The Elder Scrolls 6is set to be a massive title, with fans having waited well over a decade for the last mainline release for the franchise. While little information is available for the game, there are some official sources that fans can take from to theorize major details such as its setting.
Of course,The Elder Scrolls 6will have to exceed the expectations set by previous entries to the franchise if it is to be successful. Despite this, it would be remiss for Bethesda to not look towards even the earliest franchise entries in its approach toTES 6. Given the dominant theories surroundingThe Elder Scrolls 6’ssetting, the best title that Bethesda could take lessons from is perhapsThe Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey.
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The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey and The Elder Scrolls 6
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkeyis one of the least-known franchise titles, being developed exclusively for the N-Gage in 2004. Despite this, the title holds one of the most unique settings in the IP, focusing extensively on the region of Hammerfell. Whileother titles such asDaggerfallhave also explored the region in part,Shadowkeyoffers the most detailed glimpse of the region.
Hammerfell holds relevance toThe Elder Scrolls 6as it is the front-runner for the title’s setting in the eyes of many fans. This primarily comes from the2018 reveal trailer forThe Elder Scrolls 6, with many theorizing that the landscape of the video best matches up with the arid and mountainous Hammerfell. As one of the largest and culturally significant provinces in Tamriel, it is clear to see why fans are so sure that Hammerfell isTES 6’slocation of choice.
The Potential Lessons From The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey
One of the largest takeaways that Bethesda can take fromShadowkeyis its portrayal ofHammerfell’s most important cities. For example, the northern city of Dragonstar features extensively inShadowkey, being between the borders of High Rock and Skyrim as a geopolitically unstable settlement. This tension is smartly displayed withinShadowkeywith Nordic forces controlling parts of the city, a factor that should be implemented inTES 6to aid its world-building.
Although Hammerfell takes center stage withinShadowkey, the game allows the player to travel between other provinces such as Skyrim and High Rock as a part of its story. This variety in experience is something that 2011’sSkyrimlacked, and could be shrewdly implemented toThe Elder Scrolls 6. While these alternative locations should not detract from Hammerfell, having small portions ofother locations in Tamrielthat the player can travel to is a great lesson forTES 6to consider.
In this frame of thought,TES 6should also take a lesson from the variety behind the Hammerfell locations ofShadowkey. For example,Shadowkeyfeatures a subterranean settlement called Fearfrost that is home to passive goblins. This adds literal depth to the game-world ofShadowkey, and similarlocations should appear inThe Elder Scrolls 6to further portray the range of species that are indigenous to the region.
Of course,Shadowkeyis limited by its time of release and the hardware it was created for, yet the game still has a lot to offer. As the most comprehensive portrayal of Hammerfell within the IP,Shadowkeyshould play a huge role in informing how Bethesda builds-up the environment ofTES 6and makes it feel alive.
The Elder Scrolls 6is currently in development.
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