After absolutely hammering The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited PlayStation 4 beta virtually all weekend, we're actually a bit sad to see it go. Our jaunt back into Tamriel has been an enjoyable one, despite the fact that it never truly wowed us. Perhaps this is another case of keeping expectations relatively low, and coming out of the experience pleasantly surprised – we can't really say, but what we do know is that console players looking for a meaty massively multiplayer online time sink will definitely want to keep an eye on this one.
What probably impressed us most was just how accessible the whole thing is. By and large, many would-be MMO players are intimidated by steep learning curves, the need for online etiquette, and monthly subscription fees. It's refreshing, then, that The Elder Scrolls Online won't require the latter, and its action-based gameplay means that it's easy to pick up and play. The majority of the content that's on offer can be done alone, too, so there's no need to worry about finding allies and grouping up to progress through the story. Sure, this may seem a little counterintuitive for an MMO, but it's a design choice that stands firmly in line with the title's focus on accessibility.
As such, fans of Bethesda's fantasy franchise should feel right at home, since you're still able to go off on your own crazy adventures even though the game's clearly moulded around an MMO template. In that sense, this project's a strange one: it's not quite Skyrim with multiplayer, but it's certainly not your typical MMO, either. Indeed, The Elder Scrolls Online rests somewhere in the middle, incorporating elements from both camps, and in turn, stumbles across a surprisingly addictive formula.
We've got somewhat high hopes for the finished product, then, but how does it handle on the PS4? Starting with the controls, you have to imagine that, like Skyrim, it's a release which feels at home on a gamepad. Controlling your character is simple and intuitive, with the triggers acting as your basic battle actions while the face buttons are reserved for hotkey spells and abilities. It's yet another area that's been crafted with accessibility in mind, where half of your screen isn't taken up with rows of different attacks, bars, and numbers.
As for how the title looks, it's not bad – at least in its beta form. Sporting a coherent art style, a lot of diverse colours, and some neat texture work, it's looking pretty, but it's not quite as detailed or as intricate as fans may expect. Obviously, there's only so much that you can cram into an already gigantic world – especially when there are dozens of other players running around it – and although we can't see it getting much of an overhaul before its launch in a couple of months, what we've seen is enough to inspire confidence. Tamriel feels well made and interesting, and that's key when you're playing a game that promises so much content.
How well the MMO runs on Sony's console is another matter, however. We did notice some minor frame rate issues, and we did encounter one or two infinite loading screens when fast travelling, but if crashes and glitches were the bane of your adventures in Skyrim, then you'll be happy to know that we came across nothing of the sort in the beta. Largely operating on a different engine to prior games in The Elder Scrolls series, recurring problems thankfully aren't to be expected, and who knows, maybe our next single player Elder Scrolls journey will run equally well. Fingers crossed.
It's a shame, though, that we didn't get to sample the player-versus-player aspects of the release. Whether it was because of technical issues or simply due to such activities not being available at the time, we couldn't connect to the Cyrodiil battlegrounds – huge multiplayer wars that occur in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's setting. As you can imagine, these colossal battles are easily the title's most technically demanding events, so it'll be interesting to see just how well the PS4 copes with the strain of rendering hordes of players simultaneously hurling fireballs at each other.
Overall, we're looking forward to The Elder Scrolls Online's 9th June launch date. While we have an inkling that keeping our expectations reasonable and approaching the beta with an open mind helped paint our experience in a more positive light, we can all but guarantee that there'll still be plenty to like when the finished product hits store shelves. With no subscription fee and hours upon hours of solo, co-op, and multiplayer gameplay on offer, Zenimax Online Studios' creation could be a fantastic starting point for console owners who are even the least bit interested in MMOs.
Quest and combat gameplay (part 1):
Quest and combat gameplay (part 2):
General exploration gameplay:
What did you think of the beta? Are you impressed? Disappointed? Let us know if you're considering venturing into Tamriel this summer in the comments section below.
Comments 20
I loved it and agree that there weren't any real wow factors, I'm just happy it actually works, I haven't played any other Elder Scrolls games so I can't compare or complain about content. I'm really looking forward to this game, its probably going to be a time sink for the next couple of years at least. The 12 months of PC content will be much appreciated.
Depending on how they structure the Buy to Play model, I'll pick this up. Im not interested in a F2P game and I have FFXIV for my subscription game, so the verdicts out until I see what they end up doing to try and recoup costs. If its hats, or one time purchase content packs, thats fine, if its buying keys for chests that you find (like Neverwinter) then I'll pass.
@thedevilsjester its mostly just for extra missions etc, you also get crowns which are completely separate from gold and are completely non transferable, the crowns can only be used to buy aesthetic junk also @iDangerMouse_ I would say so, even if you don't hold onto it long-term like one might with an mmo, there's the three main story areas which I imagine would keep anyone busy for a long long time.
Sounds really good. Me liking mmo's and loving skyrim/Oblivion. I can see myself putting more hours into this than gta online which I have 7 days atm. Seems like so much to do, just hoping the pvp performs well and enough play it for some badarse battles.
I think it's odd that this "First Impressions" article also says "our final thoughts" right away.
@Quorthon Think its because they have already done two other articles on their first impressions of quests/combat and character progression I think.
I wasn't interested in this game but, since its free, I might as well take a dip.
@AyeHaley Just in case you don't know, it isn't free-to-play. It'll be a full priced game, it just doesn't have a subscription fee like many MMO titles.
Nice! Runs pretty smooth to me. Combat looks almost exactly the same as in ES Skyrim. That "red glow" around an enemy, is that some sort of "auto aim" or auto lock on thingy when an enemy is around your crosshair? Or do you have to press a button to lock on? Combat looks more tailored for controllers
@EWolf The red outline pops up automatically, and it only appears around enemies that you're currently looking at/have your crosshair over. This basically means that you'll auto-target whichever enemy you're focussed on.
As far as I'm aware, there's no way to lock on, but it's a pretty accurate system as it is, so it's not really a problem.
I've never played an mmo before so i'm quite interested in this
The combat video pretty much sold me on it. Thanks guys, your coverage gave me a good idea of what to expect.
Now to wait for the PS4 release
@Bad-MuthaAdebisi I'm absolutely fine with extra missions and such, its no different than DLC, so long as it takes more after LOTRO and less after Neverwinter (as far as what real money is needed for).
@ShogunRok Ok thanks.
Definitely looking forward to ESO. Already got some extra thumb grips!
Yep, I'm definitely going to get this. Loved Oblivion and Skyrim and I'm glad that you're not forced to join clans/groups. I much prefer a solo campaign.
Does anybody know of it has the possibility of joining the Dark Brotherhood and similar guilds? I also hope it has that quirky feel of the Oblivion and Skyrim games and you get the chance to do bizarre quests like jumping into a water-colour picture as you did in Oblivion or the talking dog in Skyrim or that mad blokes tea party you had to attend?
I'm really looking forward to EOS now after reading this review/
Well played this on PC for a while then stopped playing, monthly fee vanished and I went back and really loved the changes they had made, so I paid the £12.99 to have the PS4 version and my toons copied over so I can play with my PSN friends.
Can't wait, hope it deliver's i'm MMORPGless atm.
@ShogunRok and anyone else who's played both - how does the diversity in terms of environments, dungeons etc compare to something like FFXIV:ARR, which I thought did pretty well at spicing things up? I can't help but feel from all the stuff I've seen that a lot of the environments come across as overly samey, and the muted colour palette seems to give the whole thing quite a drab feel. Is this the case throughout? And is it as bad as it seems, or does it just need to be played to be appreciated? I know ARR can be a bit overly bright and colourful at times, but this just seems to be the opposite end of the spectrum entirely, almost dismally so!
Also, how is the soundtrack? From what I've heard the single player entries have had pretty decent ones, so hopefully the same is true here.
It seems a good amount of people think this is F2P?
I'm still undecided on getting it or not. The fact that you can go off on your own does make me feel better about the game.
@SteveButler2210 I'll say right now that it's not as pretty as FFXIV. The colours aren't as bright and vibrant, and the environments aren't as nice or as atmospheric. However, because ESO is just so huge, I suppose that's somewhat understandable. What's here is nicely designed in its own right, and there's definitely plenty of diversity.
For example, over the beta, I travelled from a snowy island to dusty shores, mud hut villages, bustling stone cities, a volcano, and massive open plains. It kept me interested, at least.
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