It’s been ten years since the release ofSkyrim,The Elder Scrollsfranchise’s most successful installment to date. Over thirty million copies have been sold on various systems, greatly surpassingTheElder Scrollsfranchise’s previous games.Skyrim’soverallsuccess and popularityhave left many longing for anotherElder Scrollstitle. Unfortunately, the only news fans have received aboutThe Elder Scrolls 6came from a trailer released in 2018.
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The Elder Scrolls 6is not expected to release for another decade, leaving fans to speculate what elements the game will have. Many wish forThe Elder Scrolls 6to use popular features fromSkyrimto recreate the atmosphere that made it renowned. However, in other aspects, Bethesda shoulddraw from previous titlesinstead.
10Take: Skyrim’s Appeal
Unlike otherElder Scrollsgames, Bethesda advertisezSkyrimin a way that appealed to the masses rather than just theElder Scrollsfanbase. Everything from the trailer to the game itself was much less complex than previous installments. This made the game easier to introduce to players new and old.
Skyrim’sappeal is a feature thatTheElder Scrolls 6should implement to an extent.TheElder Scrollsworld is often difficult to comprehend, it is best for new additions to be presented in a simple way.TheElder Scrolls 6should not diminish its story to achieve this appeal, but it should work to create an easy-to-digest trailer or introduction into the game.
9Don’t Take: Skyrim’s Magic
With five spell trees and a dull library of spells, mages in Skyrim are much less formidable than their previous counterparts.OblivionandMorrowindoffered a wide variety of spells and a sixth school of magic known as Mysticism. The removal ofOblivion’smagic system may have resulted fromSkyrim’sappeal to new players, or the fact that magic is not as popular in the game’s setting.
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Many fans have been disappointed withSkyrim’slimiting magic system.The Elder Scrolls 6should continueusing the magicthat existed in previous games. This would make mages the popular and powerful characters that they once were.
8Take: Skyrim’s Attributes
Skyrimonly has three attributes (Health, Stamina, Magicka) compared to previous games, which had eight. With each level, players can choose to increase one of these attributes. This system is much simpler than that of the previous games, which made leveling up much more complicated.
The Elder Scrolls 6should continue usingSkyrim’ssimple three attribute system. While previous games allowed players to determine certain aspects of their character, the system caused more confusion than clarity. Three attributes are easier to manage than eight, and make character builds easier to plan out.
7Don’t Take: Skyrim’s Artifacts
Skyrim’sunique itemsand Daedric artifactspale in comparison to previous games. InOblivionandMorrowind, special items held unique abilities that made them truly different from anything else the player could find. InSkyrim, such items are hardly special at all, boasting no extraordinary power. The last thing fans want when becoming Thane is an iron axe with pitiful frost damage.
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The Elder Scrolls 6should discardSkyrim’sdefinition of “unique” items, and return to the powerful artifacts of previous games. When players complete Daedric quests or other special adventures, they should be rewarded an item that is just as notable. This will motivate players to explore the world in search of valuable artifacts and treasures.
6Take: Skyrim’s Combat System
Skyrim’scombat system is more straightforward and less calculating its predecessors. In previous games, the slow and punishing combat made it difficult to progress through the game.Skyrim’scombat is simpler, but it still provides a great challenge for players, especially at higher difficulties.
The Elder Scrolls 6should use this system to maintain the challenging-yet-fun feel of combat. Fights against basic enemies should not draw out for too long, and combat should be exciting. Players will be able to easily learn how to fight, and battles will be much more intense and rewarding.
5Don’t Take: Skyrim’s RPG Elements
Skyrim,is without a doubt, an excellent RPG game. However, it lacks a lot of the elements present in past installments. In previous games, players had more freedom and customization options when making their characters. Nearly every quest had multiple outcomes, and every playthrough was vastly different from the last.Skyrimhas diluted these features and limited the player’s choices.
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The Elder Scrolls 6should bring back the influence that players had on their characters and the story. Every decision should have some sort of effect on their game, making it truer to the RPG genre. Players will think about every choice they make, and will want to replay the game several times to try completely different approaches to quests.
4Take: Skyrim’s Leveling
PastElder Scrollsgames leveling systems were complicated and difficult to manage, even for experienced players.Skyrim’snew system took the headachesout of levelingby making it much simpler. Players improve their skills through repeated use, and can acquire perks once they level up.
The Elder Scrolls 6should utilize this straightforward system to make character building easier. Planning out builds usingSkyrim’ssystem is simple and does not require the critical thinking needed for leveling inOblivionorMorrowind. Players can focus on making a character without the worry of making detrimental mistakes.
3Don’t Take: Skyrim’s Quests
Skyrim’squests are generally pretty fun (aside from “A Return to Your Roots”), but they lack the level of memorability that previous games had. Nearly every quest inOblivionfelt like a campaign of its own, with an interesting story and turn of events. Even certain aspects ofSkyrim’smain questlineor faction quests feel uneventful compared to others.
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The Elder Scrolls 6should make their quests similar toOblivion’s. Every quest, no matter how unimportant, should have a unique story to tell or a challenging decision to make. The opportunity to set aside the main questline to go on a random adventure is one of the most important aspects of an RPG. It provides players with a unique experience that will make every playthrough special.
2Take: Skyrim’s Immersion
One ofSkyrim’smost notable traits is its level of immersion it achieves. There is a level of realism in the game that engages the player in nearly everything that they do. Players can add to their homes, read books, explore, get married, and more.
The Elder Scrolls 6should work to reach this degree of immersion, allowing players to lose themselves in its fantastical world. Every interaction should engage the player and make them feel like they are a part of the game’s universe. This helps players to get into character, immersing themselves in the story and world that Bethesda has created. After all, that’s what every RPG should strive to achieve.
1Don’t Take: Skyrim’s Factions
Skyrimdoesn’t grant players with the samegrand and interesting factionsthat were present in previous games. Each faction offers little variety from those that existed before, regarding its story and characters. Joining these factions is almost effortless and rising to the top is easier than ever before. InOblivionandMorrowind, every quest felt essential to the factions' progress, and rising in rank took a lot of work.
The Elder Scrolls 6factions should make players feel like an ordinary member rather than the main character. Players should face the same challenges other members dealt with upon joining, and becoming a prominent member should not be a seamless process. Working hard for their titles helps players immerse themselves in the role of a faction member, and their contributions will feel more impactful.
