Skyrim is full of characters that can accompany players on their deadly adventures across the wilderness, or simply act as a pack mule for the massive amounts of loot they collect over time. While these NPCs are useful, and the community became rather attached to some of them, there's something vital lacking in their fundamental designs. Followers in Skyrim could be acquired several different ways, most notably after completing certain questlines. However, these companions frequently became blank slates lacking depth and meaningful connection with player characters. With luck, the development and eventual release of Elder Scrolls 6 will be able to improve on this gameplay mechanic, and fill the world with interesting, in-depth followers for players.
Elder Scrolls 6 has been in development for years, and this development has likely extended to the characters that will function in the game's story. However, some of the NPCs that should not be forgotten are the follower companions that players will undoubtedly encounter throughout the world. Much of Elder Scrolls 6 still remains a mystery, with only rumors and speculation surrounding its plot, setting, characters, and gameplay. Despite the uncertainty of the Elder Scrolls franchise's next installment, there are several changes Bethesda can implement into its followers to improve upon the popular function from Skyrim.
One of the biggest flaws with Skyrim's followers was their lack of depth as characters. While some followers, such as Cicero or Farkas, were attached to Skyrim's many guild questlines, many were simply housecarls with little development beyond their names or mercenaries for hire within bars. By making followers in Elder Scrolls 6 fully fleshed out characters with backstories and lives, players would have many more reasons to care about the warriors accompanying them across the open world. Crafting meaningful dialogue that expands on a companion's story and implementing character growth of certain flaws over time are just a few narrative details that can vastly improve Elder Scrolls 6's followers. Additionally, turning crucial characters from the main story into long-term companions would provide actual stakes in completing missions and potentially diversify outcomes within the game's main questline should those followers perish.
Elder Scrolls 6 Could Make Companions More Lively With Quests And Reactions
By creating side quests in Elder Scrolls 6 exclusively for follower characters that expand beyond initial recruitment, players can experience more story content centered around their partners in combat. This function for followers could even create a new relationship mechanic, and unlock more quests to complete in Elder Scrolls the closer the companion gets with the player character. As time passes both in-game and in the real world, players will be able to learn more about the NPC accompanying them.
Bethesda has occasionally been criticized for their lack of true player choice, but Elder Scrolls 6 could be the first step in erasing this pattern from the fantasy franchise. By allowing followers to react to decisions made by the player character, TES 6 could increase its immersive experience far beyond what Skyrim accomplished. Furthermore, a reaction system for followers could introduce greater stakes for immoral actions in-game, which is a mechanic that Skyrim failed to carry over from Oblivion. Depending on what different followers in Elder Scrolls 6 approve or disapprove of, players could have more varied companions in-game and spark conversations and interest in the various follower options.
Elder Scrolls 6 is still several years away, but there are many features that could be improved upon from Skyrim. Dedicating deeper development and narrative depth to followers is just one step Bethesda can take toward crafting a living, breathing world that can hold up to the Elder Scrolls legacy.