» Mon Jul 12, 2010 7:47 am
Either the transport system (because it's win), or named enemies.
I loved that I was killing real people in Morrowind; they had names, and that led me to think about their lives, their backstories, why they were in the situation they were. Their names showing made me realise that I was killing real people, and the world felt grittier for it. It wasn't about the glory of battle or whatnot, but rather about the lives sacrified in pursuit of a goal.
In contrast, Oblivion had generic bandits, Vampire Maurauders, etc. I felt nothing for these hostile NPCs; I barely even saw them as human. I dispatched them with the same casual indifference as when putting down a hostile wolf. Without their names, they were dehumanised, becoming just another hostile animal to kill.
I realise it's unlikely that naming will return for Skyrim, but believe you me, it's a simple little factor that does a a huge amount for the believeability and maturity of the world I'll be roleplaying in.