ESO or Wow
ESO or Wow
Hey there... I’m looking for some thoughts as I’m stuck on my choice. Since I’ve been a big fan of Elder Scrolls since the early days, I was really excited when they decided to make an MMORPG based on the series—ESO came out right after. I pre-ordered the Imperial edition from the start and even tried the beta beforehand. Now I feel pretty invested in the game. But after about three years of playing, I think it’s not living up to its potential. For instance, they’ve changed the core mechanics twice: first by removing “veteran levels” and adding the CP system, which should have been there from the start, and then shifting the world to One Tamriel, letting anyone move freely regardless of level. That last change really surprised me. I still enjoy the endgame and veteran trials, but after a few months of repeating them, it starts to feel repetitive. As for PvP, Cyrodiil feels like a mess—lag and lots of zergs make it frustrating, even from the start. They just dropped a new “chapter” called Morrowind, which seems incomplete, with many broken areas and a sense of emptiness. Orsinium (the DLC I got in my Subscription) felt much more polished, with more quests and a better overall experience. But this latest update costs another $40, making me wonder if I still want to play it. On the other hand, I’ve been thinking about picking up World of Warcraft again. I played it during TBC and WOTLK, but stopped when Cataclysm launched. I heard a lot of positive feedback about Legion, and back then the game felt more complete and premium compared to ESO. I’m stuck here, feeling loyal to ESO because of all the time I’ve spent on it and because Elder Scrolls is my favorite series. Sorry if this sounds like a long shot—I just need some advice and support for either choice. Which one should I choose?
Having played both, here's the rundown: If you're an Elder Scrolls fan, stay away from ESO unless you're prepared to face the toxic part of the community (getting ganked on a fresh character with basically nothing on you ain't fun, specially when it happens 30-40 times in a row. Thanks, random Imperial ._.). Story-wise it's pretty meh and it doesn't have the epicness of the single-player games. WoW has become a second job if you intend to do anything more than pay for your subscription and play casually . Raid requirements are retarded these days (at least the standards set by raid leaders. Mechanics are common sense). If you want to take advantage of the gold-for-gametime tokens, you're in for more grinding and farming than actual playtime. PvP is full of tryhards, russians (EU-side, at least) and hackers (which happen to be russian, EU side at least). The economy went down the shitter years ago and things are either stupid cheap or retarded expensive.
I just resumed playing after a six-month hiatus, tackled the fresh material in two days, and am now mostly back on track, eager for the upcoming expansion. It's significantly improved over WoW Wotlk—it feels much more refined given it's a subscription game. Another plus is cross-play capability between PS4 and PC; you can connect your keyboard and mouse to the console and play as usual on PC. Many of my friends in Free Company (guilds/clans) use this setup. The community is generally welcoming, though some hardcore players exist. If you avoid the tough end content, you'll encounter fewer of them. Regarding the paid boost, I'm surprised they didn't implement it earlier. The story is extensive, and you must complete a lot to reach the final content before starting raids or trials, which is a nice addition for those who prefer a smoother path.
I don’t see myself as a dedicated combat player, though I’ve just started playing for over six months. Normal and Hard levels seem manageable in most random groups. I haven’t explored Extreme much, and I haven’t touched Savage content at all. These types of games aren’t essential for the main story, and I haven’t noticed any unfair treatment toward newcomers.
The extreme and rough parts are where the top players hang out. That’s what I was talking about when I mentioned hard mode content. Even then, you can usually spot a group without the best players, but if you keep running into them, that’s where things get intense.
It's great how FFXIV highlights teamwork and centers its late-game around cooperative play. The solo content adds depth, even if it can be challenging. This shift from PvP-focused endgame experiences makes the game feel more accessible and enjoyable for solo adventurers. Overall, it offers a refreshing change after the typical MMOs.
Thanks all for the ideas! I might give FFXIV a shot. Planning a pause from ESO until they clarify their direction.