The Elder Scrolls Online

 PC
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 2703 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,210 out of 2703
  2. Mixed: 447 out of 2703
  3. Negative: 1,046 out of 2703
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  1. malto
    Jul 5, 2014
    9
    first off all the bad reviews for the most part are bs people for some reason wanted to hate this game and so people made up bs reasons to hate it such as "i lagged ones so im giving it a 1" or my favorite "this game is **** because the npcs dont go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning" most people wanted skyrim online. it was never going to be that. its a mmo and a good one atfirst off all the bad reviews for the most part are bs people for some reason wanted to hate this game and so people made up bs reasons to hate it such as "i lagged ones so im giving it a 1" or my favorite "this game is **** because the npcs dont go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning" most people wanted skyrim online. it was never going to be that. its a mmo and a good one at that a lot better then most of the **** thats getting crazy high ratings right now the graphics are good the combat is good the biggest problem is its under populated because of people being idiots. there was a review that said there where pay gates thats bs. the special edition gave you a mount and a new race. thats it. not needed you can still play fine with out it you can play as any faction just cant be a turn coat. all in all most of the bs on here is really idiotic and i hate to see a good game fail because people wanted impossible things/people hate it because everyone else hates it with out playing it them self… Expand
  2. Tahoenvy
    Nov 17, 2014
    9
    ESO has set the benchmark for MMO graphics, they are GORGEOUS. I'm played every MMO out there since EQ in 99, some for only a few hours because they were so bad, some for years. Elder scrolls just blew me away with their innovative graphics. Bethesda is by far the best game company there is. Well worth the cost of the software and the monthly subscription. As a matter of fact I preferESO has set the benchmark for MMO graphics, they are GORGEOUS. I'm played every MMO out there since EQ in 99, some for only a few hours because they were so bad, some for years. Elder scrolls just blew me away with their innovative graphics. Bethesda is by far the best game company there is. Well worth the cost of the software and the monthly subscription. As a matter of fact I prefer the sub games so you don't have to deal with so many DB's… Expand
  3. Chrithu
    Mar 12, 2015
    9
    I hit the 5000 character limit with my long review so now I make a short bullet list:

    Positives: + Fully voiced + Best combat system in a Fantasy MMORPG so far. + Skillsystem and Class-System offering a lot of freedom. Any class can be made a Tank, DD or Healer + Crafted gear is often better than looted stuff, thus crafting matters. + No Auction House. (a good thing in my book for    I hit the 5000 character limit with my long review so now I make a short bullet list:

    Positives:
    + Fully voiced
    + Best combat system in a Fantasy MMORPG so far.
    + Skillsystem and Class-System offering a lot of freedom. Any class can be made a Tank, DD or Healer
    + Crafted gear is often better than looted stuff, thus crafting matters.
    + No Auction House. (a good thing in my book for a myriad of reasons)
    + Awesome storyline (for Aldmeri Dominion and Daggerfall Covenant)
    + Best race-specific voice-work and Dialog-writing in any Elder Scrolls game so far.
    + Update 6 brought a Justice System. I can kill most NPCs now, and steal the **** outta them.

    Negatives:
    - Very little group content before end-game.
    - No group Dialogues. SWTOR set a new standart here. Any MMO missing a similar system will have to accept losses in the rating.
    - OUrageously bad storyline for Ebonheart Pact, which consists of Elder Scrolls most favored races. Might be the reason for a lot of the bad reviews mentioning dull quests.    … Expand
  4. ThuulDaHarn
    Apr 2, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If yo. Have enjoyed any elder scrolls games and mmo games this is the perfect game for you! For me, this is the first MMO game I have played and I am really looking forward to playing again. I havent played it since the beta and this is because the sub fee was a little too expensive, I am buying the imperial edition for my birthday on the 12th. I remember the game being great. It overwhelmed me when I took my first steps in the game. The first thing you see is the character creation menu and you can go really in depth about your character. Just like any elder scrolls game you start in a prison.

    Here's the over all rating for ME personally: TESO is a really great game and I definitely recommend it. If I had to give it a rating I will give it a number of around 9/10. On the downside there are some glitches and bugs which is to be expected in a game so new and populated, the game was amazing when I played it and I think it will be way better today.
    P.S: Frame rates WILL drop in the towns and cities where more people are, just like any other MMO
    I hope you found my review helpful :)    … Expand
  5. wildbear247
    Sep 7, 2016
    9
    Been playing this game for a little over one year. Initially I gave this game a 6 because there were some key elements that were missing/flawed, and the the developers were mostly quiet about if/when they planned to address these elements. Missing/flawed elements included things like changing character appearance, changing character race, improving loot drops, fixing PvP lag, no PvPBeen playing this game for a little over one year. Initially I gave this game a 6 because there were some key elements that were missing/flawed, and the the developers were mostly quiet about if/when they planned to address these elements. Missing/flawed elements included things like changing character appearance, changing character race, improving loot drops, fixing PvP lag, no PvP dueling or other small scale PvP features, etc. Thankfully the developer has addressed all of the areas above (including adding other good and unexpected features) and the game continues to evolve and get better. I'm bumping my score from a 6 to a 9 in response. The developer could still improve on interacting with the player base in a more transparent way, so I'm withholding the 10 rating until I see that happen.… Expand
  6. Razier
    Apr 15, 2015
    9
    If youŕe looking for a good review to base your decision on about this game, I ask that you look for a newer review from 2015. When this game first came out, I will admit, it was not great. I played it right after it first came out and was not thrilled. The monthly subscription was too much and the game play lacked. Now with all of the recent updates and with Tamriel Unlimited beingIf youŕe looking for a good review to base your decision on about this game, I ask that you look for a newer review from 2015. When this game first came out, I will admit, it was not great. I played it right after it first came out and was not thrilled. The monthly subscription was too much and the game play lacked. Now with all of the recent updates and with Tamriel Unlimited being released, it is an entirely different game. The quests are captivating and very well written, the combat while perhaps lacking a little bit, is still very fun. The PvP is still remarkable. Walking around the world the graphics are truly remarkable. I am very excited for the future of the game and look forward to seeing the future improvements they have planned.… Expand
  7. AngryIrishman
    May 12, 2015
    9
    I made an account simply to write a short review of the game. I've played all the Elder Scrolls, right from Arena and I find the online game to stay true to the lore, which is important to me as an Elder Scrolls fan. After a marathon with the game, I have come to the conclusion that it was worth the one time buy and if you're eager, like me, you'll even grab the premium membership. ThereI made an account simply to write a short review of the game. I've played all the Elder Scrolls, right from Arena and I find the online game to stay true to the lore, which is important to me as an Elder Scrolls fan. After a marathon with the game, I have come to the conclusion that it was worth the one time buy and if you're eager, like me, you'll even grab the premium membership. There are lots of features yet to be implemented, yet I'm confident that the developers will continue to refine and temper the title. I've had fun and I'm certain another Elder Scrolls fan would as well. The Combat system brings it out on top of any other MMORPG, the crafting is much simpler than the rest of the games in it's genre. However, one critique that I do offer is that there are not enough clearly defined roles, as there were in earlier titles, wherein one could define their character immediately, yet not so much as to limit his/her character.… Expand
  8. dublicious
    Sep 8, 2015
    9
    I've really enjoyed this game for over a year. Yes, it was initially very buggy. Yes, the quests can somewhat be uninspired (but some are great). Yes, there were balance issues. That was a year ago, and this is an MMO. This, unfortunately, is how almost every MMO release goes at first.

    Ultimately the game has been seriously improved in the time since release. Endgame (vet dungeons,    I've really enjoyed this game for over a year. Yes, it was initially very buggy. Yes, the quests can somewhat be uninspired (but some are great). Yes, there were balance issues. That was a year ago, and this is an MMO. This, unfortunately, is how almost every MMO release goes at first.

    Ultimately the game has been seriously improved in the time since release. Endgame (vet dungeons, trials) are awesome and that's where you spend most of your time in MMOs. If you want a rewarding grind, you won't get it. It's just not in this MMO's genes. If you want Skyrim 2, there's absolutely no reason you should have expected that.

    The only major gripe I have is the constant cycle of buffs/nerfs. Unfortunately though, that's the state of MMOs in 2015. One group feels insulted and slighted on a personal level when they don't win all the time so they complain loud enough that things get "rebalanced". Then the group that's been nerfed feels slighted and whines until it's rebalanced again. This goes on constantly but ultimately they're not huge changes that impact the game unless you PvP.

    As if it needs to be said, do not come here expecting a game you will get the most out of as a single player only. This is an MMO, not a single player game with some multiplayer. You really should interact with people. You should join a guild and run group dungeons. This is by far the best part of the game. Solo quests are a means to an end, and the end is a ton of fun with friends.

    On to PvP: I don't generally PvP, so when I do it only lasts until I die a lot and wind up frustrated because I don't have a PvP build and just don't spend a ton of time improving myself to do it, so I'm OK with it. However, the time I have spent has been fun a lot of the time. The PvP/PvE mixed Imperial City is a lot of fun IMO, but you're going to want to find a big group in peak hours otherwise you will be zerged.

    TLDR (but still kinda long it turns out): if you wanted Skyrim 2, look elsewhere. This is an MMO which is at its core, and by necessity cannot be exactly the same as a single-player-only RPG. People who started WoW 2 years in after they worked out their kinks and who think that WoW is the first/best MMO ever may lead you to believe the game is terrible. IMO, they're wrong. It's just new. And it's already way better than it was at release.    … Expand
  9. Mashille
    Jun 11, 2015
    9
    This game is a very well done mixture of normal Elder Scrolls games with an MMO. The world is beautiful with great open expanses with, probably, the best lighting system I have ever seen in a game. The combat is Dynamic and skill based which involves movement and is very well done and extremely fun and addictive. ALL characters are fully voiced and all have their own story to tell withThis game is a very well done mixture of normal Elder Scrolls games with an MMO. The world is beautiful with great open expanses with, probably, the best lighting system I have ever seen in a game. The combat is Dynamic and skill based which involves movement and is very well done and extremely fun and addictive. ALL characters are fully voiced and all have their own story to tell with some great detail in quests, caves and dungeons. A very good community. End game dungeons and raids are very good for MMO players to enjoy with a massive amount of content. Over 300 hours easily.

    Although the game is not like it's predecessors and single player elder scrolls games ti still has the feel of one. being able to go into first person with vast open zones. Although there is not as much freedom in exploration as in Skyrim, it is still very good and rewarding.

    The 'Skill' system is one of the best I have seen in any MMO with the freedom to use any weapon or armor with any class. Classes are also very open and free but all players still have access to deep and meaningful charterer progression.

    The graphics are not as good as 'Next Gen' games but that is due to it being an MMO and for MMO standards the graphics are amazing. Especially when you think about the 200 Vs 200 PvP battles and sieges which are awesome.

    Another great mechanic is the phasing which makes you feel as if you are actually making a difference to the world you are in. A good example of this would be A quest where A city had been overtaken by werewolves and I had to complete an attack to drive them out. After I finished the quest all the werewolves were gone and the city was filled with friendly NPC's.

    Questing is very good with meaningful decisions that can really make you think. Most quest progression is shared although not all quest progression is shared so at some points your group members will be separated from you until they get to the same point in the quest. However this does not take away from the greatness of the game. The main story is engaging with interesting characters and fun missions.

    Overall the game is definitely worth a buy for most people and is definitely worth a buy.    … Expand
  10. Arthur111
    Jun 16, 2015
    9
    So I read some reviews, bought the game, played it for a while and now I would like to counter some negative reviews this game gets.
    1. Graphics are great and the game does lag if you set graphics on lower settings. I'm playing on NA server from Europe on ancient GTX9600 and I have no lag outside of PvP.
    2. Team play is the best in this game. You do not need to 'invite' people into your    So I read some reviews, bought the game, played it for a while and now I would like to counter some negative reviews this game gets.
    1. Graphics are great and the game does lag if you set graphics on lower settings. I'm playing on NA server from Europe on ancient GTX9600 and I have no lag outside of PvP.
    2. Team play is the best in this game. You do not need to 'invite' people into your group to do quests. You bump into someone, run along, kill what you need to kill and you both get the reward.
    3. Crafting is very complex relative to other games. If you are good with numbers you will enjoy it, but lesser minds will struggle, which is good IMO.
    4. The game feels and plays like the Elder Scrolls. The younger players who only played Skyrim will find it a bit different and those who still remember Morrowind map by heart will find it different as well. Of course they had to compromise to make it work, but they did it well.
    5. The game is great to play solo. At the same time, the population of the server I am on is quite high making me wish there were less people for me to get more ore deposits sometimes.
    6. The world is big and distances are huge, but wayshrines reduce travel times to nothing! They work Diablo II - style. No more sleeping on the keyboard while flying around the map from one point to another. Amazing...

    I hope this helps you to make an informed decision about purchasing the game. As to myself, I never regretted buying it for a second.    … Expand
  11. kajelis
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    Ok, I've played this game from Beta. Early on this game was weak, and I did step away from it for a while. I refuse to base my review on this game based on its infancy. It has come a long way from day one and it is MUCH better now than it was in the beginning. The PVE is awesome, yes there are issues. For example; Group finder is not very strong, in all reality its been very weak since dayOk, I've played this game from Beta. Early on this game was weak, and I did step away from it for a while. I refuse to base my review on this game based on its infancy. It has come a long way from day one and it is MUCH better now than it was in the beginning. The PVE is awesome, yes there are issues. For example; Group finder is not very strong, in all reality its been very weak since day one. It's so easy to talk to and meet new people on this game that group finder is not highly necessary. If you don't like to go and talk to random people then you can play the game solo as it can be done by yourself. There are things that need groups to finish, World Bosses are a great example as they aren't easily solo'd.
    Yes, PVP is probably the weakest part of the game. It is better on The non-veteran area is better to pvp on than the veteran areas.
    Changes are being made with each patch or update. This game has been getting better with each update. This game isn't as bad as some people make it out to be. You can't go on the early experience from two years ago. See the game for what it is now. It isn't ridiculously expensive to buy and can be easily picked up for $15. A monthly subscription isn't necessary to enjoy the game and it can only get better.
    Now for the little things.
    Graphics: IMHO this game probably has the best graphics over any MMO i've ever played. Very well done ZOS
    Sound/Music: It's okay, expected from an elder scrolls game. Not great but not bad either.
    Playability: easy to learn, no crazy mechanics to memorize. Can build your character however you want even if it is the worst way to build it.
    Combat: flows well, no cooldowns like your average MMO's. It's a nice change of pace.

    I've been a Elder Scrolls fan ever since I was a kid when I played Arena so I may be slightly biased. I refuse to compare this game to Skyrim since it clearly isn't. I believe that this game is best played on PC since it has the options for add-ons and the graphics are just waaaaay better on the PC as opposed to a PS4 or Xbox1. This game was never made with console gamers in mind and it plays VERY well with a mouse and keyboard. You have regular chat available to you, unlike the consoles, so type away if you want. I personally like to control who I can hear on my headset and use clients like TeamSpeak to talk to my friends as I play instead of having to hearing everyone in the whole zone like on console. So YES PC>Console.
    Piece of advice as you play the game. Go slow, take your time and enjoy it. Don't rush to max level. You rush to max and then you'll find yourself bored. Create Alts, maybe a different faction or a different class, see what the game as a whole has to offer. Enjoy the time in Tamriel, I'm sure it is more than worth it.
    Aloha    … Expand
  12. Jakkimakkara
    Aug 11, 2016
    9
    I actually liked for this game. I know that many people hates it and I admit that it's not a good Elder Scrolls, but it is a good MMORPG. Ofc. sometimes it will get buggy, but none of games are perfect. ESO have an enjoyable PvP and even if you don't like PvP, there is still much content for a single player. If you are an Elder Scrolls fan, but don't enjoy for MMORPGs I don't recommendI actually liked for this game. I know that many people hates it and I admit that it's not a good Elder Scrolls, but it is a good MMORPG. Ofc. sometimes it will get buggy, but none of games are perfect. ESO have an enjoyable PvP and even if you don't like PvP, there is still much content for a single player. If you are an Elder Scrolls fan, but don't enjoy for MMORPGs I don't recommend ESO for you, but if you like for MMORPGs I recommend this game for you.… Expand
  13. Godcario
    Oct 10, 2018
    9
    I love this game but there is one problem, this game is a great game to put lots of game time into but its a pay to win game for people who don't want to put in the time (I am not one of those players) I love to play and play till I find more stuff to do after a while though (Like 400 hours) you get bored hop off for a couple of months buy new expansions then come back asking for more!I love this game but there is one problem, this game is a great game to put lots of game time into but its a pay to win game for people who don't want to put in the time (I am not one of those players) I love to play and play till I find more stuff to do after a while though (Like 400 hours) you get bored hop off for a couple of months buy new expansions then come back asking for more! It's a great game I can't wait for the next expansion on the Elder scrolls series!!!!… Expand
  14. ghofmann
    Dec 1, 2016
    9
    The One Tamriel Update changed the whole game. The world has always been huge, but now you can quest/explore/hunt/grind anywhere at any time. Dropped gear sets that used to be tied to specific level ranges will now drop at your level, so the amount of gear choices and build customization has increased like 100 fold. Plus resource nodes and mobs spawn/drop items at your level, no matterThe One Tamriel Update changed the whole game. The world has always been huge, but now you can quest/explore/hunt/grind anywhere at any time. Dropped gear sets that used to be tied to specific level ranges will now drop at your level, so the amount of gear choices and build customization has increased like 100 fold. Plus resource nodes and mobs spawn/drop items at your level, no matter where you are in the game. While this does kill a little bit of immersion (what used to be a lvl 10 mudcrab in the beginner zone is now a max level [or whatever level you are] mudcrab, lol) it makes the whole world worth playing in. The starter zones are beautiful and full of interesting NPCs, so it's nice to be able to play there and still get optimum experience/rewards. Plus, it makes the leveling horizontal rather than vertical, which I've always been a fan of. Higher level characters have more skill options and access to passives that increase power, but not necessarily more raw power.

    It had a terrible launch and first year, but most of issues have been resolved. Cyrodil (PvP) still suffers from lag, but it's playable on most machines. -1 point.

    I don't like the class system. I'd rather have a classless system. But the game is really great as it is. I would subtract a point here as well, but there are a bunch of "0" scores that outrages me, because the reviewers have not been fair. Not liking the game or it not meeting your expectations does not warrant a score of 0.    … Expand
  15. CasperWenneke
    Apr 27, 2018
    9
    I will make this review short as possible. In my opinion this game is absolutely amazing in its own special way. the lore is incredible, and i have never seen anything like it. A lot of people bash this game, but i say they look at the wrong places. The game does have some bugs and frame issues, but i look apart from this, then the game is original and spectacular. Anyone who has everI will make this review short as possible. In my opinion this game is absolutely amazing in its own special way. the lore is incredible, and i have never seen anything like it. A lot of people bash this game, but i say they look at the wrong places. The game does have some bugs and frame issues, but i look apart from this, then the game is original and spectacular. Anyone who has ever wanted to play Skyrim, Oblivion or Morrowind ("almost") with a friend then this is for you.… Expand
  16. Lizarino
    Jul 16, 2020
    9
    As someone who doesn't particularly enjoy MMOs, I really enjoy this game a lot.

    I've tried getting into a lot of other MMOs in the past and either not liked the controls, the the graphics or something else. Out of the about 10 or so MMOs I tried last year, ESO was the only one I could get into. It looked great for an MMO, I liked the art style, it had controls I liked and was used to    As someone who doesn't particularly enjoy MMOs, I really enjoy this game a lot.

    I've tried getting into a lot of other MMOs in the past and either not liked the controls, the the graphics or something else.
    Out of the about 10 or so MMOs I tried last year, ESO was the only one I could get into. It looked great for an MMO, I liked the art style, it had controls I liked and was used to and already like the world and lore from playing the single player elder scrolls games.

    Classes:

    There are currently 6 classes in ESO (4 free and 2 are with DLCs - warden and necro). All of the classes can do good damage, tank or heal, some better than others if you want to min-max.
    Each class has 3 skill lines and each skill has 2 morphs to choose from, which alter how it works. There's also skill lines for each weapon in the game as well as guilds, like fighters guild, mages guild, undaunted.

    This brings me into one big problem I have with the game: stamina builds and how limiting they are for what skills you can use. If you don't want to be forced into using a stave with a magicka build (another con for me) then you can do a stamina build. This forces you to only use 2 or 3 of your class skills at most which heavily limit your options and make your character much more boring, as well as having more than one stamina character pretty much the same as any other.

    Another thing I like about ESO is how you can solo most of the content in the game, if you hate other humans like me.    … Expand
  17. sulaco426
    Jul 21, 2021
    9
    Its just by far the best mmorpg around. i was sceptical at first, cause i dont particulary like TES. Its not a asia - grinder and leveling is always fun. the combat is really nice. its rather simple compared to other games, but its fun and good for new players. the only issue i have, is the questmarkers. ist sometime hard to follow and to now where you gotta go. qualitywise its on the sameIts just by far the best mmorpg around. i was sceptical at first, cause i dont particulary like TES. Its not a asia - grinder and leveling is always fun. the combat is really nice. its rather simple compared to other games, but its fun and good for new players. the only issue i have, is the questmarkers. ist sometime hard to follow and to now where you gotta go. qualitywise its on the same level as WoW… Expand
  18. Sphinxmoth
    Jun 21, 2020
    9
    Well, ESO had a really bad start back in 2014.
    But for now the game is far not bad: really good side quests (There are 5 or 7 "go-and-kill-10-monstername-oh-ye-fabled-hero" quests in all game. And the game have few hundred quests.), good-written main quests. Honestly this game comfortably plays as single-player, which is very rear for an MMO an which is really awesome for The Elder    Well, ESO had a really bad start back in 2014.
    But for now the game is far not bad: really good side quests (There are 5 or 7 "go-and-kill-10-monstername-oh-ye-fabled-hero" quests in all game. And the game have few hundred quests.), good-written main quests. Honestly this game comfortably plays as single-player, which is very rear for an MMO an which is really awesome for The Elder Scrolls series veterans.    … Expand
  19. PCGamingGhost
    Aug 25, 2020
    9
    My history with The Elder Scrolls franchise may not be as expansive as some here and I can honestly say that I've never played a game in the series before jumping into The Elder Scrolls Online, but I'm glad because I didn't have any real expectations going into this game. First off I want to say that I've been playing ESO on and off for several years and I consider it to not only be one ofMy history with The Elder Scrolls franchise may not be as expansive as some here and I can honestly say that I've never played a game in the series before jumping into The Elder Scrolls Online, but I'm glad because I didn't have any real expectations going into this game. First off I want to say that I've been playing ESO on and off for several years and I consider it to not only be one of the best MMORPG's available on the market today, but one of the finest MMORPG's of all-time. I'm serious when I say that. This game has everything a fan of the MMO genre could possibly ever want. You want a huge and ever expanding world to explore and discover? This game has it. You want thousands of quests and adventures to solve? This game has it. You want challenging group content such as dungeons and PvP? This game has it. In other words your not going to be short on things to do in The Elder Scrolls Online and at times it's going to feel like after hundreds of hours played that you've barely put a dent into what this game has to offer.

    Now, does all this content and activity mean that this game perfect and has zero flaws? No. Far from it. Like with most games there are little things that stand in the way of pure perfection. There are moments where sometimes you feel like completing a certain task is impossible, or you feel lost and have no idea what to do next, but as a whole I would say that this game is one of the best RPG experiences I've ever had and definitely worthy of players giving it a solid effort if you're a fan of the MMO genre or a fan of The Elder Scrolls in general. The world is vast and exciting, the player base is booming and extremely helpful, and the story you'll encounter as you play through the game and it's expansions is enjoyable and intriguing.

    I've put over 1,100 hours into The Elder Scrolls Online and have enjoyed it's many expansions (chapters) and feel like this game gives me the closest feeling to my early days playing World of Warcraft as any game I've played since. The feeling of adventure and wonder and not knowing what you'll come across next as you make your way through the world. It's truly a remarkable experience that should be one click away on everyone's hard drive. Jump on in and experience the magic for yourself!
    _____________
    PCGamingGhost    … Expand
  20. MDXV
    Jan 27, 2023
    9
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  21. SqueekyWheel
    Mar 23, 2022
    9
    Great game for those who like to explore and enjoy well written stories and quests. The world is HUGE, even just the base game will give you months of playtime. The ESO plus subscription gives access to all DLC content plus crowns that can be used in the crown store(ESO version of IRL cash shop) and a craft bag that holds an infinite amount of crafting materials.

    ESO relies heavily on    Great game for those who like to explore and enjoy well written stories and quests. The world is HUGE, even just the base game will give you months of playtime. The ESO plus subscription gives access to all DLC content plus crowns that can be used in the crown store(ESO version of IRL cash shop) and a craft bag that holds an infinite amount of crafting materials.

    ESO relies heavily on internet content creators to explain the game to players and there is very little info in game about how things work. This makes it confusing for some who expect the game to explain as you play. But there are plenty of great online resources to help you, like UESP, Alcast, Deltia's gaming, Xynode, Hack the Minotaur, Lucky Ghost, ESO-U, Brah we got this, Skinny Cheeks and many more. There are also guilds you can join with players willing to help and explain as you go along.

    The game caters mainly to beginners who are still levelling and exploring, and casual players who enjoy the stories and the questing. The world is beautiful, especially if you have a modern PC with a decent graphics card. There is a lot of artwork done in the world, and just looking around at the environments is a joy in and of itself. It's easy to loose yourself for hours just exploring in this game.

    Once you have levelled out a character and played through the vet DLC content, which is some of the hardest in the game, that's when it starts getting more tricky. There is not much you can do to progress as a player except for score pushing(going for world rankings etc) or PvP battles. With each new chapter coming out there is usually two new dungeons(4-man content) and one trial(12-man content) added, but beyond that there is not much an experienced player can look forward to. The overland questing, which is great and very nice for beginners, is simply mind numbingly easy for experienced players with high level characters. The content is still great, but there is no way to make the fighting challenging as there is no difficulty setting to make overland questing harder.

    So overall this is a beautiful and fun game that will keep you busy for at least about a year of playing, but as you get into end game it will be difficult to find challenging content to keep you interested in the long run. If ZOS ever adds a difficulty setting so experienced players can enjoy all new content the same way beginners can, I'd give it a 10 out of 10, but because it lacks this setting I give it a 9 out of 10.    … Expand
  22. VegasWarped
    Jun 11, 2022
    9
    This is my favorite game, I love playing with my groups and communities that I have met in game. While this game does have its bugs, the action combat is very entertaining and responsive.
    Lore 10/10
    gameplay 9/10
    pvp 6/10
    community 8/10
    solo play 9/10
  23. GoR_Noki
    Apr 8, 2023
    9
    2022/23 and people still compare this game to Skyrim... *sights* not even the same engine....

    The Elder Scrolls Online is an MMORPG which plays 200 years before Morrowind, so round about 450 years before Skyrim. So much for the time frame within the lore. TESO is still one of the best MMOs on the market til this date. Well written stories, decent graphics, a big lore, much to explore    2022/23 and people still compare this game to Skyrim... *sights* not even the same engine....

    The Elder Scrolls Online is an MMORPG which plays 200 years before Morrowind, so round about 450 years before Skyrim. So much for the time frame within the lore.

    TESO is still one of the best MMOs on the market til this date. Well written stories, decent graphics, a big lore, much to explore and no player level restrictions for open world maps. The sound with 7.1 is amazing and there is much to do. I needed more than 300 hours to complete all quests of the main game (without DLCs) and there are so many DLCs out by now that you can almost tripple that! The pvp is huge and there is a nice learning curve for raids when you're willing to learn mechanics. Expect it to be hard though.

    It is a very good game but do NOT expect it to be like Skyrim! It's a common mistake people make.    … Expand
  24. coywow
    Sep 17, 2022
    9
    After roughly 40 hours of gameplay:

    As a long time lover of the elder scrolls games i have always wanted an online experience in this magical world we have all fell in love with, and this game delivers that and more. while sadly compromising some former lore, ESO may not make much sense to the OG elder scrolls purists. This game is still very good. After about 8 years of being out    After roughly 40 hours of gameplay:

    As a long time lover of the elder scrolls games i have always wanted an online experience in this magical world we have all fell in love with, and this game delivers that and more.
    while sadly compromising some former lore, ESO may not make much sense to the OG elder scrolls purists.
    This game is still very good.
    After about 8 years of being out (November, 2022) the game has enough content for thousands of hours, and a fun online experience in a well done MMO experience. The game is very good, has all of the story, content, character building, a good fun leveling system, and everything else you could want from a modern MMO.    … Expand
  25. CountryPetInn
    Apr 7, 2014
    8
    It is fun to level and it seems like there is no grinding to speak of (gather 10 turtle shells). It's fun to explore and the npc character acting is decent too (LOTRO was missing that and was boring me to go to bed too early) I give it an 8 because there are still areas I'm having trouble trying to figure out.
  26. Uberwolfe
    Apr 13, 2014
    8
    I firmly believe that Elder Scrolls Online is that game you hate but grow to love. As per many MMOs the starter zones are mundane (but skippable on secondary characters) and much of the first 10 levels is fairly ordinary too. But as you get beyond level 10 - things really begin to open up. PvP, dungeons, secondary weapon-wielding and more.

    There's much to like here. Usual launch bugs    I firmly believe that Elder Scrolls Online is that game you hate but grow to love. As per many MMOs the starter zones are mundane (but skippable on secondary characters) and much of the first 10 levels is fairly ordinary too. But as you get beyond level 10 - things really begin to open up. PvP, dungeons, secondary weapon-wielding and more.

    There's much to like here. Usual launch bugs aside, Zenimax have have done a stellar job on many aspects of the game. Having said that though, there are a few head-scratching design decisions that offset the game's positives to a significant degree - but nothing game breaking. My main concerns are the heavy-instancing, the lack of a global auction house, impractical communication tools and the claustrophobic feel of the maps. A few extra skill slots would have also been nice...

    But what you get for your money though, is a fun and extensive yet slow-paced romp through Tamriel that surely does justice to the Elder Scrolls as an MMO.    … Expand
  27. Cell1e
    Dec 30, 2020
    8
    This game has improved a lot since I first reviewed it 4 years ago, its now has lots more customisation, leveling is easier and so is making money in game. In fact this game has now become one of my favourite mmos to play on a regular basis but much of that has to do with the quality of life improvements that the modders have made to the game. Funny but true and very typical of a BethesdaThis game has improved a lot since I first reviewed it 4 years ago, its now has lots more customisation, leveling is easier and so is making money in game. In fact this game has now become one of my favourite mmos to play on a regular basis but much of that has to do with the quality of life improvements that the modders have made to the game. Funny but true and very typical of a Bethesda game. Still I can now recommend that you try this game, add a few mods to it as well and you will love it. :)… Expand
  28. Radikal
    Apr 10, 2014
    8
    So far it seems all the haters and bad reviewers were looking for something like WoW? My question to them is; why? This is Elder Scrolls and it is the first ever MMO version. Is it perfect? No; there are a handful of bugged quests still, occasional server issues and moderate imbalances here and there but hey...the game's been out for a whole week at the time of this review. What youSo far it seems all the haters and bad reviewers were looking for something like WoW? My question to them is; why? This is Elder Scrolls and it is the first ever MMO version. Is it perfect? No; there are a handful of bugged quests still, occasional server issues and moderate imbalances here and there but hey...the game's been out for a whole week at the time of this review. What you get is everything Elder Scrolls has always been: spectacular visuals, detailed character creation, beautiful soundtrack and the classic quest lore...all in an MMO environment. This franchise will only get better as time goes on and software/game is improved and the world is further developed via forthcoming game updates and patches. This one is going to get better folks so Elder Scrolls fans buckle up and strap in. The rest; if you came here looking for WoW...you should probably go back to it. You won't find any WoW business here.… Expand
  29. Surg3on
    Apr 14, 2014
    8
    Its a good Elder Scrolls game that would be almost perfect if it had of been Single Player! The only big flaws are the MMO style 'public dungeons' and quests where the immersion is ruined by other players. There is a bit of a lack of truly gigantic dungeons as well. The actual quests are excellent, easily as well done as the ones in Skyrim only there are a hundred times more!.
    The    Its a good Elder Scrolls game that would be almost perfect if it had of been Single Player! The only big flaws are the MMO style 'public dungeons' and quests where the immersion is ruined by other players. There is a bit of a lack of truly gigantic dungeons as well. The actual quests are excellent, easily as well done as the ones in Skyrim only there are a hundred times more!.
    The graphics are excellent if you can run them, moddable single player game probably would have made them look even better! The voice acting is pretty good considering the sheer volume of it.    … Expand
  30. stimpy77
    Feb 7, 2015
    8
    I played this just before the beta ended and the game was released, and then I bought it, but never played it, because I didn't want to pay a subscription fee. Now the subscription fees are ending (March 17, 2015) and the game will, like Guild Wars and the like, be free to play. Now I feel comfortable with firing up the game again and enjoying this game.

    My experience during the beta    I played this just before the beta ended and the game was released, and then I bought it, but never played it, because I didn't want to pay a subscription fee. Now the subscription fees are ending (March 17, 2015) and the game will, like Guild Wars and the like, be free to play. Now I feel comfortable with firing up the game again and enjoying this game.

    My experience during the beta was fairly positive. There's no point in comparing to other MMORPGs, what matters is "did I have fun?", and yes, I had some fun, although I was a bit frustrated at times by the difficulty of my early character, but in a way that's a good thing, it's not good for things to be too easy. That said, the game experience does feel watered down. It's not Skyrim, it's not even Oblivion, but being an MMORPG it is similar in mechanics to World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, and others, while retaining the art direction and lore of the Elder Scrolls.

    I'm really irked by those who keep repeating "P2W", etc., on every free-to-play game, like a broken record, I honestly don't give a crap about any of that, you're buying into a gaming experience that is primarily PvE not PvP and whatever floats your boat is reasonable here. I'm just happy that in a month and a half (in March 2015) I won't have to worry about monthly subscription fees, so I can pay the initial cost of the game and not $250 or whatever for two years of gameplay before realizing that the game isn't worth that much.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
14
#14 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 64 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 64
  3. Negative: 1 out of 64
  1. CD-Action
    Jul 23, 2014
    60
    Eight years of development, a team consisting of even 250 people at some points, budget reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. It’s a pity that this ‘Skyrim Online’ disappoints both fans of previous Bethesda games and MMORPG veterans who expected some fresh air in the stale genre. [06/2014, p.44]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jul 8, 2014
    60
    A well done MMO that can lure players not familiar with the genre. But if you've played MMOs before, this one doesn't offer anything new, nor anything exciting.
  3. DarkStation
    Jun 16, 2014
    50
    60 days was more then enough time for me to determine that I would rather spend my time elsewhere.
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