PTS Update 18 - [SPOILERS] Feedback Thread for Summerset Main Quest

SilverIce58

Esha76 wrote: »

Though I agree, Nocturnal is rather unimpressive to look at. I do hope that skin is a place holder.

I'm pretty sure that her voice is the same as several Redguards' voices, or at least sounds the same. Mephala got this AWESOME character model, and Clavicus Vile got an okay one too (can you tell I'm biased?), so why does Nocturnal just look like a giant version of a female Redguard? She's supposed to be fair-skinned and slim-skinny, but from where I was standing, she looked pretty thick. You guys couldn't have used a Breton model at least?

Aliyavana

Anyone have a pic of nocturnal in her current incarnation?

Aliyavana

also does eveli come out? if not reeeeeeeeeeeee

TiaFrye

Esha76 wrote: »

Though I have a question about the final boss in the MQ:

I have a bit of OCD and have played my characters through the game's content in order of release. But what happens to people who chose to do Summerset first? I know the Golden Knight issue is addressed above... but the Earl of Nocturnal? That's going to be rather difficult to get around for those who do Summersert before Morrowind. Is there something I am missing?

If you’re talking about someone’s “daughter”, who was supposed to burn the world in the prophesy... Well, with free of Morrowind quest line character I was going mad seeing her in Summerset, thinking I’m imaginig all this, but during one moment she removed her mask and looked nothing like the one from Morrowind. At least she was dark skinned instead of usual paleness for her I remember. And the name was different. And the face too I guess? Can anyone confirm both - that we have V. if MorChap was finished and some random lady with her voice and TRAGIC BACKSTORY if Balmora still a future for the Vestige?

SilverIce58

Aliyavana wrote: »

Anyone have a pic of nocturnal in her current incarnation?

yeah, here. I cropped it up some:

LadyNerevar

Since we're talking about continuity - Iacheris mentions that Sotha Sil warned them about the Daedric invasion, but the character I'm playing on has not played Clockwork City. Is that a continuity error or a quest conditions bug? Or is there an explanation for it (I've not yet completed the main quest, but don't care about spoilers)

Aliyavana

SilverIce58 wrote: »

Aliyavana wrote: »

Anyone have a pic of nocturnal in her current incarnation?

yeah, here. I cropped it up some:

Pretty underwhelming, she looks like a budget cosplayer. She would look best as she did in skyrim

TiaFrye

LadyNerevar wrote: »

Since we're talking about continuity - Iacheris mentions that Sotha Sil warned them about the Daedric invasion, but the character I'm playing on has not played Clockwork City. Is that a continuity error or a quest conditions bug? Or is there an explanation for it (I've not yet completed the main quest, but don't care about spoilers)

There was a confused reaction from a player after that in dialogue, so it’s kind of not a bug then? The Golden Knight mentions that his future appearance in new players’ past is because of the fact that time flows differently in Oblivion, but I’m not sure if it works for this issue specifically. CWC had no such issues with time. Or does it now?
ZOS’ answer is needed.

Aliyavana

I feel sotha sil should talk to the player that hasn't met them in a way that shows their freedom to quest how they like. In cwc he says that paraphrasing "you were bound to meet me, you are early, or maybe you are late?" I'd like new dialogue options added to older quests if you do then outta order and I guess the vestige being essentially having a daedric vessel allows time to flow irregularly for him/her?

Maime

I find the tutorial way too simple, and its lacking in loot you can pick up. In morrowind you can run around a bit before completing the tutorial and grind xp, plus there are slaves you can free on the side. in this tutorial you pretty much have no options other than to plow straight ahead through the tutorial. its quite boring actually, and the story is insubstantial. morrowinds tutorial had a story you could get into.
all in all, summerset's tutorial has that incomplete feel to it, as though it was rushed and ill thought out.
i was rather dissapointed and there is a lot of room for improvent

Faulgor

Aliyavana wrote: »

SilverIce58 wrote: »

Aliyavana wrote: »

Anyone have a pic of nocturnal in her current incarnation?

yeah, here. I cropped it up some:

Pretty underwhelming, she looks like a budget cosplayer. She would look best as she did in skyrim

Much of Nocturnal's appearance in Skyrim is down to lighting, I feel.



I don't have an issue with Nocturnal being black in ESO (in fact, making her the blackest black could be kinda neat), but she doesn't really look .. sinister enough. She's almost too adorable. The blue silk doesn't help either, maybe at least her robe could have the proper ebony black? Her stance is also probably a bit too "human", not alien and seductive enough.

It's a pity I don't have a closeup from the boss fight, but I think if we're sticking with Redguard, something like this would fit her better.


Regardless, I think most agree that she deserves another pass.

Tangurple

I've been binging the Main quest and I finally get to the crystal tower... only to have the entire instance have a melt down, I'll attach an image of what I see. basically, I went through and killed all the mobs that Nocturnal throws at you, I then get the prompt to reforge the crystal only to discover that whatever I need to reforge the crystal heart isn't present and whatever button I need to push isn't displaying. I've been seeing a flash of a golden pillar and after it's third spawn over the course of 10 minutes, I investigated it and saw the Dawnbreaker... it cannot be picked up and vanishes within seconds of appearing. I'm unable to complete the quest currently. I've already reloaded the UI twice now and left and re-entered the area. I'm gonna quit the quest and try again to see if that does anything. I'm using a template toon and used my werewolf form to fight the mobs.

I also can no longer walk up the stairs to the crystal as if the barrier was reactivated but completely invisible

below is what I am seeing after leaving and returning.. I'm unable to get a picture of the sword's spawn light since it keeps vanishing so quickly


-Tangurple

Aliyavana

Faulgor wrote: »

Aliyavana wrote: »

SilverIce58 wrote: »

Aliyavana wrote: »

Anyone have a pic of nocturnal in her current incarnation?

yeah, here. I cropped it up some:

Pretty underwhelming, she looks like a budget cosplayer. She would look best as she did in skyrim

Much of Nocturnal's appearance in Skyrim is down to lighting, I feel.



I don't have an issue with Nocturnal being black in ESO (in fact, making her the blackest black could be kinda neat), but she doesn't really look .. sinister enough. She's almost too adorable. The blue silk doesn't help either, maybe at least her robe could have the proper ebony black? Her stance is also probably a bit too "human", not alien and seductive enough.

It's a pity I don't have a closeup from the boss fight, but I think if we're sticking with Redguard, something like this would fit her better.


Regardless, I think most agree that she deserves another pass.

Not against nocturnal being a redguard but honestly I'm just waiting for someone to claim that a thief diety being a redguard offends them lol.

I think one of the weak points in this incarnation is that she looks too human. Give her blue or purple eyes that scream she's the prince of the night and have crows flock all around her. Give her a slim figure that a thief would likely have. Also remove the glossy look off the dress and give her long dark hair that comes out of her hood.

Tangurple

Tangurple wrote: »

I've been binging the Main quest and I finally get to the crystal tower... only to have the entire instance have a melt down, I'll attach an image of what I see. basically, I went through and killed all the mobs that Nocturnal throws at you, I then get the prompt to reforge the crystal only to discover that whatever I need to reforge the crystal heart isn't present and whatever button I need to push isn't displaying. I've been seeing a flash of a golden pillar and after it's third spawn over the course of 10 minutes, I investigated it and saw the Dawnbreaker... it cannot be picked up and vanishes within seconds of appearing. I'm unable to complete the quest currently. I've already reloaded the UI twice now and left and re-entered the area. I'm gonna quit the quest and try again to see if that does anything. I'm using a template toon and used my werewolf form to fight the mobs.

I also can no longer walk up the stairs to the crystal as if the barrier was reactivated but completely invisible

below is what I am seeing after leaving and returning.. I'm unable to get a picture of the sword's spawn light since it keeps vanishing so quickly


-Tangurple

Second run through, no werewolf form, died twice and it worked. i'm unsure if it was a one time bug or if the WW form broke it

SilverIce58

Aliyavana wrote: »

Faulgor wrote: »

Aliyavana wrote: »

SilverIce58 wrote: »

Aliyavana wrote: »

Anyone have a pic of nocturnal in her current incarnation?

yeah, here. I cropped it up some:

Pretty underwhelming, she looks like a budget cosplayer. She would look best as she did in skyrim

Much of Nocturnal's appearance in Skyrim is down to lighting, I feel.



I don't have an issue with Nocturnal being black in ESO (in fact, making her the blackest black could be kinda neat), but she doesn't really look .. sinister enough. She's almost too adorable. The blue silk doesn't help either, maybe at least her robe could have the proper ebony black? Her stance is also probably a bit too "human", not alien and seductive enough.

It's a pity I don't have a closeup from the boss fight, but I think if we're sticking with Redguard, something like this would fit her better.


Regardless, I think most agree that she deserves another pass.

Not against nocturnal being a redguard but honestly I'm just waiting for someone to claim that a thief diety being a redguard offends them lol.

I think one of the weak points in this incarnation is that she looks too human. Give her blue or purple eyes that scream she's the prince of the night and have crows flock all around her. Give her a slim figure that a thief would likely have. Also remove the glossy look off the dress and give her long dark hair that comes out of her hood.

Honestly, I'd just change it to add a flock of crows swarming around her, paler skin, a thinner body (heroin chic), and long black hair (like that one hairstyle that Leythan has, but less curly, more straight).

Edit: I'm not against her being a redguard, (just surprised she has that model) but if we go down that route, then like Faulgor says, I think she should be darker, so as to represent the night.

AefionBloodclaw

Just finished the MQ, and yeah it was pretty decent. I applaud the writers and artists, as usual the coding/programming is pretty sub par. Feedback:

* The Tutorial was pretty terrible. Morrowind's tutorial was much better, it got you invested more whereas this one was just too boring and uninspired.

* The coding/programming needs work. Half the time when the NPCs are talking, they face the wrong direction to the person they're talking to.

* The animation of Mephaha appearing in a swarm of spiders, that was awesome.

* It was great being able to go to the different Daedric realms, the diversity in locations was pretty decent.

* Nocturnal looks terrible. Seriously bland. Having a hood makes her look bald, you need to put her hair coming out. Her boss fight at the end was a bit repetitive.

* I just saved all of reality and for a reward I get basically a staff, some gold, a ring and a psijic chest style which will cost me 1000 gold to apply. Can we please get a better reward, these items are pretty much just useless, I'll just break them down and use the mats so essentially, I didn't really get any reward at all. A pet, a mount, a furnishing, an outfit, tattoo or something permanent like that would be much better I feel.

* Haven't played Clockwork City yet with Sotha Sil so I don't know if it's the same voice actor but to me he sounds way too much like Vivec. I guess its too late to do a re-recording, but in future can you please not just re-use the same voice actors for important god-like figures.

* Darien's book at the end was a nice touch.

Overall not bad, I think my standards are pretty high but yeah a pretty decent story.

feyii

I completed the Summerset main quest yesterday with a new character. Here are some of my thoughts on it.

First of all, the main quests are much longer than in Morrowind, which I like a lot! One of my main complaints for the Morrowind main quest was that if you did nothing but the main quest it was extremely short. For Summerset, every single quest of the main quest line is rather long, which gives you the feeling of actually having done something in the end, even without doing side quests.
But you should definately warn people to do as many side quests as possible before doing the last of the main quests in Alinor, for the best ending experience.

I like the story in general and most of the characters in it. Some parts feel wrong, though. The following things feel most off for me.

First of all, at the end of "Lost in Translation", Oriandra references things in her dialogue which we have never told her before and only got to know ourselves in the Evergloam, because that was, where the Ritemaster remembered them and told us. Since he doesn't come back from there, she couldn't possibly have known them. If her dialogue stays that way, it makes her highly suspicious, in my opinion, even if unwarranted.

And the one thing I'm most opposed to is the identity of Nocturnal's Earl. She should only be there (and it would make sense) under one condition, and a new character, who does Summerset first, definately doesn't meet that condition.

Even if her true name is never revealed, the little we get to know of her background and her voice are too fitting, to make her anyone else but Veya. And I would only want to see Veya in that role, if my character has completed the Balmora questline and Veya survived. Even if she did not survive, I would find it a good explanation that Nocturnal brought her back. But even in that case Balmora should have been completed first. Under every other circumstance, her presence in Summerset just feels wrong. Giving her a different (cover) name, doesn't really make it ok, at least not for people who know the Balmora story.
In the same regard, I don't want to see any page of "Veya's Private Journal" in Summerset, unless the same condition is met. If I played Morrowind afterwards, it would only get more confusing.
As a side note, I only ready the first Journal page, and since it was a new character, I didn't have Eidectic Memory, so couldn't reread the others I found afterwards, without searching for them again. Maybe they give an explanation, which I just don't know yet, but all in all I still think the Earl should be someone who is without doubt not Veya.

I feel that you get the story - in general over all of ESO - more and more mixed up and nonsensical with each new content, by allowing players to do the story lines in the order they want (or they don't know about any order and just choose at random).

In my opinion it would be great if the main quest lines had to be played in a certain order and only side quests could be done anytime. The only things that should be allowed in parallel are the main quests of the different alliances. That way the storytelling wouldn't suffer.

Aside from that I'm rather happy with the main quest. Just sad that - as often in Elder Scrolls games - some of my favourite characters have to die.

But I also agree with some of the others here that there are a lot of open questions at the end. But that might be content for the future.

LadyNerevar

TiaFrye wrote: »

LadyNerevar wrote: »

Since we're talking about continuity - Iacheris mentions that Sotha Sil warned them about the Daedric invasion, but the character I'm playing on has not played Clockwork City. Is that a continuity error or a quest conditions bug? Or is there an explanation for it (I've not yet completed the main quest, but don't care about spoilers)

There was a confused reaction from a player after that in dialogue, so it’s kind of not a bug then? The Golden Knight mentions that his future appearance in new players’ past is because of the fact that time flows differently in Oblivion, but I’m not sure if it works for this issue specifically. CWC had no such issues with time. Or does it now?
ZOS’ answer is needed.

It's still going to be really out of place if I finish Summerset and stop the Daedric threat, then go do Clockwork City, which ends with Sotha Sil being liberated going off to tell Summerset about the impending threat that I just stopped

TiaFrye

LadyNerevar wrote: »

TiaFrye wrote: »

LadyNerevar wrote: »

Since we're talking about continuity - Iacheris mentions that Sotha Sil warned them about the Daedric invasion, but the character I'm playing on has not played Clockwork City. Is that a continuity error or a quest conditions bug? Or is there an explanation for it (I've not yet completed the main quest, but don't care about spoilers)

There was a confused reaction from a player after that in dialogue, so it’s kind of not a bug then? The Golden Knight mentions that his future appearance in new players’ past is because of the fact that time flows differently in Oblivion, but I’m not sure if it works for this issue specifically. CWC had no such issues with time. Or does it now?
ZOS’ answer is needed.

It's still going to be really out of place if I finish Summerset and stop the Daedric threat, then go do Clockwork City, which ends with Sotha Sil being liberated going off to tell Summerset about the impending threat that I just stopped

Yeah. It only makes sense (tiniest sense to be honest) if Evergloam somehow suddenly bleeds through in CWC during the invasion or something like that. Still cheesy.
I’ll agree with one of the commentators above about restricting access to MQ of all story aligned DLC, make it possible to start only in the right order, even after that some of the dev’s work with multiple layers of recognition by NPC goes to nothing. Or at least laziest of explanations by Sil himself, maybe re-use dialogue records from CWC someone mentioned earlier about “early or, perhaps, late”. I actually miss those days when angry mobs with level higher than yours kept your story progress in correct order.

mnb1558

I have also encountered the issue where I had to go back and now cannot get past Mephala's barrier because the option does not appear. Logging out doesn't fix it. I tried to submit an in-game bug report but the "submit" button the report isn't working either.

bohemiantea

Wanted to chime in and say that as of yesterday I too had also been experiencing quest marker/reaction delays as well. In the case of the basement of the Monastery and the pearl, it led to some confusion as, with another player ahead of me, the pearl was basically taken care of before my Valisenn (sp? the Psijic sage) had even reacted and another set of monsters respawned. Fortunately I was still able to move forward with the quest, but it was confusing as to what the heck had happened before I figured it out.

Also: the Kinlady's racism being used as a cover for genocide and sacrifices was really disturbing.

Ajaxcat

mnb1558 wrote: »

I have also encountered the issue where I had to go back and now cannot get past Mephala's barrier because the option does not appear. Logging out doesn't fix it. I tried to submit an in-game bug report but the "submit" button the report isn't working either.

If you mean the first set of webs after you kill two of mephala's guards, I have that problem too. I logged out the other night. Started today going through with the ritemaster (quest is forgotten memories or something like that) - I could not burn through mephala's web wards this time. There was no option. I ended up transporting myself to a way station (no other way out of the building) and probably abandoning the quest. I relegated myself using an older character and doing side quests for now.
I did manage to open a /bug though with a screenshot.

Llyn.Quennel

thetookybird wrote: »

In The Tower Sentinels quest there is a invisiblity/non-interactable bug.

Upon entering the Sapiarch College Labyrinth my character is invisible, as is the quest NPC that is required to speak with to further the quest. The dialogue option is there to speak to her, but it will not respond when toggled.
I cannot interact with my combat keys, or swap weapons.
Enemies are also invisible, but can attack me. I cannot initiate combat, or attack back.
Reloading ui, leaving the area and re-entering, and fully restarting the game have not worked.

I also tried to send a ticket, but the Submitting Ticket notification window is stuck on "Submitting..."

(To add: Exiting the area, my character does reappear. It is only in the Labyrinth that this issue happens)

I'm running into this situation as well. Once I left the Labyrinth, the two tickets I had submitted. Also had extremely long load time, and all other PCs that entered the room were black, like they were still being rendered. This makes it impossible to continue in the main Questline for me.

Edit: After doing some testing, I can attack and switch weapons, but talking with Valsirenn just doesn't happen.

Edit 2: I literally hung out and fought a few enemies for about ten minutes, THEN she finally loaded. Seems like a memory leak or something in this area.

Enodoc

The Queen's Decree
All of the dialogue and background surrounding this quest makes it seem like the Monastery is closed down and off-limits. One of the monks even says the others will raise the alarm if they see you. However, the monastery itself is open without any restrictions, and while the monks and guards will complain if they see you, nothing comes of it. Either the monastery should be made a Restricted Area (Trespassing), or the references to it being off-limits should be removed.

StormRaven

These are my thoughts on issues experienced after my wife and I completed a play through of the first quest from start through to K'Tora's Mindscape using freshly created characters. The entirety of the time was played in Summerset My wife also has her own Beta access account. I also understand that some of these issues may be unique to the beta server and does not reflect what will be going into production.

1st thing I noticed is that the Item & gold drops are scarce. For instance: A boss fight in the Sinkhole yielded 18 gold and a vial of grease. K'Tora himself only dropped 4 gold. Period. The lack of drops, coupled with a distinct lack of gold produced, and lack of shops make it extremely difficult for new players to get gear more suited to their "class". I played a Templar, my wife a Nightblade. The starting greatsword we each received was fine and suitable for my character's play-style, but is in no way suitable for her stealthy stam-blade. The entire time we played the only weapons I received was a single handed war ax and a two handed mace. My wife received no other weapons on her own. I gave her the single handed ax.

2nd point of note that I call a design bug: The rock formation at the Abyssal Geyser Rellenthil is not designed well. Players can easily get stuck in the formation if they miss a jump from the top. First my wife got into the situation accidentally, I followed suit deliberately. She was eventually able to free herself from the situation by jumping repeatedly, however, I'm guessing my character was built with larger stature, I was stuck and no amount of jumping was getting me out of it. I had to use the 'Help> Get unstuck' option to recall to a Wayshrine. My wife also wants me to note that she finds this method of getting unstuck sub-par design, suggesting that the option should move the character in the direction of open space with feet aligned to ground. I personally don't mind the Nearest Wayshrine option; however would suggest that the 45 gold "penalty" be removed when this option is used. I understand that it could be ripe for abuse by players to fast travel without spending coin, but at the same time, given the scarcity of item/gold drops, this may be more gold than a player may have to spend.

My third point is a personal issue with the writing, and is my (and my wife's) opinion, not necessarily a bug. Story Spoiler ahead:

The scene where Raz kills the Cannonreeve's son I found particularly out of character for Raz as he was written in the base game main line as well it completely takes the choice away from the player. Before the scene started I was expecting to have to chose conversation points between Justice and Compassion as has been done in other quests ("Perils of Diplomacy", "The Veiled Choice"). Instead the choice was made without consult, which to me breaks the flow when compared to other quest-lines.

My final point is regarding the colors used in K'Tora's Mindscape. It was harsh on the eyes and hard to look at. In addition, K'Tora himself blended in perfectly with the background. I wasn't always sure if I didn't see him because he burrowed into the ground at that moment, or if I just couldn't make out his shape and not getting the IFF highlight. In more cases than not, it was the latter. When my wife and I both died and rezzed, putting the fight into a standby state, I had trouble seeing K'Tora when he was just standing still waiting for the attacks to be made again. I went to my wife's system to help her get better equipped for the fight with some potions from the crown store, then I sat back at my system and seriously thought K'Tora dissapeared even though *my cursor was still right on his belly*! IMO, there's something very wrong with the colors if that happens.

Note again, these are just some of my thoughts on my first playthrough on the Beta.

One last request on a long standing issue my wife has had with the Controls, particularly if using the X-Box One controller (both on pc or x-bone). Players don't necessarily need to have quick slots on the dpad for the following: Emotes, Quest changing, or Perspective changing, (Default D-pad Right for Emotes & Quest and D-Pad Down for Perspective). For players that find the 3 default templates don't suit them, would it be possible to allow players to have full controller customization where players can set the buttons to a setup that works for their ability?

Thanks for listening to my rant!

Ebonney

SilverIce58 wrote: »

ZOS_JasonBarnes wrote: »

SilverIce58,

Was this after the 2 Wraith of Crow (the winged skeleton bone creatures) were summoned that you hit this? Pinpointing the exact moment this occurs will help us track down where this might be breaking.

Also if you hop out of the instance area and head back to the Dreaming Cave for 15 minutes or so, it'll spin down and reset. So while you will have to run through the end instance part again, you won't have to re-do the entire quest chain. The good news is that this is what PTS is for!

As for everyone else, thank you for the feedback thus far! And to confirm as some people have called out, a large number of NPCs have several layers of various greetings and conversation options based on what your player character has done in the past.

It was right after she summoned the wraith of crows. They appeared, I took them out pretty fast, Valsirenn didn't summon a portal. And then we all stood there like dummies.

If I had known that I could reset the instance, I wouldn't have abandoned the quest, but I did. At least now I don't have to read the dialogue up til that point.

We went through and lost Darius on the first wraith of crow... without him, Nocturnal stands there waiting (it seems) to take his sword... and Valsirenn is also seeming waiting for that to happen to cast her portal. We went back tot he Dream Cave waited 15 minutes to reset the instance, and it worked/progressed as advertised.

SilverIce58

Ebonney wrote: »

SilverIce58 wrote: »

ZOS_JasonBarnes wrote: »

SilverIce58,

Was this after the 2 Wraith of Crow (the winged skeleton bone creatures) were summoned that you hit this? Pinpointing the exact moment this occurs will help us track down where this might be breaking.

Also if you hop out of the instance area and head back to the Dreaming Cave for 15 minutes or so, it'll spin down and reset. So while you will have to run through the end instance part again, you won't have to re-do the entire quest chain. The good news is that this is what PTS is for!

As for everyone else, thank you for the feedback thus far! And to confirm as some people have called out, a large number of NPCs have several layers of various greetings and conversation options based on what your player character has done in the past.

It was right after she summoned the wraith of crows. They appeared, I took them out pretty fast, Valsirenn didn't summon a portal. And then we all stood there like dummies.

If I had known that I could reset the instance, I wouldn't have abandoned the quest, but I did. At least now I don't have to read the dialogue up til that point.

We went through and lost Darius on the first wraith of crow... without him, Nocturnal stands there waiting (it seems) to take his sword... and Valsirenn is also seeming waiting for that to happen to cast her portal. We went back tot he Dream Cave waited 15 minutes to reset the instance, and it worked/progressed as advertised.

Nocturnal is supposed to take his sword? Everything stopped for me after i took the crows out by using his sword power.

nekoma45

Idk if this is normal or not but I noticed that in the main boss fight with the earl and nocturnal the earl seems to be over powered even for a level 16 Templar.

Lilyanne

I'm still doing it, I feel a bit slow. But I enjoy it the whole time. I had to take a break during the main quest because my character was too low and I couldn't beat someone to move on. I did some very well written side quests and fell in love with one of the characters. She's amazing and speaks what I think, haha, awesome girl. Can't wait to do more in the main quest though, I'm curious - especially now after I've read so much more here.

NikkiG

I'm pretty new to ESO (played for a couple of months) & hope I can offer a good reflection of how a new player experiences the game. I found the initial 'mind trap' tutorial section easy enough to follow, though very brief. Visually I was very disappointed, hated the pink/blue/purple colours - and I didn't understand I was meant to be in a 'mind trap' & the rest of it until I read these forums. It was not very clear that you could take loot from this section & new players may only come through with the sword. However, the steps to teach you the basics of combat are good & necessary, I think I played through Skyrim on a console without fully understanding shield use & light/harder blows. Fortunately, as this section was brief, I was soon in Summerset - and yes! this was what I was expecting! The weather and plants are gorgeous, the wildlife around the starting area charming & cute. I like the music - I found the main ESO soundtracks a little intrusive and disappointing after playing Skyrim. This is better & I would leave it on while adventuring. The incredible swells of the music in Skyrim add so much to the experience, that I was expecting more of in this game. The name of the first city/town you come to 'Shimmerene' - a bit embarrasing though. I'm female but I'm not six! It sounds like a 1950's lipstick.
I liked meeting up with Raz - I have encountered him in ESO & it gave me a little spark of pleasure when his name was mentioned, "oh Raz!", I thought "I know him". Great character, I didn't have any trouble finding him to contiue the story.
I turned on water reflections to high and sun rays. The game still ran well, only some slight catching/lagging when in Shimmerene moving through outdoor sectors, and a smaller amount of lag in the Waterworks on the way to Mother of Rats.
Mother of Rats is another cool character. Appears to have a hairy chest though, and a weird double vision effect on her wagging foot.
When logging in 22/4 Shimmerene & Russafeld Wayshrines' blue flames were missing. Completing the murder mystery at Russafeld I had two characters dressed in gold talking to me at once - I lost who was talking & what was being said. I travelled to find Alinor, on the way I met & completed Alamar's quest. There is a typo in the visual text (he speaks it correctly), "It was getting darker THAN", should be THEN.
Later I travelled to Artaeum...stunning! The visual effects, the scenery & domestic animals really have a beautiful impact. Plenty of people were just stood around in awe taking it all in, as I was on arrival. I was excited to be travelling to the secret place of the Psijjic Order, being familiar with them from Skyrim. I nevertheless think you are told plenty about them to understand their story & place in the lore on arrival in Summerset.
I will just add - the library! fantastically designed space, such a shame there was not more to read than one book though.