Lack of "Wow" moments in ESO

Neizir

So, I watched Angry Joe's review of ESO. Mostly, I disagreed with it on some points, but one valid point he brings up is that there's a severe lack of "Wow!" moments in ESO. By this, I mean that there's nothing there to truly amaze the player. Maybe except an epic PvP battle, but that's about it.

I think one reason for this, is due to the HUGE amount of fog that's in the game and limits how far you can see. What's the point of climbing up a hill or mountain if you can't see anything past it? It completely ruins the experience of visiting Tamriel's beautiful vistas. I think that we should have an option to disable fog, or at least push it back by A LOT. Also there should be an option for high-res textures on distant environments. I have to resort to using ESOLauncher to disable the intense fogging and still it looks ugly due to the ugly low-res textures.

And another point, is that lots of boss battles are pretty generic. The only truly "epic" fight is where you (SPOILER ALERT) battle Molag Bal at the end of the main quest. All the other boss fights are pretty generic and don't wow me at all.

ers101284b14_ESO

Neizir wrote: »

So, I watched Angry Joe's review of ESO. Mostly, I disagreed with it on some points, but one valid point he brings up is that there's a severe lack of "Wow!" moments in ESO. By this, I mean that there's nothing there to truly amaze the player. Maybe except an epic PvP battle, but that's about it.

I think one reason for this, is due to the HUGE amount of fog that's in the game and limits how far you can see. What's the point of climbing up a hill or mountain if you can't see anything past it? It completely ruins the experience of visiting Tamriel's beautiful vistas. I think that we should have an option to disable fog, or at least push it back by A LOT. Also there should be an option for high-res textures on distant environments. I have to resort to using ESOLauncher to disable the intense fogging and still it looks ugly due to the ugly low-res textures.

And another point, is that lots of boss battles are pretty generic. The only truly "epic" fight is where you (SPOILER ALERT) battle Molag Bal at the end of the main quest. All the other boss fights are pretty generic and don't wow me at all.

I have never found any real big "WOW" moments in any MMO. I actually found Molag Bal to be the least epic fight in the game which is weird being he's supposed to be the main bad guy. Heck I had more trouble fighting Mannimarco.

I don't really understand what your talking about with the vistas. I can stand on mountains and building and look all over the place, (essentially what would be several miles.) The farther out you look the more low res it should be since in life your not going to see something a mile away with perfect clarity. SweetFx does help a lot and you should look into getting it. Really brings the colors out more and makes everything just POP! I thought the game was beautiful until I used SweetFX and realized how gray it is.

Lynx7386

I've had more than a few epic moments in the game.

Some that I can recall off the top of my head:

-First time encountering a dark anchor (sure, they become trivial after that first one, but the first is still pretty epic)

-First time being in a large pvp keep/stronghold battle with heavy use of siege weaponry. It really felt like a medieval warzone, and far more realistic of a battle than any other MMO I've played (minus the magic, of course).

-One particular aldmeri quest where I was onboard a ship and had to fight off a giant sea serpent with the ship's ballistae.

b_archaonpreeb18_ESO

Well...
That's a fact in all Elder Scrolls games. They rarely use cinematics, but instead they have constantly impressive worlds. It causes desensitization.

That said, i can think of some moments off the bat:

-Seeing the Spindlecluch boss for the first time.
-Fighting Estre in the Deadlands
-The huge Mournhold temple
-The Argonian breeding grounds and Sithis' effect
-Saving Emeric from the Hall of Heroes and killing Septima
-Pretty much anytning with Seogorath
-The artificial storm in the AD tutorial Island
-The EP ghost ship that materialises when you get close
-The AD orrey quest
-Speaking with Saint Veloth, Lekki, Ysgramor, Vanus, the Hist, etc. (For someone who has loved the lore in older games, these are huge.)

Shaun98ca2

Pretty much ANYTHING that included a Daedric Prince in general. All the moral choices were pretty epic knowing you had that effect on the world.

The word EPIC is thrown around too much diminishing its true value. A balloon ride around the world could be considered epic but to somebody else its just plain boring.

Epic is basically in the eye of the beholder but with EVERY story ever being told trying to BE Epic it really diminishes the value over all.

Your character does PLENTY of EPIC things in the game. Any time your character single handedly stops an army of anything. Any time your character is needed cause the current militia couldn't handle events so you come along and save the day.

Imagine in real life you walk into Afghanistan and the army points you in the direction of the Talaban and you walk directly into their territory and take them all out. That's BASICALLY what you character does ALL the time LOL.

tplink3r1

-seeing summerset for the first time
-seeing valenwood for the first time
-first huge PvP
-first bridge PvP(bridge PVP>keep PVP)
-first time finishing banished sells
-first anchor
-seeing maormer for the first time
-defeating mannimarco
-entering ancient elven ruins
-shalidor is "alive"!
the game has a lot of "wow" moments if you are a TES fan.

ShADoW0s

Shaun98ca2 wrote: »

Pretty much ANYTHING that included a Daedric Prince in general. All the moral choices were pretty epic knowing you had that effect on the world.

The word EPIC is thrown around too much diminishing its true value. A balloon ride around the world could be considered epic but to somebody else its just plain boring.

Epic is basically in the eye of the beholder but with EVERY story ever being told trying to BE Epic it really diminishes the value over all.

Your character does PLENTY of EPIC things in the game. Any time your character single handedly stops an army of anything. Any time your character is needed cause the current militia couldn't handle events so you come along and save the day.

Imagine in real life you walk into Afghanistan and the army points you in the direction of the Talaban and you walk directly into their territory and take them all out. That's BASICALLY what you character does ALL the time LOL.

Just pray that there are not more than 3 Talaban at any given time and that none of them are healers.

Blackwidow

Meridian 59 wow moment: You can find a staff of Qor. If you take that staff to a special place at midnight in the game and type in the words "Qor the Vile" a secret entrance opens to a dungeon. That still blows my mind how cool that was the first time.

EQ: So many wow moments it would take me all day long to list them.

WoW: Again, so many wow moments. Just one cool thing after another. I think my favorite was being able to turn into a dragon.

SWTOR wow moment: Almost all of their raids blew me away.

ESO: In early beta, there was a quest to break into people's houses and steal their stuff, in the town where everyone is all turned to stone. The homes had deadly traps that truly would kill you if you did not disarm them. The way to disarm them was hidden and you had to figure it out or die.

That was a great wow moment i will take away from ESO.

Sadly they took that quest out of the game because players complained it was too difficult.

Phantax

Neizir wrote: »

but one valid point he brings up is that there's a severe lack of "Wow!" moments in ESO.

Yes, you can never have too many Panda moments in any MMO !

Blackwidow

tplink3r1 wrote: »

-seeing summerset for the first time
-seeing valenwood for the first time
-first huge PvP
-first bridge PvP(bridge PVP>keep PVP)
-first time finishing banished sells
-first anchor
-seeing maormer for the first time
-defeating mannimarco
-entering ancient elven ruins
-shalidor is "alive"!
the game has a lot of "wow" moments if you are a TES fan.

I am a TES fan, and I was not wowed like you were. I'm glad you enjoyed them, but those moments were lackluster to me.

kip_silverwolf

tplink3r1 wrote: »

-seeing summerset for the first time
-seeing valenwood for the first time
-first huge PvP
-first bridge PvP(bridge PVP>keep PVP)
-first time finishing banished sells
-first anchor
-seeing maormer for the first time
-defeating mannimarco
-entering ancient elven ruins
-shalidor is "alive"!
the game has a lot of "wow" moments if you are a TES fan.

All of the above and more!

- hearing the theme music
- seeing High Rock for the first time
- seeing Hammerfell for the first time
- seeing Morrowind, Cyrodiil & Skyrim for the first time
- meeting so many notable names from Tamriel's history that formerly I'd only heard or read about

and the list goes on! One thing I've always loved about TES games is the amount of 'wow' moments. TESO is no different in this.

JinShepard01

-One particular aldmeri quest where I was onboard a ship and had to fight off a giant sea serpent with the ship's ballistae.

This one WoW'ed me for 10 seconds, then I noticed the sever lack of NPCS. Most of the things that should give me a OMG SO COOL moment could be ingame, but they failed.. HARD

The amount of times I had to defend or attack a keep, seeing maby 20 npcs max is just so lame.. the amount of itmes I stoped a ARMY of undead, that consisted of 20 npcs.. so lame.. and it could be done so well with this games engine, if you look at pvp, most moments are based on large numbers, all they had to do is make 50v50 npcs fighting while you fight through them attacking a keep or castle during a quest. But they rushed it, and it feels incredible old.

Shaun98ca2

JinShepard01 wrote: »

-One particular aldmeri quest where I was onboard a ship and had to fight off a giant sea serpent with the ship's ballistae.

This one WoW'ed me for 10 seconds, then I noticed the sever lack of NPCS. Most of the things that should give me a OMG SO COOL moment could be ingame, but they failed.. HARD

The amount of times I had to defend or attack a keep, seeing maby 20 npcs max is just so lame.. the amount of itmes I stoped a ARMY of undead, that consisted of 20 npcs.. so lame.. and it could be done so well with this games engine, if you look at pvp, most moments are based on large numbers, all they had to do is make 50v50 npcs fighting while you fight through them attacking a keep or castle during a quest. But they rushed it, and it feels incredible old.

You think anybodys computer can really handle that much on the screen at the same time??? I think they scaled it back to people's computers can handle and play the content. They probably had it scaled up at some point to begin with but realized it was a drain on your PC's resources.

ayriennub17_ESO

Just pray that there are not more than 3 Talaban at any given time and that none of them are healers.

Best laugh I've had on the forums yet. Well said.

tplink3r1

JinShepard01 wrote: »

-One particular aldmeri quest where I was onboard a ship and had to fight off a giant sea serpent with the ship's ballistae.

This one WoW'ed me for 10 seconds, then I noticed the sever lack of NPCS. Most of the things that should give me a OMG SO COOL moment could be ingame, but they failed.. HARD

The amount of times I had to defend or attack a keep, seeing maby 20 npcs max is just so lame.. the amount of itmes I stoped a ARMY of undead, that consisted of 20 npcs.. so lame.. and it could be done so well with this games engine, if you look at pvp, most moments are based on large numbers, all they had to do is make 50v50 npcs fighting while you fight through them attacking a keep or castle during a quest. But they rushed it, and it feels incredible old.

that was one of the best quests in the game.
zenimax, make more maormer war quests!

EQ-AB_Claustaler_ESO-EU

Since EQ and DAoC I had no more "WOW" moments.

Shaun98ca2

EQLive had a complete lack of "epic" but we the players MADE it epic on our own.

Being level 30 in OT and watching a 65 come by and assist in killing that damn guard. Truly EPIC lol. Rerailing a train in PC (after I started it for fun) watching all the groups pull together faster than fast.

There was an unkillable goblin that gave a quest for some ice giants raid. Attacked goblin get from guild leader oh hes unkillable. He is HU? EVERYBODY strived to take him down AND GOT HIM, only to realize we hadn't got the quest yet LOL.

Killing the gods was fun sure. There was a MOB in one of the expansions I forget now that had a 150 meter AOE. I heard a story about somebody who watched a raid attempt to take this mob on. He said he though he was far enough away to watch the fight as it was hard to see..DEAD.

MrDenimChicken

I honestly think that fog kills the beauty of this game more than most people realize

One of the reasons Skyrim was great was because the world was so beautiful.

Anytime you hiked up a mountain and saw the panorama of distant mountains you get this real sense of adventure, mystery, and beauty all wrapped into one feeling.

This game could invoke similar emotions to Skyrim because this game has great graphics (although it is way more linear).

But the fog absolutely kills it. There are at times that I will stop and look at things in this game and say, "wow this is beautiful, if only I could see that blurry thing 300 feet behind it too".

JinShepard01

Shaun98ca2 wrote: »

JinShepard01 wrote: »

-One particular aldmeri quest where I was onboard a ship and had to fight off a giant sea serpent with the ship's ballistae.

This one WoW'ed me for 10 seconds, then I noticed the sever lack of NPCS. Most of the things that should give me a OMG SO COOL moment could be ingame, but they failed.. HARD

The amount of times I had to defend or attack a keep, seeing maby 20 npcs max is just so lame.. the amount of itmes I stoped a ARMY of undead, that consisted of 20 npcs.. so lame.. and it could be done so well with this games engine, if you look at pvp, most moments are based on large numbers, all they had to do is make 50v50 npcs fighting while you fight through them attacking a keep or castle during a quest. But they rushed it, and it feels incredible old.

You think anybodys computer can really handle that much on the screen at the same time??? I think they scaled it back to people's computers can handle and play the content. They probably had it scaled up at some point to begin with but realized it was a drain on your PC's resources.

Yes they can, if they can have decent FPS in pvp, a few simple animated NPCS is no issue, remember a npc only has to do one or two little things, linear, while pvp is dynamic, and much more demanding.

And just to bring up a golden oldy.. WoW did that kind of stuff during wrath of the lich king.. how old is that game again?...

Valerien

I have to agree with the lack of wow moments.

Nothing feels that epic in the game play. It looks amazing and its a really solid game but there are no moments that I am blown away with. The vampire quest was something I was really impressed about but not blown away with.

Just killed Molag Bal again with a Nightblade, gone through from 1st to Vet 1 and killed Bal without dying and I get told you probably played into Molag Bals hands and now off to be a drifter again! It felt incredibly under whelming and almost ignored on the way to go grind out lots of Vet xp...

Evergnar

I had some wow or near wow moments in levels 40-50. Primarily I think because all the story lines were reaching there climax.

AngryWolf

I've had maybe one WOW moment in the game. I'm wondering if it's harder to implement WOW moments in an MMO vs. a single player game. After playing the game for quite awhile now, I find it's hard to get that as quests can end up just being variations of the same thing.

The WOW may come at veteran levels with harder content and quests/dungeons requiring many people and more time to complete. I've seen other MMO's implement these areas as you level and they harder and harder. ESO seems to leave them to till hit veteran rank. I've haven't reached veteran rank myself, but in comments I'm reading on this board and in a articles, I think there bit a lopsided balance in this aspects leaving those at veteran rank feeling bored with what they have to. Luckily I haven't been bored too much myself up till level 40, but I'm really scared the game is going to change a lot when I hit veteran rank, perhaps so much so, it''s not the game enjoyed grinding up with.

Sleepydan

You ever see the South Park episode where Stan thinks everything is ***? I think you need a drink my friend.


On EP side I was truly surprised when you are in magistrix vox's dreams, in the past, and she acknowledges you watching her. Creepy.

In the rift there is a quest with a moral decision labeled "the cruel way" where you rip out someone's still beating heart and use it to torture for information.

Pay attention, epic stuff is happening all the time, especially in "boring" quests.

Shaun98ca2

JinShepard01 wrote: »

Shaun98ca2 wrote: »

JinShepard01 wrote: »

-One particular aldmeri quest where I was onboard a ship and had to fight off a giant sea serpent with the ship's ballistae.

This one WoW'ed me for 10 seconds, then I noticed the sever lack of NPCS. Most of the things that should give me a OMG SO COOL moment could be ingame, but they failed.. HARD

The amount of times I had to defend or attack a keep, seeing maby 20 npcs max is just so lame.. the amount of itmes I stoped a ARMY of undead, that consisted of 20 npcs.. so lame.. and it could be done so well with this games engine, if you look at pvp, most moments are based on large numbers, all they had to do is make 50v50 npcs fighting while you fight through them attacking a keep or castle during a quest. But they rushed it, and it feels incredible old.

You think anybodys computer can really handle that much on the screen at the same time??? I think they scaled it back to people's computers can handle and play the content. They probably had it scaled up at some point to begin with but realized it was a drain on your PC's resources.

Yes they can, if they can have decent FPS in pvp, a few simple animated NPCS is no issue, remember a npc only has to do one or two little things, linear, while pvp is dynamic, and much more demanding.

And just to bring up a golden oldy.. WoW did that kind of stuff during wrath of the lich king.. how old is that game again?...

Well I cant comment on PVP cause I never really see more than say 40 people at a time if im lucky.

And making ANY comment about WOW is just plain stupid as I can play that damn game on my Commodore 64.

born2beagator

The intro to the molag bal fight was pretty epic. The fight itself? lol

magickats242cub18_ESO

I think the "Wow" moments are pretty much a matter of perspective. Some people have been soured by the many issues they encountered within the game, and have become jaded. Many people still have faith and love the Elder Scrolls lore and are still amazed by the scenery and story lines.

Either way, it all comes down on your general outlook in the game. Whether the game is awe inspiring or drab and uninspiring, it's entirely up to you.

Evergnar

born2beagator wrote: »

The intro to the molag bal fight was pretty epic. The fight itself? lol

My feelings exactly. Who is this midget I'm fighting?

Visually I loved the run up to him (Titans are the best).

vladimilianoub17_ESO1

Apart from WoW momments I found some emotive momments that i liked a lot like for example SPOILER ALERT!! the dead of King Dynar.Seeing the only and last ayleid die was emotive.Also he had a great personality.

JinShepard01

Shaun98ca2 wrote: »

JinShepard01 wrote: »

Shaun98ca2 wrote: »

JinShepard01 wrote: »

-One particular aldmeri quest where I was onboard a ship and had to fight off a giant sea serpent with the ship's ballistae.

This one WoW'ed me for 10 seconds, then I noticed the sever lack of NPCS. Most of the things that should give me a OMG SO COOL moment could be ingame, but they failed.. HARD

The amount of times I had to defend or attack a keep, seeing maby 20 npcs max is just so lame.. the amount of itmes I stoped a ARMY of undead, that consisted of 20 npcs.. so lame.. and it could be done so well with this games engine, if you look at pvp, most moments are based on large numbers, all they had to do is make 50v50 npcs fighting while you fight through them attacking a keep or castle during a quest. But they rushed it, and it feels incredible old.

You think anybodys computer can really handle that much on the screen at the same time??? I think they scaled it back to people's computers can handle and play the content. They probably had it scaled up at some point to begin with but realized it was a drain on your PC's resources.

Yes they can, if they can have decent FPS in pvp, a few simple animated NPCS is no issue, remember a npc only has to do one or two little things, linear, while pvp is dynamic, and much more demanding.

And just to bring up a golden oldy.. WoW did that kind of stuff during wrath of the lich king.. how old is that game again?...

Well I cant comment on PVP cause I never really see more than say 40 people at a time if im lucky.

And making ANY comment about WOW is just plain stupid as I can play that damn game on my Commodore 64.

Saying that just makes you a bit silly looking, this engine is of todays standards, meaning it SHOULD do what I suggest and anyone with half a brain would think.

Tabbycat

Amazing moments for me:
The Mage's Guild quest line with Uncle Sheo.
The entire Coldharbour Zone (the actual zone,not the tutorial).

There were others but those were the two biggest ones for me.

brandon

Blackwidow wrote: »

Meridian 59 wow moment: You can find a staff of Qor. If you take that staff to a special place at midnight in the game and type in the words "Qor the Vile" a secret entrance opens to a dungeon. That still blows my mind how cool that was the first time.

EQ: So many wow moments it would take me all day long to list them.

WoW: Again, so many wow moments. Just one cool thing after another. I think my favorite was being able to turn into a dragon.

SWTOR wow moment: Almost all of their raids blew me away.

ESO: In early beta, there was a quest to break into people's houses and steal their stuff, in the town where everyone is all turned to stone. The homes had deadly traps that truly would kill you if you did not disarm them. The way to disarm them was hidden and you had to figure it out or die.

That was a great wow moment i will take away from ESO.

Sadly they took that quest out of the game because players complained it was too difficult.

@Blackwidow
That quest actually sounds pretty cool. I wish they would have left it in.