Great World, Gated Content - Edited
The Elder Scrolls Online is a genuinely fun MMORPG, especially if you're a fan of the Elder Scrolls universe. The world is massive and beautifully crafted, the quests are well-written, and getting to explore iconic regions from across Tamriel is a real treat. Combat feels solid, classes are flexible, and there's no shortage of content to dive into, from dungeons to housing to crafting.

Like most MMOs, ESO runs on a hybrid model of paid expansions, microtransactions, and an optional subscription (ESO Plus). That in itself isn't unusual—Neverwinter, Guild Wars 2, and Final Fantasy XIV all have their own takes on this structure. But the way ESO implements it can feel more aggressive than most.

Even after buying the base game, you’ll find many fundamental quality-of-life features locked behind ESO Plus. These include essentials like the Craft Bag (for unlimited material storage), double bank space, build swap slots via the Armory, and higher housing furnishing limits. While technically optional, these features significantly impact your day-to-day experience. For example, managing inventory without a craft bag becomes a constant and frustrating chore, especially if you engage in crafting or looting—which is pretty much the core gameplay loop.

Some convenience features like personal bankers, merchants, and fences are only available through the Crown Store, and useful systems like build swapping are limited unless you pay for additional slots. Even transmute crystal caps (used for gear customization) are smaller without a subscription. These limitations go beyond cosmetics or boosts—they restrict how smoothly you can engage with core systems.

Compare this to a game like Neverwinter, which is free-to-play and still offers a lot of core QoL systems without locking them behind a premium pass. Guild Wars 2, though it sells expansions, gives free players access to most systems without requiring a monthly fee to avoid tedium. Even Final Fantasy XIV, which has a sub fee, includes most core systems in the base experience without carving them out for premium players.

I really enjoy ESO. The storytelling, worldbuilding, and sheer volume of content are all top-tier. But I still can’t in good conscience recommend it to new players when such basic functionality is paywalled behind either an ongoing subscription or expensive Crown Store purchases. If you’re willing to invest consistently beyond the initial cost, there’s an incredible amount to enjoy—but if you’re hoping for a full-featured experience out of the box, ESO may end up feeling more frustrating than fun.

I hate to not recommend this game, I really do, but I just can't - ZeniMax is just too scummy. They faithfully follow every single terrible stereotype there is for a exploitative profit-obsessed company:

Quantities of in-game currency for sale that don't divide evenly into anything on the store? Check.

Loot boxes with random rewards and intentionally addictive gambling mechanics? Check.

Quality-Of-Life features like extra inventory space and automatic item sorting locked behind paywalls? Check.

In-game accessory crafting skill that you can't train without paying real money? Check.

World regions that you can see on your map and walk right up to in game but cannot enter without paying? Check.

Paid DLC content trickled out slowly over time in individual updates? Check.

Season Passes that bundle the same? Check.

The only furry race in the game locked behind a paywall? Check.

(Note: This is only partially true. You can select a khajiit at character creation so you'll see them around, it's their HOMELAND you're locked out of. It's still another case of 'we know the Furries will pay us more for this' just like the Caitians in Star Trek Online.)

Paid Cosmetics to try and make your character's appearance a bit more unique? Check.

Vanity Mounts? Check.

For God's sake, they even do little things like making the icon for the Cash Shop glimmer from time to time. Not constantly, so you get used to it but at intervals. Just enough to draw the eye. You know, in case you forgot it was there.

Every single psychological hook, every underhanded manipulation, every single dirty trick they can possibly use, they do it without a moment's care given for the obsessive and addictive behaviors they're promoting and the harm those cause.

I understand they're a business. They need to make money to pay the bills and keep the lights on. And individually, I wouldn't take issue with any of these things. You try to draw customers into your cash shop. You try to tempt them with bundles, sales, deals. That's fine!

It's when you pay attention to the scale of it all, when you take in all of these things together that you see just how heavily they prioritize profit over player experience.

Look, I love Tamriel and the lore-rich world of the Elder Scrolls. Bethesda created something truly amazing and I still play heavily-modded Skyrim to this very day!

But ZeniMax and their business practices make me ill.

https://www.stopkillinggames.com/

zenimax is against it, we got this boys