Off Topic Discussion Megathread

[Kaoru_Nagisa]

So I know a few people here play ESO as their side MMO. I picked it up during a Steam sale since I've been meaning to try it out, but have been wondering if maybe I might enjoy it more on console instead. Kinda had a couple wonders about it:

I know it's fairly solo friendly, but in the instances where you might want to party with other people, how 'required' is it to actually be able to communicate with them? Not really keen to buy a USB keyboard for my ps4, given I primarily use it for single player games - but I also don't want to be in a situation where I need to communicate/respond and either be unable to, or have to use the slow and janky ps4 keypad.

Also, I presume to play on the console version, you need the usual PSPlus stuff like FFXIV does?

How does it feel gameplay-wise on a console vs PC? I know each system has separate servers, so I assume account linking doesn't exist.

[Theodric]

It was actually at a really fancy restaurant lol.
I've never tried it, just seems really odd to me but I am also not picky with food chances are I'd either like it or be okay with it at least.

I felt similarly about chocolate on steak but it worked surprisingly well.

So I know a few people here play ESO as their side MMO. I picked it up during a Steam sale since I've been meaning to try it out, but have been wondering if maybe I might enjoy it more on console instead. Kinda had a couple wonders about it:

I know it's fairly solo friendly, but in the instances where you might want to party with other people, how 'required' is it to actually be able to communicate with them? Not really keen to buy a USB keyboard for my ps4, given I primarily use it for single player games - but I also don't want to be in a situation where I need to communicate/respond and either be unable to, or have to use the slow and janky ps4 keypad.

Also, I presume to play on the console version, you need the usual PSPlus stuff like FFXIV does?

How does it feel gameplay-wise on a console vs PC? I know each system has separate servers, so I assume account linking doesn't exist.

I can't speak for the console version since I play ESO on the PC, though I've mostly been going at it solo style and even when I queue for a normal dungeon it can usually be completed without ever needing to chat. From what I've heard, coordination is a necessity for veteran dungeons and trials so I guess it depends on how 'deep' you want to go.

From what I can gather, if you play on console you do need PS Plus in order to play whereas you can play it entirely for free on the PC. Since it's F2P, there's an optional subscription that gives you some useful perks like bonus experience and access to a storage for crafting materials.

I'd say it's a good time to check it out since there's a new expansion out in early June. I mostly ended up playing it on and off over the years on the basis that it sates my thirst for exploration in a way that FFXIV simply doesn't. I'll say that the combat in ESO can be pretty clunky, though - FFXIV is much smoother and more polished on that front.

All in all, if you played one of the single player Elder Scrolls games and liked it then you'll probably feel the same way about ESO.

[Kaoru_Nagisa]

I felt similarly about chocolate on steak but it worked surprisingly well.



I can't speak for the console version since I play ESO on the PC, though I've mostly been going at it solo style and even when I queue for a normal dungeon it can usually be completed without ever needing to chat. From what I've heard, coordination is a necessity for veteran dungeons and trials so I guess it depends on how 'deep' you want to go.

From what I can gather, if you play on console you do need PS Plus in order to play whereas you can play it entirely for free on the PC. Since it's F2P, there's an optional subscription that gives you some useful perks like bonus experience and access to a storage for crafting materials.

I'd say it's a good time to check it out since there's a new expansion out in early June. I mostly ended up playing it on and off over the years on the basis that it sates my thirst for exploration in a way that FFXIV simply doesn't. I'll say that the combat in ESO can be pretty clunky, though - FFXIV is much smoother and more polished on that front.

All in all, if you played one of the single player Elder Scrolls games and liked it then you'll probably feel the same way about ESO.

Was hopin' you'd drop in with some nuggets about it! I appreciate the info quite a bit, so thank you as always.

I've been a TES fan for a long time; I believe Morrowind was actually my first PC game ever, and I spent 2~3 years playing it almost every day after school way back when I was a young'un. Oblivion was a similar story (couldn't get into Skyrim though, I really tried ;; ). So I definitely do enjoy the world and lore of it for sure, and they tickle that exploration itch quite often when I'm in the mood for it.

Honestly, that's probably what I'd be doing most if I did give it a whirl for a bit during patch lulls here - exploring the world, reading books (if they have them!), decorating a house, eating my way through the stories and side stories. I doubt I'd get too deep into vet dungeons unless I just really got hooked on it, so... knowing I don't really have to actively communicate otherwise is relieving to know!

Figures about PSPlus, though. But that doesn't bother me too much, I suppose - I've started keeping it active since Elden Ring's release, in case friends ever need help or just want to go screw around in the Lands Between for a weekend. So long as it's not a massive pita to purchase anything off the Crown store or keep up the optional sub, I think I'll be satisfied.

Appreciate the wisdom muchly, Theo! Guess I'll need to set some coin aside for that sometime this or next month.

[SturmChurro]

I know it's fairly solo friendly, but in the instances where you might want to party with other people, how 'required' is it to actually be able to communicate with them?

About as needed as any mmorpg really, Cyrodill PvP might necessitate more depending on how involved you'd want to get though. I really only played it to do the exploration and story content personally, so I don't have much experience with high-end PvE.

I'll say that the combat in ESO can be pretty clunky, though - FFXIV is much smoother and more polished on that front.

All in all, if you played one of the single player Elder Scrolls games and liked it then you'll probably feel the same way about ESO.

The combat is actual trash. It's SO bad. The combat is literally like bad Oblivion. I know some people won't play it simply due to not liking the combat. Graphics also kind of suck. The models and animations can look pretty bizarre.

The game doesn't lack for things to do, which is a good thing I suppose. Cyrodill PvP is nice if you are into that kind of thing. I don't like it at all. Same with the cheese builds people would use in PvP which pretty much ruin BGs (or whatever they are called). I personally like the single player ES games much more (Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim), but if you are an Elder Scrolls fan in general, then it's fairly nice. Lore is alright as long as you don't think too much about it.

[TheMightyMollusk]

Also, I presume to play on the console version, you need the usual PSPlus stuff like FFXIV does?

FFXIV doesn't require PSPlus. I know I don't have it and I play on console just fine.

[Kaoru_Nagisa]

FFXIV doesn't require PSPlus. I know I don't have it and I play on console just fine.

Does it not? I don't play XIV on PS4 so I had no idea; I thought I'd heard the PSPlus requirement a long time ago, but who knows. Mandela effect might be in play due to other games needing it.

[Rannie]

Does it not? I don't play XIV on PS4 so I had no idea; I thought I'd heard the PSPlus requirement a long time ago, but who knows. Mandela effect might be in play due to other games needing it.

Yeah it has never required PS Plus only a PSN account. I've been playing on a Playstation since 2.0 released on the ps3 currently on the ps5. (I do have ps plus though cause of free games monthly and more)