The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim received a remaster last year, with a Switch port coming this fall, and ESO is getting a new Morrowind expansion. But what does the future hold for the series? I have some hopes for the next game and I would like to share them here.
1) Continue The trend of Morrowind and Skyrim: The 3rd and 5th game, unlike the first 2 and 4th, had a very distinctive setting that was wholly unique. They really showed off the distinct cultures the games wanted to show, and I would love for the 6th game to continue this trend. While I would love the rumors of the game being set in Valenwood to be true, I would be fine if it wasn’t, as long as the land of the setting has a distinct feel.
2) Refine the combat: Elder Scrolls combat is typically a low point for the series, and comes off as a cross between action and hack n slash while not feeling at home in an RPG. A better combat system can be done without sacrificing too much of the series identity and traditions. It just needs to be touched up for a bit.
3) Test out a game with the new engine before Elder Scrolls VI: Every Bethesda game launches with bugs and glitches of some kind. I would like to see Bethesda test out the new engine they will make, on another game before the next Elder Scrolls. that way it can launch with less bugs and less rushing, especially if the engine is better understood.
4) Give us some information about the previous protagonists: We know very little of what happened to the previous protagonists of the series. The Eternal Champion has been the subject of debate among fans, and the Agent of Daggerfall is assumed to have died due to the Warp but we don’t truly know, and the Nerevarine hasn’t shown up again despite being immortal. In fact, only the Hero of Kvatch has shown up in a later game and we don’t have an answer as to what will be of the Dragonborn. Some insight into the past protagonists would be nice.
5) Better marriage and children system: In Skyrim you could get married but it was a very basic system with nothing really to it and it felt lacking. Adopting children was a neat touch but it too missed something. There is a lot that can be done to improve this mechanic for the next entry and make it a part of the game that truly makes it stand out.
6) Continue some plot threads: Skyrim left a lot of lot threads unresolved, such as the Thalmor issue. While the Dragonborn’s tale is done, the next hero can take on the task of helping restore Tamriel to its former glory. if the Bosmer will be the focus of the game, then this is a great way to make the war with the Thalmor a focal point. there can even be conflict among the Bosmer themselves over who to side with. This isn’t the only plot thread, but it is the one that stands out the most, and the one I will use as an example.
7) Expand the cast and design team: Skyrim had limited voice actors and as such, many characters shared an actor/actress. As well, the dungeons were designed by a small team of people, and this made the game feel very repetitive at times. A bigger cast, and a large design team can do wonders to create a more diverse atmosphere for the next game, so that it does not have that some problem of feeling repetitive and too much the same.
8) And lastly – Experiment with something out of the box: Morrowing and Skyrim are often felt to be the best in the series, and both tried something very different and ended up becoming big successes. Sticking to conventional ideas is okay, but as with Oblivion, it feels too similar to fantasy ideas in general. Do something different and stand out more. Give your game a unique identity and character.
I hope you enjoyed this piece and thank you for your time.
Disclaimer: The above was solely the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Real Otaku Gamer or its staff.