The Elder Scrolls® Online
Action
Adventure
Massively Multiplayer
RPG
Multi-player
MMO
PvP
Online PvP
Co-op
Online Co-op
Steam Trading Cards
Captions available
In-App Purchases
Camera Comfort
Chat Text-to-speech
Custom Volume Controls
Playable without Timed Input
Stereo Sound
Surround Sound
Partial Controller Support
HDR available
Family Sharing

Every legend starts somewhere and in The Elder Scrolls Online, it starts with you. Join millions of players in an online, fantasy RPG set in a vast living Elder Scrolls world.

Developers: ZeniMax Online Studios
Publishers: Bethesda Softworks
Release Date: May 22, 2017
Price (USD): $4.99
Current Players: 7.1k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Very Positive(80%)
immersive world
character building
welcoming community
no mandatory subscription
customization
graphics
combat
Night Market
monetization strategy
future development
monetization practices
technical issues
repetitive combat
inventory management
Overall, players are enthusiastic about the immersive world and deep lore that The Elder Scrolls Online offers, particularly for fans of the Elder Scrolls universe. The recent layoffs by Microsoft and concerns about future development have cast a shadow over the game's prospects, leading to mixed feelings about the direction in which the game is heading. Players are divided about the value and necessity of paid content, monetization practices, and the technical execution of certain features, which can sometimes detract from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, many appreciate the freedom and customization available, making it a unique blend of single-player and MMO experiences.

Positive Points

  • The Elder Scrolls Online is praised for its huge and immersive world, with a lot of content to explore, including quests, dungeons, and lore.
  • The game is highly appreciated for its customization and character building, offering players a variety of classes and skill lines to experiment with.
  • The community in ESO is noted to be generally welcoming and helpful, especially for new players.
  • Many players appreciate the lack of a mandatory subscription fee, allowing them to buy the game and enjoy it without ongoing costs, unlike other MMOs.
  • ESO offers a great mix of single-player RPG experience and MMO, letting players explore the world at their own pace, both solo and with friends.
  • Negative Points

  • Recent updates and decisions, especially involving layoffs by Microsoft, have caused discontent among players, who worry about the game's future.
  • Monetization practices, including ESO Plus and a plethora of DLCs and in-game purchases, are often criticized as predatory.
  • Players have reported technical issues, including game crashes, long download times, and problems with the launcher.
  • Some players feel that the combat and quest design can be repetitive and not as engaging as other games in the genre.
  • There are complaints regarding inventory management, which is seen as intentionally limited to push for ESO Plus subscriptions.
  • Mixed Points

  • The graphics are considered good by some but outdated by others, showing the game's age.
  • Combat is seen as either engaging and skill-based or lacking impact and repetition, depending on the player's perspective.
  • The inclusion of a large variety of content, including grinding and farming, is appreciated by some as expansive, while others find it tedious.
  • The Night Market and other recent additions are divisive; some see these features as refreshing changes, while others criticize them as unnecessary or poorly implemented.
  • Common Themes

  • Many players express love for the lore and storytelling within the Elder Scrolls universe, finding it deeply immersive.
  • Customization and freedom in character builds and exploration are frequently highlighted as key strengths.
  • The community’s mixed feelings about Microsoft’s involvement and ZeniMax's management decisions, particularly relating to staff cuts, are a common topic of discussion.
  • There is a split sentiment regarding the game's monetization strategy, which affects player enjoyment and accessibility differently.
  • Updated 7/9/2026, 12:01:56 AM UTC