TES Classics » Discussions


Why You Should Play the Classics

  • June 19, 2015

    Greetings all,

    Now, you may have noticed that we aren't the most active of groups, and that's partially on us, but that's also partially due to the lack of people on this site that play the older games in the Elder Scrolls series. So, in a pretty overt grab for activity, here's why you should play:

    Oblivion

    • The world and art style are vibrant and bright (not super realistic though - this game is from 2006), making a nice change of pace from the gritty games of today
    • You can traverse the planes of Oblivion
    • STAVES GO WHERE THEY ARE MEANT TO GO WHEN YOU PUT THEM AWAY
    • The clothes are smashing
    • The main quest has you avenging Patrick Stewart
    • You aren't the Chosen One - the world doesn't revolve around you - instead, you are the Chosen One's bodyguard
    • The Blades aren't dicks
    • The Shivering Isles DLC - Did you like Sheogorath in Skyrim (I know you did)? THEN YOU'LL LOVE THIS DLC! THIS THING REVOLVES AROUND SHEOGORATH AND HIS PLANE OF OBLIVION AND IT IS ONE OF THE BEST PIECES OF CONTENT BETHESDA HAS EVER CREATED AND IN ORDER TO PLAY IT YOU WILL NEED OBLIVION

    Morrowind

    • The world feels really unique and different
    • Magicka doesn't automatically regenerate, making mage playthroughs much more interesting (although this is basically optional as using the "wait" button for an hour regenerates it all)
    • You can have your stats decided by answering a quiz
    • The journal actually serves a purpose, chronicling directions necessary to find places without the waypoints present in later games
    • Dunmer culture is highly interesting
    • Nobody is essential - you can kill anybody you like, but be wary of the consequences it may have on quests
    • There are many more options in weapon type (and armour to a lesser extent) than the later games, with throwing weapons, clubs and spears among others available in game
    • Apparel is highly customisable, with layered clothing and armor, belts and pauldrons just a few of your options
    • You can't become the leader of every guild - joining guilds can increase or lower your disposition with others, depending on what factions that guild is allied with
    • Levitation is an ingame spell effect, and you can use Mark and Recall to teleport places
    • The map is huge
    • No leveled loot or enemies - This means you can find some really good loot early on in your playthrough, but it's probably guarded by some enemies much higher level than you. If you can beat them, you deserve that loot, and if you can't, you can always return later when you're stronger, creating a real sense of progression

    Both

    • The spell creation systems in both games are hugely in depth, allowing you to throw together whatever combinations of spell effects you like, choose a duration and type of spell
    • The enchanting systems are similarly good
    • The quests are very interesting, with most having a story behind them
    • The class systems are good for building and roleplaying, allowing you right off the bat to start as an Apprentice of some skills
    • The soundtracks are great, with the music really creating a nice atmosphere (I especially love the Morrowind and Oblivion opening themes)
    • There are many interesting skills that were cut from Skyrim allow plenty of building possiblites, such as Unarmed and Acrobatics

    So that's why I think you should play these games, but what do you think? Do you play the Classics for other reasons, or have perhaps noticed an error? Want to tell me why people should play Daggerfall (I've played Arena, and I can't think of anything for that game)? Maybe you'd just like to fanboy/girl with me about the Shivering Isles DLC. Let me know in the comments!

  • June 19, 2015

    Great post, Prisoner!

    I would certaily add that I like Alchemy way better than the Skyrim one now that I am fiddling with it a lot. (Guide is on the way!)

    Also, story. Morrowind´s Main Quest is the shit! So much better than Skyrim. Whole Morrowind lore is a lot better. But if I had to decide which game has better guild quests, I would say Oblivion, all hands down. While Morrowind had much more guilds, and more sidequests, the Oblivion did really great job with Guilds´ Questlines.

    Also, Oblivion´s Main Story wasn´t that great, but still better than Skyrim´s one if you ask me. Plus, as you mentioned, you are not the Chosen One, you are just bodyguard or "Cat-Paw of Septims" as Mankar says himself. You are not immortal like Nerevarine or you don´t have shouts like Dragonborn... but one thing sets Champion of Cyrodiil roleplay from other more simple characters. Sigil Stones! That can make your character much more powerful as a reward for closing Oblivion Gates.

  • Tim
    Member
    June 20, 2015
    Lol, the Blades aren't dicks. I love TES soundtracks, but it seems like there are similarities between Morrowind and Skyrim. Or is that just me hearing things? I've been meaning to play through SI again, but you know how that goes...it's like looking through all the builds you could play in Skyrim. Just too many things to do....I should start playing Morrowind again though.
  • June 20, 2015
    The soundtrack of each game is just a variation of the others. I think Skyrim is the worst variation so far.
  • Member
    June 20, 2015

    Morrowind's map is huge? Go play Daggerfall! (It's so many times larger, just stuff is more spread out) Also, you forgot to mention things aren't randomly placed in Morrowind like they are in the other ES games.

  • Tim
    Member
    June 20, 2015

    Ok that makes sense. I like Skyrim's, actually. Something about the badassery of it. I haven't really listened to the whole of each soundtrack with all of my attention though.

  • June 20, 2015
    Yeah, I might put something in there about levelled loot and enemies. Also I'm aware of Daggerfall's size, but it's procedurally generated, right? If so, I don't think it's size counts as much.
  • June 20, 2015

    True, Daggerfall is really huge. They say 15 times larger than Morrowind, right? That´s something! It´s a shame I never can´t get into it to enjoy the game. I usually stop after few minutes...is this lot of people feel when they start Morrowind or Oblivion? I hope not. Simply, there is no love between me and Daggerfall. Shame.

  • June 20, 2015

    Prisoner refered mostly to Deplhine, but...she isn´t d---. Mostly c---. In Skyrim, the feeling of Blades was really affected by Deplhine, who was paranoid and then more paranoid.

    In Oblivion, they are badass bodyguards (which failed to protect their Emperor) and mostly all game you can feel their guilt. But Oblivion doesn´t forget on true purpose of Blades - secretly protecting the Empire. That quest with Baurus where you had to track down Mythic Dawn in Imperial City is one of my favourites.

    Morrowind...doesn´t left that big impression  regarding Blades. They were just part of story, agent there and there, Caius Cosades giving you some strange quests. At least that´s how I was feeling about Blades in MW.

  • Member
    June 20, 2015

    I haven't played much Daggerfall either, maybe like 5 hours into the game I haven't a clue what I'm doing. I once tried traveling to a city without using the fast travel, do not do this it took about an hour walking in one direction.