Summary
The Elder Scrollsseries is no stranger to praise when it comes to open-world design, especially after the release ofThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Now,The Elder Scrolls 6will surely carry that mantle forward with another beautifully crafted, well-designed open-world that rivals those of its predecessors. However, in an effort to keepThe Elder Scrolls’open-world formula fresh,The Elder Scrolls 6could take a cue from one ofThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s best features.
Tears of the Kingdom’s underground world, The Depths, is one of the most innovative features of any game in the last decade. Its sprawling expanse of dark, interconnected caves provides players with an extensive amount of additional content — primarily in terms of the rewarding exploration theBreath of the Wildseries is known for — andThe Elder Scrolls 6could greatly benefit from using The Depths as a blueprint for its expanded open world.
TotK’s Depths Should Serve as a Blueprint for The Elder Scrolls 6’s Expanded Open World
What Makes Tears of the Kingdom’s Depths So Special
The expansive open world of Hyrule that was introduced inBreath of the Wildmade a comeback inTears of the Kingdom, along with the addition of the wondrous Sky Islands and the sprawling underground Depths. Each level of Hyrule benefits exploration in a unique way, butThe Depths is perhaps the most intriguing realm inTears of the Kingdom, due to the vast number of mysteries and secrets it holds. As what is likely the biggest addition fromBreath of the Wild, The Depths acts as almost an entirely different world for players to discover. In this way, it feels less like a part ofTears of the Kingdomand more like a different game altogether.
As what is likely the biggest addition fromBreath of the Wild, The Depths acts as almost an entirely different world for players to discover.
Despite the praise it has received,The Depths has proven to be a rather divisive feature inTears of the Kingdom. However, this is primarily due to its enormous size and learning curve, as these negative opinions are arguably shared too soon — before players discover just how satisfying exploring The Depths can be. As players progress through The Depths, they discover it is home to a host of unique items, an abundance of important crafting and upgrade materials, and some of the most challenging enemies and bosses in the game. Yet, these challenges often prove to be among the game’s most rewarding encounters if players can overcome them.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Should Replace the Series' Caves With a Depths-Like Experience
PastElder Scrollstitles, likeOblivionandSkyrim, have included plenty of off-the-beaten-path exploration opportunities for players in their numerous caves and mini-dungeons. These caves have been known to house special items, side quests, and additional lore for players to discover, but an overhaul may now be in order. Despite all that these optional areas have offered in the past, they have generally lacked the atmospheric appeal thatTears of the Kingdom’s Depths possess, along with the drive to explore beyond what is necessary. Just as The Depths offer almost an entirely separate gaming experience,The Elder Scrolls 6could do the same, effectively revitalizing the now-familiar open-world formula it has been known for.
IfThe Elder Scrolls 6were to replace the series' caves and mini-dungeons with an experience more akin toTears of the Kingdom’s Depths, it could serve as a way to further expandThe Elder Scrolls 6’s open world while simultaneously avoiding the bloated feeling players get from so many other modern open worlds. In a way, Bethesda is now behooved to shake up the familiar open-world formula ofThe Elder Scrollsto evade criticism, and the series' next mainline installment is arguably the best time to do it. Regardless, fans are expectingThe Elder Scrolls 6to be another satisfying entry to the series, just as its predecessors have been before.
