Two landmark titles in the open-world RPG genre, Elden Ring (2022) and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011), have each redefined expectations for fantasy gaming. While both immerse players in richly detailed worlds, their approaches to exploration, combat, storytelling, and player freedom differ significantly. This article examines their core design philosophies and how each game delivers a distinct experience.
World Design and Exploration
Skyrim: Structured Discovery
Skyrim presents a handcrafted Nordic landscape divided into distinct holds, each with its own political and cultural identity. Exploration follows a guided structure:
- Clear quest markers and journal entries direct players.
- Fast travel allows quick navigation between discovered locations.
- Cities, dungeons, and points of interest are deliberately placed to encourage organic discovery while maintaining accessibility.
Elden Ring: Uncharted Freedom
Elden Ring adopts a more open-ended approach to exploration:
- Minimal UI guidance encourages players to venture without predefined objectives.
- Verticality and hidden paths reward thorough investigation.
- Legacy dungeons function as intricate, self-contained levels within the open world.
Where Skyrim ensures players always have a clear next step, Elden Ring prioritises discovery through curiosity and observation.
Combat Systems
Skyrim: Flexible but Simplistic
Skyrim’s real-time combat accommodates multiple playstyles:
- Melee, archery, and magic can be mixed freely.
- Enemy AI and encounter design lack depth, often reducing fights to stat checks.
- Stealth mechanics allow for alternative approaches but remain rudimentary.
Elden Ring: Precision and Punishment
Built on FromSoftware’s Soulsborne foundation, combat demands mastery:
- Stamina management, attack timing, and positioning are crucial.
- Weapon arts and spells offer tactical variety but require strategic commitment.
- Bosses and elite enemies test player skill rather than character level alone.
Elden Ring’s system rewards patience and adaptation, whereas Skyrim emphasises accessibility and flexibility.
Storytelling and Lore
Skyrim: Traditional Fantasy Narrative
Skyrim employs conventional storytelling methods:
- The Dragonborn prophecy provides a clear central narrative.
- Side quests and faction storylines offer self-contained arcs.
- Lore is delivered through dialogue, books, and environmental details.
Elden Ring: Fragmentary and Interpretive
Elden Ring’s narrative is deliberately opaque:
- Key plot points are inferred through item descriptions and sparse dialogue.
- George R. R. Martin’s mythic backstory enriches the world but remains elusive.
- Environmental storytelling hints at fallen kingdoms and forgotten conflicts.
Skyrim’s approach is more immediate, while Elden Ring requires active engagement to piece together its lore.
Character Progression and Customisation
Skyrim: Unrestricted Development
- Players can master every skill tree given enough time.
- Hybrid builds (e.g., spellswords, stealth archers) are easily achievable.
- Perks provide incremental upgrades rather than transformative changes.
Elden Ring: Specialised Build Crafting
- Stats dictate weapon and spell effectiveness, encouraging focused builds.
- Respeccing is possible but limited, requiring Larval Tears.
- Weapon arts and ashes of war allow deeper customisation within a chosen playstyle.
Skyrim promotes versatility, while Elden Ring asks players to commit to a defined role.
Modding and Longevity
Skyrim: A Modding Phenomenon
- Extensive mod support has sustained the game for over a decade.
- Community-created content ranges from graphical overhauls to entirely new campaigns.
- Bethesda’s re-releases have further expanded modding potential.
Elden Ring: Limited but Growing
- FromSoftware’s engine restricts modding scope compared to Skyrim.
- Most mods focus on balance tweaks, cosmetics, or quality-of-life improvements.
- Co-op and PvP mods have emerged but lack official support.
Skyrim’s longevity stems from its modding scene, whereas Elden Ring’s replayability lies in its combat and build variety.
Atmosphere and Tone
Skyrim: Heroic Fantasy
- A world of clear moral dichotomies (Dragons vs. Dragonborn, Empire vs. Stormcloaks).
- Majestic landscapes and cities create an inviting, if rugged, setting.
- Quests often resolve with definitive conclusions.
Elden Ring: Bleak and Ambiguous
- Themes of decay, betrayal, and cosmic indifference pervade the narrative.
- Beauty exists alongside grotesquery, reflecting a world in decline.
- Many storylines end in tragedy or unresolved mystery.
Skyrim offers escapism; Elden Ring presents a darker, more contemplative experience.
Accessibility
Skyrim: Welcoming to All Players
- Adjustable difficulty settings accommodate casual and veteran gamers.
- Intuitive mechanics and clear objectives reduce friction.
- Pausing for inventory management or spell selection eases play.
Elden Ring: Challenging by Design
- No difficulty options, success demands system mastery.
- Real-time menus and limited healing raise stakes in combat.
- Optional summons and spirit ashes provide some relief without trivialising encounters.
Skyrim is designed for broad appeal, while Elden Ring expects players to meet its challenges head-on.
Skyrim and Elden Ring represent two divergent philosophies in open-world RPG design. The former excels in player freedom, moddability, and approachable storytelling, while the latter prioritises mechanical depth, environmental storytelling, and uncompromising combat. Neither is objectively superior, their strengths cater to different preferences. Skyrim remains the quintessential sandbox fantasy, whereas Elden Ring sets a new benchmark for atmospheric, exploration-driven adventure. Ultimately, the choice between them depends on whether the player seeks a world to inhabit or a challenge to overcome.
