One thing that I really like about The Elder Scrolls Online is how welcoming it is for new players. Expansions are instead referred to as ‘chapters’ and these new sections can be played by anyone, regardless of how much (or little) time you’ve put into the base game, or previous chapters. Zenimax Online Studios’ newest addition to the series - The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset - is no different and is packed with a number of features to appeal to both veteran and brand new players.
Boasting over thirty hours of new story content, ESO: Summerset will be taking us to the Summerset Isles, a location fans may recall from ESO: Arena (1994). Heading back to the ancestral home of the high elves for the first time in over two decades, players will also get a chance to explore Artaeum, an island best known as the home of the Psijic Order, who essentially serve as the founders of magic in Tamriel. This time around, Queen Ayrenn has opened Summerset’s borders, allowing others to enter for the first time however, a Daedric threat has quickly arisen, posing a threat to all of Tamriel.
The newest chapter will offer several new features including a new skill line, in which players will be able to join the Psijic Order. Traveling to Artaeum, we’ll get the chance to join the legendary group of mages in order to acquire their powers. Along with a unique quest-line, the Psijic Order Skill Line will feature a full set of Active and Passive abilities as well as a new Ultimate. Once again, players will also be joining forces with Razum-dar to overcome the ominous Daedric force that is looming over Tamriel.
We’ll be seeing a new twelve-player trial entitled ‘Cloudrest’. This trial will have a similar structure to the Clockwork City’s Asylum Sanctorium as it will let players decide how difficult they want the final boss to be. Consequently, taking out the other bosses earlier will make this task much easier, whereas skipping them will make the final fight far more challenging. From what we’ve seen so far, it looks as though Cloudrest will be more difficult than Asylum Sanctorium as it has four bosses for players to take down.
As a result of popular demand, Jewelry Crafting has now been officially announced. When ESO: Summerset launches, players will have the opportunity to create new trinkets to enhance their powers and boost their experience. Similarly to other skill lines in existing ESO chapters, we’ll be able to create, research, deconstruct and upgrade necklaces and rings in ESO: Summerset. The update will spawn Jewelry Crafting Stations across Tamriel for players to utilise. The Traits usually associated with Jewelry (Arcane, Robust & Healthy) will remain, but six new Traits will also be introduced to the mix, such as Bloodthirsty, which increases damage against enemies with low health. While many fans are most likely excited about all of this, it’s worth mentioning that only players who purchase the Summerset expansion will be able to craft jewelry.
Release Info
The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset is scheduled to release on June 5th 2018, although it’s also worth mentioning that existing PC players will be able to access Summerset from May 21st through the Early Access Programme.
It is now available for pre-purchase.
Additional Thoughts
I spent over an hour with ESO: Summerset and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the region and completing various quests. Summerset is supposed to be a beautiful area that feels very manicured and that certainly comes across when wandering around. Joining forces with a friend was easy to set up and even though the game is still in development, it was clear to see that there will be a lot of content to keep players occupied. I’ve spent little time with The Elder Scrolls Online in the past, so as a relatively new player I can confirm that this is a good time to jump in, even if you haven’t played any of the previous chapters. Summerset begins with a helpful tutorial that quickly brings the player up to speed and prepares you for the rest of the game. Enemies are not too challenging to handle and are not particularly life-threatening either, so even if you’re looking to play the game with friends who have played before, you won’t feel out of your depth.
Moreover, veteran players certainly have a lot to look forward to, from exploring Summerset, to the new Cloudrest Trial. As always, the developer is working to link each new chapter to the previous ones, as well as trying to create the best version of the new setting. Alongside all of the new Summerset content, fans also have Update 18 to look forward to. Daily login rewards, Crown Store gifting and daily Battlegrounds rewards will all follow this update to give players even more loot. If you’ve fallen out of the habit of playing ESO, now is the time to jump back in.
Most Anticipated Feature
Visiting Artaeum and testing out the new Psijic Order abilities.
