Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited
Producer: Bethesda Softworks
Release Date: June 9, 2015
Platform: Xbox One, PS4
Rating: Mature
Genre: MMORPG
Limited Expectations
Written by Josh Schilling
Elder Scrolls Online came out over a year ago on PC, but The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited is the updated console version which, after a bunch of delays, is now available. When the new version was released, there was a serious rush by eager gamers to join in one of the first MMO’s released on the new consoles. Of course there was some early server issues, but the problems have subsided and now masses of Skyrim, Oblivion, Morrowind, Daggerfall, and maybe even a couple of Arena fans, are busy jumping around the huge world of Tamriel.
The first thing you get to do is create a character, and the detailed system that has always been a highlight of Elder Scrolls games has returned, as you get to fully customize the look of your guy (or girl) in a plethora of ways. After that, the game dumps you off in prison, which fans of the franchise will tell you is an absolute necessity. You then learn the ropes in a short, but story-filled adventure, and then end up standing in the daylight with an entire realm to explore. This game is incredibly huge with a massive amount of quests and adventures to undertake. Whether you want to join up with a group of like-minded players or brave the wilds alone, with so much stuff to do it is almost overwhelming. Once the virtual-vertigo settles and you get yourself acclimated with a weapon and some armor, it is time to go out and find some stuff to stab or set on fire.
Not only is this game huge, but it is deep as well. Crafting is still a major factor in this game, and you can create a bunch of different items including weapons, clothing and potions. The combat mechanics feel like a trimmed down Skyrim or Oblivion, but it is still fun and effective. The inventory management can be a bit tedious, as all your quests and acquired stuff stack up quickly and becomes a blur of text when you pause to check out your situation. One of the main highlights of the single-player games is the environment, which Skyrim would occasionally have me pause when I played to marvel at the snow blowing across the Throat of the World or the water gurgling around Riverwood. This game lacks that detail, and while things look pretty good up close, the awe of the world is lacking and makes you feel like you are playing a game, rather than being a part of one.
Once you complete some quests and attain level 10, you are then able to participate in some incredibly massive player vs. player battles in which up to 300 individual player characters end up fighting in an all-out war. It is chaos for sure, but it is a spectacle to behold and pretty damn fun. From there you can choose to join a guild and team up with other adventurers whose skills complement your own. Surviving a tough dungeon with a challenging boss-battle is truly satisfying when doing it as a part of an effective team.
You can spend a massive amount of time in this game, and pretty much need to if you want to reach the parts that are the most fun. At least they ditched the subscription fee that hampered the PC version of the game, although if you want to enhance your character, there are a bunch of things you can buy with real money. This game ended up not having the same impact that the single-player games provided, but it is still a magnificent world to explore, and for video game fans in general, Elder Scrolls Online is a technical marvel. As long as you can get past all the weirdos jumping around and thrusting their hips to no one in particular.