PC Review – Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset

I’ve had this game in my possession for over a month now since before its release thanks to Bethesda. Which means I have had so much fun in all that time running around and doing what I do best in the Elder Scroll Universe: smashing evil and getting upgraded gear for the next battle.

Please note, I am writing this review from the point of someone whose last Elder Scrolls game was Skyrim on the PS4.

If you are subscribed to our AIR Entertainment Youtube Channel, you would have seen this video uploaded some time back. If not, here is a recap of some of the initial gameplay.

STORY

Join over 10 million players in the award-winning online multiplayer RPG and experience limitless adventure in a persistent Elder Scrolls world. Be part of an ever-expanding story across Tamriel and travel to the stunning home of the High Elves in the latest Chapter of ESO to save the world from destruction.

Welcome to the next chapter in the Elder Scrolls Online universe, namely Summerset. I was gifted not only with Summerset, but with the base game and Morrowind chapter as well. The base ESO game is essential in order to play Summerset, but luckily it comes with the base game in case you never played any of the Elder Scroll Online games before.

For review purposes, I jumped straight to the Summerset quests. Summerset is a brand new isle that is made available off the south west coast of Tamriel. After an introduction from the base game, I was led to the Summerset wayshrine where my questing began.

I won’t spoil the story for you, but simply share my review of it. When you start the quests, it brings back with it that same familiarity that we have had since Skyrim. The quests are not overly complicated, but the story as always is utterly enjoyable. I found myself sitting up late into the mornings as I wanted to know what would be happening next.

Of course, there is also a plethora of side quests that keeps you from your main quests, sometimes for hours. You can’t help but discovering where the quest will lead and what you will obtain for completing them. What I will share is that there is a new Psijic Order that you can now join for the first time ever! This comes with new skills abilities, new traits and crafting items.

I really loved, and am still loving, ESO Summerset’s storyline, and once again I wish I could obtain permission to write a novel or story based in the ESO universe. That’s how much Summerset inspires me when I play it.

GAMEPLAY

So much has changed since Skyrim. Granted, the basic mechanics and movements remain the same. Run, block, hit, magic. The inventory and menu items are gorgeous though. In a way, they are much easier to work through now. Inventory management has also been improved and in a way is much more efficient. I love how you can select items and label them as junk so that you can more easily sell them at a later stage.

Even with fantastic new elements and graphics, I found no hitch in the gameplay. Everything runs smoothly, and if you know your keyboard shortcuts Bethesda has made it very easy switching from one screen to another. There wasn’t really a moment where I thought that something could have been done better in terms of gameplay.

Being a perpetually online game, it’s fun to run into someone who is also playing online. There was one event where I saw someone on a quest being surrounded by monsters. So I dived in and aided by taking out two of the beasts. I, who was once very much against online multiplier, have been won over by Summerset.

One element of gameplay that I really enjoyed is the leveling up. Since the Psijic is new, I was at odds as to what I should level up. There’s a nifty recommendation panel where one or two skills or upgrades are recommended. You aren’t forced to take them, but it is rather kind of them to have added this system.

There are some elements which brings a strong reminder to other games I have played. There are loot boxes which can be obtained which reminds me of Call of Duty WW2 loot boxes. Of course, loot boxes are appearing in so many games these days, but for me it’s COD WW2 that it brings a fond reminder of. There’s also something in the leveling up and abilities that has a slight (very very slight, so slight maybe only I see it) reminder of the old Diablo 2 leveling system that I loved so much.

SOUND AND GRAPHICS

Even though I have always been awed by the graphics in previous Elder Scrolls titles like Skyrim, Bethesda never stops amazing me. The graphics are pristine. Sometimes I just want to take a snapshot of a building before me or some beautiful tree so I can do some artwork inspired by it. The design team have done it again, and you will find wonderful sceneries wherever you go.

The music and sound set the mood for that medieval atmosphere, with their gorgeous Lord of the Rings type background music. It’s the type of music a Tolkien fan, and many more, would love to just buy the soundtrack for. Sound effects are crisp and clear, and you can hear someone running or moving behind you. Which can be terrifying within a cave environment.

FINAL VERDICT

It’s hard to find fault with a game series that is just improving more and more with each new release. Even though I played so many hours for this review, this is not the end of Summerset for me. There are so many other side quests to go through, more loot to find, more caves to explore.

It gives that satisfaction that only RPG lovers can enjoy. What is even more amazing is how well the game plays even when your internet connection is slow. For me this sets it apart from so many other online games I have played, and why I feel Summerset deserves full marks.

ESO Summerset is available for the PS4 and XBO too. If you fancy a PC version, head on over to Steam to buy your copy. And if there is something you didn’t like about the game, feel free to let me know in the comments. I would love to read your opinion.

Disclaimer: AIR Entertainment received a review copy from the publisher for reviewing purposes. This review is the author’s own opinion and not influenced by the developer in any way, as per our reviewing Code of Ethics.

SHAUN M JOOSTE

Author, Poet, Screenwriter, Gamewriter, Journalist,
….and Elemental Mage Supreme in his spare time