My first encounter with Drakar och Demoner (Dragons and Demons) occurred when I was ten, sparking a lifelong passion for role-playing games. It has been some time since I’ve had the opportunity to engage with the classic tabletop version, relying on dice, paper, and the power of imagination for world traversal. Until I can organize new in-person role-playing sessions, I’ve turned to digital adaptations. While the Fallout series remains a favorite, I’ve actively sought fantasy-oriented experiences reminiscent of Drakar och Demoner.
I briefly experimented with Elder Scrolls III – Morrowind on the original Xbox, but it didn’t fully capture my attention at the time. It wasn’t until recently, prior to this review, that I truly appreciated the Elder Scrolls series. The Elder Scrolls Online: Elsweyr initially launched in 2014, which presents one of its drawbacks. The graphical fidelity has improved significantly in the intervening years, and the game exhibits some dated visual elements. There are also instances of clipping and glitches; for example, occasionally the environment would fail to load, leaving my character standing in an empty field instead of a city. This negatively impacts immersion. Furthermore, the combat system feels somewhat rudimentary. Enemies often rush directly towards the player, resulting in simplistic melee exchanges. Advanced combat techniques are largely absent; success hinges on basic attacks until the enemy is defeated.
Parrying and dodging mechanics lack the depth I prefer. Players can utilize various abilities during combat, hopefully leading to victory. The option to switch between first- and third-person perspectives is a welcome feature; I prefer the latter, as it provides a greater sense of control over the character.
Having addressed the shortcomings, I’ll now focus on the game’s strengths. This is an expansive title; completing every quest provides hundreds of hours of gameplay, and it continues to be augmented with new expansions. The online mode offers engaging cooperative opportunities, allowing players to form groups to tackle challenging enemies, such as the returning dragons. This expansion introduces the Necromancer class, enabling players to raise the dead. Commanding a personal zombie army offers a distinct advantage in combat.
Players can choose to play solo or cooperatively; there are no inherent disadvantages to playing alone, unlike some online games. For instance, Fallout 76 can become somewhat monotonous and lifeless when played in isolation.
The Elder Scrolls Online: Elsweyr avoids feeling empty; it is populated by numerous players. At times, it almost feels necessary to acquire a queue number to interact with quest-relevant characters. While the graphics show their age, the game benefits from smooth performance and rapid loading times on our Xbox One X and similar performance on our PS4 Pro.
In conclusion, I am a clear proponent of The Elder Scrolls Online: Elsweyr. I eagerly anticipate The Elder Scrolls VI, which is on the horizon, albeit without a firm release date. Until then, I’ll be exploring the world of the Khajiit, hunting dragons. Keep an eye out for a Nord named Muhletod.
