How I would building the ultimate Elder Scrolls game.
With re-released, fan remakes, mods and even full engine overhauls, the Elder Scrolls games are near and dear to many people, myself included. Many players tend to gravitate towards one game or another based on its release, gameplay mechanics and personal preferences, leading to a lit of tribalism in the fandom. But I want to put that aside for a moment, and take what I think are the best gameplay features of all 3, 3D Elder Scrolls games, {Morrowind, Oblivion and Skyrim} along with some additional features to make what I think would be the ultimate Elder Scrolls game.
Before we begin, please keep in mind this is just my personal opinion and not absolute fact. Personal taste is subjective, so please take everything I say here with a grain of salt. With that out of the way, here’s what I would want from each 3d game if I could cherry pick elements, and a few new features I think players would enjoy:
Morrowind: Armor Slots, Armor Types, weapon types, skills, Alchemy, mini-map, open cities and travel options.
Starting with the eldest of these 3 Elder Scrolls games {see what I did there?} I love how you can mix and match armor pieces, also I wished I had Medium Armor as a choice, having Axes as “Blunt” weapons felt off to me and not having weapons like Spears, Bo-Staffs and Halberds isn’t realistic for a fantasy setting. Also I love how robes have their own designated slot in Morrowind so you can wear them over your armor! I also wish we had throwing knives, shurikens and kunai as ranged options. The mini-map is also something that would have been really helpful in Oblivion. I also love how the cities in Morrowind were a part of the over world and not just their own closed off cells. Also you had multiple ways of getting places which adds to the depth of the game. Also Alchemy was OP in Morrowind and was seriously nerfed in later games. I would love to see the Morrowind Alchemy system return, it made you feel like a true wizard or mad scientist, creating a potion so op you were godlike.
Morrowind and Oblivion: Classes, Birthsigns and attributes.
These features were sorely missed in Skyrim. I was so disappointed when I saw Skyrim had no classes or birthsigns except for the stupid stones. It really took me out of the experience. Also there aren’t any attributes like in Morrowind and Oblivion. You couldn’t increase your strength, intelligence, willpower, endurance, etc. I was so hyped for Skyrim, but after Dawnguard I really didn’t feel like playing anymore, because it felt hollow. I went back to Oblivion. From the popularity of the "Classic birthsigns and classes" mods for Skyrim, I wasn’t the only one. I would also keep “Short Blade” and “Long Blade” merged together as “Blade”.
Oblivion: Magic system, melee system, Blade skill, and radiant ai.
Oblivion’s magic and melee combat was top notch, it felt weighty, not like Skyrim’s tiny staggering or Morrowind’s RND, you could knock an opponent legitimately off their feet, and they could do the same to you. It just feels satisfying. Also you can CAST SPELLS WITH BOTH HANDS FULL! Whether you had a sword and shield or a gigantic battle axe you could cast spells with a simple button press. No having to unequip items or having to equip a spell to your hand. Again, from the popularity of the “Oblivion style spell casting" mod for Skyrim SE, I’m not the only one who thinks this. Also spell making was fun as hell, making godly spells that could one shot enemies never gets old. Although with some enemies who have reflect spell you could one shot yourself. While not perfect the radiant ai made Cyrodiil feel alive. As limited as it was, it was amazing seeing people walk around, go about their day, even stopping to talk to one another. I think with current technology we can do better now.
Oblivion and Skyrim: Fast travel, map markers, quest markers and menus
Yeah, in my opinion the menus in Morrowind were kind of daft and trying to wonder around for hours to find a Dwemer puzzle box isn’t my cup of tea. In Oblivion and Skyrim things are neatly organized and most of the time easy to find. Also map and quest markers with the fast travel system made things so much more convenient. Not much to say here.
Skyrim: Character creation, animations, effects, duel wielding, death blows equipping your followers, being able to move while over encumbered, cooking, crafting, Pickpocket skill, marriage and raising a family.
The options in Skyrim to customize your character is amazing, the animations are the best in the series as are the effects. The ability to wield two weapons at once is awesome, but the best part about Skyrim is the ability to craft your own items, it’s oddly rewarding spending hours making weapons that are better than what you can buy, and making a profit from it. Another thing was the ability to give your companions better equipment as well as your excess gear, as well as being able to reach them or a store without dropping anything to move. I would also have the “Pickpocket” skill as a Stealth skill, replacing “Short Blade” from Morrowind. In addition, being able to cook your own meals adds a layer of depth to an otherwise shallow game. But one of the best things is coming home after a day of adventuring to a roaring fire, a loving husband or wife depending on preferences and a child to tell all your adventures to. And even though children In Skyrim are a bit potato faced I wish they were in Morrowind and Oblivion. I hope we get more kids from other races in the future.
Other Options:
While these are all great, there are other additions not in any of the 3D era games that I would like to see implemented.
Built in Mod Support: While Skyrim creation club is cool, I would love to see something more like the Steam Workshop implemented into the next game. Allow us to download free mods from a page without having to mess around with installations or the game files.
Toggleable Quest Markers, Inventory Style, Fast Travel and RNG Combat: This would be for the Morrowind purists who don’t want to be “held by the hand” and want wander around with only vague directions and only want to use their own two feet and maybe some travel options like guild teleporters, Silt Strider or wagon trip. I know some people love the Morrowind Combat System, I’m not one of them but having a toggleable option for something that simulates it might appeal to the more hard-core players or those who want another kind of challenge. Finally, you would be able to toggle between the “classic” Morrowind/RPG style and the more “Modern” Oblivion and Skyrim style inventory systems and item equipping methods to maximize your personal experience.
Survival Mode: For the realism junkies who download mods for everything from forcing the player to eat, drink and sleep, to adding out houses for pooping and even having to stay warm. Can be toggled separately or in conjunction with the previous feature to your difficulty preference.
Corruption system: I would love to see something like KOTOR or Fable’s Light or Dark Side system in a future game, the more infamous you become the more evil you look.
Court System: Daggerfall had a court system where players could actually go to trial for crimes, offering choices to plead guilty for lesser sentences, debate your case, or use an advocate, making it a significant feature absent in later Elder Scrolls titles. I would love to see this return. A revised version would be to either pay fine for your crime, go to prison or go to trial to either plea for a lesser sentence or to be acquitted. Your Personality and Luck would help decide your sentence. This could also backfire giving you a worse sentence/fine or in certain cases end up being executed and forcing you to reload.
And this is my personal opinion on what would make the ultimate Elder Scrolls game. Again, I know my tastes aren't going to entirely match yours So please take anything presented here with a grain of salt. Let me know in the comments what you agree with, what you disagree with, and how you would built your own ultimate Elder Scrolls game.
And remember, "When the next Elder Scroll is written, you shall be its scribe." ~Martin Septim