Preview access provided by Bethesda
Last week, I had the great pleasure of getting access to some preview content as well as a little playthrough for the upcoming Blackwood chapter of ESO (Elder Scrolls Online), Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood. We had a chance to hear what new mechanics and features the Blackwood chapter would bring to ESO as well as get some news on the big update coming. The big update in question, update 30 is aiming to fix issues that the player base has recognized as well as make some enhancements that are sure to keep players enticed in the next-gen space. It was about a 45-minute presentation that had my ears perked up from the moment it started.
Firstly, Blackwood is set centuries before the events of Oblivion but will feature some familiar places that players may remember from their time there. The main hub, Leyawiin is back and this time with a new look. Things may not all look as they did back when you ventured through them in Oblivion but they are in their heyday here in Blackwood. Besides locations, there are the actual game mechanics that make this chapter so cool. There’s a new Trial, a world event, and the addition of companions to name a few!
The new Trial focuses its sight on stopping a group of Argonian Cultists that are trying to summon Mehrunes Dagon and his army. There’ll be 3 bosses to fight, a ton of loot to collect, the opportunity to build a 12-person team, and if executed correctly, gain a new mount. It sounds like a whole lot of fun especially given the fact that this exclusive mount is supposed to be extremely difficult to obtain which makes the adventure that more sweet. The world event coming is a randomized arrival of Oblivion Portals that can pop into the world at any time. Jumping into one of these will send you straight into the Deadlands so make sure you pack a lunch and be ready to fight.
Lastly, there’s the companions aspect. The companions are Bastian, a noble human knight, and Mirri, a Dark-Elf thief. These companions can be equipped and while may not be as savvy as a real player, will have your back when you’re in a jam. They have their own attributes section with likes, dislikes, skills, and powers. They also have their own independent loot that they can pick up and wear alongside you. It’s a pretty cool addition and was definitely a point that we press members had a lot of questions about.
Another really interesting bit of the whole presentation for me at least was what was said about update 30. This will give the community a bunch of content that has been asked for a lot. Things like changing title screen music make the cut as well as the ability to choose where you can go upon finishing the tutorial. Currently, the game spits you out into whatever the latest chapter you own is but, after the update, you are given the freedom of how you start your character’s story. It’s a welcomed aspect that I’m sure most readers are pleased to be seeing.
For next-gen players, there are new enhancements coming to improve the visuals and performance of ESO and the overall experience. On Xbox Series X and PS5, players will be given the chance to switch their settings between Fidelity Mode and Performance Mode. Fidelity Mode allows players to play in 4K at 30FPS while Performance Mode allows players to play in 1080p at 60FPS. Series S will also be treated to an update in performance but unfortunately, not at the same caliber as the X or PS5. Upgrades across all consoles include updated reflections, lighting, and shadows, faster load times, ambient occlusion, and antialiasing, as well as better depth of field and draw distances. All of these enhancements will be included in update 30 which will land the same day as Blackwood, June 30th.
Gameplay
The alpha that we were allowed to play through was a build that was about a month old so most of the bugs we were to encounter were most likely already cleared. Luckily, I really didn’t come across any bugs during my playthrough and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I loved seeing all of the new locations and enemies that I could go toe-to-toe with. It all felt very familiar but new at the same time. This is the whole vibe that the devs were going for and I feel so far that it sticks perfectly.
I really never got around to obtaining companions as I really became invested in the questline and story. I don’t want to spoil much but I will say that there are some familiar faces and a fair bit of conspiracy going down in Blackwood. The stories are as good as ever and interweaving characters we know into a new story that seems larger than meets the eye is really intriguing. It’s sure to be one heck of a ride when this chapter drops and I am all over it.
Expectations
Blackwood has been extremely hyped by its developers and judging by the small slice of the game that I played, I can give a sigh of relief as we get closer to launch day. It seems that they are holding true to their word on everything and want to give players the best ESO experience possible. The new locations are extremely cool, the characters are awesome, and the grind for loot is becoming even sweeter once June 30th rolls around. It’s refreshing to see such a massive game is taken care of by devs that really love it and the players who keep coming back for more.
Verdict
Blackwood and update 30 are doing great things for ESO not just for story or world-building purposes but for the longevity of its lifespan. This is a game that I don’t really see there being an end to. It’s incredibly cared for by its dev team and the players love seeing its updates. I’m extremely excited to journey into Blackwood and see what else Bethesda has up its sleeve. I’ll be marking my calendar for June 30th.
