The last season of Game of Thrones has started, and many fans would love to have the atmosphere from the series in an MMORPG. For this, The Elder Scrolls Online is ideal!
What is The Elder Scrolls Online? The Elder Scrolls Online, or ESO for short, is a large MMORPG from Zenimax. The game is set in the world of the Elder Scrolls games and takes place many hundreds of years before the events in Skyrim and other titles in the series.
ESO is an online role-playing game with some unique features:
- There is no classic endgame, every player can play together with everyone else regardless of their level and explore all regions
- Storytelling plays a very significant role, all quests are fully voiced
- The game places a strong emphasis on experiencing stories and exploring the game world
- ESO is Buy2Play and can be played indefinitely after a one-time purchase
5 reasons why Game of Thrones and ESO go well together
ESO is a game that appeals to many fans of role-playing games and fantasy. But especially lovers of Game of Thrones will find great satisfaction in The Elder Scrolls Online. Why this is the case, you will learn in the following paragraphs.
The style
Here’s what it’s like in Game of Thrones: Most of Westeros is modeled after medieval Europe. There are clear associations with medieval England, Germany, Spain, and Scandinavia.
Additionally, there are contemporary concepts and styles, such as knights in armor, peasants in rags, and richly dressed nobles in sturdy castles and magnificent palaces.
In the east, however, there are exotic lands with deserts, jungles, and magnificent city-states. The entire style, however, remains grounded and, apart from the great Ice Wall, does not introduce any wildly exaggerated fantasy elements, like flying fortresses or omnipresent magic in everyday life.
Here’s what it’s like in ESO: The Elder Scrolls Online also presents the continent Tamriel in a sober and down-to-earth manner. You will not find garish armor here, nor will any spaceships come flying in or flying cities appear.
Instead, the world of ESO is a medieval fantasy world that appears realistic at first glance. The fantasy elements involve races like elves and cat-like creatures, as well as various monsters in nature and magic, which is regarded as a respected craft.
Like Game of Thrones, ESO largely relies on medieval European settings, or, as in the case of the Empire, on late antiquity. However, there are regions, such as Hammerfell or the soon-to-come Elsweyr, that seem distinctly more exotic and are reminiscent of North Africa or even Thailand. Just like the wondrous regions in the east of Westeros in Game of Thrones.
Conclusion: So, if you appreciate the more sober, down-to-earth fantasy of Game of Thrones, you will feel right at home in ESO.
The political situation
Here’s what it’s like in Game of Thrones: In the series and the associated books, the realm of Westeros is a state made up of seven very different kingdoms, which were long united under one ruler.
However, at the beginning of the story, the king dies, and a bloody power struggle among the various noble houses ensues for the crown. This conflict, alongside the plot involving the Night Watch and the rise of Daenerys, is the big red thread in the plot.
Here’s what it’s like in ESO: Here too, an epic civil war is at the center. The great empire of Cyrodiil had long united the various regions of Tamriel, but after the disappearance of the last emperor and the takeover by necromancers, the empire has crumbled.
In the “War of the Three Factions,” three alliances have formed from nine races, which now fight against each other and would each like to place their ruler on the throne in the White Gold Tower.
The throne succession war is a central gameplay element in the game. The open PVP mode takes place in the huge central province and the imperial city. There, you will actively fight with dozens of other players for your faction against the other two alliances.
Additionally, you conquer fortresses and outposts in lengthy campaigns until finally one faction temporarily prevails and can hold the throne for a time.
So, if you enjoy epic battles for thrones and crowns, you will find satisfaction in ESO both in PvE and PvP.
The great enemies
Here’s what it’s like in Game of Thrones: In Game of Thrones, the conflict between worldly powers pales in comparison to a colossal threat from the north. There, dark forces and hordes of undead are forming, only held back by a mysterious Ice Wall and a handful of watchers.
This ancient, mystical threat serves as a counterbalance to the mundane civil war, which seems petty and pointless compared to the all-consuming flood of zombies.
Here’s what it’s like in ESO: In ESO, ancient powers are also bent on ravaging and consuming the world. These Daedric Princes are god-like beings from alternate realms, who have their sights set on the world of mortals.
Already in the base game, one of them is attempting to chain the world to his dark domain. In later DLCs, other such beings try to influence the world from the background. They are behind many grisly machinations.
So, if you enjoy mysterious and long-lasting threats from the shadows that operate against the backdrop of a worldly conflict, you will also feel at home in ESO.
The details
Here’s what it’s like in Game of Thrones: The story about power struggles, as well as an ancient, recurring evil from past times, is by no means new and is part of the standard repertoire of many fantasy stories.
What sets Game of Thrones and especially the book templates apart from the usual genre standard is the high level of detail and the well-thought-out, vibrant, and relatable fantasy world.
The more episodes or chapters you consume, the more you immerse yourself in the world.
Here’s what it’s like in ESO: ESO is set in the well-known Elder Scrolls world, which fans are already familiar with from games like Skyrim, Morrowind, or Oblivion. ESO builds on these works and showcases familiar regions and races, along with additional new details.
The world is thus similarly detailed as in Game of Thrones. Those who take the time to read the books and converse with the NPCs will discover many hours of content.
So, if you want a vibrant fantasy world that is not just a backdrop for any raids and quests, then ESO is the right choice.
The dragons
Here’s what it’s like in Game of Thrones: In the series, dragons are actually mystical creatures that have disappeared from the world. One of the highlights of the story is that three of these beings hatch from petrified eggs and become the secret weapon of the heroine Daenerys.
The massive lizards are thus a crucial factor in the storyline. Wherever they appear, significant events occur, and through them, the world is changed.
Furthermore, dragons are strongly associated with the symbolism of rule and power.
Here’s what it’s like in ESO: In the world of ESO, dragons are also mystical beings that are normally not found in the world. When they do appear, significant upheavals are announced, as seen in Skyrim back then.
In ESO, with the new large expansion Elsweyr, dragons are also returning and threaten to devastate the land of the cat people.
Additionally, in ESO, dragons are also associated with the imperial rulers and are blessed by a dragon god to be considered true rulers.
So, if you enjoy rare and particularly cool dragons and would like to delve into complex stories featuring them, you will surely find joy in ESO.
