Users wrote

The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is praised for its huge open world, deep lore, and voice-acted quests. Reviewers like the option to play solo or with friends and the constant stream of new content and events. However, many criticisms focus on monetization, with content gated behind ESO Plus and paid DLC, as well as long downloads and ongoing technical issues. Overall, players consider ESO a strong, enduring MMORPG for fans of The Elder Scrolls, but caution about costs and quality variations over time.

Last updated: 2026-03-01

Most Mentioned Advantages

• Huge open world with rich lore and quests (12 mentions) - Reviewers repeatedly praise the game's enormous Tamriel world and the lore across many regions. Quests are often described as meaningful or lore-driven, inviting exploration rather than grinding. The world feels expansive and invites long sessions of discovery. The exploration is supported by voice-acted quest lines in many reviews.
• Flexible playstyle: solo or group (9 mentions) - Players point out that ESO supports solo play as well as group content. The game offers PvE and PvP options that can be enjoyed without forcing a specific playstyle. This flexibility is repeatedly praised.
• Ongoing content and updates (9 mentions) - Players mention a massive amount of content, frequent events, and ongoing updates that keep the game fresh. The world continues to grow with new stories and activities. Reviewers appreciate that the game remains active years after release.
• Active community and helpful guilds (8 mentions) - Several reviewers note a friendly, supportive community and guilds that help new players with gear, builds, and raids. This social aspect contributes to long-term engagement. Players often mention quick help and positive interactions in Guilds.
• Voice acting and storytelling (6 mentions) - Many reviews highlight well-acted dialogue and strong storytelling across zones. Questlines and characters are frequently cited as engaging features that lift the game's atmosphere. The voice acting is noted as a standout element in several regions.

Most Mentioned Disadvantages

• Paywalls and subscription gating (15 mentions) - A common complaint is that much content is behind ESO Plus or paid DLC. Inventory space and premium features often require a subscription, leading to monetization concerns. Some players feel this monetization is aggressive and restricts progression. There are mentions that crown store items and DLCs add up in price.
• Large downloads and storage requirements (11 mentions) - Reviewers frequently mention very large initial downloads and launcher downloads. This can require a lot of disk space and time to install. New players may face long waits before they can start playing. Some note the game demands hundreds of gigabytes across downloads.
• Bugs, crashes, and server issues (8 mentions) - Several reviews report crashes, bugs, and disconnections. Some players experience long maintenance or patching issues and even start-up problems. There are mentions of macOS or Linux problems and cross-platform issues. Overall, performance can be inconsistent.
• Combat and endgame balance concerns (6 mentions) - Some reviewers feel the combat is not engaging or too easy and that endgame balance can be inconsistent. They describe a lack of challenge and repetitive dungeon grinding. The meta and gear requirements sometimes feel forced.
• Support and account handling problems (4 mentions) - A minority of reviews complain about poor customer support and slow responses. There are reports of account bans and unresolved issues, and frustration with how support handles tickets.

Compared Games

• Skyrim (9 mentions) - Reviewers often compare ESO to Skyrim, noting similarities in world and lore while highlighting differences such as online multiplayer and ongoing content. The tone often says ESO captures the feeling of Skyrim but adds MMO elements.
• World of Warcraft (WoW) (6 mentions) - Several reviews describe ESO as one of the best MMOs after WoW, citing the scale, exploration and long-term appeal.
• Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) (3 mentions) - Some reviewers recommend SWTOR as an alternative for players seeking a story-driven MMO; they highlight its narrative quality.
• Destiny 2 (2 mentions) - A few reviews contrast ESO's monetization with Destiny 2, noting ESO has more aggressive monetization behind subscriptions and DLC gating.