What The Elder Scrolls Can Teach Zelda

ZD writes: Back in late 2011, there was much debate over whether The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim should be named Game of the Year in several publications. Since then, fans that have allegiances to both of these fanbases have noted the differences and similarities between the two, many stating that they can’t be compared. While I believe that Zelda and The Elder Scrolls are from separate spheres of the gaming world, there are certainly similar elements in each game. Zelda has better puzzles and is oriented around a main quest of much higher quality.

[NastyLeftHook0]

how to make your game buggy? the elder scrolls series cannot teach zelda nothing. there on 2 seperate classes.

[mike1up]

Oops, I meant to click Agree.

Sorry about that...

But yea, I like my Zelda the way that it is, and imo these are 2 series that are successful for different reasons.

That being said, if Nintendo wanted to add more RPG type elements to the next Zelda, why not look at Elder Scrolls?

[cpayne93]

How about how to make the game feel like a living breathing world? Skyward sword was very dry in this aspect, moreso than the last few games really. I wouldnt mind loz to have more towns with more people going about their daily lives.

[lategamer]

Majora's Mask was pretty good with the living breathing world, but Skyrim takes it to the next level.

Skyrim does a lot of things well. Huge world, very open-ended, choices. Sometimes I just like to roam the country side, hunt some deer. Other times I'll be walking, and a ghost on a horse races past me.

[herbs]

I completely agree with you. Skyward Sword was amazing but lacked some of the open world exploration the series is known for. The next Zelda needs to be more like Majoras Mask with npcs going about there business and with a dynamic weather system like in Wind Waker. I was disappointed that Skyward Sword lacked these things and that it was far more linear than most other Zelda games. I do however hope they keep the Wii Motion+ controls from Skyward Sword. I'm sure Nintendo can improve them even further, although I'm certain most people probably want to use the new game pad instead ;p

[jsslifelike]

It could always teach LoZ how to have shitty, rigid combat.

[Bowzabub]

How to talk?

[ExCest]

Why would you want a legendary mute to talk?

Also, what if the NPCs are speaking a different language? It's funny to listen to their blabber.

[Xof]

Shouldn't that be the other way around? Only thing TES has over Zelda is environment. Zelda does everything else far better. Even voice acting, which is quite an achievement when you account for the fact that Zelda features a silent protagonist and all of the voiced language is fictitious.

[MaxXAttaxX]

TES protagonists are also silent. I thought the voice acting by NPCs was great in Skyrim. It's the character animations and storytelling that need to really improve on TES as well as combat and of course, bugs and glitches.

A fictitious language makes it hard to tell just how good or bad the voice acting really is. The best way to tell would be with a real language, or at least one you're used to and/or know.

[L6RD7BLU3]

How to have glitched out seizers LMFAO

[Treian]

Nothing. Rather what Zelda can teach the Elder Scrolls.

[Hufandpuf]

Nothing. They are two very different games.

[PopRocks359]

Aside from voice acting, not much (and by that I mean the franchise could use voice acting as long as Link stays silent). They're two completely different franchises. Just because they both use medieval fantasy as a theme doesn't mean they're necessarily similar in design and gameplay.

[Qrphe]

Although there are (by nature) some ES elements that could be used in Zelda, games like Dark/Demon's Souls are more appropriate to influence Zelda in a better direction.

[bitboi]

Having played Demons/dark souls and while as good as they are, they take a far more realistic approach to fantasy rpg as opposed to what you'll find in zelda games.I don't want that in my zelda games imo. If anything, Demon/dark souls can heavily influence bethesda's games.

[Qrphe]

I was referring to design and gameplay elements and not necessarily atmosphere and themes (although a Zelda game like that would be great) while also keeping/improving the puzzle-solving.

The only real revolution in controls Zelda games has had was Skyward Sword and it was merely due to motion controls (which I didn't like anyway).

[TheDivine]

Totally agree with you. DS/DkS both reminded me of Zelda cause i used a sword and shield. I think the stamina and tougher combat would benefit Zelda immensly. Making dodging/rolling more useful and other small details. I had hoped Skyward Sword was a little harder and the stamina seemed like some nice innovation (for Zelda) but the combat was just simon says, horizontal or vertical slicing. Im just sick of how slow Zelda is. I dont mind reading but at least let me skip ahead (i read fast) let me have a fast travel option. Replaying OOT right now and it gets aggravating having to run back and forth. Theres so much unneccessary filler and fetch quests. Its too rooted in tradition and opposed to updating outdated mechanics.

That said its still one of my favorite series but thats why i care so much. As much as i tries Skyward Sword just didnt hook me. Too slow paced and easy. I really want more lore and story, more ancient stuff and even quiet exploration like SOTC. Its too linear these days. I want a vast land to explore and find little hidden secrets and the joy of discovery instead of blocked paths il unlock later and go hear Link. Just my 2 cents.

[nihonlight]

What elder scrolls can teach Zelda?

Bethesda: "Well, don't jerk around and release a buggy game, cause...uh... we did that and uh..."

Nintendo:"We don't because we're not lazy"

Bethesda:" oh, well QA and test your games, because we didn't, ..uh

Nintendo: ...smh...."amateurs"

[lategamer]

Let me know when Nintendo makes a game on the scale of Skyrim.

[nihonlight]

It's not the size, it's the quality.
Doesn't matter how BIG something is if its crap.

[papashango]

Outside of mmos there is no game that's all quality based off the size and scale. Well outside the ps3 of course. Tes is a pc franchise and on pc its flourished.

[lategamer]

Well it's a good thing Skyrim has both scale and quality. Yes, it has some bugs. I've played the 360 version, I've put over 50 hours into the game and it's froze on me about 3-4 times & had some major frame rate problems on one mission.

But besides those some negatives? I've had only a positive expierence. The game has a great intro, and some very memorable quest. Skyrim feels alive. Walking through the forest you see wildlife, there's fish swimming through the rivers and gorgeous waterfalls. At night, you might see a ghost run by on his horse. There are dozens of quest, and dozens of way to tackle the game. Join the brotherhood of evil, theives guild, join a faction in the civil war, etc.

Become a werewolf, become a vampire. Archer, Magician, Warrior. Maybe you want to be all three? Or just specialize in one.

The game has a HUGE scale, a dynamic world, and every single thing is tracked. Do you know how hard it is to fix bugs? Every time you fix a bug in a video game, a new ones may appear.

So let me know when Nintendo create a game like Skyrim. A huge scale, tons of options, the ability to choose what you want your character to be. A game that despite some bugs, is GOTY to many, was released to critical praise and sold millions.

[bitboi]

I haven't played any Elder scrolls games but wanted to know, does those games actually have level designs for their dungeons or castles? Meaning like how you have to figure puzzles out and what not in the Zelda games in order to proceed further in that dungeon or castle.

[DivineAssault]

Creating magics, an alive world with ppl doing things daily, buying & selling of equipment & items, side quests, etc.. With nintendos touch of perfection (tech wise) it would benefit from all those things.. Bosses & puzzels in zelda are top notch & need not be changed..

[CouldHaveYelledUiiW]

Elder Scrolls could have taught Twilight Princess something but not Skyward Sword or Ocarina of Time.

They are 2 different games both should be be respected for what they bring to gamers.

But I am quite certain that come portion of the Elder Scroll creative teams have, in some measure been, inspired by a Zelda title (from 1980's till 2012/13)...