Post by Morreion on Jan 27, 2016 17:32:46 GMT -5
I'm level 12 in The Elder Scrolls Online and wanted to share my impressions so far.
First, the bad.
The most annoying thing about the game is that you have to mouse-steer while using WASD keys to move. This took me a while to get used to, and I still don't like it. The camera focus is confined to an off-set position which limits screenshot angles. You cannot see your character's buffs or debuffs on your screen unless you go to your character sheet (I'd rather see them on screen, especially when I'm in a fight). You don't click on NPCs or players to interact with them, you put your cursor over them and press a key. If you click on something, you immediately go into combat. I found this out by accidentally attacking an NPC and I got mobbed by guards who slew me hastily (you can go into options and turn off aggressive mistakes like that). I am so used to clicking on things that I make this mistake all the time. There's no auction house or personal vendors, but if you are in a 50+-person guild you get guild merchants to buy and sell from. If you aren't in or don't want to be in a 50+-person guild, tough. There is no player housing (though it is on their list to do 'sometime').
Fortunately, there is far more that is good about ESO than bad!
First of all, the game is gorgeous. The realistic-style graphics look great, and the music is very good. The world is constructed superbly, with lots of little details to run across. Merchants restock displays or lean against their stalls. NPCs have conversations with each other (don't be surprised to be greeted by one if you've completed a good deed in a recent quest). Modest dungeons dot the landscape. I find myself exploring not just for experience, but because the world is so well-done. Investigate any lost backpacks or sacks you come across, there may be loot in them, and there are locked chests to try to lockpick. A lot of time went into this virtual world. Buildings and interiors are as well-done as landscapes, and dappled shadows and sunflares keep my screenshot key busy. I've not run into any significant lag and have had zero connection issues.
Character creation is quite detailed for those of you out there who love that aspect of gaming (you know who you are). There are 3 player factions, each with multiple races. This reminds me somewhat of DAoC, which increases replay value. There are 3 different areas of the world to level up to max level in.
Combat is solid, with some action elements. For instance, move out of those red areas on the ground during a fight. Your character can block blows via the right-mouse button, or you can hold down your left-mouse button for more damaging attacks (taking a big windup). You have a 6-ability hotbar that appears when in combat (I'd like more than that though). If you die, you can be rezzed on the spot if you have an active soul crystal or you can respawn at the nearest waypoint. The only ill effects I can determine are damaged gear that costs gold to repair. Character advancement is level-based with lots of areas to put earned skill points into- class, weapon, armor, racial, guild, and craft skills. There are 4 character classes with 3 skill lines per class, so you can create a flexible character with lots of utility potential. You level your combat skills up, which allows you to create morphs (varieties of the ability with greater damage and/or different multiple effects) for the cost of an additional skill point.
Advancement relies heavily on doing quests, which are above average in content and creativity (and fully voice-acted). Getting around the world is accomplished first by running, discovering numerous waypoints which allow you to instantly travel to other waypoints you've been to, and mounts (I don't have a horse yet, they're a bit expensive). Which reminds me. There are quite a few gold sinks in the game, so you won't be drowning in gold (at least as a lowbie like me).
Not only can you join player guilds (or create one with 10 friends), there are NPC guilds as well- the Fighter's Guild and the Mage's guild. I belong to both, which gives me access to guild quest lines, gear, and special skill abilities. For instance, in the Mage's Guild, you can purchase the ability to persuade NPCs to look upon you favorably (helpful in different ways) for the cost of 1 skill point.
Crafting is interesting- not too in-depth but a worthwhile mini-game. I'm an alchemist and gathering herbs is made easier by purchasing an ability that allows one to see a glow around herbs growing on the ground in the middle distance. I have to experiment with herb combinations to see what elixirs I can come up with, which is pretty cool. If you choose to be a provisioner (a chef), you'll need to collect recipes- the only craft that requires them. Luckily there are lots of ingredients to be found in crates and sacks indoors.
There is a decent amount of other players around, so the world isn't dead. Currently, ESO costs $24 and is buy-to-play (subscription and cash shop optional). I admit to enjoying the game currently. If you decide to give it a try, look up Sklar Hast the Templar of the Daggerfall Covenant on the North American server!
