Blog 4: The Empress

Name: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Release: 11.11.11
Type: RPG, for Xbox 360/Ps3/PC

Trailer: click to watch trailer

Background: TES V:Skyrim is the 5th installment in the popular RPG series The Elder Scrolls. TES IV: Oblivion is the entry that gave the series widespread recognition, while Morrowind recieved much critical acclaim.

What sets TES apart from other RPG's is the sheer scale of the game. I was personally introduced to the series through TES III: Morrowind (2002 Xbox), and I was blown away, for such a dated game the world is massive, there are dozens of towns and cities, vast landscapes, and hundreds of dungeons and landmarks to see. The downfall to Morrowind was that the game was TOO large, yet it lacked interactive content (the world changing), but it still was a revolutionary step for RPG's.

Interpretation: Modern RPG's are plagued by a constant debate of what IS an RPG, with the focus being more and more on graphics and action, rather than RPG elements, the genre remains muddled. (Western vs Japanese, Role playing vs Action/Adventure) Adding "fanboy elitism" to the debate only makes things worse. As a neutral who just enjoys the games, Ive seen the best, and the worst of RPG gamers. Being part of the minority is never easy. Although I enjoy all classification of "RPG" (Condemnation for playing JRPG's on an Xbox 360, like its sacrilege)

TES series, remains loyal to its traditional roots of true Role-Playing and vast open worlds. Skyrim is being described as a more "realistic" (mythology wise) yet still fantastical RPG. The TES series had taken a bit of a step backward in a sense with Oblivion, adding detail but taking away the magic of Morrowind. Skyrim looks to combine the two elements into this last installment. Bethesda are doing what few others are attemping, to create a true Role Playing experience combined with the graphics and gameplay that gamers are obsessed about. Skyrim will show that a truly open world game is the real Role Playing experience.

The community reaction remains mixed, fans of the series are ecstatic, while fans of other franchises look negatively on it. Hopefully Skyrim will show game developers, and gamers what role playing truly is.

You should have acted.
They're already here.
The Elder Scrolls told of their return.
Their defeat was merely delay
Til the time after Oblivion opened,
When the sons of Skyrim would spill their own blood.
But no-one wanted to believe.
Believe they even existed.
And when the truth finally dawns:
It dawns in fire.
But,
There's one they fear.
In their tongue, he's Dovahkiin:
Dragon Born!
11.11.11.