The massively anticipatedThe Elder Scrolls 6is set to be one of the most high-profile releases in gaming history, given the ever-growing popularity of the franchise and the huge gulf of time since the last mainline franchise entry. Being built for a new generation of much more capable hardware and having to exceed the expectations set by its popular predecessor, it is likely that the upcoming title will have an ambitious level of scale and depth.
There is a certain element of the longstanding fantastical RPG series that will likely carry forward intoThe Elder Scrolls 6. TheElder Scrollsfranchise has become known for becoming simpler in its complexity and overall difficulty with each subsequent mainline release, and the same may eventually be said aboutTES 6when compared to the massively successfulSkyrim.
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Increasing Simplicity Within The Elder Scrolls
A trend that has arguably extended to a wide variety of different video game genres over time,The Elder Scrollsfranchisehas been widely characterized as becoming simpler with each mainline release. The nature of this increased simplicity is wide-ranging, being attributed to the increased presence of things like waypoint markers and more lenient difficulty options.
For example,the 2002 titleMorrowindwas the first foray into theElder Scrollsfranchise for many fans, and one of its largest appeals was the open and free nature in which it let the player explore the game. With no waypoints and a much more rudimentary map, the player was left to their own devices, having to thoroughly read the quest journal and use in-game signage to navigate between settlements and find figures of interest.
This would be completely changed with the release ofOblivionand more so again withthe 2011 release ofSkyrim, with quests and travel being far easier to navigate via the addition of a compass, waypoint markers, and completely free fast travel. While fast travel did exist inMorrowind, it was limited to actual modes of transportation that the player had to seek out and purchase, with only certain destinations resultantly being eligible to travel to. Although it may not be as significant, many fans of the franchise are expecting this trend to translate over toThe Elder Scrolls 6upon its eventual release.
Potential Changes Between Skyrim and The Elder Scrolls 6
AsThe Elder Scrollsfranchise has aged and grown so significantly in popularity, it is no wonder that Bethesda has had to refine its core formula to appeal to wider audiences and increase player retention. Given the likely aforementioned reception and hype aroundTES 6, it can be said that a newfound demographic will once again be introduced to the franchise, perhaps indicating a need to further refine the franchise’s core gameplay.
Most of these potential changes may be precipitated by the likelyincreased scale ofThe Elder Scrolls 6, in which the pre-existing norm of navigation and travel simply may no longer be viable. This could possibly be remedied by a summonable mount or greatly increased movement options via magic, although this may be labeled by some as an increased level of “hand-holding” that takes away from the core immersion and depth ofTESgameplay.
Other ways that the game could appeal to new fans would be to offer a disproportionately easier mode of difficulty for players to experience a more narratively-focused playthrough in which combat is not as threatening or looming. It remains to be seen what kind of direction thegameplay ofThe Elder Scrolls 6will go, although increased simplicity seems almost inevitable when considering the franchise’s history.
The Elder Scrolls 6is currently in development.
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