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.

[mirocu]

Oblivion and Fallout 3 here, to no one's surprise. I have played and enjoyed Arena and Morrowind, but home has always been Oblivion.

I like Fallout out a bit less than Elder Scrolls; I guess I'm more fascinated with medieval-inspired fantasy. Fallout 3 surprised me though. I didn't expect to like that game as much as I did. ☢

100% same. I rejected Fallout 3 for the longest time as I couldn't see the appeal of a destroyed world when I had the lush forests of Cyrodiil. But to my absolute surprise; when I eventually tried it I LOVED it! Yes the world was burnt but there was so much to do and so many places to go to, just like in Oblivion! Needless to say I don't regret installing it

strategy games where you build up to eventually ruling the world are out.

So no ruling the entire galaxy in Star Wars: Rebellion?

I can’t be unbiased towards Morrowind. Being my first TES game, it just holds such a special place in my heart.

Exactly how I feel about Oblivion. Your first will always be special, amirite?

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.

[Renee]

100% same. I rejected Fallout 3 for the longest time as I couldn't see the appeal of a destroyed world when I had the lush forests of Cyrodiil. But to my absolute surprise; when I eventually tried it I LOVED it! Yes the world was burnt but there was so much to do and so many places to go to, just like in Oblivion! Needless to say I don't regret installing it

Me too. I took Fallout literally for its name... I thought the entire game would be set in the midst of a nuclear war. For those of us who grew up during the 1970s-1980s, us kids lived with the fear of WW3 happening for many years, and I didn't want to be reminded of that. ☢

Then Lopov told me FO3 is set in the D.C. area, which I didn't know. Since I live about 40 minutes north, I decided I at least have to check the game out, just for that. Right away the game caught my imagination, since we start as a baby! And I did not expect all the humor. The entire tutorial had me cracking up: the Tunnel Snakes, the G.O.A.T., the part when the robot tried to cut my character's birthday cake and icing flew all over the place! Even the Overseer made me LOL at the way he was so pedantic.

And then when Cho Zen Wan first left the vault I actually cried. Seeing my "home" all torn up like that had an awesome effect on me. I was hooked.

This post has been edited by Renee: Feb 20 2023, 06:38 PM