I'd like to acknowledge that this is a relatively quick review for such a massive game. In fact, I'd say the Crown Store is disappointing compared to what you find in fellow buy-to-play MMORPG Guild Wars 2, as the costumes are usually dull and there's no option for much-required services like appearance or faction changes. At no point should anyone who chooses not to use the Crown Store feel at a disadvantage. There's a cash shop called the 'Crown Store,' yes, but it largely focuses on cosmetic items like guar mounts and costumes, and you could get the few buffs it grants by cooking or buying player-made food. TESO scrapped its subscription free earlier this year, which means you can play all of its content without having to pay a dime beyond the initial purchase price.
Developer ZeniMax Online has generally done a good job of transforming it into one of the best MMORPGs currently available on consoles. But at the same time, The Elder Scrolls Online feels at home on the Xbox One and PS4, as though it were made for them from the start.
Granted, the launch week has been hounded by server instability and lag (that seems to be clearing up in the wake of a couple of patches), and I'm still not a big fan of the console versions' voice-only approach to socializing.