[Above: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Official Trailer]
When I was a kid, the one game that I can say that really took me out of my comfort zone of strategy games (Age of Empires was the norm in the day) and put me into the wide world of gaming was not a shooter, fighter or adventure game, but an RPG. It was Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, old even in that day and much loved by me. And then when I played The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion it did not fail to please. (Morrowind was still more fun though, visuals aside)
Dragons: Whats a video game without clichés?
The incredible levels of customization, control on the character, story depth and varied quests in this game was what then set the bar for later RPGs I played, and none left as indelible a mark as the Elder Scrolls series. Naturally, when Bethesda Softworks formally announces another game in the series, the only thing that I can do for now is decide which game I buy in November (Scheduled release is 11.11.2011) and ramble on about the overhauls which have been announced, of which there are many:
No More Character Classes
It has become a norm for Roleplaying Games to offer a choice of class to the player -- what kind of combatant the player will be (Fighter, Ranged, Medic, etc). Each class has its own special abilities, and the system lures the player to play the game again and again, as different classes.
What is new in Skyrim, and has shocked many RPG fans the world over, is the removal of this class based system. The ‘races’ will still be there, but Bethesda has removed class selection on the basis of fan feedback after Oblivion and Fallout 3. This is what game director Todd Howard has to say:
“What we found in Oblivion – you start the game, you pick your race, and you play for a while. Our intent was: you played for a while, you got to figure out some skills, and then depending on how you play… one of the characters asks you ‘okay, what kind of class do you want to be? Here’s my recommendation based on how you’ve been playing.’
“And sort of our thought process was, what if that guy never asked that? I was perfectly happy right before then, ya know, I was just playing the game and skills were going up, so we just got rid of that. You just play, and your skills go up as you play and the higher your skill, the more it affects your leveling. So it’s a really, really nice elegant system that kind of self-balances itself.”
Many RPG fans are still disappointed by this move, claiming that the tried and tested system of classes was what worked for them. I however, disagree. As a not-so-serious gamer, it has happened in many RPG games that I don’t like the class I chose in the beginning and feel pigeonholed into the role. Sometimes you get so frustrated you start over. That is why I personally welcome the move and appreciate the fact that the developers are trying to reform a slowly stagnating genre.
Sneaking has also been improve
Revamped Combat System
Timing
Skyrim’s combat system will try to bring more realism into the patent Elder Scrolls combat style. For example, timing of attacks, shielding, etc. will start to matter more than before. A common strategy employed by many players previously was to synchronization’s attacking and running to make battles easier. This will be rendered ineffective.
Finishers
However the feature that I most look forward to in the combat system is animated finishing blows. Every weapon will have its own cinematic ‘finisher’, much like Assassins Creed: Brotherhood or God of War finishers.
Magic
Another issue that I noted lacking in Oblivion is depth in magic and spells. Many spells in Oblivion were redundant, and spell customization wholly impractical. The developers have promised a more in-depth spell system, with magic duels being a possibility too.
Dragon shouts
The story of the game (see below) features prominently a dragon. The protagonist is presented as the last of the ‘dragonborn’ and has a unique ability to perform dragon shouts. The way this works is that the character learns the language of the game, one word at a time, and can release it to perform some special abilities during combat. While some are hailing it as a highly promising development, I have my apprehensions as it just sounds to me like magic wearing fancy pants.
Story
Within Skyrim's universe is the usage of 'dragon language'. The alphabet was constructed to look aeshetically dragon-like, hence the use of claw-like markings
As mentioned the story prominently features a dragon, highly clichéd as it sounds. The plot as described on Wikipedia (Source verified) is:
Skyrim is not a direct sequel to Oblivion; rather, it is a new chapter in the Elder Scrolls series, set two hundred years after the events of Oblivion. In the premise to Skyrim, the Empire began ceding territory to the Elven nations it once ruled, because there was no heir to the Emperor’s throne. The Blades had no one to defend, and gradually died, were murdered, or secluded themselves from the rest of the world. After the king of Skyrim was assassinated, a civil war broke out amongst the native Nord race – the majority being those who wished for Skyrim to secede from the Empire, and the rest being those who wished for Skyrim to stay in the Empire.
As with previous Elder Scrolls games, Skyrim begins with the main protagonist an unknown prisoner. The player eventually learns that Skyrim’s civil war is last in a sequence of prophetic events foretold by the Elder Scrolls of the return of the Nordic Alduin, god of destruction. Taking the form of a gigantic dragon, Alduin is prophesied to consume the world. The player assumes the role of the last Dovahkiin (Dragonborn), a dragon hunter anointed by the gods to help fend off the threat Alduin poses to Skyrim and Tamriel.
New Menus
The menu system is in for a complete overhaul, as the developers have tried to intuitively present a lot of information in a clean interface. In fact, director Todd Howard claims the menus are inspired by Apple UIs:
”You know in iTunes when you look at all your music you get to flip through it and look at the covers and it becomes tangible?…One of our goals was ‘What if Apple made a fantasy game? How would this look?’ It’s very good at getting through lots of data quickly, which is always a struggle with our stuff.”
In fact the leveling up and perks system is based on three constellations consisting of various stars, so everytime you choose a perk, the corresponding star lights up. Stellar.
Game Engine and ‘Radiant Story’
Skyrim utilizes the Creation Engine, a game engine developed internally by Bethesda, which promises better draw distances, more realistic flora and cooler water effects.
The interesting bit though is the new ‘Radiant Story’ ‘artificial intelligence’ (note: I put this in quotes too) system. This allows side-quests to be dynamically altered based on player actions and tailored to the player’s abilities and progress within the game. Sounds promising, but we must wait and watch.
Concept art looks promising enough
Additional Features
The game will also feature new activities like mining, woodcutting, smithing, cooking, etc.
All in all, features or not, this is one game to look forward to this year.
Bethesda never ceases to amaze eh? The Elder Scrolls series has always been a benchmark for RPGs all over to pit themselves against,even if you see oblivion now which was made way back it still is as much enjoyable as any new RPG. But m y main point being this – Howard elaborated on Bethesda’s design goals for graphics in Skyrim. He said that “We primarily look at how we can improve facial expressions and animations, graphics-wise,” and that “[we] are working at pop-up issues, and we want to make sure that the graphics of the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 are alike. All three will look just as good, aside from the higher resolution and the anti-aliasing of the PC, of course.” :P
Well, ok.. Its just more fun.. somehow on a console, what with trophies and stuff. And legally buying games.
I can play it on PC also, with a 360 controller, but the ‘feel’ is lost in translation
Rpgs are not more fun on the console trust me the PC has much more options even gameplay wise cause basically RPG were made to be mouse+keyboard mix, the options in the controller are limited. Controllers give more feel in action and racing games (yes even like using the controller more than the keyboard sometimes) but using them in a RPG or strategy games theyre a big no-no.
i guess its an unpopular opinion, but i kinda found oblivion boring. its just TOO open ended
No, read this:http://gamerant.com/elder-scrolls-5-skyrim-best-disappointment-sieg-66060/
Many people criticized it. The game is large, but the realm is similar everywhere, and with many RPG elements stripped out.
I didn’t mind because I was playing once, and I’m not an RPG fanatic. Also, the missing RPG elements were compensated for by Action elements.
then youre not made for th game AT ALL see oblivion was just too easy comapraed to morrowind even in the exploration part, in morrowind you could literally get lost in the game world as to where the fuck you are and if there were dust storms then your done. As stated in the article Oblivion was made for the masses and not just fanatics (for people like me who loved baldur’s gate and neverwinter nights)mainly due to the suckiness and limitedness of the consoles (yea fuck you)and the now action game lovers who have absolutely no clue how to immerse themselves into a game and just mindlessly want to kill people. Bethesda needed to earn money you cannot just ask them to make something only a limited people will end up buying.
I think you donot understand the sheer dedicationn patience and overall awesomeness it takes to enjoy RPG games. They are games whcihc have a soul and not just mindless action and shootingm you choices affext the worldn your lifen you need to sratetegise each and everything-your equipmentn skills before you go out venturing into a wild open world full of dangers. You just cant play these games with your brain – they need to be played through the heart
I know I’m not a serious RPG fanatic, but I still enjoy them. I don’t have the requisite patience to actually be one.
In my opinion, by making their games more palatable to the mass audience, Bethesda is doing right by itself AND us. The common people [sic] need good developers like Bethesda to develop games for the mass market.
If they spend all their money and talent on making an awesome game that just a small community of fat guys will enjoy, what may i ask, will be the fucking point?
Thats why the guy who wrote that article is a fucked up otaku or shit like that.
I’m curious to see how the new menus turn out. They really dropped the ball when they mad Oblivion’s map no scrollable. I feel we will get a much more polished game. I can’t wait for Skyrim to launch.
I know, everyone’s a sucker for nice menus and friendly UI. Just hope the game lives up to the hype though, or I might lose all my respect for Bethesda this time.