The Elder Scrolls Online
Setting: Fantasy | Developer: Zenimax Online| Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One | Release Date: April 4, 2014 | Model: Buy2Play | Rating on Steam: 83% Positive
What kind of game is this? The Elder Scrolls Online has placed great emphasis for years on allowing you to have fun in the world of Tamriel alone and at any level. This is made possible by dynamic level scaling, which opens up virtually the entire world to you from level 1.
In the world, you can expect a strong story focus, with numerous quests, fully voiced dialogues, and interesting characters. There is also a lot to discover. Skyshards, for example, promise you additional skill points. But also small and large dungeon areas, world events, hidden quest givers, or world bosses.
Those who experience all the stories and master quests can dive into the dungeons and raids or tackle the PvP content. There’s housing, an in-game card game, levelable companions, numerous professions, and much more. Additionally, you can combine your class with any weapon, armor type, and other skill lines – with the Seasons of the Worm Cult, subclasses for even more freedom are coming soon.
Why is the entry here easy? The developers are constantly working to update the tutorial area of ESO. In the end, it leads you to a portal room where you can decide where to continue your adventure. The respective starting area, which welcomes you after leaving the portal, builds on the experiences in the tutorial and introduces you to Tamriel step by step.
Features like the area guide or the skill advisor also help you orient yourself in the game world and during the first level-ups. Many entry questions can be answered quickly through the in-game help that is easy to search. And thanks to the flexible level scaling, any character you meet is a potential teammate.
ESO can also be enjoyed solo. The fights are generally quite simple. In the brawls, you can use two weapons and switch between them at any time, but the number of usable skills is quite limited. Additionally, you will eventually unlock companions who support you in combat – even in dungeons and raids. Regularly, free-play events occur, allowing you to try out the MMORPG for free.
Is there a catch? Despite the existing aids, The Elder Scrolls Online can overwhelm with its enormous freedom and abundance of systems. Therefore, developers have already announced upcoming updates with “Welcome back” features to help newcomers and returnees quickly find their way in Tamriel. Unfortunately, there’s no extensive free version that you can jump into at any time.
