Elder Scrolls 6's "classic style" of Bethesda games is problematic (for players like me)

You all know The Elder Scrolls 6 There are still a few years left. That means the updates will be small in the grand scheme of things. So it goes without saying that Bethesda director/executive producer Todd Howard's recent comments about the sequel were the biggest revelation yet. And unfortunately, this confirmation The Elder Scrolls 6 It offers little to no relief to players like me.

To be clear, I grew up with and loved playing Bethesda games. I swear it's the original oblivion It's the best Elder Scrolls Even if you purchased the game Skyrim Many times. I got a perfect score Oblivion RemasteredAnd I played it every time fallout After the game FO3 (I think new vegas It's the best). I have also invested my time in fair investments. star fieldAlthough it's not exactly what I liked about past games. In dealing with that issue, I had to accept the fact that Bethesda games haven't really changed.

In a recent interview with Kinda Funny Games, Howard provided some official insight: The Elder Scrolls 6. He said the team is about to hit a major milestone, but that launch is “still some time away.” He revealed that Bethesda has been working on upgrading the Creation Engine to Creation Engine 3. Elder Scrolls 6.

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What is problematic, however, is Howard's opinion about the type of game. The Elder Scrolls 6 “In some ways, in many ways, fallout 76 and star field “It’s a slightly creative detour from classic Elder Scrolls or Fallout,” he continues. Skyrim, Fallout 3, Fallout 4and oblivion As a classic, it continues to be said.

“Coming back to The Elder Scrolls 6, we’re returning to that kind of classic style that we’ve been missing and know really well.”

And that wasn't the news I wanted to hear The Elder Scrolls 6.

Why Fallout 76 and Starfield are “creative detours”

I don't intend to argue with the game director, but I don't think it goes either way. fallout 76 nor star field As a “creative detour.” it's no secret fallout 76 Although it was lamented at launch due to its focus on multiplayer, it has spent the last few years creating a fantastic game. fallout game. every season fallout 76 It's expanded and well worth playing today. That's no secret either star fieldhasn't lived up to Bethesda's reputation as an RPG, but I think that's a result of nostalgia, as it's a classic Bethesda game with loading screens for planet travel.

It strips away the way these games are “detoured” from the “classic Bethesda games” in terms of style and direction, and is the classic Bethesda games underneath them all. as much as i love fallout 76 The fact remains that exploring this game isn't much different from any other game in terms of story, events, and world-building. fallout stratagem. As much as I thought star field It was basic as a sci-fi game and RPG, but the fact remains that its most basic elements aren't all that different from those of other “classic Bethesda games.” I'll say it again, I love you fallout 76 And although I considered the “classic Bethesda elements” to be the weakest part, I was greatly disappointed. star field Because of the “classic Bethesda elements.”

The gaming industry uses words like “innovation” and “evolution” a lot, and sometimes this is more marketing language than anything else. But here's where the problem arises. It's hard to say that. fallout 76 and star field It's not a “classic Bethesda game” if there's no actual “modern Bethesda game”.

Let's do a thought experiment. Let's assume The Elder Scrolls 6 It's set in the region of Hammerfell, and let's say the player starts out as a prisoner, and let's say the player is in the form of a chosen one. Let's say exploration and world design are the same. SkyrimYou may have played 12 times and bought 6 times. Let's just say it's the most technically sophisticated Bethesda game, the story is as good as you'd expect, and everything lives up to the expectations of a “classic Bethesda game.” Do you think you'll play it until it's completed in 2030?

For context, in 2025, everyone had a chance to play a “classic Bethesda game.” Oblivion Remastered It launched and performed well in key metrics like Game Pass and general sales. But only half Oblivion Remastered Players' playtime has reached 15 hours, making it the best remaster yet of a classic Bethesda game. Elder Scrolls game. Who would invest 100 hours? The Elder Scrolls 6: Skyrim 2? I've already played that game several times.

if Oblivion Remastered Given how RPGs and open world games have changed and grown since 2012, “classic Bethesda style” may not be enough. The Elder Scrolls 6. Hopefully this is just marketing language (people love nostalgia) and Bethesda is truly looking to innovate with an old-school approach to gaming rather than using marketing definitions.