The Elder Scrolls Online: High Isle

The Elder Scrolls Online suffers from a lack of cohesive narrative structure. At this point, there are six major expansions in the game’s original quest line, each of which continues from there. After I’ve personally defeated the third or fourth world-ending threat, things start to get a little stale; the stories presented in each expansion, while well written, tend to feel a little samey. In a world where the stakes are always so high, the end of the world becomes routine. So, what’s keeping me from doing it again after four successful attempts to stop it?

High Isle is a catalyst for change. We’ve never seen anything like this before in an Elder scrolls game, so we’re in for a treat with High Isle, the latest expansion for the game. The Systres Archipelago’s problems aren’t nearly as complex as those in the other expansions, but they’re still serious.

Pros:
Immersive world, massive in scope
Lots of worthy quests
Fun PvP
Looks great
Compelling plot

Cons:
No new homes
Co-operative multiplayer feels like an afterthought

Score – 9/10

The Three Banners War, which has raged throughout the entire plot of The Elder Scrolls Online: High Isle, finally comes to an end. A mysterious knightly order known as The Ascendant Order is seeking to halt peace talks on the Systres Archipelago in order to prolong the conflict.

A return to the Elder Scrolls series’ classic storytelling is evident in the complex main storyline of politics, honour, and intrigue. A lot of things are going on here, and the deeper you go, the more complicated things become and the motivations of the characters involved become apparent. When it comes to storytelling, High Isle is a breath of fresh air, breaking away from many of ESO’s tired tropes and story beats. My experience with this DLC is reminiscent of my first forays into the Wrothgar and Dark Brotherhood expansions, both of which had similarly low-stakes and engaging stories, so it’s a welcome change of pace.

A new game mode to help pass the time between questing, dungeon diving, and digging for antiquities is included in the High Isle DLC. In-game tabletop card game Tales of Tribute can be played at any tavern in ESO.

Tales of Tribute not only introduces players to a new minigame, but it also provides them with a new item to collect and a new source of rewards. Traveling the world and playing the game itself will earn players gold, crafting materials, and other rewards for their Tales of Tribute deck. Tavern-to-tavern gold rewards for card games fill a void in gameplay that hasn’t been filled since The Witcher III: Wild Hunt and its Gwent system.

In the Roister’s Club, players can compete against one another for a position on a constantly shifting ranking ladder. In other words, this introduces a new type of PVP to the game, one that doesn’t require as many soul gems or food buffs. My solution to the Three-Banners War is to use a lot less fireballs and a lot more card games.

You’ll have a few starter decks to work with, but the best decks will be developed as you explore the world map and engage in card duels with NPCs. As a whole, Tales of Tribute feels like a complete extension of the ESO universe. Traveling around the world in a way that feels authentic and immersive is what you get from this game. Even though I had my doubts about Tale of Tribute when it was first announced, I can now say that it is an excellent addition to the game that makes me want to stop in every tavern I pass by.

Fans of the system will appreciate the addition of two new companions, including Tales of Tribute. The addition of companions in the Blackwood expansion means that solo players don’t have to play the game alone. The two new Companions are no exception, each with their own unique personality, abilities, and benefits to add some variety to your travels through Tamriel.

You can take a trip around High Isle with Ember and Isobel, two complete antipodes. When picking the pockets of the snooty Breton nobles vacationing in High Isle, Ember, a low-born thief, will give you extra treasure (or anyone else you pickpocket, really.)

Instead, Isobel is a noble Breton knight who will aid you in defeating world bosses and retrieving a fallen knight’s pack. To give you the flexibility to play in the way that best suits your preferences, these two companions provide additional benefits for two very different types of gameplay.

In High Isle, Isobel, voiced by Laura Bailey, is a wonderful addition that will make you feel right at home. Because I’m partial to Khajiit characters with cute names, Ember is hands-down my favourite party member in Skyrim. Even if her lightning does leave embers in its wake, I wish she had more fire powers.