As a long-time Elder Scrolls Online player with countless hours spent exploring Tamriel, I was excited to dive into Gold Road, the latest expansion. Having experienced the One Tamriel update and its impact on questing and exploration, I was hoping for something truly innovative this time around.
10 years have passed since The Elder Scrolls Online made its grand debut, and throughout these years, we’ve experienced our fair share of ups and downs. With ESO’s birthday just around the corner, everyone was eagerly anticipating Gold Road, a potential masterpiece meant to commemorate this milestone. As it turns out, Gold Road is an excellent expansion in its own right, serving as a fitting sequel to Necrom, but it falls short of being the groundbreaking expansion fans were hoping for.
In the next chapter, titled “Necrom” in Gold Road, we venture into a fresh area within Cyrodiil called the West Weald. This is where an intriguing new Daedric Prince, Ithelia, is introduced, marking her debut in The Elder Scrolls series. Hermaeus Mora has kept her hidden from history, making Ithelia one of the most captivating additions to this expansion, even with the introduction of the novel scribing spell-crafting system.
1. Building on Necrom’s final act, Ithelia’s entrance as the previously unknown Daedric Prince of Paths proves to be a significant development. Not only does she pose a fresh danger, but her character is captivating, and her integration into the narrative is skillfully executed as she gradually recalls her true identity.
1. The ability to manipulate destiny and reality in this game offers exciting possibilities for a mind-boggling multiverse narrative that, regrettably, the quest design does not fully exploit. What could have been a chance to create something outlandish, a break from the norm, was often used to present familiar characters with altered personalities instead. However, Ithelia’s journey and her connection with Hermeus Mora provide an intriguing foundation for further exploration.
1. While Leramil the Wise stands out, other characters and factions in this story lack depth and complexity. Apart from Leramil, many of the characters come off as flat and one-dimensional. Regrettably, this is also true for the villains, the Recollection, who were initially established to recover lost memories and investigate the history of colonialization against the Bosmer. Unfortunately, they are swiftly transformed into a Daedric cult, serving as troublemakers along the Gold Road. This plotline, unfortunately, seems reminiscent of previous installments in ESO.
Fortunately, outstanding voice acting, compelling writing, and distinctive gameplay segments in Gold Road help elevate what could have been a run-of-the-mill narrative. Although the main questline is engaging, it seems like another potential chance squandered, particularly when you consider the introduction of a fresh Daedric Prince capable of shaping destiny. The idea has merit, but its realization leaves something to be desired.
1. A highlight of any Elder Scrolls Online expansion is discovering fresh territories, and Gold Road’s West Weald is nothing short of breathtaking. Granted, it may not be the largest zone, but its mix of open fields of golden grass, towering trees, ancient Ayleid ruins, and lively Bosmer camps make it a visually captivating area. In truth, one could argue that it’s the most beautiful zone to date, even including the newly introduced major city of Skingrad. The location is rich in detail, with artists painting on street corners and ghosts taking a leisurely rest in graveyards, but there’s a sense of familiarity, as if revisiting old grounds.
1. “West Weald seems like a blend of familiar biomes and design styles we’ve encountered in ESO earlier. Given its location in western Cyrodiil, it’s not surprising that it shares similarities with nearby areas, but at times, it feels like an enhanced version of previous landscapes.”
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In addition to the breathtaking new landscapes of Cyrodiil, you’ll encounter the same adversaries we’ve been battling since The Elder Scrolls Online’s debut. Prepare for run-ins with cultists, minotaurs, and a host of other unsettling creatures in West Weald. Regrettably, these common foes not only recur but also lack contributing to the game’s overall challenge, presumably tailored to welcome newcomers during this expansion.
1. The One Tamriel update has streamlined the game greatly, particularly for newcomers, but it’s had an impact on how immersive questing and exploration feels. Since my high-level Magicka Sorcerer no longer faces any threat, I can keep throwing crystal fragments indefinitely.
An innovative element is introduced through Scribing in ESO’s Gold Road expansion. Similar to Blackwood’s Scrying and Antiquities or High Isle’s Tales of Tribute, this new feature provides an alternative way to learn outside the standard skill sets. After much anticipation from players, Gold Road delivers ability crafting in a delightful manner. Accompanied by a new Scribing questline, you’ll soon gain access to new Grimoires, Scripts, and other elements to create your unique skills.
1. Trying out diverse combinations to optimize my character’s abilities was an enjoyable experience. Scribing provides additional opportunities for building characters – particularly for those who prefer support and tank roles over DPS, although it does apply to all. This is further emphasized by Skill Styling, which allows you to customize the look of specific skills. Although it may not seem significant, Skill Styling enhances build versatility and complements your different fashion choices in ESO.
As an obsessive optimizer, I’ve found that enhancing my skills through Scribing offers minimal benefits. In truth, only a handful of combinations outperform all other endgame abilities, and in those exceptional instances, the difference is merely exchanging a standard skill for a scribed one. Frankly, it doesn’t feel significantly different from the existing set of skills in terms of gameplay. However, if you’re seeking a more tailored gaming experience, Scribing can offer some fun twists to your setup.
In summary, ESO’s Gold Road expansion is just another impressive addition to one of the finest MMO games. It offers fantastic quests, challenging bosses, engaging activities, and a breathtaking new zone. However, it falls short of propelling The Elder Scrolls Online into the next decade with a groundbreaking impact. Maybe Ithalia has the key to unveiling an alternate reality version of Gold Road that takes things even further?
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2024-07-30 14:08