Any gamer has ever heard of the Elder Scrolls game series and the last part called Skyrim. Also, any gamer at least roughly represents what the genre of Role Playing Game is. This review will be of great value for beginners in computer games. For those who have been familiar with the industry for many years, virtually no news from the article will be a revelation. Let's see what kind of genre Skyrim has, what features define it and why this game is one of the best of its kind.
Description of the genre
Let's start with a description of the genre itself, so that readers have an idea of what they are dealing with. So, the full name is as follows - Computer Role-Playing Game. Which in translation into our language means "computer role-playing game." In colloquial language, such games are called RPGs, RPGs, RPGs, role-playing games, and so on.
The Skyrim genre is determined by the components that relate to it. In the description of role-playing games, there are several main elements that are inherent in every project in the genre. Some of them may deviate from the classical norms, but they will not lose their essence from this. To understand what the genre of the game "Skyrim", we turn to the description.
Many experts divide all the signs by which you can determine the role-playing game into 4 parts. Let's consider them in more detail.
Role system
This category includes those elements that are responsible for the creation and development of the hero in one form or another. The first element may be absent, but the second is always there. The bottom line is that the player gradually improves his character (skills / skills / level / abilities / health points and much more) through interaction with the game world. On this basis, the genre of the game "Skyrim 5" coincides with the description.
Study
Regardless of whether the game is linear, or whether it has access to free movement, there should always be an element of research. The player can learn information from the NPC, from game items, descriptions and books. As you progress through the hero, he learns new details, sometimes develops relationships with in-game characters and much more. Accordingly, the more the player himself immerses his hero in the world, the more he himself will learn more details. In this category, the genre of the game "Skyrim" also coincides. Move on.
Plot
Regardless of whether there is a full-fledged story with screensavers and detailed dialogs, or the plot is submitted through flyers and a task log, the narrative should be present in any RPG.
Firstly, the player must receive information about the world and the plot of the game through goals, primary and secondary tasks, training, dialogs, and so on. Secondly, the character does not complete a chain of incoherent tasks, but a completely logical chain of quests that lead to a certain result. Separate tasks from the plot may be secondary.
Even in multiplayer RPGs there is a plot, although much less attention is paid to it than in single-player games. Moreover, in Skyrim there is a complete order with this paragraph.
A long and long story, many characters, the hero’s participation in saving the world and opposing the dark forces are classics of fantasy works. All this is seasoned with additional tasks of different levels of complexity and interest.
Combat system
Fighting is an integral part of a role-playing project. If it’s possible to pass some moments peacefully, covertly or through dialogs (for example, having developed a character’s eloquence skill), then in most cases you won’t be able to do without battles. It is during the victory over the enemy that you gain experience, get resources and items.
Also, pumping your character directly affects the strength and skills in battle. The steeper your hero, the faster he copes with enemies. Inexperienced player can confuse the Skyrim genre with a fighting game or a shooter. Outwardly, they are no different. However, in the shooter, the game character throughout the passage does not stand out in terms of the level of strength and abilities, and in RPG development is visible to the naked eye.
So, in "Skyrim" there is also the last element. These four points fully describe our game, so we can say which Skyrim genre is absolutely accurate.
Clarification by genre
It is worth saying that not one RPG title can be christened the fifth part of the legendary series. The genre of role-playing games can be divided into several subgenres, depending on the idea and orientation.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim can be safely attributed to the sanbox RPG or, more simply, to the sandbox. Let's see why Skyrim has this particular genre and what sign indicates this.
Despite the fact that the main storyline is tightly interwoven with the history of ancient dragons, most of the time the main character travels through the open world and gets acquainted with the reality surrounding him. On the one hand, you can not do this and go only on the plot. As a result, it turns out that you will approach the final tasks without the proper level and equipment. Therefore, you still have to explore the game world. During the trip, the hero finds hundreds of additional tasks, dungeons and individual storylines. For example, in Skyrim, the story of the Dark Brotherhood, the thieves guild, and so on.
Another small nuance in the classification, which will help you figure out what genre the game "Skyrim". Most role-playing games are divided into European and Japanese. Now we will understand why such a separation works.
Japanese RPGs are based on specific characters or entire parties. Heroes are worked out up to character and appearance. There is also no wide choice and freedom of action, and the game concentrates all the attention on the plot. In most Japanese role-playing games, battles do not take place in the same world, but in a separate location after loading.
With European RPGs, everything is different. The player creates his character, often chooses a class and pumps out those skills that seem relevant and more profitable. In classic games, the character is deprived of his face in the story so that the player can associate himself with him. The storyline is constantly interrupted by additional tasks and exploration of the world. And finally, the combat system allows you to conduct battles as you like and anywhere (except for some exceptions in the form of individual locations, dungeons and bosses). If you compare both "schools" in detail, it becomes clear what kind of genre the game "Skyrim". In addition to the fact that the project was released by European and American developers, it coincides in all respects with this subclass.
Link to Action
In many game magazines, on websites, in videos, when talking about which genre of Skyrim, they talk about Action-RPG. In fact, this note can be omitted, but it does not contradict the main genre. Since character development, world exploration and interaction is carried out through the control of a character from 1 or 3 persons, the mark Action will be appropriate. Also, in some situations, the player can defeat the enemy not because of the advantage in weapons, armor or abilities that he received for leveling, but due to personal skills and decisions. Therefore, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim can be called an Action-RPG.
Now we can say for sure what the name of the Skyrim genre is called. It can be called just a role-playing game. Or make a clarification that this is a big sandbox. You can also say that it refers to European role-playing games. Or just call it Action-RPG. Each of these options will be correct. We figured out the genre, and now let's talk a little about the game itself. If you have not encountered it before, be sure to read the review.
Game world
The fifth part of the series is not perceived as a separate project. Skyrim is based on the same stories, the action takes place in the same world as in the previous parts. However, this time the story is transferred to the territory of the northern province of Skyrim, and the Dragonborn becomes the hero.
After the initial and introductory missions, it becomes clear that no one will lead the player’s handle. The plot tells you that you are the chosen one, you have a specific task, and you can solve it as you like. Therefore, from now on, your character is devoted to himself. You can spit on all tasks for the "chosen ones", saving the world, talking with ancient dragons and just go on a free trip. Frozen plains, snowy mountains, waterfalls and rivers - all this will meet you on the way. Also, characters with their stories and quests, and sometimes whole guilds, which you can join, will come across.
Gameplay
The main gameplay comes down to research and pumping. As you progress through quests and destroy monsters, you gain experience and points that are spent on improving abilities. All skills are presented in the form of constellations. The main parameters are only 3 - health, mana and stamina.
An important component is crafting and collecting resources. Without these components, of course, you can handle it, but then you will lose a huge part of the game’s content. For example, some items for crafting cool weapons or armor can be found only at the end of certain tasks, and sometimes even after completing entire storylines.
Fashion and popularity
The Skyrim genre, as well as the game itself, boasts a huge base of fans around the world. And despite the fact that the fifth part was released in 2011, it is still one of the most popular RPGs in the world.
Due to the features of the game engine, craftsmen release modifications and improvements. Changes to the game due to mods range from simple graphics improvements to a complete alteration of locations, plot and objects. You can find many jokes on the Internet that with the help of Skyrim modifications you can turn into a driving simulator, a game about Spider-Man, but certainly not in RPG.
Global add-ons from fans are constantly coming out, which are very popular. Many of them are recognized around the world, as well as by the developers themselves.
Release on different platforms
To understand how The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is known and in demand, it is worth saying about re-releases and releases on other platforms. After the release on PC and consoles, the game gradually appeared on new generation consoles, then appeared in the form of a legendary edition, then switched to the Nintendo Switch portable console, and then went to VR. And perhaps this is not the end for this great, but already old game.
Conclusion
We pretty much figured out what genre the game "Skyrim" and why this project is attributed specifically to the RPG. By the way, the same arguments can be applied to the entire TES series. Even TES Online has all of the above symptoms, but a multiplayer server is also added to them.
Bethesda has already announced the sixth, but did not even give an approximate release date or any details. In this regard, Skyrim received an even greater increase in interest from those players who still have not tried themselves for The Elder Scrolls.