PC Gamer - Latest Review of ESO

steveb16_ESO46 · July 2014

Winnower wrote: »

The author, like many other people, appears to continue to labor under the misapprehension that this is a gear driven game, which leads to me to question the author's interpretation of anything he talks about in the review.

Where is this?

Besides from the amount of gear changes i make levelling up it seems pretty much a gear driven game to me.

daneyulebub17_ESO · July 2014

Considering Zeni likely got an early copy (which mags do as a courtesy) and JUST announced changes to VR leveling...

Hmmmmmm.... they haven't listened to US, but I think they heard them.

LtCrunch · July 2014

Tandor wrote: »

While acknowledging some awkward design decisions, and with fair comments about VR difficulty levels that ZOS have now indicated they're addressing, the main thrust of the review seems pretty positive both in terms of the quality of the game and the numbers playing it. They can see it having a decent future, and I think overall it's a very balanced and positive review.

Completely agreed. I would much rather see fair and honest reviews like this by someone who has really put some time in than those reviews we saw at launch. I think th tone of the article was positive while not fawning over the game. The issues that many of us have been talking about are talked about in the review and are spot on. This game has loads of potential and that's why so many of us have stuck with it thus far.

Tavore1138 · July 2014

Not a totally unfair article but it, and the btl comments, reveal much about the state of (online?) gamers as well as the game.

All content has to be as tough as they personally need - no more, no less.

They must have the features of <insertolderMMOname>. Obviously they do not play that one any more but they must have those features.

It is all about getting to top level not about how, he whinges about the 300 hours to get to top level but doesn't seem to value those 300 hours as a fun experience. If he read would he just skip to the last page?

He moans about loot without any apparent grasp of the escalation concept and the harm i can cause ( not that Cadwell's stupid necklace could be improved).

And the btl comments seem to be lots of 'when will it go f2p' as if that was something good... or are people just that cheap these days?

I often find it odd how many people want this game to be just like all the others they have played, and presumably left, or seem to harbour a grudge that there is a sub involved.

This game is far from perfect but it is the only MMO that has sucked me in and kept me playing ever.

daneyulebub17_ESO · July 2014

Don't know where the OP is coming from acting like this is an overly negative review. It was actually on the most part positive, and honest. Acknowledged problems in a constructive way, while commenting on the good parts and ending with saying essentially it was worth sticking with. OP, did you even read it? If it's not an advertisement, do you consider it a negative review? Or do you just want to leave the impression it is?

nerevarine1138 · July 2014

This reads exactly like their first review and exactly like their preview: someone with an axe to grind.

I don't know if ZO didn't send enough fruit baskets, or what, but PC Gamer has been responsible for some of the shoddiest journalism surrounding this title. Period.

Falmer · July 2014

PC Gamer is generally spot on for most single player games in their reviews. However, I always take their MMO reviews with a grain of salt. Whoever does their MMO reviews has played WoW for many long years, which means they obviously liked it. So if they also really LOVE an MMO, I know its generally not for me.

When someone makes a review intending to be negative, "Its not like WoW", then its an MMO worth checking out to me.

LtCrunch · July 2014

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

This reads exactly like their first review and exactly like their preview: someone with an axe to grind.

I don't know if ZO didn't send enough fruit baskets, or what, but PC Gamer has been responsible for some of the shoddiest journalism surrounding this title. Period.

This was actually a fairly positive article that is honest about this game's failings and it's massive potential for the future.

Mordria · July 2014

I disagree with what he says about the night blade. First, anyone that builds a character and strictly relies on the stamina is wasting an entire pool of magic.

I play an archer/syphoner NB that does incredible damage and it is actually my strongest character so far.

I do share his dislike of having to play a character through all three factions.

Mordria · July 2014

ruze84b14_ESO wrote: »

It seems like a very fair review, all around. Liked it.

Comments, though, are the same as they always are: hateful anonymous internet trash. You aren't going to get any different from that. It's just part of the system.

True. I would guess none of them have even played the game and are just there trolling.

AlexDougherty · July 2014

Falmer wrote: »

PC Gamer is generally spot on for most single player games in their reviews. However, I always take their MMO reviews with a grain of salt. Whoever does their MMO reviews has played WoW for many long years, which means they obviously liked it. So if they also really LOVE an MMO, I know its generally not for me.

When someone makes a review intending to be negative, "Its not like WoW", then its an MMO worth checking out to me.

They have people playing virtually every MMO, they are seriously into Eve Online, which isn't for me, but they are not just into a few games.

The are honest about their opinions, they state that it's just their opinion, and are quite fair in reviews.

The review isn't overly negative, it reasonable and balanced.

Swordguy · July 2014

I found the review to be spot on.

If someone doesn't read the entire review, they might get the wrong idea. But, It isn't long enough to take more than a couple minutes to read (which is funny because if someone can't read a 2 minute review, they probably don't like reading lore books in elder scrolls games).

Mordria · July 2014

Falmer wrote: »

PC Gamer is generally spot on for most single player games in their reviews. However, I always take their MMO reviews with a grain of salt. Whoever does their MMO reviews has played WoW for many long years, which means they obviously liked it. So if they also really LOVE an MMO, I know its generally not for me.

When someone makes a review intending to be negative, "Its not like WoW", then its an MMO worth checking out to me.

Hmm.. could be true. He did make a couple of "wow" comparisons which I wish people would stop doing. Then again, originality seems to get beaten to death in this day and age of MMOs by the masses which ultimately leads to your average bland MMO. I still think Zeni would be better off sticking to their original vision of the game rather than listening to what everyone thinks they want.

daneyulebub17_ESO · July 2014

Yeah, real negative when the very first part talks about how happily surprised he was by his enthusiastic and full guild who are having a blast despite the early negative reactions.

This was a great short review because it's believable--not fluff, not agenda driven. Just talks about the positives and the issues that remain to be done.

theyancey · July 2014

This seems accurate as well.

Elder Scrolls Online already has a devoted and friendly playerbase that's remained true to the game in the face of enticing competition. Some of us actually prefer its brand of combat where you click your mouse and your mace thunks down on your enemy; still more enjoy its muted color palettes that evoke the cold realities of medieval life over Pixar-inspired rainbowscapes. Thus far, ZeniMax has done a good job of eradicating the bugs and bots that scarred the first few weeks of release, and they've done a good enough job to warrant forgiveness for missing their ambitious update schedule.

nerevarine1138 · July 2014

Brandalf wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

This reads exactly like their first review and exactly like their preview: someone with an axe to grind.

I don't know if ZO didn't send enough fruit baskets, or what, but PC Gamer has been responsible for some of the shoddiest journalism surrounding this title. Period.

This was actually a fairly positive article that is honest about this game's failings and it's massive potential for the future.

It was misinformed and badly written, just like their prior two articles/features on the game. I don't even care if they had some positive things to say; it's no excuse for a journalist to write like a high schooler. The writing staff there has gone downhill, and if people hadn't figured that out after their abysmal excuse for a preview during press beta, they should figure it out by now.

For example:

..and they've done a good enough job to warrant forgiveness for missing their ambitious update schedule.

What a pointless sentence. More importantly, what an inaccurate one. They've actually kept to their update schedule. 1.1 came at 6 weeks, 1.2 came less than 6 weeks after that. One would hope a reporter would know these things.

Phantax · July 2014

ruze84b14_ESO wrote: »

Malpherian wrote: »

dcincali wrote: »

This game is painfully average and you can get the same experiences in a FTP game.

Eh I'd say ESO has the best game concept. However Tera Online is Definitely the winner when it comes to armor design and rendering environments.

I would definitely argue. Of course, I don't like anime-styled games, either. I much prefer ESO's graphic style, armor design (actual armor being worn, not two shoulder pieces and a bra for chicks), and environments.

There is nothing wrong with chicks in Bras and shoulder pads. Just as long as they have pointy ears and long blonde hair too...lol

Irakandji · July 2014

I too found the article a little double sided. The author has spent 400 hours in game and he is starting a new character, but is angry about it. Somehow this seems like a back sided complement to me.

Key points
He hates the long path to Veteran 12. (A Matter of taste)
- Estimating 300 hours for this, yet a lot of folks are happy about it. I for one hate reaching max level in 80 hours and then facing the boring repletion of dungeon delving.

He is upset about balance

His reference to the problem with grouping a nightblade is very disturbing, but it is also a problem with competitive content. Once they fix Nightblade, another class will fall to the bottom and the cycle will begin again.

The oh ... "you are a NightBlade .. you Suck.." is a DEADLY POISON that can destroy a paying customers desire to play

I really hope Zenimax ultimately fixes balance issues though gear and enchants rather than modification of the base class.

"Fixing" a class tends to create a ping-pong effect that will cause the same resentment about the next "bottom" class.
Modifying gear means that a small customization brings balance, but if there are "unintended consequences" new counter balance can be brought in quickly.
Gear and enchants can be equipped based on situation, so specific situations or environments can be targeted.
Gear / Enchantment based "Fixes" or "Offsets" bring balance and avoids "Class Bigotry". (Oh you are a NightBlade ... )
Gear / Enchantment can have a lifetime (Unrepairable gear) which provides and additional dimension to offset consequences.

He is motivated by Loot and rewards and the game does not deliver
I am happy about this. I like that crafted gear is as good as any drop.
HOWEVER
I would like to see "Ego" rewards for competitive content that reward the ego. Things like customized appearances Jewelry or weapon skins, uniforms, unique mounts (same base stats)
Other examples

Dyes
Motifs
Pets
Auras
Unique, One time use spells "Summon Banker"
...

GaldorP · July 2014

Seems to me like a fair review by someone who has actually played the game for more than a few hours.

Balance as a whole remains a problem, and it's not uncommon to see trial groups composed almost entirely of players equipped with destruction staffs and clad in light armor regardless of class.

Hits the nail on the head.

Reaching the highest veteran rank takes around 300 hours, which discourages players from leveling alts.

There's many elements in ESO's game design that actively discourage leveling alts (you play through the zones of all three Alliances with your first character already, achievements and mounts are not shared, you can max all crafting professions on a single character, you can completely change your build any time so no reason to level another character of the same class, etc.).

I'd spend the majority of the veteran leveling process in the dungeons if I could, but poor XP for repeated runthroughs and boss loot that's easily salable in guild stores diminish some of the appeal.

Many people feel the same way. ESO does not support the play style where you can just log in and grind for a few hours - solo or with friends - to get some loot and some % of your next level which is what most MMORPGs entirely consisted of before WoW (which had leveling by tutorial quests added to lure in new players that didn't like MMORPGs at their core). Questing requires a lot more concentration but at the same time gives you a lot less freedom (you just have to go from quest marker to quest marker) and there are no "rare drops" you can hope to find. It also seems like you get a huge penalty on drops if you keep hunting monsters in the same area. And then if you don't log in for a few days and go to hunt those same monsters again, the first one you kill will drop a purple or a blue item with almost 100% chance. At the same time it looks like you get a big bonus on loot if you hunt with other players (not only do you kill enemies twice as fast and get twice the loot in the same time, there seems to be even another bonus that further increases your drop chance and your chance to get a blue or purple item), but all the same, people rarely quest in groups in the old veteran zones. Hm...

Personally, I just wish I could do something in PvE with my VR12 character that isn't a Destruction Staff Light Armor build apart from gathering mats in Craglorn.

Raash · July 2014

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Brandalf wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

This reads exactly like their first review and exactly like their preview: someone with an axe to grind.

I don't know if ZO didn't send enough fruit baskets, or what, but PC Gamer has been responsible for some of the shoddiest journalism surrounding this title. Period.

This was actually a fairly positive article that is honest about this game's failings and it's massive potential for the future.

It was misinformed and badly written, just like their prior two articles/features on the game. I don't even care if they had some positive things to say; it's no excuse for a journalist to write like a high schooler. The writing staff there has gone downhill, and if people hadn't figured that out after their abysmal excuse for a preview during press beta, they should figure it out by now.

For example:

..and they've done a good enough job to warrant forgiveness for missing their ambitious update schedule.

What a pointless sentence. More importantly, what an inaccurate one. They've actually kept to their update schedule. 1.1 came at 6 weeks, 1.2 came less than 6 weeks after that. One would hope a reporter would know these things.

You need a hug mate? There was nothing wrong with that review, none at all. you just dont agree with it.

steveb16_ESO46 · July 2014

Raash wrote: »

You need a hug mate? There was nothing wrong with that review, none at all. you just dont agree with it.

Which of course in the eyes of some people makes the author both stupid and evil.

Surinen · July 2014

how could they skip lack of Altmer black colour. Their height being equal to the simpleton nords. how dare they to ignore the fact that you can create obese Altmer! these disgusting barrels of fat are running around Auridon, jiggling with their lard swollen bellies. Altmer faces? even angular one does not look alien enough, and the rest? wide, big, round as if hamster's cheeks got pregnant. not to mention watered down Altmer lore and idiot named Ayrenn. almost no reviewers these days bother with the lore. I don't like him, this pc gamer.

Csub · July 2014

It's a totally fair review in my opinion and it points out the current issues well as well as the hope in ZOS to fix these.

Kalann_Pander · July 2014

Surinen wrote: »

how could they skip lack of Altmer black colour. Their height being equal to the simpleton nords. how dare they to ignore the fact that you can create obese Altmer! these disgusting barrels of fat are running around Auridon, jiggling with their lard swollen bellies. Altmer faces? even angular one does not look alien enough, and the rest? wide, big, round as if hamster's cheeks got pregnant. not to mention watered down Altmer lore and idiot named Ayrenn. almost no reviewers these days bother with the lore. I don't like him, this pc gamer.

I personally feel ESO Altmer are far better looking than Skyrim's over-angular look. Coinclerk Aranwe alone was a big reason I posted most of my Alts in Vulkhel Guard

Auridon feels like a fairytale compared to the gritty atmospheres of Glenumbra and Stonefalls.

Digiman · July 2014

Hit the nail on its head but missed a few that should of been more critical. Its comparison to Wildstar for some completely loyal to Zenimax may seem unfair but is a fair standing ground on a competent launch for an MMO, is Wildstar perfect? No, there are some real problems especially when at end game content that both ESO shares with them, but does it serve as a good standard for how a company treats its customers and attracts new ones? Yes.

Though for me I am not interested in Wildstar, I feel completely loyal to Zenimax and its ES franchise (Though that is being stretched atomically thin atm) 3 months of these constant quest bugs and lack of support or even appreciation from Zenimax has enraged me to the point where I really wish the worst on all those who work there and that makes me sick.

It has been 3 months and I have paid for 6 month subscription, I will feel distraught and used, and if at the end of the next 3 months they have done little to address the complete bugs and problems of this game and really its not that hard or time taxing to sort out bugs in a game especially when your continuously fed 15 dollars a month for this tripe on two day maintenance reservation a week, I will vindictively hunt and persecute every new game each employee from this game decides to develop until they are completely unhireable in this career.

This game has done nothing to appreciate the loyalty of its founding players and shows the attitude that it thinks its the only MMO out there and thats dangerous for a company to think like that.

It's only saving grace are the mega servers, because we all know how a MMO would die if its population from realms snuffed out. That is its life support but eventually that itself will completely fail.

TL;DR: I don't care about CEO working benefits or even the employees of this company, the next week better address ALL BUGS with this game no matter how much over time it accumulates, you have had your thumbs up your butts for far too long on a game that has TWO MAINTENANCE DEDICATED DAYS IN A WEEK.

Either start working for the loyalty and and money your fans are paying or prepare for utter career destruction as those fans make sure you will never work in a computer game development career ever again! This isn't a threat its a fact!

Alphashado · July 2014

I liked the review as well. I agree with most of it. ESO has great potential, but a long way to go in order to reach it. Can it reach it's full potential before it's too late? Time will tell. That's what I got from the review, and I agree.

Surinen · July 2014

Kalann_Pander wrote: »

[
I personally feel ESO Altmer are far better looking than Skyrim's over-angular look. Coinclerk Aranwe alone was a big reason I posted most of my Alts in Vulkhel Guard Auridon feels like a fairytale compared to the gritty atmospheres of Glenumbra and Stonefalls.

your personal feelings are nothing more than heresy! Altmer and Mer in general should look alien, unique, different from lesser races. With strongly visible forehead bones, sunken bone cheeks and big eyes.
ESO Altmer have weird gold tones of the skin (they can even have human skin colour - disgusting!), they lack black hair colour in character creation, their faces look 'pretty' much more like humans than Mer (or other filthy 'high elf' from generic fantasy). Altmer should never look pretty, never like MAN. It is unacceptable, wrong, despicable and shameful!
Skyrim got it perfect, the most wonderful of Altmer ever created! to disagree with my statement is blasphemy!

LtCrunch · July 2014

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Brandalf wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

This reads exactly like their first review and exactly like their preview: someone with an axe to grind.

I don't know if ZO didn't send enough fruit baskets, or what, but PC Gamer has been responsible for some of the shoddiest journalism surrounding this title. Period.

This was actually a fairly positive article that is honest about this game's failings and it's massive potential for the future.

It was misinformed and badly written, just like their prior two articles/features on the game. I don't even care if they had some positive things to say; it's no excuse for a journalist to write like a high schooler. The writing staff there has gone downhill, and if people hadn't figured that out after their abysmal excuse for a preview during press beta, they should figure it out by now.

For example:

..and they've done a good enough job to warrant forgiveness for missing their ambitious update schedule.

What a pointless sentence. More importantly, what an inaccurate one. They've actually kept to their update schedule. 1.1 came at 6 weeks, 1.2 came less than 6 weeks after that. One would hope a reporter would know these things.

That's just like your opinion, man.

Evandus · July 2014

The Craglorn patch overall represents a healthy stab at creating content that keeps players busy, and it doesn't hurt that it alleviated some of the pain of the veteran leveling process. Thanks to a boost to enemy XP in the veteran ranks, newly minted level 50s now head straight to Craglorn to participate in the overland group events when they're not in the mood to slog through nearly 200 hours of story from a faction that they never intended to join in the first place. Most importantly, it seasons the experience with more variety, which is something ESO has needed since the beginning.

The article mentions my main issue with the concept of Veteran Levels. I found that to be a positive. That issue, being forced to work with/for opposing factions in order to advance your character is a big one for me.

I'd mentioned in recent posts that my main sat at V1 in Coldharbour for about 2 and a half weeks. Which was due to not being enthusiastic about having to go to the Aldmeri Dominion. I played alts instead. Still mostly playing alts.

The difficulty argument I'm not invested in at all. But being encouraged by advertisement to choose and support a faction. Then finding out that I will be forced to spend 2/3 of my game time supporting opposing factions - yeah that sticks in my craw.

Glad to see writers from other publications starting to speak of this issue. The anticipated nerfs to anomolies/other farming techniques are forcing players to remain grinding quests for the opposition. The more attention this gets the more likely someone might wake up in their offices.

Mordria · July 2014

Surinen wrote: »

Kalann_Pander wrote: »

[
I personally feel ESO Altmer are far better looking than Skyrim's over-angular look. Coinclerk Aranwe alone was a big reason I posted most of my Alts in Vulkhel Guard Auridon feels like a fairytale compared to the gritty atmospheres of Glenumbra and Stonefalls.

your personal feelings are nothing more than heresy! Altmer and Mer in general should look alien, unique, different from lesser races. With strongly visible forehead bones, sunken bone cheeks and big eyes.
ESO Altmer have weird gold tones of the skin (they can even have human skin colour - disgusting!), they lack black hair colour in character creation, their faces look 'pretty' much more like humans than Mer (or other filthy 'high elf' from generic fantasy). Altmer should never look pretty, never like MAN. It is unacceptable, wrong, despicable and shameful!
Skyrim got it perfect, the most wonderful of Altmer ever created! to disagree with my statement is blasphemy!

Isn't it nice that everyone can have a different opinion. I think they look great in ESO and really didn't care for the "alien" look at all.