Upon release in 2014, Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) was a very bizarre title. For many die-hard Elder Scrolls fans, it didn’t quite capture that same single-player RPG experience of Oblivion, Skyrim, or Morrowind. Meanwhile, the hardcore MMO crowd didn’t find a huge draw to the new kid on the block either. And what’s more—every single player was expected to cough up a hefty subscription which, frankly, didn’t seem worth it.
Fortunately for us, we aren’t in 2014—and can now experience a totally different ESO. Today you can dive into ESO for free, allowing you to explore the absolutely massive Tamriel Zenimax has introduced since release. Receiving annual large-scale DLC since 2017, the map now includes the areas off Vvardenfell, Summerset Isle, Elsweyr and an expanded Skyrim—meaning the game is getting closer and closer to its target of encompassing the entirety of Tamriel.
But, regardless of all this, the real question is—is ESO worth playing in 2021? Well, the short answer is most certainly yes—but let’s explain why.
It has No Subscription
After ditching its subscription model in 2015, the Elder Scrolls Online community began to boom. Today, the game still holds an optional subscription which showers you with extras—but it is exactly that, completely optional. To be clear—while ESO doesn’t require a subscription it does require you to buy the base game before you can start your journey.
This means you can jump in for the first time or hop back in after a long break without needing to pay for anything apart from the base game.
It Looks and Sounds Great
As MMOs go, ESO is certainly up there as one of the better looking of the bunch. While the game may not have opted for photo-realism in its graphics, its slightly stylised fantasy aesthetic allows it to hold up well despite being 7 years old.
Thanks to this, the game also has the capacity to work on a wide range of machines—granted, if you are willing to pull down the settings.
And, of course, we can’t forget about the absolutely astounding score for the game which, in true Elder Scrolls style, blows much of the competition out of the water.
It’s One of the Few MMOs that Works Solo
While we could argue all day about which MMOs are fun for solo players, we can pretty much all agree on the fact that ESO is one of the best for this style of play.
This is of course because ESO finds its roots in a single-player franchise. But not only is the game just solvable, but many players even advocate it is one of the best ways of playing the game. This is all because the game leans into great storytelling with every bit of quest dialogue is fully voice acted.
Of course, there are certain parts of the game where you’ll need to team up—but if you’re going into an MMO without wanting to play with anyone else then, well, you may be looking at the wrong genre.
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It has that Elder Scrolls Flair
Nestling itself within one of the most established franchises in all of gaming, ESO leans into the strengths of the series—whatever that may be for you. Whether that’s the overall lore of Tamriel, the incredible levels of character customization, or the memorable, meaningful, and occasionally quirky questlines, Elder Scrolls Online manages to continue the legacy of the series’ single-player experiences.
But Will I Be Behind?
Jumping into any MMO many years after launch can feel like a fish trying to swim upstream—but it needn’t feel that way. Firstly, thanks to the absolute range of things to do in the game you’re unlikely to meet anyone who knows it all.
What’s more is you can play the game how you want, focusing solely on progressing through the narrative solo or teaming up in guilds and diving head-first into the uniquely MMO side of the game. Ultimately, you’ll be welcomed right into the community.
If you do end up feeling behind when you enter Tamriel, there are also a bunch of ways to get ahead. Take ElDorado.gg, for example, where you can purchase ESO gold, get boosted, or get your hands on some hard to obtain items.
So regardless of whether you want to get to endgame content quickly, or indulge in the story-based leveling process, you’ll be able to fit right into ESO.
While many may think ESO may be slowly running out of momentum, Zenimax is here to disprove that. After recently announced that the next expansion will see players dive into the Gates of Oblivion, it’s clear that the company has lots of big ideas for the future of ESO—at least up until the release of Elder Scrolls 6, but likely much further! And that certainly means that ESO is at least as good to play in 2021 as it ever has been.
