The Elder Scrolls Online: Make Your Own Adventure
Earlier in March, Microsoft’s ZeniMax acquisition finally completed, bring Bethesda and franchises like Elder Scrolls under Xbox’s wing. At the time, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer clarified his stance on the exclusivity of Bethesda games, which has been the subject of much debate since its announcement. The Elder Scrolls Online MMORPG has evolved significantly since its 2014 launch. Not only has the world and lore continued to expand, but many quality-of-life updates have also been added. Now players can explore the vast majority of Tamriel. However, the feature that arguably makes this massive scope so bearable is the game’s level-sync. Known more specifically as the One Tamriel system, it has removed many of the game’s restrictions. Players can now enjoy the content in whatever order they want, and with whoever they want.
During a Livestream previewing the Elder Scrolls Online Blackwood update, ZeniMax Online Studios also unveiled Elder Scrolls Online: Console Enhanced, a next-gen upgrade for the long-running MMO. While you might think that this upgrade would be Xbox Series X exclusive because of the acquisition, that’s not the case. Elder Scrolls Online: Console Enhanced will also come to PS5 when it launches on June 8. While this announcement isn’t too shocking for ESO fans, it does show that Microsoft is following the exclusivity plan that Spencer laid out earlier this month. In turn, it adds more credibility to the thought that Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6 will be Xbox exclusive at launch. Buy ESO Gold to have more fun in the game.
Perhaps the best aspect of the current tutorial upon starting a new character is the freedom it leads to. Upon completing a brief run through some ruins, players will encounter portals to various parts of Tamriel. This is essentially the game’s way of confirming that the adventure ahead is yours to choose. Compared to most MMORPGs’ linear approach, ESO allows every player to embark on an individualized adventure. Fans of Skyrim and other games in the series will be aware that multiple playthroughs are part of its appeal. ESO facilitates the same playstyle, allowing players to avoid the tedium of repeating the opening. Part of the main appeal of the series providing an MMO is the chance to explore the world’s lore. While various entries in the franchise have had different settings, this game allows a sizable amount of each. As such, the rest of Tamriel hinted at in whispers during the previous games are suddenly open for exploration. Some players might have an immediate intrigue about a very specific location. Thanks to the ESO level sync, they are free to make that their first port of call. The lack of level requirements similarly prevents any unexpected progression barriers. Players won’t accidentally stumble onto an interesting side quest that they suddenly feel under-leveled for. This adds a more natural flow to the game in which players aren’t navigated by guiding numbers. Instead, the player is encouraged to explore at their leisure, accepting and ignoring intrigue at their own pace.
