Elder Scrolls V - To Be Direct Sequel To Oblivion

First Post · 03-01-2011 01:44AM

I hope they pad out the leveling system some more and make a decent main quest line.

But mainly I hope they support it with significant DLC and keep the guild questlines.

Sasquatch76 · 08-01-2011 01:08AM

http://www.gamingeverything.com/2011/1/elder_scrolls_v_scans

Monotype · 08-01-2011 12:02PM

200 years later? I wonder what kind of differences that will make?
Looks very nice. I really, really hope that this doesn't suffer from consolitis.

Sasquatch76 · 08-01-2011 03:25PM

Monotype wrote: »

200 years later? I wonder what kind of differences that will make?
Looks very nice. I really, really hope that this doesn't suffer from consolitis.

Me too, although I'm already fearing the worst having heard talk about scaled levelling even more dumbed down that Oblivion

If true, I hope the modding community are able to sort it out!

Monotype · 08-01-2011 04:57PM

They won't go down the same road as oblivion with the levelling system, there was too much uproar - more than just a few complainers. There's nothing wrong with a little of a level scaling, like in morrowind you don't see golden saints on the pier when you get off the boat at the beginning. Oblivion took the p1ss though with everyone in the same armour and only the highest daedra hanging around after a few levels.

As for levelled loot. A little bit here and there can be ok, but one of my favourite things in morrowind was to beat all odds and get some sword or whatever that you cherish for a long time and are sad to see it go when something better comes along. With Oblivion, much of the rewards are slightly better than the one you have so nothing ever seems like a big reward.

Some areas should always be dangerous regardless even if you go there first thing and the rewards should be pay off for that amount of danger. Same that some places should always be easy. Now when I say dangerous, I don't mean that they scale with you unless it makes absolute sense that somebody is building an army and the quicker you act, the better.

Mods will fix it but these fundamental parts shouldn't need mods (until you get bored of the style, want to try something new etc.)

Sasquatch76 · 08-01-2011 09:18PM

The next Elder Scrolls game, Skyrim, will be making some big changes to the way the series handles things like combat and levelling-up. Firstly, combat: according to a piece in the latest issue of Game Informer, you can now dual-wield weapons in the game. To many it will sound like a cheap take on a Halo/Modern Warfare staple, but where in those shooters it's a part-time indulgence, in Skyrim it forms the cornerstone of your approach to the game, as you can allocate which weapon or tool goes in which hand.

So, for example, you can put a sword in one hand and a dagger in the other. Or two daggers. Or a staff and a shield. Or a shield and a mace. For magic users, a different spell can be cast from each hand, or for a multiplying effect, the same spell can be thrown from both hands.

Another change to the way Skyrim plays compared to its predecessor, Oblivion, is in how you gain new powers and abilities. This game does entirely away with the concept of class creation, Bethesda's thinking being it's a bit naff asking people to predict how they're going to play a game when they haven't played it yet.

Replacing this, then, is an organic system of attribute growth based on use: the more you do something, the better you get at it. While this has long been a staple of RPG games, even dating back to the Quest for Glory series, but in Skyrim it's not just complementing a class structure, it's replacing it. So you won't be cast in stone as a mage if you use lots of magic, you'll just be some adventurer with a higher magic number in their stats.

You level up according to how you progress your most-used skills. "Raising one skill from 34 to 35 is going to level you faster than raising one from 11 to 12", Bethesda's Todd Howard tells Game Informer. If you stick to what you like/do best, you'll level up quickly. Conversely, if you want to take things slowly, you can raise all or most of your skills, as not focusing on one or two in particular will mean a slower rise through the levels.

One wildly unpopular aspect of Oblivion was the fact basic enemies levelled up alongside you, meaning even the most powerful warriors could sometimes be undone by sewer rats or angry crabs. In Skyrim, though, your opponent's levelling is more like that found in Fallout 3.

Continuing Bethesda's work with Fallout 3, each new level you gain in Skyrim will also give you a perk, which you can apply to give you added bonuses relative to how you want to play the game.

The levelling sounds like an interesting experiment, one I like the sounds of since I always hate choosing an "archetype" in a game before I know how I'm going to play it. The combat also sounds like a welcome piece of customisation for the series, but how well they actually work in the game, we'll just have to wait until we get some time with it!

Source - Kotaku

Monotype · 09-01-2011 12:51AM

The dual spells sounds interesting. I'm not so sure about the progression pattern, we'll see. I don't think that the perks is a good idea. I like fallout 3, but I don't want to be be playing it when playing TES. They had a perks system in oblivion when you gained certain levels which I thought was generally a good idea but had a few weaknesses including that fortifications messed them up a bit.

namelessguy · 12-01-2011 02:00AM

The latest issue of Game Informer contains fresh gameplay details on Bethesda's next massive title, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, set for release this November.

Skyrm's story is set 200 years after the events of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and the world of Tamriel is in shambles. The empire has fallen to the elves, the Blades are gone, the Nords hate each other, and a civil war is about the break out. Oh, and that big dragon the Elder Scrolls prophesied about? Yeah, he's arrived, too. Players will take control of the last remaining Dragonborn, a dragon hunter anointed by the gods to help fend off the threat.

Bethesda's newest title features a brand-spanking new engine where every object in the game now casts a shadow as well as improved draw-distances. Textures are sharper and more detailed and the environments are livelier. There's also the addition of a HUD-less first-person view and "improved" third-person camera option.

There will be five massive cities that span Skyrim's environment, which ranges from frozen tundra to rocky mountain tops. There is also new wildlife, such as Sabre-toothed Cats and Wooly Mammoths.

The combat is getting a bit of an overhaul, too. Players will be able to equip any weapon or spell to either hand at any time and even duel wield two of the same weapon. A new customizable menu is being added to help swap load-outs easily in battle.

Bethesda has also done away with the character class system and reworked the game's leveling mechanic. Players' skills will level up the more they are used, contributing to your overall level growth. "Raising one skill from 34 to 35 is going to level you faster than raising one from 11 to 12," Bethesda designer Todd Howard told the magazine. Players can also level pass 50, but it becomes much slower after that point.

The team has also added Fallout 3's perk system, where each new level gained allows players to add special abilities to their character, including increase in damage to dagger stealth attacks or allowing your mace to ignore enemy armor.

Skyrim's NPC conversations are a lot more realistic. Aside from including even more voice actors, the AI-controlled characters will actually move about and continue on with the activities they were doing before being interrupted. Towns also include more activities to do, such farming, mining, woodcutting and cooking.

Bethesda also revamped the game's menu system. Howard said the team used Apple's iTunes as inspiration and direction. Players will be greeted with a compass-style overlay with four options: Skill, Inventory, Map, and Magic. Weapons and spells can be tagged as a 'favorite' for quick selection. Every item is a 3D object than can be viewed and examined.

Source - IGN

Vegeta · 12-01-2011 01:11PM

I would love if they introduced a V.A.T.S like system for using ranged weapons in the series.

I love playing with a wood elf and using a bow. Currently if your sneaking skills are not high enough using a bow is useless as most enemies rush you. This favours melee type weapons in the series.

I know most people will instantly say they are against VATS as it is not old school Elder Scrolls but I do prefer the combat in the newer Fallout games and would like the ranged weapons to be more balanced

Monotype · 12-01-2011 05:00PM

It would be interesting to see it but don't think I'd really want it. It would be very out of place and dilute the games a bit much. You might find something in mods if engine material can be moved over, or with gifted modders.

GodlessM · 22-01-2011 04:54AM

Sounds brilliant. So as long it keeps the classic TES 'look' then I can get used to mechanics, especially ones that sound as good as the ones listed. Sounds like it will actually matter which weapon is in which hand also, kind of like in Dragon Age.

BTW, screenshots:
http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/story/83423/elder-scrolls-skyrim-details-and-screenshots/

Sasquatch76 · 03-02-2011 07:09PM

Skyrim Q&A Podcast over at Game Informer. It's nearly an hour long, so I haven't listened to it all yet. But I am loving the opening music!

Useful.Idiot · 22-02-2011 08:15AM

http://www.gameinformer.com/p/esv.aspx

An absolute truck load of information about the game AI, Engine, Combat, Dragon shouts, Language and even stuff like the History of the Elder Scrolls games!

Haven't seen this posted yet and I'm what that podcast above covers but this is alot of info.

Gunmonkey · 22-02-2011 07:53PM

PCGamers latest issue has a good 6 page spread on Skyrim, will post up if they release the article on their website.

Main points that intrigue me:
-max level of 50, will use perks
-progression is based on using the skill (love this kind of progression) as opposed to just dumping points each level into the skill
-levelling is done by gaining ranks in your skills, but no favoured ones like in Oblivion that define your levelling
-also, ranking a higher skill grants more towards a higher levels than a low rank skill (so if you were a fighter, you wont be mauled if you focused on your magic for a short period as you wouldnt level like crazy with the lower rank increases)
-bows have been massively buffed, making them similar to sniper rifles (high power but hard to get many shots off quickly + accurately)
-backpeddeling is FAR slower so you cant jog backwards for 5 minutes to win a tough fight
-Dynamic Questing: the game assigns a dungeon/cave/etc when you take a quest from the areas you havent ventured into, so you cant "finish" a quest before taking it as you explore the world
-assassination targets could be chosen from people who you know well, as opposed to random NPC's placed strictly for the assassination. To make you weigh up killing them versus them being useful to you.

Gotta say, the more I hear (and see, graphics are pants tightening good) the more I want. 2011, year of the RPG.

riffmongous · 22-02-2011 09:18PM

Gunmonkey wrote: »

PCGamers latest issue has a good 6 page spread on Skyrim, will post up if they release the article on their website.

Main points that intrigue me:
-max level of 50, will use perks
-progression is based on using the skill (love this kind of progression) as opposed to just dumping points each level into the skill
-levelling is done by gaining ranks in your skills, but no favoured ones like in Oblivion that define your levelling
-also, ranking a higher skill grants more towards a higher levels than a low rank skill (so if you were a fighter, you wont be mauled if you focused on your magic for a short period as you wouldnt level like crazy with the lower rank increases)
-bows have been massively buffed, making them similar to sniper rifles (high power but hard to get many shots off quickly + accurately)
-backpeddeling is FAR slower so you cant jog backwards for 5 minutes to win a tough fight
-Dynamic Questing: the game assigns a dungeon/cave/etc when you take a quest from the areas you havent ventured into, so you cant "finish" a quest before taking it as you explore the world
-assassination targets could be chosen from people who you know well, as opposed to random NPC's placed strictly for the assassination. To make you weigh up killing them versus them being useful to you.

Gotta say, the more I hear (and see, graphics are pants tightening good) the more I want. 2011, year of the RPG.

Damn, I had some epic fights backpedalling my way across entire mountain ranges

It looks and sounds great though

Peculiar_Man · 27-02-2011 10:00PM

I wouldn't recommend finding anything more about the game it just makes waiting that much harder

Orichalcum93 · 28-02-2011 09:47PM

So how many people started screaming when they saw the trailer???

Bacon and Cabbage · 06-06-2011 09:25PM

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2011-elder-scrolls/714851#comments_top

Smartly Dressed · 06-06-2011 09:33PM

Bacon and Cabbage wrote: »

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2011-elder-scrolls/714851#comments_top

I'm euphoric right now after seeing that.

He said fighters, thieves and mages guild were the 3 main factions in Skyrim? Presumably by saying ''3 main'' he was alluding to the fact that there are smaller factions? It would be a little disappointing not to see the assassins guild in Skyrim...

Bacon and Cabbage · 06-06-2011 09:35PM

yeah, hopefully there will be many factions like in morrowind. The water in that dungeon scene looked incredible :eek:

Sasquatch76 · 07-06-2011 02:17AM

Bacon and Cabbage wrote: »

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2011-elder-scrolls/714851#comments_top

I am excite!

Monotype · 07-06-2011 12:43PM

Fantastic stuff in that video. The only thing that I am concerned about is when one guy gets shot with an arrow, how would the guy next to him not notice his friends collapsing?

Vegeta · 07-06-2011 04:33PM

Monotype wrote: »

Fantastic stuff in that video. The only thing that I am concerned about is when one guy gets shot with an arrow, how would the guy next to him not notice his friends collapsing?

I thought the friend cowered in fear or was I imagining it

Monotype · 07-06-2011 04:59PM

With a second look, I think that they are a bit. There's definitely some reaction. I suppose in a realistic situation, someone could freeze in terror/cower, run for cover or search for the shooter.
I hope they don't all just stand waiting to be picked off anyway.

Vegeta · 07-06-2011 05:01PM

Monotype wrote: »

With a second look, I think that they are a bit. There's definitely some reaction. I suppose in a realistic situation, someone could freeze in terror/cower, run for cover or search for the shooter.
I hope they don't all just stand waiting to be picked off anyway.

Yeah if they just do a complete blank and ignore it, that will not be good.

ironictoaster · 11-06-2011 01:52AM

Someone should change the title of this thread as it's not a direct sequel to oblivion.

I really cannot play this game, feck all games coming out between now and November...:mad:

jamezy · 12-06-2011 06:27PM

ironictoaster wrote: »

Someone should change the title of this thread as it's not a direct sequel to oblivion.

I really cannot play this game, feck all games coming out between now and November...:mad:

Deus Ex maybe? Thats about all im looking forward to in respect to games this summer.

Smartly Dressed · 12-06-2011 08:56PM

ironictoaster wrote: »

Someone should change the title of this thread as it's not a direct sequel to oblivion.

I really cannot play this game, feck all games coming out between now and November...:mad:

Don't mind them games: save your money for Skyrim!

carbonkid · 18-06-2011 08:08PM

I never played the series...and from the sound of it, i'd be better playing Oblivion first because the stories are linked to some degree. Would i need to go further back to Morrowind or it is more of a stand alone story?

The E3 footage of this game looks pretty amazing ^_^

jamezy · 18-06-2011 08:47PM

carbonkid wrote: »

I never played the series...and from the sound of it, i'd be better playing Oblivion first because the stories are linked to some degree. Would i need to go further back to Morrowind or it is more of a stand alone story?

The E3 footage of this game looks pretty amazing ^_^

Oblivion is a fantastic game and i would recommend checking it out! But no, you do not need to have played it to understand Skyrim. Skyrim will be a stand alone story.

The Oblivion crisis will more than likely be referenced in game in some manner (it was in the trailer as one of the triggers for the resurgence of Alduin and the dragons). Doubt it will be more than that though!

Elder Scrolls V - To Be Direct Sequel To Oblivion

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