Ascending Tide is the latest DLC from The Elder Scrolls Online that opens the new narrative cycle and in this review we will analyze it
After a well-curated story arc like Gates of Oblivionthe cycle begins again. Legacy of the Bretons is the new cycle of The Elder Scrolls Online which opens with the Ascending Tide DLC. As we have been used to for some years now, the first expansions bring only small innovations, mainly based on giving a light smattering from the point of view of lore. This DLC in particular opens the doors to the chapter High Isle, which will see us immerse ourselves in a whole new world and which should bring great news to Tamriel. Waiting for it to be released in June for all platforms, let’s see in this Ascending Tide review how the new expansion of The Elder Scrolls Online.
New content as usual
Let’s face it, now the modus operandi of Bethesda e Zenimax, calculated as it may be, it is getting slightly repetitive. Surely the reasons that move the developers to release a narrative arc in four phases are well understood, but after several years all of us players would have expected some news. However characteristic the introduced dungeons may be, the content turns out to be truly insignificant, especially if we consider that the expansion costs 1500 crowns, or € 12.99.
Certainly no one pushes us to buy this package. Starting the story from the main chapter each year is not counterproductive. However, for those who want to fully know every detail regarding the lore and everything related to the world of ESO, spending that money on just two dungeons can be overkill after the various narrative cycles. Ascending Tide in fact introduces Coral Aerie e Shipwright’s Regrettwo locations well done in some respects, which will allow us to introduce ourselves in Legacy of the Bretons.
Obviously these two dungeons, as well as the others released over the years, will only be available from level 45. Therefore, you will not be able to play them with newly created characters, as was to be expected, and therefore We do not recommend buying it for those who have just started the game for the first time. Let’s take a closer look at these two new locations.
Coral Aerie – Review The Elder Scrolls Online: Ascending Tide
The first dungeon we’re going to tell you about is Coral Aerielocated on the islands of Summerset, in the northernmost part. Between the two proposals, this is certainly the one that is best done in terms of atmosphere. Here, after a brief immersion in the sparkling colors that characterized the lush environments of Summerset, we will have the task of saving Jakarn, an NPC previously encountered in the main story. During the rescue phase, we will meet l’Ascending Order which will play a fundamental role during the next chapter.
From a narrative point of view, therefore, Coral Aerie is “more important”Compared to Shipwright’s Regret. The rhythms of the clashes are well dictated by well-structured fights and in the enemies we can see a good characterization. The management of optional bosses also seems to have been better taken care of. The latter in fact they seem to have a plot of their own that will make us live our adventure to the fullest from every point of view, giving us various stories merged into a single narrative strand almost completely detached from that of Coral Aerie.
Shipwright’s Regret – Review The Elder Scrolls Online: Ascending Tide
The second dungeon included in this expansion is instead Shipwright’s Regret. Contrary to Coral Aerie, this dungeon has us slightly disappointednot so much for the game mechanics, as for the setting itself. Although it enjoys some improvements already seen with the previous one, such as the well-marked game rhythms, the differentiation applied to Coral Aerie does not appear to be somewhat respected here.
Also in this case we will find ourselves in a seaside location, but the difference is all in the theme that the developers have decided to adopt. If with the first we have been accustomed to more vivid colors, the atmosphere here is darker than ever, almost recalling what so much characterized Gates of Oblivion last year. To guide us in this area we will find Za’Jithe Khajiit who had kept us company in the DLC Dragonhold in the lands of Elsweyr.
In the company of Za’Ji we will have to investigate the events that are characterizing the area in question. Nothing striking or innovative from this point of view. The only slight differentiation instead comes with the final boss of the dungeon, giving us a bit of variety that is so lacking.
A light-dark-toned DLC
We’ve come to the end of this review of The Elder Scrolls Online’s small Ascending Tide DLC, so it’s time to take stock. As expected, the expansion brings with it two new dungeons and little more. Ascending Tide stands as the junction between the two narrative arcs Gates of Oblivion e Legacy of the Bretons. Obviously it could only be otherwise and to confirm this thesis we find two completely different dungeons.
While sharing a maritime location as a base, Coral Aerie and Shipwright’s Regret have chromatic shades very different from each other that create completely different settings. On the other hand, the management of the fighting rhythms during the dungeons was good and the characterization of the secondary bosses of Coral Aerie, who were able to give us stories in history, was even better.
In short, another missed opportunity for the ESO team who could have dared a little more given the excellent results of one of the dungeons. We can understand the fact of not wanting to deviate too much from what were the dark themes of the previous chapter. This offers developers a good parachute in the event of a development not properly appreciated by the public. However too much monotonyespecially on very large and “cyclical” games, it tends to tire in the long run.
For this review on The Elder Scrolls Online’s Ascending Tide that’s all. In order not to miss future news on the High Isle chapter and everything related to the videogame world, continue to follow the pages of TechGameWorld.com!
Points in favor
- Coral Aerie
- Rhythms of the fighting
- Well structured secondary bosses