The Elder Scrolls Online is a unique MMO experience for many players. The online counterpart to Skyrim plays differently than a typical MMORPG like World of Warcraft, believes our author Jürgen.
The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is one of the few online role-playing games that can successfully hold its ground in the World of Warcraft-dominated market. Like the other thriving WoW competitors Black Desert Online and Final Fantasy XIV, ESO has its own recipe for success that sets it apart from the strong rivals.
And this recipe for success ensures that I, along with many other players, do not experience The Elder Scrolls Online like a typical MMORPG.
My Second Life in Tamriel
When I log into ESO, I rarely have a plan. Rather, I just want to see what is happening in Tamriel right now. I go to the craftsmen and explore new crafting options, check the cash shop for new clothes or items that might suit my Orc warrior or my Khajiit thief. After that, I spend a lot of time decorating in housing. And recently also in the mount system, to properly equip Khezarrah and Rashea.
Even the frequently criticized loot boxes are fun for me here. If I have a few crowns left – I get a few every month as a gift from my subscription – I get a few boxes from the Khajiit I trust and I’m happy when I finally pull the flaming “Senche-Tiger” or have gathered enough consolation currency.
Sightseeing Instead of Grinding
Then I simply head out and wander around. The world of Tamriel is vast and extremely vibrant. Something is happening everywhere, and I constantly find something that distracts me from my path. Sometimes it’s rare resources to collect that catch my attention.
Then I discover a new NPC with a quest behind some ruins. Then, a Daedra anchor appears again, and some players there need help against the invaders. Unlike most MMORPGs, I never feel compelled to ‘have’ to do anything in ESO.
Even when there is a new DLC or addon, I don’t feel rushed to ‘plow through’ it immediately. I still have quests and stories from Orsinium, Dark Brotherhood, and even Morrowind that I want to play at my leisure.
A Game Feel Like Skyrim
Instead, I pick what I feel like doing at my own pace. Sometimes a dungeon, sometimes a few quests from the new story. Or maybe some assassination contracts for the Dark Brotherhood or doing some stealing for the Thieves Guild?
Sometimes I even just feel like activating a particularly funny or cool animation set. Then I perform emotes against impressive backdrops and take screenshots.
This cozy game feel makes ESO feel much more like Skyrim than a classic online role-playing game.
Most Skyrim fans don’t just rush through the story and wait for the next addon. They install a bunch of mods and then wander off for hours to explore the beautiful world and let themselves be carried away.
An MMO to Relax In
With this attitude, I am by no means alone. Many players of The Elder Scrolls Online appreciate just this lightness and ease of the game. They like to spend a few hours in Tamriel after work. The internet is full of stories from players who value ESO as such a retreat.
Of course, theoretically, you can also experience World of Warcraft or Blade & Soul this way, but somehow it feels more authentic for me and many other fans in ESO. This might also be because ESO has no classic endgame. Thanks to scaling, all content except for the toughest raids is accessible to every player at any time.
By the way, an expansion has been released that made it even more of a Skyrim Online. And with Greymoor, another is on the horizon that will introduce a beloved area from Skyrim into ESO.
- With Elsweyr, dragons came to ESO, which play a big role in Skyrim
- The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor – All information about the new Skyrim expansion – Skyrim players will recognize “Skyrim”
But enough of my ESO enthusiasm. What do you think of it all? Do you agree with me, or do you see The Elder Scrolls Online as an MMORPG like all others, where you just grind and clear instances?
