The latest DLC – Wolfhunter – for The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset takes players on the hunt, hunting down some of the fiercest foes there are in all of Tamriel. Now, as players gather together, it’s time for a werewolf filled hunt that will send players into new magical lands hunting new item sets and plenty more.
When you make an MMO, there are several things you have to consider when making a logical approach to keeping your game relevant among its competition. You have to figure out at what rate you’ll release content as well as when you’ll release it and justify the cost of said content if it is to cost a dime or two.
When it comes to releasing said content, Bethesda Zenimax Online Studios has done a rather solid job at delivering content worth a players weight in money, but also, the time they’ll invest into the very game they are playing. With new PvP additions already having been added in a few times before and huge singleplayer drops and events, there’s a lot to look forward to for those who play the game and those who are making their return.
Among the recent releases such as Dragonbones and Clockwork City comes the latest entry: Wolfhunter. As an expansion to the already large lineup of dungeons, you have to consider several things when you are about to review a dungeon-focused DLC. First, you have to consider the content itself – is it worth it? Second, you have to look at how it variates itself from its sister dungeons. Thirdly, you also have to justify the cost just to jump into the hunt itself – $20 USD.
For example, one dungeon (we’re going to pussyfoot around the spoilers), sees players take to exploring a castle, taking out the various spirits and humanoid themed enemies that inhabit it, while the other focuses on a hunt given to use by the Deadra prince himself – Hircine. Depending on how much you actually care for the story – both dungeons offer a decent amount of lore if you want to take your time to hunt it down.
While you may be wondering if the story is worth the dive, probably not. But the gameplay and challenge? Definitely so. Both dungeons, the March of Sacrifices and Moon Hunter Keep are beautifully and intricately designed dungeons from beginning to end. The keep itself is almost claustrophobic from time to time as you navigate the keep itself, eliminating the threats put before you while in turn, the March of Sacrifices is wide open, vibrant, filled with colors and life.
Sadly, the offset here is beyond evident: none of the bosses are all-that-memorable or really stand out all that much from previous bosses in dungeons such as City of Ashes or Darkshade Caverns. You’ve seen quite a few of them before and the only one that really stood out was the boss in March of Sacrifices (again, no names due to spoilers). The boss itself was a welcomed sight thanks to the change in mechanics, some of them we’ve yet to see in an ESO boss fight before, which actually requires an awareness check and the tunnel vision to be left at the door.
The bosses biggest changes were something Final Fantasy XIV or World of Warcraft players should be accommodated with, which is actually using the terrain to hide, to avoid taking massive damage. While this sounds like a “do it or wipe” mechanic, it’s just one that does put a lot of stress on the healer and or tank that’s leading the group and could quite possibly make their hair fall out if you o it more than once.
But even then, it’s a fun mechanic, and really offers a lot of reason to try it out a time or three. The same could be said for Moon Hunter Keep, which in my opinion, seems more akin to that of the White-Gold Tower dungeon or Crypt of Hearts, but still manages to have an identity of its own, and isn’t near as threatening as the aforementioned dungeon. Due to traps, this dungeon does push players to remain aware of the dungeon placed before them and the encounters that they will have.
As for Moon Hunter Keep, it doesn’t look terribly different from, say, Imperial City Prison or White-Gold Tower, but still manages to stand out in other ways. The adds, while not particularly threatening, heal more powerful forces and force players to be aware of their surroundings. While I’d have loved to see Veteran versions of these dungeons with amazing gear to be had, a few new 2-piece sets to snag, I still can’t be nearly as irked as a part of me wants to be.
With all of this said, Wolfhunter is not a high-end dungeon duo you’d hope to have. Rather, it’s one that introduces a new set of mechanics, some for you to find interest in while the rest may leave you scratching your head in the end. For $20 USD, however, it’s definitely worth the money or the ESO Plus Subscription to give the dungeon duo a whirl.
Our review is based upon a retail version that was provided to us by the publisher of the game. For information about our ethics policy please click here.
About the Writer(s):
Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the borders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter or Facebook.