PC Gamer editors debate Elder Scrolls' direction with 2,500 hours of combined playtime
Five PC Gamer editors share strong opinions on the Elder Scrolls series, covering topics like the main quest, spellmaking, and the series' shift away from traditional RPG mechanics. They argue that removing limitations has made games more accessible but less distinctive. The piece invites readers to agree or disagree with each take.
The article's central tension is Bethesda's gradual removal of traditional RPG constraints—stats, skill points, and class systems—which the editors argue has homogenized the experience across their games. While this made titles more accessible, it diminished the distinctiveness that defined earlier entries like Morrowind, where character limitations shaped gameplay identity.
The piece also challenges a common community assumption that Skyrim's sidequests outshine its main quest. The editors counter that Skyrim's main quest offers spectacle and memorable moments like Paarthurnax, while its guild questlines rely on repetitive filler and lack the flair of Oblivion's faction stories, which featured more inventive assassination scenarios.
This debate could influence how players frame expectations for The Elder Scrolls 6, potentially shaping discourse around Bethesda's design philosophy. Longtime fans may feel validated in their nostalgia for deeper RPG mechanics, while newer players might push back against calls for more restrictive systems. The conversation could also affect how other studios approach accessibility versus depth in their own RPGs, as player feedback on series direction often ripples through the wider industry.