Summary
One of the characteristics that makes video game storytelling stand out from other mediums of storytelling is how the world changes and responds to the player’s choices and actions. This is most often reflected in the NPCs who inhabit the world and the world itself. As an open-world RPG, the worlds ofThe Elder Scrollsshould serve this characteristic, but they often don’t go as far as they should when it comes to reacting to player choice, for a number of reasons.The Elder Scrolls: OblivionandSkyrimboth had this problem, and it’s something thatThe Elder Scrolls 6needs to fix.
The Imperial City After the Oblivion Crisis
Changes in Cyrodiil During Oblivion’s Story
Cyrodiil undergoes several changes according to where the player is inOblivion’s main story. Kvatch becomes uninhabitable, and more Oblivion Gates open after the main storyline quest Dagon Shrine. NPCs also react to the Hero of Kvatch’s actions, whether they be related to a guild, side quest, or main storyline. Unfortunately, despite the detail that went into these changes, the biggest upheaval of all – the Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon’s attack on the Imperial City – doesn’t result in much change at all for the Empire’s capital city.
At the climax of the story,Mehrunes Dagon and the forces of Oblivionpour onto the streets of the Imperial City in a massive attack. The Imperial City is on fire during the attack, with random leveled Daedra wantonly attacking NPCs. The battle culminates in Martin Septim mantling the divine Akatosh and battling Mehrunes Dagon in a monstrous duel.
Everything Reverts in Oblivion
While all of this is dramatic and epic, the abrupt return to normalcy in the aftermath of such destruction is very jarring. The only real change to the environment is the new dragonstatue of Akatosh in the Temple of Oneas well as the Temple’s partial destruction, with the Imperial City returning to normalcy quickly after the Oblivion Crisis ends. Rather than feeling as though Tamriel had just been invaded by evil forces from another dimension, Cyrodiil itself remained unchanged in the wake of the Oblivion Crisis.
The Future of Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls
The Problem Persists in Skyrim
Skyrimalso had this problem where the landscape of the world didn’t show any impact after significant events in the game. WhenWhiterun was invaded during the Civil War storyline, the city is shown to be in flames during the quest itself, but returns to normalcy very quickly in the aftermath, with the NPCs not acknowledging the Dragonborn’s role in the conflict. None ofSkyrim’s cities are affected by the dragon attacks, and defeating Alduin has no impact onSkyrimbeyond a decrease in the chances of dragons spawning in-game.
How The Elder Scrolls 6 Could Use Environmental Storytelling
The Elder Scrolls 6has the chance to elevate its narrativeby using environmental storytelling.The Elder Scrollsconsistently deals with epic, world-shaking events that are more than capable of transforming the landscape. IfThe Elder Scrolls 6continues this tradition, players need to be able to see the impact they have on the world around them, even if the story guides them in one direction.
Examples of howThe Elder Scrolls 6could transform the storytelling inThe Elder Scrollsinclude depicting damaged buildings after battles in cities, newly ruined landscapes, and destroyed forests. Depending on player choices and their role in the story, they could minimize the damage or take steps to reverse it, much like showing Kvatch’s recovery after the completion of the main storyline inOblivion. These are just some of the waysThe Elder Scrolls 6can go beyond single moments and show real impact.
