don't get hit". I simply play them like I am in a FPS, duck - dodge- and circle strafe.
I miss DAoC
In more casual solo and non-vet dungeon game play they are both viable. Although the difference is noticeable still.
I know the Sorc class best and have CP 350 versions of both. The stamina version currently outperforms the magicka version is all respects be it packs or bosses that can be soloed. This was also very noticeable to me in One Tamriel when I deliberately tested both a brand new magicka and Stamina sorc using no CP on the PTS for a month.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
Sz
Seaspite
Playing ESO on my X-Box
I have to say, I'm wondering why I stopped playing in the first place because I'm remembering all the things I loved about the game before. Beautifully designed world, well written and (mostly) voice-acted characters, fun mix of quests that aren't all "kill or collect x of y", great crafting system and a nice variety of gear, and so on. There's really a lot about ESO to appreciate - especially for a new player to experience, or a returning player to be reminded of.
As an aside...
What's also funny, is it really gives me an even better perspective of how sad another certain high-profile MMO that might be having a Fan Fest this weekend really is. I'd already walked away from that other MMO a few months ago now, so this isn't some "fresh wound". It's more a reminder and further verification of what I had already figured out just by playing and following it.
Without getting super specific, there are systems in ESO that players of "that other MMO" have been asking for - for a few years in some cases. At every turn, they've been told by that game's Director that such things couldn't/wouldn't be added because "it's not possible", "it would be too difficult" or "not enough resources to do it". While "console limitations" are a common defense for that game, that ESO has console support as well pretty much blows that excuse right out the window.
And some of these things are not even uncommon in MMORPGs, ESO and otherwise. Yet, they're discussed in terms of "It would be so cool if we could have that!" - as though it's some alien, unheard of thing.
Since I'm back, every time I encounter such a system or detail, I laugh, recalling the lame excuse given about why that other MMO couldn't do or have the same. Sadly, so many of its players believe and defend every word of it.