If you’re invested in the current game, this is a no brainer. In all it’s a return to form in a lot of ways for ESO and a vast improvement over Greymoor.
The new region is dense and gorgeous, offering a great selection of content to work through. The new companion system is an awesome gameplay enhancement, and despite their lacking in combat it’s incredibly cool to have a partner to explore these worlds with. The Elder Scrolls Online – Blackwood is an excellent inclusion. It’s properly challenging and complex and definitely a welcome addition to the roster of great raids that ESO has to offer. This is something which does not get enough attention in The Elder Scrolls and so it’s great to see some kind of focus here. There is also a new trial, which is very interesting involving Argonians and their culture. It’s always interesting to see the ways that the game creates new equipment. There are also a variety of great new items included and I’ve enjoyed seeing all the Daedric equipment that is possible to nab. These new additions are mostly done pretty well and while the companions are not as useful as I would have hoped, it’s a neat addition nonetheless. There’s also a rapport system, where you can interact and grow a relationship with the character, unlocking quests in the process. You can fully equip these two new recruits with armor and weapons and they also level up independently and unlock new abilities. You see, you can now recruit AI companions that follow and help you along the way. The major new gameplay addition is an exciting one, and is something that on a personal level I have been hoping for. This is beyond cool the first time you see it essentially you are fighting through hell. This can be accessed through red glowing portals throughout the region, which will teleport you straight to the Daedric realm. There are several present, but the one that will certainly be a stand-out is the Deadlands. Generally many of the public dungeons are also fantastic in this expansion. The cast is varied and there are some serious highlights throughout, and whilst there is sometimes a problem with the storytelling in ESO, a good job has been done in keeping you invested in them in Blackwood. If you’re still confused by the change, Bethesda will be running a Twitch Stream at 12 PM ET today that should hopefully answer all your questions.The characters are also really interesting and engaging.
We have made numerous changes to the game over the past year, and are confident this is a game that Elder Scrolls fans will love to play.” “We know that Elder Scrolls fans want choice when it comes to how they play and how they pay, and that is what they will get. “Our fans are our biggest inspiration, and we’ve listened to their feedback on the entertainment experience they want,” said Matt Firor, Game Director of The Elder Scrolls Online. No refunds will be offered for existing subscriptions.
Additionally, if you add any unused game time cards past the March 17 cutoff date, they will also simply transition to ESO Plus game time.
If you’re a PC player who has an active subscription past March 17, the remaining subscription time will automatically transition to ESO Plus membership.
Xbox One and PS4 owners will still need an active subscription to Xbox Live Gold/PlayStation Plus to play the game. Regular updates and new gameplay will be offered to all players free of additional charges. The new F2P version of the game, re-branded as The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, will be supported with special, optional downloadable content available for purchase, and an in-game Crown Store for convenience and customization items. However, it is not entirely “free”, as players will still need to purchase the base game to play. The buy-to-play rumors have been circling the game ever since Bethesda removed six-month subscription options, and many Australian retailers pulled the game from its shelves. Players will be able to subscribe instead to an “ESO Plus” service, providing exclusive in-game bonuses, a monthly allotment of crowns (premium currency) to use in the store, and access to all DLC game packs. Bethesda Softworks has now officially announced that The Elder Scrolls Online is going buy-to-play on March 17, and will be launching on PS4 and Xbox One on June 9 (where it will also not require a monthly subscription). Well, it looks like those Australian retailers knew something that we didn’t after-all. Come March 17, you won’t need an active subscription to play The Elder Scrolls Online – you’ll just need to purchase the base game.