As it recently celebrated its 8th candle, The Elder Scrolls Online prepares to welcome its 6th expansion in June: High Island. We were able to discover some tricks during a preview with Bethesda, and this first approach confirms that their MMORPG still knows how to surprise, with a narrative that is always of high quality, but also whole sections of new gameplay.
TESO takes us to the Systres archipelago in Brittany for this new chapter. Although on the world map this region (located between Sunset and Daggerfall) appears much smaller in area than the previous ones, Bethesda tells us that the content but also the lifespan of the main frame remains already known in the standard (count about 30 hours in a straight line Line).
The Systres consist of two large islands:
- Ile Haute, a tourist spot for nobles, compared to Las Vegas by Rich Lambert (Creative Director).
- Amenos, a prison island for political dissidents and notorious criminals, where survival hangs by a thread.
Three lords, one region
The narrative plunges us into the War of the Three Local Banners, in which a humanitarian organization, the Inébranlables (a sort of Red Cross), is conducting discussions to restore a lasting peace. But the Ascending Order doesn’t mean it that way. This renegade faction, led by the mysterious Ascendant Magus and Ascendant Lord, seeks to break existing alliances and liberate Tamriel.
The feudal archipelago becomes the scene of an intrigue that mixes conspiracy and treachery, politics and manipulation, piracy and kidnapping in a high-class medieval setting. We appreciated the script, which very quickly lays the groundwork for the context in which the Ascending Order threatens any attempt to save the Breton people from war.
Rich Lambert also fondly recalls that the Bretons have never been featured in an Elder Scrolls game and it’s time for them to take the lead with a chapter dedicated to them.
It is pleasant to explore this new place, which alternates with varied landscapes: beaches and coves with wrecks of stranded ships, crypts where magic reigns, mountains between indented valleys and meadows in bloom, and so on.
As we walked around, we were able to spot one of High Isle’s additions: the rifts, populated by powerful enemies to fight, including the deadliest fire elementals! The bestiary also combines humanoids and imaginary creatures as usual, including many goblins, spooky creatures, etc.
It is necessary to own High Isle and have a minimum in frame to indulge in the pleasure of tales of fame
The first city, Gonfalon, is a similar construction to what we saw in TESO, with great verticality and many hidden points of interest here and there.
One thing is for sure, no matter where you are, TESO knows how to offer you breathtaking panoramas thanks to some skilful lighting effects and exhibitions. I’m thinking, for example, of the view of the port of Gonfalon and the Rhodes-style colossus, or the huge field of orange sunflowers with rocky peaks all around.
The recent game’s visual makeover is timely and, while far from showcase status, is good for the overall rendering.
High Isle offers two sets of quests for two companions (a witch and a knight), a trial (12-player raid) of a similar size to Rochebrosque, without counting all a bunch of collectibles, titles and various rewards.
Enjoyment à la carte
The latest novelty is the card game integrated in TESO: story of fame, deck building genre, turn-based, with resource imaginations instead of traditional combat. It’s a game within a game, like you’d find in a tavern or pub, Rich Lambert points out.
Small clarification and last but not least: it is necessary to have High Isle and have a minimum in the frame to indulge in the pleasure of stories of fame. This activity features a full PvE narrative part in addition to the PvP confrontations.
Tales of Glory is played 1v1. After a fairly complete tutorial, we get four starting decks. TESO plays the move intelligently so as not to disadvantage casual players with a surprising hand system: At the beginning of the game, the two decks are shuffled, which means that the two opponents have cards from their opponent’s lot in their hands.
It’s difficult today to really comment on this mode after a simple preview, especially since the formula seems complex, but it intrigues us for its many collections to complete, where you have to touch each type of activity to acquire everything. Length to be confirmed.
Today, The Elder Scrolls Online continues its tradition by offering content based on a lore that has been little used until now. The framework provided once again shows the extent of the talents of the teams behind the MMO. The final verdict in a few weeks! The wait will be long after this little appetizer.
Tech-savvy at heart, Gh0stCrawl3R spends most of its time playing RPGs of all kinds, as well as shooters and competitive online games. Keep following him Twitter