The Elder Scrollsis a bit of an odd franchise. Despite its overwhelming popularity, it hasn’t received an official, new release since 2011—not counting the impressive, but fundamentally uninventive,Oblivion Remasteredthat came out recently.The Elder Scrolls 6is still nowhere to be seen, leading many to believe that it will still be several years before Bethesda draws back the curtain on it.
This puts the series in an interesting position, one that might benefit from a bit of creative risk-taking. Bethesda previously saw phenomenal results when licensing theFalloutIP to Obsidian forFallout: New Vegas, and doing something similar withThe Elder Scrollscertainly wouldn’t seem out of place, especially if it meant getting another entry sooner rather than later. Naturally, the biggest question surrounding this theoretical spin-off release is an obvious one: how different would it be from the rest ofThe Elder Scrollsoeuvre? Indulging in this fantasy for a moment reveals that a decidedly distinct, but no less promising, RPG subgenre could be a viable path forward forThe Elder Scrolls, especially as a potential alternative toThe Elder Scrolls 6.
Bethesda Could Ship a Baldur’s Gate 3-Style Elder Scrolls Spin-Off
Baldur’s Gate 3 Proves Traditional CRPGs Can Be Impressive, Innovative, and Successful
When Bethesda took over theFalloutIP in the mid-2000s, it signified a shift from the traditional isometric, turn-based design of its predecessors: Bethesda opted for a more contemporary first-person-shooter formula. At the time, and for many years after, popular opinion maintained that this shift to a full-3D framework was unambiguously good, or at least an inevitable effect of technological progress. Indeed, the myriadCRPG staples of the olderFalloutgames,Baldur’s Gate,Planescape: Torment, and other isometric classics became associated with antiquity; the industry had seemingly outgrown the subgenre.
Of course, things were never so simple, and the gaming community at large learned this in2023 with the release ofBaldur’s Gate 3, an isometric, classic CRPG that is just as advanced, detailed, and ambitious as its AAA contemporaries, if not more so.Baldur’s Gate 3is a valuable reminder that the traditional CRPG formula can be rich, detailed, and immersive, with combat, dialog trees, exploration, and simulation mechanics that lend themselves to an enriching experience.BG3represents a leap forward for CRPGs, skyrocketing them to be in equal standing with more modern, full-3D RPGs, andThe Elder Scrollsought to take note of this.
Why The Elder Scrolls Could Benefit from a BG3-Style Spin-Off
Though Bethesda was once the golden child of the games industry, solidifying this status through the landmark one-two-punch ofFallout 3andSkyrim, times have changed. Theinnumerable rereleases ofSkyrim, which many have viewed as opportunistic, alongside the mixed reception ofFallout 4,Fallout 76, andStarfield, has led to the common, uncharitable opinion that Bethesda has stagnated. Naturally, such a stance is subjective and nuanced, but it’s worth noting that the famed developer hasn’t attempted to deviate much from its tried-and-true formula over the years, and some experimentation could therefore be advisable.
Bethesda could repeat history with thistheoreticalElder Scrollsspin-off, outsourcing it to Obsidian or another developer.
Few creative leaps would be as dramatic and interesting as a foray intoBaldur’s Gate 3-style CRPGdesign tendencies. Such a game could show Tamriel from a different perspective, literally, allowing players to engage with the lore elements, settings, and cultures they’ve grown familiar with, but perhaps with a greater emphasis on dialog and exploration rather than quest-hunting and combat. This could be a worthwhile change of pace, showing audiences what’s possible with a dash of boldness and ingenuity.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
WHERE TO PLAY
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion™ Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay. Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.Rediscover CyrodiilJourney through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe-inspiring.Navigate Your Own StoryFrom the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.Experience an Epic AdventureStep inside a universe bursting with captivating stories and encounter an unforgettable cast of characters. Master swordcraft and wield powerful magic as you fight to save Tamriel from the Daedric invasion.The Complete StoryExperience everything Oblivion has to offer with previously released story expansions Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and additional downloadable content included in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
