ESO - A Perfect Experience

Sarenia

I made my third character a couple days ago. After getting a taste of the other two alliances, I went with Aldmeri Dominion. The scenery is quite otherworldly, and the quests (if you pay attention to them) often seem to have been influenced by an acid trip.

I'm not prone to glowing praise, if something seems broken from a mechanical perspective, I speak up about it. But everything that has been broken, has already been overtly addressed by @ZOS_MattFiror‌ in a "ESO State of the Game Address", so I see no point in belaboring any of that. Instead, I think a pat on the back to ZOS is appropriate right now.

What I wanted to praise is the storyline thus far, the seamless transition from "single player story mode" to "large battle MMO mode" throughout the storyline, and the utter lack of bots I've encountered along the way since my newest adventure began.

Thus far, in the past couple of days, I have yet to find a dungeon sullied by a pile of bots. I'm sure they're still around, but I can only surmise ZOS has been Wabbajack'ing them into Oblivion with great abandon.

Also recently, I have yet to find myself alone on a quest where I feel there should be other players. Likewise, every time I've felt I should be alone with my character as the center of the action, I've been dropped into my own phase. As I play, I really feel like I'm affecting real changes in Tamriel, but also just one of many adventurers changing the world. This would not be possible without the perfect balance of single player and multiplayer components.

Maybe it's a fluke, but I'd like to think ZOS has been refining things in the backend. My experience with the phasing system the past couple of days has been nothing short of elegant.

I was on the fence whether I'd want to play this game long term. I've liked it since beta, and liked it enough to pre-order, but wasn't sure it would have lasting power for me. After these recent experiences, my mind is made up. Now I'm hoping they add a lifetime subscription option, because I'm here to stay.

Alurria

I love it I think all the bots should be turned into pants less Nords and the wabbajacked! Nice post I think as they move forward things will smooth out, looking forward to new content patches. Nice job ZOS I'm here to stay.

grillepainman

Finally a positive feed back! Keep it up! I too love it! I'm here to stay!

Srugzal

Finally, an awesome post that deserves the term. Well said, with a lot of insight into the game. What the OP describes here, folks, is the essence of the innovation that ESO has brought to the MMO universe--slipstreaming in and out of the multiplayer/single player worlds seamlessly.

And it will only get better, as more and more of the problems are fixed, and more and more of the players get it. This may not be everyone's game, but for those who want this mix, it's an amazing ride.

Brava, @Sarenia‌.

Auldjohn

@Sarenia‌

Awesome post deserves an awesome vote.

If ZOS offers a Senior Discount on a Lifetime Subscription, count me in! (Fixed income permitting.)

Dayel

Agreed on all points, I have been amazed at how fast things have been repaired, and have encountered bots precisely once. When I have asked a question of Customer Service the replies have been prompt and helpful.

Altheina

While I do agree with OP with the engaging storyline TESO offers, I would shy away from calling it 'perfect experience' for the sole reason that there are still room for improvements(there will always be) be it in the storyline department or anything else such as how the npc reacts alongs the story telling itself.

Of course one can argue that I'm asking too much but this is what mmo world is all about-ever changing, ever evolving into something for the sake of the betterment of the game itself.

Tandor

I agree with everything the OP says. I've spent the last few weeks wondering whether I was playing the same game as all the naysayers given that I simply haven't seen the myriad of problems they've been reporting. For me there's still only been the one bugged quest that was fixed by abandoning/re-taking it, and an occasional failed log-in that is fixed by a second attempt.

I accept that I haven't advanced as far in the game as the naysayers, but then with any new game there's always an advantage in taking one's time and letting any teething troubles get sorted by the time you reach them, and if that's what ZOS have been doing quietly in the background then all praise to them.

I think the whole phasing concept is exceptionally well implemented, the gameworld looks beautiful in all three alliance areas, and the questing/crafting/skill systems are all very well designed. Overall I think it's a nigh on perfect blend of single-player Elder Scrolls and conventional MMORPG, and I'm certainly sticking around long-term!

Kudos ZOS!

Silkesh

+1 OP.

I also enjoy playing TESO a lot. It is a nice mix between Skyrim and a MMO and it is very well done and polished. And the story^^: I went through an amazing and very long quest last night that I will always remember, so vibrant, with cruel choices to be made. And the ending was perfectly written. :-)
Of course, the negative nancies will always find something to criticize, but they are hauting the forums of all MMOs these days.

For years, I have been playing multiple games at a time to avoid burnout, but with TESO, I play one game exclusively and like it a lot. Monogam...ing at last, some will say lol.
I only encountered a single bug during the tutorial: but it was solved by updating my graphic card drivers (a long due update, I should have known better) and since then, the game runs like a charm.
I frequently take the time to send a report when I see a bot or a gold spammer but there seems to be less and less of them.
I must admit that I play more solo then grouping, but knowing the option to group is available at any moment is a nice feeling. The fact that there is no obvious distinctive signs between a player and a NPC also increases the feeling of exploring a living world.

Thanks ZOS for this amazing game and keep on the good work.

tengri

Mostly agree with OP.
There is but one small flaw in this whole questing system: the temptation to just click through some dialog is enormous.
I do not want to do it, I really try hard to not do it - and still it happens at times.

Mostly because there are no significant alternative options worth to consider (no real need for an "informed decision" - click through everything and the quest tracker leads you exactly where you need to be and what to do... yes, there are a few "moral choices" - but again with no consequences and in the end you always get the goodies). Note to self: need more self discipline to slow down. A lot more.

Or because I am in a unsafe area and afraid something would hit me while I am listening/reading...
This also because I am actually starting to hate loathe other ppl: as in that their actions (e.g. unintentionally dragging mobs my way, picking up the items I need, already KILLING MY BOSS around the corner without me even seeing him - god I hate that one!) would get me in trouble if I am not fast enough and take my time with the dialogs.

Apart from those... annoyances.
Yes, awesome game. Truly well done!