Returning to The Elder Scrolls Online

Microsoft has just added The Elder Scrolls Online to the PC Game Pass catalogue. As an RPG fan who jumped in at launch and briefly returned when the Morrowind expansion came out, I was curious to see how the MMO holds up after all these years. What is the experience like in the first few hours as a returning player?

Lots of content

I remember The Elder Scrolls Online having a decent amount of content when it first launched, but with all the expansions that have dropped since, the sheer size of the game is absurd. Since my last visit to Morrowind, ZeniMax has added massive new chapters like Summerset, Elsweyr, Greymoor, and the recent Gold Road, expanding the map to almost every corner of Tamriel.

I expected to be completely overwhelmed by this mountain of content, but I was surprised by how quickly I eased into it. Thanks to the game's dynamic level-scaling, you can go anywhere at any time. After getting the hang of the basics and leveling up as I went along, I saw my quest log building up nicely. The balance really is spot-on.

And the content flow isn’t finished - not by a long shot. There are plans for more content well into 2026, and rumors are teasing a massive new Skyrim-themed expansion for the beginning of 2027. Skyrim is, of course, a massive fan favorite (though not mine, to be honest), so that will be a highly anticipated addition. We are expecting to hear much more about the future of The Elder Scrolls Online during the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase.

Will it stick this time?

The first two times I started playing ESO were when the game originally launched, and when the Morrowind expansion came out. I even bought the physical Collector’s Edition back then, which included the Dwarven Colossus Statue that still stands proudly on my shelf to this day. I was convinced both times that the game would stick, but it didn't. The first time around, the quests felt a bit too repetitive and boring. The second time, I felt completely overwhelmed and simply didn’t know where to begin. ESO proved to be more than I could chew, so I hadn’t touched it since.

This time around, things kicked off with a gorgeous intro cinematic, after which I was dropped right into the character creation screen. Naturally, that was followed by a familiar prison escape - an absolute must for any Elder Scrolls title. Compared to my previous sessions, the onboarding felt like a breeze, and at times even a bit too easy. Fortunately, it’s a much better way to get into the MMO than my experience with Morrowind, where I felt like I was drowning in an ocean of mechanics.

Different from traditional Elder Scrolls

ESO is very different from the mainline Elder Scrolls installments, and you will notice this the moment you start walking around. I have been playing Morrowind recently on Steam, and the pacing is incomparable. While Morrowind is notoriously slow, ESO feels much more like a modern action-RPG. I actually thought my character was running when I was just walking, only to find out you can go even faster. The same goes for the combat system; it is very dynamic, but it can also feel a bit all over the place. I know an MMO is fundamentally different from a single-player RPG, but I rarely feel truly in control during chaotic fights.

As a fan of the series since the original Morrowind, I still prefer a more paced, deliberate experience, but I understand why ESO does things differently. You have to take area-of-effect spells and dozens of other players into account, which is also the main reason you will probably want to play the game in third-person view. When I first played Morrowind years ago, I didn’t even know there was an option to leave the first-person perspective, and even when I discovered it, I never used it. In ESO, third-person is essential.

Quick progress

I do really like how the progression system works and the fact that you level up relatively fast. You develop skills based on what you actually do in the world. For example, I unlocked some nifty archery powers simply because I found a good bow that I now use all the time. Of course, I also joined both the Fighters Guild and Mages Guild as soon as I could - as any seasoned Elder Scrolls player knows to do by now.

You don’t have to try too hard to optimize your character; you naturally get stronger just by playing. You allocate skill points gathered by leveling up and discovering Skyshards in the open world, making the progression feel incredibly natural.

There are plenty of gameplay hooks to keep you moving forward as well. The game features a daily and weekly challenge system where you can complete tasks, earn points, and buy unique rewards. At the time of writing, the game is also teasing its first-ever dedicated event zone called the Night Market, which looks like a great opportunity to earn some very cool-looking cosmetic rewards.

Customization and classes

Character customization is extensive, allowing you to tailor your hero anyway you want, both in appearance and abilities. I created a female Wood Elf Templar and chose the Aldmeri Dominion as my alliance. With 7 classes, 3 alliances, and 10 races to choose from, the possibilities are vast. Especially when you consider that you spend your skill points entirely on your own terms; I never felt like I was playing a cookie-cutter, run-of-the-mill character.

Since this is an MMO, it makes sense to team up with other players to complement your skills. Fortunately, the developers have made things a bit easier for players who might not have a group of real-life friends ready to jump in with them. At level 10, you unlock the ability to join player guilds and use the group finder to tackle dungeons or difficult quests quickly. But what if you aren't a social gamer? Then it might come as a pleasant surprise that playing entirely solo is extremely viable in The Elder Scrolls Online.

One important thing to note: there is no cross-play or cross-progression in The Elder Scrolls Online just yet, meaning your progress on consoles won't transfer over to PC Game Pass. However, ZeniMax Online Studios has recently stated that they are actively looking into bridging the platforms, so hopefully, that feature will be added in the near future.

Conclusion

The Elder Scrolls Online is in very good shape, and the future looks incredibly promising for the MMORPG. If you have a Game Pass subscription, clear some hard drive space (it’s a massive download), and give this classic another shot. You might just find yourself hooked this time.