Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood (PC) ReviewJun 22, 2021 - CGMagazinehttps://www.cgmagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/game-reviews-elder-scrolls-online-blackwood-pc-review.jpg A few months back I was invited to a presentation, and then an in game preview of Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood. I enjoyed it at the time, but after playing the game for a longer period of time, I think I’m going to take that back. I know, I’m surprised too. Let me be clear, the game is not bad, or broken or anything of that nature. It’s just fine, and that doesn’t warrant a raving review from me. Remember, I’m reviewing a chapter here, not the base game. Elder Scrolls Onlineremains as beautiful and inviting as ever, and as a whole I’m sure Blackwood could be a fine portion of the game, but as someone who has put over a thousand hours into Skyrim, and who knows how many into Oblivion, I’ve seen this before. In my preview I was excited for all the familiar things making their way back into Elder Scrolls. Oblivion Portals, The Dark Brotherhood, Companions, Mehrunes Dagon…It’s like I was reliving my college years, but the novelty wore off. I thought I would be thrilled to jump back into the world of Oblivion-and I was for the first one-but after that it became very underwhelming. Though each portal is different, they all seemed very linear to me, just a randomization of the same fiery landscape time and time again. “Blackwood felt like the same old “run here, accept quest, run there talk to someone, run back” that you see throughout every MMORPG…” For those who don’t know, Oblivion is basically a world of fire, and boy do they make it hard NOT to stand in it when battling there. It was definitely a gorgeous area to visit, and yes, the graphics were far better than back in 2006, but after the initial “wow”, there was little left to impress me. Blackwood felt like the same old “run here, accept quest, run there talk to someone, run back” that you see throughout every MMORPG, and I was hoping for a little more with this chapter. This is especially true once I got my companion, Mirri. Another thing I was excited for with Blackwood, and it was an enjoyable part of the chapter for me. I opted for Mirri because I love someone a little shady by my side. Once you help her with her quest, she stays by your side unless you “put her away,” so to speak. She is in your companion collectables and you can summon her from there once she has joined you. My issue with the way questing went while you have a companion is that you need to fight to level your companion up. The main quest line in Blackwood involves very little fighting, it’s more of a mystery to solve, with a familiar Brotherhood mentioned along the way. If you’re like me and want to follow the quests, your companion will level up at a glacial pace. If you want them to level you will HAVE to take part in delves, Oblivion portals, dungeons and the like or you won’t receive enough experience to get anywhere fast. “Something else I loved with my companion was that she could wear any costumes tha...
