Thrilled about the newest instalment in Bethesda's flagship series? You're not alone. The game is just under three weeks away from a commercial release and fans are raving about their experiences in the closed beta sessions. Many are taking to forums to praise the work ZeniMax has done, and most reviews are brimming with anticipation and excitement. However, there's also a contingent of critics that simply won't get around the fact that it's not "Skyrim with multiplayer", or that "It would be better as a single player game," with writers posting their thoughts complaining about how the game is a far cry from its predecessors. What many fail to grasp is that Elder Scrolls Online is not meant to be "Elder Scrolls VI"; Bethesda didn't even have a hand in developing ESO, unlike the previous games in which it was responsible for developing, publishing, and distributing. ZeniMax Online Studios took a damn good MMO experience and placed it within Bethesda's Elder Scrolls universe, which is not an easy thing to do. Not only that, but it actually does feel like it belongs in the Elder Scrolls family, and not like a throwaway spin-off bearing the "Elder Scrolls" moniker (*cough* Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft). The purpose of this article is to address the complaints that critics are posting and respectfully illustrate how ESO should be based on its own achievements, and not compared to the other Elder Scrolls games that are in a totally different genre. So, whether you're a dedicated fan looking to bolster your confidence about this new experience or you're a bit more cynical and would benefit from a differing perspective regarding ESO, please read on.
Eller likes a lot of old video games, and some new video games. Follow him on Twitter (@JordanEller) for updates about articles, but mostly silly jokes.
