I really enjoyed the side quests overall, the main story however... I have not been conquered.

As people have already said the new RP choices are a nice addition but aside from those choices it feels as though we are unable to recall important, noteworthy people/events. I understand that in some cases it's because it's been awhile and they want to fill the player in, but to me it's at times done in such a way that it doesn't feel like my character or even the npcs that do the exposition themselves are really involved in the world.
Kind of when at some point Gabrielle mentioned Vanus repeatedly with his full government name as if to hammer the famous/important character's name in the player's mind when one in an actual conversation would merely say "Vanus"/"Vanus' staff" for brevity/because realistically everyone knows who we're refering to, ect.. Things like that among others made it feel like the characters are removed, made to visibly become the author's mouth piece to ensure that the player keeps up. They seem like they are no longer a "living, breathing, feeling" individual aware/evolving in their environment.

Also, maybe it'll be revealed at a later date, but I'm perplexed by how they got mannimarco's body and soul to begin with. Molag Bal's Anchor litteraly smashed a crater in the floor back in Sancre tor to reap Mannimarco back then.
If the remains weren't vacuumed along the soul at that time, I really don't think there'd be much if anything left for cultists to gather as Walks in Ash (iirc) is shown to -admittedly- speculate as a way to try to iron out the groundwork of the story for the players.
I also don't know how the hell she knows that my character defeated mannimarco at sancre tor. We never told anyone as far as I know and only the companions were there -Lyris, Sai, Abnur with the prophet being filled in after the mission.
We'll see, maybe it's yet another scheme from the Prince of schemes; and he either did suck both soul and body and is now repurposeing what he's gathered of mannimarco instead of just torturing the guy..

There's also the colored room mission, why the hell were mannimarco's remains -or at least sarcophagus- and soul there ? Why did gabrielle make it feel like the cult could use "The GIft Of Death" without even having the thing in their own hands ?

It felt the relic somehow worked like a genie lamp that for some reason got activated and people were rushing to yell out their wish before one another.
The cult was seemingly preparing the ritual in Meridia's Realm with 'Marco's BODY -again sarcophogus at least- AND SOUL being there somehow ???
They were getting busy with the ritual almost as soon as they got teleported in there whilst not having the relic in hand to activate when the relic is supposed to be absolutely necessary to call "Marco's soul back -which is supposed to be in an OTHER DAEDRIC princes's particularly tight/vengeful clutches/realm- ???
Then, granting that, if Gabrielle's exchange went through, which clearly happened first and also apparently altered the nature of relic as to now being unuseable by the cult to control their font of power back on eastern solstice, how did 'Marco's soul get called back aswell ? We can't say that Wormblood was willfully handing his soul, no one was shown to offer theirs and he didn't seem amenable to even possession yelling "Wait I'm not the Vessel !" whilst the other cultist were still alive maintaining their ritual...
Alas Mannimarco was already there talking which indicated to me that he was somehow present in the colored rooms even DURING the fight with Farinor which we actually hear supplicate a master (Wormblood or 'Marco) to bring her back when she dies. Then I could understand it as being the reason for 'Marco's soul having been called back due to the 1-1 condition of the relic but the chronology wouldn't work.

As gold road stressed, unless a particularly powerful and specialized artefact is used like idk the skein/Abolisher/Lamp which would here be "The Gift of Death" is used, or some anchor like The Hollow City has been anchored in cold harbour, links between daedric realms, power/influence from another daedric prince can't happen at all or for long in another's territory. That make me think that either Meridia's realm somehow has it's own Molag Balesque pied-à-terre in it, or "The gift of Death" is the reason for the pathway to call back 'Marco's soul from Cold Harbour to The Colored rooms, and since the relic has not been used true to it's stated conditions... I'm.. perplexed.

I just think the writing isnt very appealing..

Syldras wrote: »

ArchMikem wrote: »

...considering I'm playing thru Skyrim right now and just recently met the boarding house Woman who's a Dibella worshipper, that Quest sounds 110% child friendly, compared to how she was "worshipping" her way around Riften.

Indeed. Everything was really harmless and I found the moral undertones (we couldn't even comment on in dialogue) very strange. There's generally a lot of morals this time (the quests ending with some "today I learned..." dialogue, as I mentioned; even the Corelanya Manor quest, that I enjoyed overall, had a bit of that), and while I don't even disagree with the statements made there, it just feels strange for a game intended for adults and that takes place in an imperfect world full of conflicts. Although what probably bothers me most is that it's spelled out so bluntly instead of letting the player come to their own conclusions, for themselves.

@Syldras sorry for the ping but I urge to let you know why I appreciated a lot that quest instead: Did you know you could talk again with the characters after quest is completed? They'll invite you to talk to them in Sunport. You can find 3 near the inn and the bank and they have more interesting dialogues. The one who returns in the tent... Well, you can go inside again and talk to her for a new dialogue.

Having read all dialogues I see it not as a "moral lesson" that forces you to take Dibella's part, but as wanting to let the players reflect and take their own perspective on the matter, which is very related to religious themes. It really does NOT push Dibella, instead it shows alternative points of view, and after speaking with everyone you'll reason within yourself - "there is no clear winner", which is often the case in the TES universe and one big reason for the love people have for this series. (It's absolutely tangled with one real world situation)

Anyway - too soon to review the whole zone since half is still missing but I have really enjoyed it so far!

Syldras wrote: »

SkaiFaith wrote: »

@Syldras sorry for the ping but I urge to let you know why I appreciated a lot that quest instead: Did you know you could talk again with the characters after quest is completed? They'll invite you to talk to them in Sunport. You can find 3 near the inn and the bank and they have more interesting dialogues.
The one who returns in the tent... Well, you can go inside again and talk to her for a new dialogue.

Yes, I'm aware of that and it didn't change my opinion. Actually it made me miss an option to tell these characters (at least the three Dibellans who returned to the city) my character's opinion on this whole issue even more. To him, they still sound like insane fanatics who somehow completely lack self-awareness (Like, coming from who-knows-where to a foreign island to proselytize, and then being astonished the natives won't let you paint murals of your foreign cult on the city walls? Really?). He saved them for one reason only: He was curious to take a look at Sanguine's realm anyway, and fishing a few manikins out on the way back and getting some reward for that seemed like a good deal. To me it was disappointing that we now have, in principle, different dialogue options, but there, where it would have been interesting, we got no such choice - while we did get dialogue options in situations where it had so much less meaning and didn't actually matter. It just felt like a missed opportunity.

SkaiFaith wrote: »

Having read all dialogues I see it not as a "moral lesson" that forces you to take Dibella's part, but as wanting to let the players reflect and take their own perspective on the matter

But is there even much to think about? The whole presupposition feels trivial. I personally prefer to ponder about, well, more complicated topics than "Excess bad or not?" and would love to see a return of the tragedies and moral dilemmas of the base game and the earlier chapters. Maybe you remember the "Murder in Lillandril" quest - that was a real tragedy where it's clear a catastrophe can not be avoided, but what would be the less horrible outcome? It took into consideration so many different topics: different cultural values, freedom, remembrance, truth vs lies, sacrifice,... And it was an example of a love story written really well, much more complex than everything we saw within the last few years where people seem to be attracted to someone's looks only and that's it; nothing beyond that.

Maybe that's the main aspect that makes it feel like some strange lesson: Any adult person will already have formed an opinion about this topic. I'm not even 40 yet, but I also have, about 25 years ago. So who would need such an "exercise in reflexion"? Maybe young teens who think about the issues of adult life for the first time. But this is a game for adults, if we go by the age ratings. So the whole thing feels somehow out of place.

SkaiFaith wrote: »

It really does NOT push Dibella, instead it shows alternative points of view, and after speaking with everyone you'll reason within yourself - "there is no clear winner"

I honestly don't get why there would be a "winner"? The question whether to indulge in excess or not, or how much so, is an individual decision. I make that decision about my own life, others make one about theirs. "Problem" solved. It's called tolerance.

"It's called tolerance" - Something we are not seeing in today's world and which we would very much need lessons on XD
But I was not talking just about that... I don't want to derail the conversation so I would not go further than saying it is about theocracy, the "rule of love", the persuasions, the authority, keeping distances, and many things that not every person think much about. If you did deep thoughts about it good on you! But I wouldn't discard the topic's value. Especially when I appreciate the fact it was handled in a way that let freedom of thought to the player, not pushing in either direction.

I haven't purchased it, and I'm not sure I ever will.

Punches_Below_Belt wrote: »

Of course I don’t know the complete story but my impression is that part two will be focused more on Argonians and Coldharbor. Which for me begs the question, was the sole point of the high elves in this part to keep it from being an “Argonian” chapter/season?

There is nothing in the story that in anyway necessitates the presence of the high elves in solstice. Nothing of interest is done with the two cultures interacting.

The high elf contingent just seems like a strange, unnecessary addition dropped in for some external reason that has nothing to do with the story.

I've seen some people confused about why this zone is relevant in the way it is done with Corelania Elves and how they are presented, being kinda "on top" of argonians.

There's an optional dialogue with Prince Azah that narrates when and how Corelania Elves came here - 1st Era, exiled from Hammerfell by the Ra Gada because they practiced necromancy to let the redguards fight against their own ancestors, sacrilegious.

If this piece of lore isn't a setting up for TES6: Hammerfell I would be surprised. To me it screams "TES6 WILL BE IN 1ST ERA!" Since we already "know" it will be in Hammerfell. (How cool would that be?!)

I think this whole setting, showing that Corelania Elves "colonizers" acted in fact badly and that they are now kinda trying to change is relevant information in light of the possible TES6 story - Players who don't know TESO could play TES6 as their first game of the series and only then decide to try ESO. For them it I'll be extremely cool to see references here, as it will be for us when TES6 will come out and we'll get how much we've been teased.

someone can visit -and play - previous chapters like Morrowind, Elsweyr, Summerset even Skyrim and do quests there

then ,go to Solstice -yes its only half- and compare the content...... its like playing another game

Syldras wrote: »

SkaiFaith wrote: »

There's an optional dialogue with Prince Azah that narrates when and how Corelania Elves came here - 1st Era, exiled from Hammerfell by the Ra Gada because they practiced necromancy to let the redguards fight against their own ancestors, sacrilegious.

He tells a very skewed story about what has been descbribed in lore already years ago: How the Ra Gada colonized Hammerfell, which was at that point inhabited by Altmer and Goblins only, in what they called "warrior waves". They slaughtered all goblins and raided and destroyed the Altmer cities. The Corelanya used necromancy in a desperate attempt to defend themselves, but failed, and had to flee their homeland.

It's interesting how it's justified by several characters as okay because "necromancy bad". Obviously then invading another country, destroying cities and murdering people, including women, children and the elderly, is no big deal.

@metheglyn Look, Prince Azah's propaganda is already working. Maybe you should reconsider asking him about it - if you've found a way to keep it friendly.

Been thinking more about it, that's for sure!

Syldras wrote: »

ArchMikem wrote: »

But I still didn't take easily to the idea the Elves want to coexist with the native Argonians. They built Sunport ON TOP OF the foundations of a Xanmeer.

Were they given up before or not (I think there was a lore bit about how most Argonians gave up living in Xanmeers)? I think that makes the whole difference. Because for some cultures, a given-up structure is a given-up structure and they don't care what happens with it or even appreciate reuse.

That's true for mainland Black Marsh at least. Partly due to a change in worship to Sithis. (From being feared to embraced) but it's mostly due to Argonians constant struggle building stone structures on constantly shifting swamp land. Eventually they abandoned them for more temporary dwellings they didn't have to worry about long term when it came to sinking into the ground.

The Solstice Saxhleel don't have those worries, the island is solid ground, and the eastern half of the island has an entire Tribe called the Stonenest. It would appear Duskfall didn't affect Solstice.

And from what I read of the new Lorebooks someone linked to me before Solstice launched on Console, the Corelanyas warred with the Natives for centuries before finally establishing an accord. I'd suspect those structures at Sunport were abandoned because of the Elves.

Does anyone else think the studio team might be experiencing burnout?

ArchMikem wrote: »

Does anyone else think the studio team might be experiencing burnout?

It's possible. Yearly chapters were a pretty ambitious goal, and could easily have led to burnout. Maybe the more flexible season system will help with that--if it works as intended.

My score is an average, because some quests I liked, others not so much (story-wise).

The weakest in the link is as always, the main quest of the DLC. Two of the most established guilds are being hammered by a fringe group of the defeated Worm Cult, which gathered enough resources and power to make Molag Bal jealous, all of this unseen, by the scrying eyes of the mages or the adventuring spirit of the fighters guild. With that on the menu, it's really hard to make a good dish.

Imagine Molag Bal had a hard time doing the planemeld, trying to get Nirn into Coldharbor, but this fringe group of Worm Cult remnants, are close to bring Coldharbor into Nirn!

My favourite quest on the island is Corelanya Manor. I liked it because of the superb aesthetics (dusty Alinor style, something new, and the great use of lighting), and the plot twists. Yeah, it's not Shakespeare, alright, but the bar was pretty low in the past few years.

I don't dislike the Argonians, but to be honest, they have been called to spice each chapter since Elsweyr, I think. The swamp-marsh biome is overused.

An other thing I disliked more than I liked, is the odd Nord village on an Argonian-Altmer island. I would have been way more interesting if the Nords accomodated some Xanmeer or elven ruin to live in, but seeing their Nord city was like having a bit of Skyrim in Summerset. I also really dislike how Nords are portrayed in this game: dumb drunks, simpletons, rude or just barbarians. I can't think of an inspiring Nord character in this game, aside from the Nord hero in the trailers, which isn't actually a character.

I also don't like how your hero doesn't have their veteran status recognized enough. My char is the vestige, not a mercenary, proxy, mainlander etc! There should be more dialogue lines for characters who did the old stories. You should have a checkmark in the zone menu if you are a returning player who wants to be reminded even the basic things. I don't like arriving to Solstice being sent by the Stirk fellowship, to have a dialogue option, who are the Stirk fellowship!

There is so much to be improved really. I just hope this time the devs are really working on something worthwhile. Because to me this zone is filler content. I gave a 7 because I am a fan for 10 years.

The story was a solid 8/10. I liked it quite a bit. I look at this as an entire package and it was worth the cost of admission. You got a lot for the money, including subclassing (I know it is included in base, but it took time money and effort to develop the system, no issues supporting it). The Solstice land is different enough from all the other locations to make it very interesting and Sunport is well designed City, I like it. Including all the pre-order stuff and other free content I really like this chapter in ESO. Don't expect them to hit it out of the ball park every year, no company can do that. In totality ESO is an exceptional value.

it still feels incomplete without the second part being out yet.

colossalvoids wrote: »

After getting the last pack as a gift decided to give it a go, but man... Maybe I was just unlucky but my first quests were a "revelry" in a tent and a sloth in a hat ones, I'm not sure I can proceed further as my patience for such things is paper thin now. If they thought that making everything and everyone goofy and dumb is the quirky and modern way of story telling I'll let them be and will be doing something else instead, that's definitely not what I was expecting even with my lower than ground expectations. That might just be two worst examples that I've just stumbled upon randomly but for some reason it makes me think other parts aren't that different. Thought of doing the main quest vanished quite quickly after that.

Those do happen to be two of the less interesting/serious quests out on the island, so I would say you got pretty unlucky. Overall, I would say the quests are a mixed bag. There are some that are much better than those two. The main quest suffers, in my opinion, for being only half a story at this point. It's not horrible, but it's very fast-paced and kind of abrupt in parts. And then, of course, your feelings about the npcs you're working with on the main quest might affect your enjoyment of it.