Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s Success Creates More Pressure for The Elder Scrolls 6

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Hey there! Do you recall when I first experienced the epic world of Skyrim or heard whispers about it? Back in those days, it was nearly impossible to ignore such a phenomenon. Millions of us were exploring this mystical realm, engaging in battles with towering giants and fearsome dragons, all while mastering new shouts and savoring the stunning visuals everyone was raving about. Despite its flaws, Skyrim truly embodied Bethesda – a game where the combat might not have been perfect, but the lore, quest design, sheer variety of content, even the non-exceptional 100+ dungeons, and the captivating art direction were second to none.

Indeed, that was back in 2011, and it’s accurate to acknowledge that Bethesda Game Studios might not be at the same peak level now. You could understand why Fallout 76 might have its issues, considering it’s a multiplayer game developed primarily by Bethesda Austin and has been significantly updated since its release. Similarly, you might cut Fallout 4 some slack – it undeniably benefited from the popular TV show, but unfortunately, the studio’s tendency to veer off course, particularly with the Next-Gen version, negatively impacted its momentum.

Despite high expectations, Starfield failed to impress many players when it was launched in September 2023. It struggled to maintain over 6K concurrent players on Steam, even with the addition of mod support. Previously, Shattered Space also fell flat and generated minimal interest, despite the build-up leading up to its release. Bethesda Game Studios has been tight-lipped about future plans for this game, but there are rumors of a PS5 version being announced soon and an anticipated second expansion set to launch this year.

Despite all the ongoing events, The Elder Scrolls 6 remains a glimmer of hope for many enthusiasts. It was unveiled at E3 2018, with no gameplay or specifics disclosed for nearly seven years. The most recent news from Bethesda is that they’re testing early versions, which was approximately a year ago. Like you, our speculations about the project’s current state are equally informed.

Despite some doubts lingering, there’s still a glimmer of anticipation that The Elder Scrolls 6 could be the game that restores Bethesda’s reputation. I’m optimistic that we’ll overlook their past missteps and oversights once promotions begin in earnest. Caught up in the excitement, ready to trust those delightful untruths one more time. However, it might not be as straightforward as with Starfield, given another game’s planned release beforehand.

Regardless of whether you adore, detest or hold in high regard, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 sets a new standard for what The Elder Scrolls 6 could potentially achieve within the realm of open-world action RPGs. It’s not hard to see why, given its impact on many titles alike, particularly those emphasizing narrative impact, reactive environments, immersive gameplay, and meticulous attention to detail.

Regardless of the historical setting being different from Tamriel’s fantasy world, there are simply too many valuable lessons in this grounded medieval title for Bethesda to overlook. It’s not just about releasing a game that runs smoothly on all platforms and delivers exceptional visual quality compared to… indeed, Starfield.

I’m referring to side missions that have lasting effects and criminal actions affecting your long-term standing. The gameplay should strive for realism, taking into account factors beyond just Charisma or Speech skills when determining responses. This includes elements such as social status, reputation, attire, and personal grooming. Additionally, I’m interested in a world filled with diverse activities – not just tedious tasks like carrying bags for extended periods (there’s nothing inherently wrong with that).

Instead of rushing to increase all your character’s abilities to max level before a crucial early event in the story, it’s more about immersing yourself in the game and appreciating everything it offers because there’s so much fascinating content to discover. This is different from stumbling upon the same randomly generated base repeatedly and battling the same enemies over and over again.

In a different perspective, the key takeaway might be that Henry’s journey doesn’t necessitate an overwhelmingly harsh experience. While the challenging save system in Deliverance 2 can make decisions weightier, it can also seem difficult or irritating. Yet, don’t fret; the game still manages to present numerous obstacles to Henry’s progress. Given his limited abilities and resources, you’ll need to adapt and climb the social ladder. This isn’t merely about engaging in fights to boost your fighting prowess, but also earning money to purchase better clothing, armor, weapons, and other essential items.

Absolutely, it’s essential to spend time understanding how the world functions. Blindly stumbling into dangerous situations like a bandit’s lair or an encounter with wild animals is equally disastrous in real life as it is in games. In the case of Henry (from the game), even if he starts with nothing, the world doesn’t magically reveal all its secrets and treasures. Instead, you’re not only battling to conquer but also to comprehend the world around you, with the aim of achieving your own objectives.

From a narrative standpoint, this feature empowers players to mold Henry’s character and act out different roles, which the Perks serve to enhance. You can transform him into an adored hero, a despised killer, a stealthy thief, a helpful apothecary, a humble blacksmith – or even a mix of these, if you so choose, given enough time and patience.

It’s worth noting that Bethesda should consider expanding on the freedom of choice in combat, an area they might find instructive. Initially, Henry seems to lack breathing power, much like a tiny kitten. However, as you progress, develop stamina, and learn to read your adversary, encounters transform into more strategic and captivating experiences.

(Alternatively)

– Bethesda should explore expanding the freedom of choice in combat, an area they could learn from. At first, Henry’s breath control seems as weak as a newborn kitten’s, but as you grow stronger, learn to read your opponent, and build up stamina, encounters become more tactical and interesting.

Every action carries significance – be it delivering a powerful blow against your adversary or skillfully dodging their attacks, always ready for the opportune moment to strike back. If this doesn’t appeal, seek out Mutt and gather some Houndmaster abilities instead. Witness the chaos unfold, then repeat.

In other words, certain suggestions might not align with the traditional structure of a Bethesda game, such as the freedom to explore extensively with minimal penalties or significant perils, especially the option to save progress at any point. It’s acceptable for both games to have their unique aspects, and if The Elder Scrolls 6 leans towards the power fantasy style reminiscent of Skyrim (given a former Bethesda designer hinted that it will employ a similar leveling system), then that would make sense.

Yet, there are several aspects about the game design that Bethesda might find instructive. For instance, the immersive quality of the game world versus a mere stage setting, such as in Starfield (prior to its update), is one area. Moreover, they could benefit from studying their presentation style, scripting, and character development. Lastly, there’s room for improvement in how they manage companions, their questlines, and dialogue options.

Despite my criticisms of Bethesda’s missteps – and there have been many – it’s rival games like “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” that could push them to reach new heights. Admittedly, they haven’t done so after other top-notch open-world RPGs such as “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt“, “Cyberpunk 2077“, and others, but there’s still a chance for improvement. Whether Bethesda can capitalize on this opportunity to create an “Elder Scrolls” game that sets the standard for this generation instead of constantly playing catch-up is yet to be seen. That’s the big question.

*Please keep in mind: The opinions expressed within this article belong solely to the author and may not reflect the views of GamingBolt as a collective.*

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2025-02-23 21:12