Why Elder Scrolls 6 Needs to Be More ESO Than Skyrim in its Art

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Why Elder Scrolls 6 Needs to Be More ESO Than Skyrim in its Art

As a long-time Elder Scrolls enthusiast who’s journeyed through the vast landscapes of Tamriel since the days of Daggerfall, I can’t help but share my thoughts on the upcoming The Elder Scrolls 6. After the somewhat rocky launch of Starfield, Bethesda has a tall order to fill with this highly anticipated sequel to one of the best-loved western RPGs ever made.

After the launch of Starfield, Bethesda enthusiasts have moved their focus towards the studio’s upcoming open-world RPG: The Elder Scrolls 6. It’s been 13 years since the last installment of Elder Scrolls was released, and 6 years since The Elder Scrolls 6 was first announced. Although we know production is ongoing for the game, Bethesda has been tight-lipped about any specific details.

Anticipation for The Elder Scrolls 6 is exceptionally high, and Bethesda has a lot riding on it after Starfield’s somewhat rocky debut. The Elder Scrolls 6 is a sequel to one of the most cherished western RPGs ever made, with Skyrim setting a high standard for Bethesda games in terms of environmental storytelling, music, and grandeur. However, concerning one aspect of The Elder Scrolls 6, it might be wiser for the game to emulate one of the series’ spin-offs.

Taking Cues From The Elder Scrolls Online’s Aesthetic

The visual design employed in Skyrim is perfectly suited for the immersive gameplay it aims to provide. Its Nordic, mountainous landscape boasts a genuine appearance that enhances the authentic feel of its expansive open world, thereby making the more magical aspects of Skyrim more noticeable to players. However, when it comes to The Elder Scrolls 6, it might be advantageous to draw influence from the art style of The Elder Scrolls Online for a fresh and engaging look.

The Issues With Skyrim’s Visuals

Looking at Skyrim’s visuals from today’s standards in video game graphics, one might find them somewhat dull. The main issue lies with Skyrim’s color palette, which is largely made up of subdued shades of green, gray, brown, and white. Previous Bethesda RPGs like Fallout 3 have faced similar criticisms for their monotonous color schemes in open-world settings, and Skyrim unfortunately follows this trend. Its art style was a reflection of its era, but modern players would expect more vibrant graphics from a contemporary release.

The Benefits of an ESO-esque Art Style

In contrast to the mainline games in the Elder Scrolls series, The Elder Scrolls Online distinguishes itself, in part, through its visually diverse landscapes. Unlike earlier games in the franchise, ESO offers players a chance to delve into a wider variety of biomes. Furthermore, the game’s environments are bathed in vivid colors, which gives each region its unique identity. While previous Elder Scrolls games offered unforgettable moments scattered across their open worlds that made exploring each region special, in ESO, it’s the locations themselves – whether it’s Stros M’Kai, Auridon, Summerset, or numerous other distinctive areas within the world – that leave a lasting impression on players.

In the realm of fantasy entertainment, there’s no shortage of films, series, and games – even some from the Elder Scrolls series – that opt for dull, desaturated color schemes. However, The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) buckles this trend with its vibrant, captivating color scheme, making its open world truly unique. The vivid bursts of color in ESO reinforce the notion that Tamriel is a realm of magic and wonder.

Drawing inspiration from ESO’s artistic approach could significantly enhance The Elder Scrolls 6’s open world, making it more distinctive and visually appealing compared to Skyrim. Since Hammerfell is said to be the setting for The Elder Scrolls 6, a vibrant and diverse color palette would help each unique biome in the province to stand out distinctly from one another. Given that Hammerfell’s most famous region is the Alik’r Desert, if Bethesda follows Skyrim’s visual style, exploring this desert could potentially become a tiresome experience.

Showcasing Graphical Improvements in The Elder Scrolls 6

Furthermore, it’s expected that The Elder Scrolls 6 will offer a substantial improvement graphically over Skyrim. To emphasize this improvement and make it more noticeable, Bethesda might consider adopting the artistic style of ESO. While there are numerous aspects from Skyrim that Bethesda should carry forward, in this particular case, mirroring the aesthetic of ESO could make The Elder Scrolls 6 seem like a significant upgrade to fans when they first see its trailer—regardless of when it’s released.

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2024-11-26 01:23