Tamriel or Akavir : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Sat May 28, 2011 7:37 pm

Does every game from Oblivion onward really have to feature some terrible, alien army attacking the land? Can we just have internal politics and conflicts with other provinces and call it a day?

Agreed. I don't know if players introduced to TES through Oblivion assume that every game is supposed to have some epic one-sided plot or what, but I'm really tired of people suggesting invasions and other large scale wars. Even if TES V is set after some major decentralization, I wouldn't want to see any conflicts greater in scope than the War of Betony. It's really growing tiresome - there's always been a lot of political intrigue in the storise of Daggerfall and Morrowind, and I'd hate to see those lost just because players want a more obvious and tangible main quest.

» Sat May 28, 2011 1:01 pm

I think the only solid way to do a portrayal of Akavir (a portion of it, at least) would be if Bethesda strayed from their usual open RPG formula. It'd have to be another spinoff akin to Redguard - otherwise the large absence of Tamrielic metaphysics and, well, non-snake-people could make the game feel very lonely.

I'm not sure if you're being serious, what with the comment at the end, but I don't think Bethesda would risk another spin-off. Aren't Redguard and Battlespire the reason Bethesda went bust that time? Personally, I think it could go well, but it's not my money on the line.

To everyone else who flamed me (like I didn't see that one coming):

Do you understand the meaning of the phrase "I'm not bashing Oblivion"?

If you ask someone a question, and they give a straight foward answer, don't complain about it.

» Sat May 28, 2011 8:34 am

I agree with the above posts, I only got into this series through Oblivion and have only had the experience of a crappy, narrow storyline. So I hope that young people can be treated to an intriguing, detailed and excellent plotline.

» Sat May 28, 2011 6:14 pm

Agreed. I don't know if players introduced to TES through Oblivion assume that every game is supposed to have some epic one-sided plot or what, but I'm really tired of people suggesting invasions and other large scale wars. Even if TES V is set after some major decentralization, I wouldn't want to see any conflicts greater in scope than the War of Betony. It's really growing tiresome - there's always been a lot of political intrigue in the storise of Daggerfall and Morrowind, and I'd hate to see those lost just because players want a more obvious and tangible main quest.

It's not big-scale war I would hate. It's the whole "good guy v. evil guy" war. If they presented some sort of conflict between two opposing sides where each side had both good and evil qualities and members, then that'd be a good start. Also, fill the whole thing with the old "political intrigue" and corruption.

» Sat May 28, 2011 5:05 pm

It's not big-scale war I would hate. It's the whole "good guy v. evil guy" war. If they presented some sort of conflict between two opposing sides where each side had both good and evil qualities and members, then that'd be a good start. Also, fill the whole thing with the old "political intrigue" and corruption.

This.

...also, I'd rather have Tamriel than Akavir.

» Sat May 28, 2011 9:21 pm

Tamriel. Keep the mystery of Akavir, and why should we bother with a place outside the center of the universe?

» Sat May 28, 2011 10:03 pm

I already said it should take place in Baltimore.

» Sat May 28, 2011 10:26 pm

I already said it should take place in Baltimore.

Well I say Antarctica! Give people a real deal on snow and ice. Also penguins.

» Sat May 28, 2011 6:34 pm

Also High Rock and Hammerfell because they were done a very long time ago and could easily be done again.

I forgot about Hammerfell which was actually never made, only Stros M′Kai and that is just an island outside of Hammerfell... So it is slightly different.

High Rock may need a "brush up". A new story, new people, new lore, new graphics (not very important but still) and so on. But hopefully not so soon.

» Sat May 28, 2011 9:03 pm

Agreed. I don't know if players introduced to TES through Oblivion assume that every game is supposed to have some epic one-sided plot or what, but I'm really tired of people suggesting invasions and other large scale wars. Even if TES V is set after some major decentralization, I wouldn't want to see any conflicts greater in scope than the War of Betony. It's really growing tiresome - there's always been a lot of political intrigue in the storise of Daggerfall and Morrowind, and I'd hate to see those lost just because players want a more obvious and tangible main quest.

Arena and Mororwind's plot weren't any less linear or one-sided. Say what you want about Dagoth Ur, but he was still the big, bad guy who had to be killed and Jagar Tharn was made up 16 years ago, right? I love how people seem to think that older must mean deeper and less good vs. evil. That's 3 out of 4 games with "you must save the day" type plots.

I don't know if some players introduced to TES through any older games actually believe in their false sense of mental superiority or what, but I'm really tired of people acting like snobs.

» Sun May 29, 2011 12:10 am

Agreed. I don't know if players introduced to TES through Oblivion assume that every game is supposed to have some epic one-sided plot or what, but I'm really tired of people suggesting invasions and other large scale wars. Even if TES V is set after some major decentralization, I wouldn't want to see any conflicts greater in scope than the War of Betony. It's really growing tiresome - there's always been a lot of political intrigue in the storise of Daggerfall and Morrowind, and I'd hate to see those lost just because players want a more obvious and tangible main quest.

Morrowind wasn't one sided, eh? Mad sorcerer who wants to turn everyone into slaves and stops some of his homies from having a bath.

» Sat May 28, 2011 8:22 pm

Tamriel, I first want to see the most of Tamriel before going to Akavir.
I think Summerset Isle is also a good place for a new TES game, I really want to know how Psijic architecture looks. And maybe some ancient coral temples with information about the Sloads.

» Sat May 28, 2011 4:15 pm

Morrowind wasn't one sided, eh? Mad sorcerer who wants to turn everyone into slaves and stops some of his homies from having a bath.

I think they was all talking about the Great House and Guild quests more. But yeah, the main quest is kind of Black and Grey Morality at best.

An invasion of Skyrim by Akavir can be done really well IF you could join the Akaviri side and they weren't pure evil.

» Sat May 28, 2011 2:44 pm

Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against Oblivion players, that's even the game that introduced me to the TES series, but after playing Shivering Isles which had the same "We're under siege from another realm, close the gate/obelisk" premise, I couldn't help but feel a lack of creativity on Bethesda's part. I feel like it makes the main quest feel repetitive and leaves less rooms for player choices and options for the sake of more epic-ness.

» Sat May 28, 2011 7:37 pm

Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against Oblivion players, that's even the game that introduced me to the TES series, but after playing Shivering Isles which had the same "We're under siege from another realm, close the gate/obelisk" premise, I couldn't help but feel a lack of creativity on Bethesda's part. I feel like it makes the main quest feel repetitive and leaves less rooms for player choices and options for the sake of more epic-ness.

Shivering Isles' main quest not creative? :huh:

Spoiler

The invasion wasn't from another realm, and the invasion wasn't the point of the whole story. The point was luring the CoC into insanity and preparing him to take the mantle of the Madgod. The Greymarch has happened before, and it wasn't really that much of a threat, since everytime it is over, Sheogorath takes over again. The point was to break the cycle. The CoC was doing Jyggalag a favor, not foiling his plans.

» Sat May 28, 2011 10:27 am

Maybe a game where you play as Nerevarine. Since he/she is immortal.

Hate to tell you buddy, but you were pretty much him/her in Morrowind ?_?

» Sat May 28, 2011 10:38 am

Shivering Isles' main quest not creative? :huh:

Spoiler

The invasion wasn't from another realm, and the invasion wasn't the point of the whole story. The point was luring the CoC into insanity and preparing him to take the mantle of the Madgod. The Greymarch has happened before, and it wasn't really that much of a threat, since everytime it is over, Sheogorath takes over again. The point was to break the cycle. The CoC was doing Jyggalag a favor, not foiling his plans.

Yeah, but it was still the same "Bad guy's invading. Stop him." We've seen in every TES game except for maybe Daggerfall. (Haven't beaten it yet, and haven't gotten too far, so IDK what its story unfolds to be)

» Sat May 28, 2011 1:19 pm

I don't want to see Akavir until we've been through all of Tamriel and at least one of the interesting areas to the west and south of Tamriel.

» Sat May 28, 2011 9:24 pm

Yeah, but it was still the same "Bad guy's invading. Stop him." We've seen in every TES game except for maybe Daggerfall. (Haven't beaten it yet, and haven't gotten too far, so IDK what its story unfolds to be)

Daggerfall has a more political main quest in which you actually pick a side. That resulted in a dragon break and I can't help but wonder if choosing a canon path is the reason Bethesda doesn't make political main quests or main quests in which you choose a side, anymore.

» Sat May 28, 2011 4:07 pm

An invasion of Skyrim by Akavir can be done really well IF you could join the Akaviri side and they weren't pure evil.

If they do ever reintroduce Akaviri people to Tamriel, I'd rather an invasion of some sort not happen until later on. We'd want some sort of motive first, not, "hey guys, obligatory invasion because we don't like Tamriel lololol". I think it'd be cool to see a group of agents, emissaries, or other sorts hiding out in the next game, but we really can't escalate to an invasion this early on.

» Sat May 28, 2011 10:35 am

Tamriel. I really don't see any reason to ever go to Akavir. Akavir is meant to be a mysterious place that will never be completely fleshed out.

» Sat May 28, 2011 7:26 pm

:facepalm:

I honestly do not want another invasion. It would be great if the main story of a game was getting rid of the Akaviri rulers but with the new "Medes" that's not gonna happen in the next game.

I would not mind if it was the Medes invading Akavir. That could be done well I think.

» Sat May 28, 2011 5:34 pm

I hope there is never a game set in Akavir. Even if there is a spinoff that is placed on another continent, it shouldnt be Akavir. I like not knowing exacly what is over there. More and more clues, stories, and speculation should be released with each new game. Maybe even some drawins made by Nereverine when he/she returens to Tamriel, but never a full game. The mystery of the land is what makes it so appealing. You cant really say that about Thras or Atmora as much as you can Akavir, so I say Bethesda just banks on keeping it shrouded in Mystery as much as possible.

» Sat May 28, 2011 7:10 pm

Tamriel, simply because Tamriel is more important.