I Kind of Feel as though I'm weird...My Favourite Bethesda (developed) Games are.... Options

[ArtemisNoir]

Morrowind and Fallout 4.
I mean, many, if not most, people would consider these two games to be entirely antithetical to another. The thing is, I'm not fully sure why I respond in this way. Maybe because they're perhaps the most focused on narrative, which tends to be my strong preference. Granted, FO4, has its issues, and parts of its story most definitely aren't as well implemented as they could be, but, at the same time, the NPCs, and especially the companions, are the most fully realised of any Bethesda game. So... maybe that's it ??? Plus, given I couldn't make a mod, even if my soul depended on it, I enjoy the building elements of FO4 when I'm feeling creative, and the world is fun to explore.
Don't get me wrong, I genuinely enjoy: Oblivion, Skyrim and FO3, but none have ever grabbed me like Morrowind and FO4.

Any thoughts on the whole subject? I'm always at a loss in figuring out what makes me truly love a game. There's just something indefinable and elusive that simply clicks.

This post has been edited by ArtemisNoir: Feb 19 2023, 10:51 PM

[Acadian]

I think your last sentence nails it. And I think there are likely as many answers as there are players.

In my case, gaming is all about my one and only character (Buffy) who comfortably travels time and even between worlds. I travel as an ancient spirit she carries within her. With many years and many thousands of hours gaming together, we truly approach our gaming as 'we', and view whatever game we are currently playing as simply a home to adventure in together.

As far as what makes a good game for us, there are several considerations:

We have a strong preference for the medieval fantasy rpg genre. TES fits the bill but we'd would have no qualms moving to another franchise if it better suited our purpose.

Open world, massive scale and neverending is important since, when we do deem a game suitable, we generally stay there for thousands of game hours. MMOs cover the mass and scale with the bonus of a dynamic world. . . but carry the drawback of, well, multiplayer. Buffy and I play to spend time adventuring together, NOT to spend time with humans from 21st century earth. We are currently playing ESO; its beauty, mass, scale, dynamic world and solid ability to support solo play adequately compensate for the drawbacks of multiplayer.

We generally rule out games where you are handed your character instead of creating your own. . . unless the issued protagonist is reasonably suitable for my elf to play (she doesn't have to be an elf). Horizon Zero Dawn is about as far out there as we might consider regarding being issued a character for her to play.

Being small and fragile, Buffy rejects melee combat so the typical trope of backing up archery with a dagger is no go. Backing up archery with magic is just fine but limits the number of suitable games.

She is an adventurer, not a kingdom builder, so strategy games where you build up to eventually ruling the world are out.

[Lena Wolf]

Open world, massive scale and neverending is important since, when we do deem a game suitable, we generally stay there for thousands of game hours. MMOs cover the mass and scale with the bonus of a dynamic world. . . but carry the drawback of, well, multiplayer. Buffy and I play to spend time adventuring together, NOT to spend time with humans from 21st century earth.

Exactly! This is my sentiment too.

I found Oblivion to be the game the world for me. And since I moved from consoles to PC last year and learned making mods, Oblivion has gained the infinity that it was lacking. New provinces, new characters, new adventures - I drag all that I enjoyed in other games into Oblivion, seen through its prism and altered to suit. Nowadays, I play my own game, I no longer need pre-written quests and adventures.

That is not to say that I don't play other games or mods made by others... I do. The question is however whether I'd play it more than once or twice. And if the answer is yes, then chances are that some elements of that would find their way into Oblivion eventually...

But to answer the question of this thread directly: Bethesda games. My first one was Oblivion, then I played Morrowind, Skyrim, one or the other Fallout. But I found that I dislike post-apocalyptic games, and in particular the modern and everyday aspects of Fallout, so I never went back to that. Skyrim bored me eventually (after I clocked a thousand of hours or more), Morrowind... well... I couldn't get through the politics (who cares!), the rudeness of the NPCs and the walls of text... But Oblivion was just right. Nowadays I have Morroblivion, so no more walls of text and the NPCs are talking, but the politics are still there and I found myself bored with the main quest. I know I just uttered a blasphemous statement... But I am not afraid of Azura.