Zenimax Online Studios has, time and again, captured my interest with The Elder Scrolls Online. I first really got into the MMO back when Murkmire came out. Ever since then I have been keeping up with the series as I ventured into Elsweyr and even back into Skyrim. This year, ZeniMax brings us the Gates of Oblivion year-long event.

This time around we are looking at Blackwood. I was able to sit down and get an early look at the DLC. This was my first major experience with Oblivion and the Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon. And I have to say, I am incredibly excited to see what the rest of the year holds for us.

Check out the trailer here:

Assassins and Demons

Nothing draws you right into a story quite like an assassination plot. As soon as you hop into Blackwood, you are tasked with aiding in the investigation of the deaths of some council members. As the story progresses, you find the symbol of the Dark Brotherhood: a single black hand on a piece of parchment. This calling card is quite apparent and your hunt of the Dark Brotherhood begins.

The further you investigate these assassinations, the more you uncover about a demonic plot. You are lead to a cult worshipping Mehrunes Dagon, portals leading to Oblivion, and some interesting partnerships. I will avoid spoiling anything until the review comes out, but the story is captivating right from the get-go. I never played Oblivion before this, but this has already been a wonderful experience in seeing Oblivion and the influence of the Daedra.

New Friends

As someone who is a fan of single-player games, a new feature coming to Blackwood is right up my alley. Now, The Elder Scrolls Online has always been good about allowing players to work through the story by themselves if they wish. This is usually my preferred playstyle. I enjoy exploration and diving into the lore. Since this is not everyone’s cup of tea, it is nice to be able to take time to do.

However, this can have its own hurdles. This is where the new Companion system comes into play. Blackwood is introducing companions to aid in your adventures. These companions will help you as best they can as you make your way across the perilous land of Tamriel. They are there to aid you in any way they can. Almost.

Unlike the companions in Skyrim, the companions in The Elder Scrolls Online cannot become your pack mule. The only things you can give them are weapons, armor, and items specifically designed for companions. These do not spawn in the world unless you have a companion accompanying you. As you travel with your newfound partner, you build a rapport with them. They have different personalities and traits. Your actions in the world affect how they perceive you. Some companions may not like watching you steal, while others may encourage it.

The companion system already seems to be a welcome addition to The Elder Scrolls Online. In the hands-on time I received, I enjoyed having a companion with me to aid in battles. Combat is not always my strong suit, so having someone aiding me has been helpful. And, if you do like running dungeons with friends, you can take companions in to help. Each player gets to have one companion, meaning you could run a four-player dungeon with two players and two companions. Be warned, however, the companions are not, and never will be, as good as actual players.

The Next Generation

As they have done with past expansions, ZeniMax will be releasing an update with Blackwood. Update 30 will bring two new improvements to the game: Endeavors and Console Enhanced. These additions to The Elder Scrolls Online will bring something new to everyone, PC and console players alike.

At this point, we’ve all seen the incredible processing power in the newest generation of consoles. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S have brought about a unique experience for console gamers. Starting with the release of Blackwood, The Elder Scrolls Online will be taking advantage of this. On June 8th, with the release of the console version of Blackwood, the Console Enhanced update will be released. This update will allow PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players to take advantage of the power in their machines and play the game at 60 FPS will full access to better graphics. And the best part is, it’s absolutely free. If you would like to see the full breakdown of Console Enhanced, you can check it out here.

The other major thing that we will see Update 30 bring is Endeavors. Endeavors bring a series of daily and weekly tasks for you to complete throughout your journies in Tamriel. These tasks will grant extra opportunities to gain some rewards, such as gold and experience. However, the best part about them is the fact that you can earn Seals of Endeavor. These seals allow you to unlock Crown Crates. This is the first time The Elder Scrolls Online has given you the chance to buy these crates using in-game currency.

As always, ZeniMax brings more and more wonderful life to The Elder Scrolls Online. Blackwood is already shaping up to be another fantastic addition to the game. As are the updates and new systems. I am anxiously awaiting the release of Blackwood as well as the rest of the content in the Gates of Oblivion event.