Elder Scrolls online isn't the first MMO to be based on a
single player RPG franchise. WoW grew our of the Warcraft games, after all, and
SWTOR (and before that Star Wars: Galaxies) following the long tradition of
games based in the Star Wars universe. However Elder Scrolls online is the
first MMO that has been built as the next installment in a running series, as
opposed to a related but separate brand. Because Elder Scrolls online is the
next installment of the TES series of games, game devs wanted to keep the MMO's
gameplay as true to what TES players expect as possible, while still having a
functional MMO. The result is a system that at times seems like it has been
pieced together from parts of TES and parts of MMO traditions, a Frankenstein's
game if you will, stitch together and sent out into the world.
Understandably, many TES and MMO players were skeptical of how
successful Elder Scrolls online gameplay would be. In the month since the game
was released both players and the devs have had a chance to actually see the
game in action, and here's what they've found.
Classes--TES has no class systems, and TES players always
valued the ability to take their characters in any direction they wanted. Elder
Scrolls online adopted a class system for the same reason every MMO has one--it's
impossible to run a game for thousands of players with completely customizable
characters. The devs have managed to give the ESO classes an impressive
flexibility which is delighting solo players and frequently frustrating to
folks who prefer group play, and can't immediately tell what combat roll a
character falls into based on their class.
Skills--Most MMOs and single player RPGs have a very similar
skill system. Elder Scrolls online gameplay has two large changes from what MMO
players will expect: players can gain unlimited skill points, and skills used
in combat don't have a cooldown period. Aside from these differences, MMO
players will find the skill system in ESO easy to adapt to. TES players will
find ESO skills very familiar.
Crafting--The crafting system in Elder Scrolls online is drawn
very strongly from the TES series. From lack of 'trainers' to discovering
recipes through experimentation, TES players will find the crafting system
precisely what they are used to. MMO players, on the other hand, may find the
system unusual. Early reports on crafting in ESO say that it is easy to pick
up, if not entirely intuitive.
PvP--It should go without saying that there is no PvP in the
TES single player games. However the devs did bring in the weapons and combat
systems from siege warfare in the TES games and made it a part of PvP in ESO.
While Elder Scrolls online gameplay in PvP is drawn pretty much straight from
MMO traditions in some respects, all characters in PvP are subjected to
"Battle Leveling" which allows lower level characters to hold their
own in combat against higher level players. Some experienced MMO players who
enjoy PvP are somewhat miffed by this change, especially those who enjoy using
PvP as a chance to harass newer players. Overall, though, the reaction to ESO's
PvP has been positive.
Elder Scrolls online gameplay isn't perfect, but so far all
the pieces are fitting together surprisingly well, and the game is far from the
monstrosity many of us feared.
