Both players enjoy Skyrim, but Morrowind fans often appreciate its depth and challenge.
Both players enjoy Skyrim, but Morrowind fans often appreciate its depth and challenge.
I started with Elder Scrolls, then moved to Oblivion afterward. Both were enjoyable, but Skyrim stands out as the top single-player RPG Bethesda has created so far. I've also played Fallout 3, New Vegas, and the fourth game. While those are solid titles, they still fall short of Skyrim's quality. I doubt they'll be able to surpass their own work.
I believe there’s more going on here. Gaming has evolved significantly. Much of the old charm of earlier titles has given way to accessibility features. You no longer need to spend hours playing Skyrim continuously; you can pause anytime and resume wherever you want, guided by quest markers and similar tools. This simplifies the experience but also diminishes the sense of adventure, making it feel more like a game. The storylines in quests weren’t particularly engaging, if you ask me. In my view, Enderal: Forgotten Stories is the ultimate version of Skyrim! It’s also worth noting that after going through several entries in a series, later games can be quite challenging, especially since players were likely at different stages of life during the earlier titles.
There’s a common feeling among TES players who miss the early days of their journey, especially regarding Oblivion versus Skyrim. Yet ignoring that nostalgia, the series has seen a steady drop in gameplay depth since Daggerfall, which weakened immersion and made main quests feel repetitive—often rehashing the same tower-like dungeon across multiple attempts. This trend left little distinct identity for the franchise, turning what felt like a fifth installment into a fairly straightforward sandbox experience. While its design became more universal, it managed to reach a wider audience, contributing to its significant financial success.
To some extent, there have been positive developments. Having a regular daily schedule instead of just standing around didn’t make things less engaging or less immersive in my opinion. The combat system wasn’t as smooth as what we faced in Morrowind, but it wasn’t worse either. I’ve heard Arena offers a vast continent to explore, though given the engine and hardware constraints, it’s unlikely there was much to discover in many areas (note: I haven’t played the first two games). The main weaknesses of both Oblivion and Skyrim compared to Morrowind lie in their writing and lore. Even when characters remained still, the world felt rich with life and depth. The story was compelling, especially upon discovering it for the first time, and the entire island offered a unique, alien experience. On the flip side, Cliff Racers is a real gem.
I began with Oblivion, yet Skyrim still holds a stronger appeal for me. Most of my time in Oblivion came when I was young, so I didn’t grasp much and only finished the main story. A few years ago I picked up Morrowind but abandoned it soon after. This title stands out because it belongs to a completely different time than the other TES titles, which likely explains its popularity. However, I found it difficult to connect with. Particularly the combat felt harsh. From some YouTube clips it seems even mods can’t fully modernize it. For similar reasons I never played Fallout 3 or New Vegas. I probably liked Fallout 4 more than most experienced fans. Skyrim is one of my all-time favorites. I only completed a single vanilla run, which wasn’t perfect. Yet I dove into the modding scene, spending around 1,200 hours on it so far. That’s still hundreds of hours of tweaking and customization. Now I find more enjoyment in modifying the game than in playing it. I’m excited to see the Skyblivion and Skywind community remakes released. I haven’t tried TES: Online and have no interest in Starfield or Fallout 76. Bethesda’s newer releases don’t catch my attention at all. I still hope they can restore some of that positive energy for TES 6, but right now I’m not optimistic about it.
Began in Skyrim and spent more than a thousand hours playing. Attempted Oblivion several times but couldn’t break through. Discovery was the most enjoyable aspect for me. Titles such as TotK and Elden Ring satisfy the craving I have for Skyrim.