Reviews of The Elders Scrolls Online: High Isle

The Elder Scrolls series is certainly very well known to fans of the RPG genre. How could it be otherwise, because he has been with us since 1994. However, prior to the release of The Elder Scrolls Online, this was a purely single-player mode. Eight years ago, the MMORPG was an iteration that, despite the birth pains, eventually managed to find a large gaming community. Chapter 6 saw the light of day last week, this time subtitled High Isle, which is an introduction to the planned year-round content delivery, Legacy of Bretons. The new adventure takes us to a beautiful island that, despite the relatively outdated visuals, is a pleasure to look at. But don’t be fooled by the peaceful environment, because the danger that awaits you as an adventurer is definitely not to be taken lightly.

• Platform: PC (peer review), PS4, PS5, X1, XSX | S, Mac
• Publication date: 8. 6. 2022
• Producer: Zenimax Online Studios
• Genre: MMORPG
• Czech location: Not
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Data to download: 85 GB
• Game time: 30+ hours
• Price: from about 980 to 1980 CZK (couples)

Omnipresent intrigues and intrigues

On High Isle, a beautiful new zone, a political event is approaching that will have a great impact on all of Tamriel. The leaders of the three warring factions are sailing to a peace meeting to be held on the islands. However, none of them will come. Instead, their ships are wrecked in a mysterious storm, and everything points to the fault of the so-called Ascended Order, a power-hungry order. So the big search can begin. On a new adventure, we follow in the footsteps of Tamriel’s leaders who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The crime rate on the islands is on the rise, and the Supreme Order is raising its claws in an attempt to take the government for itself. During the search, you will meet acquaintances from the previous chapters and several funny situations will arise. Game of Thrones fans can rejoice. The level of intrigue is really high this time around and the trust doesn’t pay off. The detective form of the story is good for the game, and despite the slow start, I was not bored.

Business formula with experience

The Elder Scrolls Online (TESO) has come a long way since its release. Initially a not-so-well-received MMORPG, it has become a world many gamers would like to return to within eight years. The game is based on an annual release of chapters, which is then followed by a year-round supply of new DLC and supporting content. The creators call this formula an adventure for a year (A Year Long Adventure). TESO itself can be played without a subscription fee, but if you want to have access to all the content, you can’t help but pay. The so-called ESO Plus is a form of subscription, thanks to which you have access to all published expansions, except for the last chapter.

The game is based on an annual release of chapters.

All DLCs can also be purchased with Crowns, the in-game currency that can be purchased with real money. However, the main attraction of the subscription is the part of the inventory in which materials can be stored – the so-called Craft Bag. Without ESO Plus, working with space is really annoying and I don’t really like this approach. Luckily, we won’t find any pay for winning drives here. I recommend a subscription to potential job seekers, as for about 350 kr you will get a huge amount of content that will take you hundreds to thousands of hours to complete. If you like some DLCs so much that you are ready to pay money for them, you will definitely use the Crowns that you receive in the subscription price. Good concession.

Slightly rusty classic

I have always treated TESO in a completely different way than regular MMORPGs. Usually a woman for the best equipment and a raid several times a week are not alien to me, but in the case of the work of the creators of Zenimax Online Studios, everything is exactly the opposite. The game directly encourages you to explore every corner and can often be really exciting. I often find myself wandering around the world and do not dare that a stronger weapon or armor is falling somewhere. This approach is supported by the fact that, unlike the vast majority of MMO games, TESO respects the time of its players. For example, if you do not play for a year or two, this does not automatically mean that your character will become weak and he will have to restore all his strength.

High Isle directly encourages exploration.

Personally, I have been using the same set of armor and weapons for two years now, and in the new chapter I did not have the slightest problem. At least in terms of story and side quests. However, there is a certain ailment. The game outside of Trials (similar to raids) is grotesquely simple in places. If you go through the chapter not as a new character, but as an experienced adventurer who often got an arrow in the knee, you will go through the enemy like a knife through butter. During the fights, I practically didn’t have to try, which I consider a big minus. However, this does not apply to new players. The creators should rework this experience and make it more balanced.

In addition to the new storyline, which this time was really successful, there are also numerous side tasks. If you decide to do just about everything on the High Isle data disk, have about thirty hours of your time ready. You will explore caves, dungeons and all sorts of corners of the new zone. The new Trial is Thundersail Reef, which, in the spirit of piracy, will hurt your skills and you’ll need eleven other companions to conquer it. However, it seems to me that this chapter gives the name MMORPG short play time. Thirty hours is more suitable for singles, but since this is the beginning of the Breton Legacy, and TESO has been practicing this formula for years, I’m not surprised.

Do you like playing cards?

In addition to the above, the new chapter also offers several new features. The most significant is the implementation of the Tales of Tribute card game, in which you can challenge both players and NPCs, and it also has a quest line connected to it. You can earn cards all over the world, from which you can then add a game deck. It’s more or less a classic. You can get various rewards for victory, such as furniture for the house or transmutation stones. If you like card games, you will love Tales of Tribute. Last year’s Blackwood chapter introduced the companion system. This time, the Khajiit mage Amber and the knight Isobel Velois will join their ranks.

World events have been enriched by the so-called volcanic vents, which, for my taste, are too similar to previous events (Dolmens, etc.). This time, you will try to stop the volcanic eruptions that plague the High Isles. A little more creativity wouldn’t hurt here. Of course, there are also new sets of equipment and legendary items, which are often, unfortunately, rather annoying to acquire. This is due to the fact that the so-called Leads – traces of their search, are locked in chests that form crowds of players. Unfortunate design.

Tooth of time signed

TESO has been working with us for many years. Unfortunately, during this time it is significantly outdated. I’m mainly talking about the visual side, which is often oily, unsalted. The game would benefit from a new graphical environment, because the design of the zones is clearly tempting for this. If I had to pick one thing that the creators of Zenimax Online Studios did really brilliantly, it would probably be the architecture of Tamriel. Castles and towns have a good time with the high fantasy genre that is inherent in The Elder Scrolls. However, the feeling of immersion is spoiled by the ubiquitous gray color and fuzzy colors. I would rather not even mention faces and facial expressions. This problem can be solved with the so-called ReShade, which is a program that can be improved with minor color adjustments. You can also play around with Nvidia filters. But definitely don’t expect changes like in Modified Skyrim.

Solid Adventure

The new chapter, The Elder Scrolls Online, stands out mainly for its well thought out storyline. Everything else remains the same. Unfortunately, if you were expecting some major changes, I must disappoint you. If you like TESO as much as I do, you’ll love the High Isle expansion. The story, intertwined with intrigue and intrigue, has a slow start, but if you give it a chance, you won’t regret it. Secondary content uses a template proven over the years, and news in the form of other partners or non-original world events does not enrich it much in any way. All lovers of collectible card games can brush up on their tactical thinking and head to Tales of Tribute. If you’ve never played TESO before, try the base game first. The emphasis on single player should not suit everyone. If you’re a veteran, you definitely play High Isle, and I wish you the best of luck as you travel across Tamriel, a world that definitely deserves our attention.