The Elder Scrolls 6: A Long Wait and a Worthy Distraction

The wait for any news about the next installment in The Elder Scrolls series, The Elder Scrolls 6, has been a long one for fans. While official information remains scarce, recent updates from Bethesda offer a glimmer of hope, even as they confirm that the game is still a long way from release. In the meantime, a new open-world fantasy RPG, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon, has emerged as a compelling alternative to tide over eager adventurers.

I've spent countless hours exploring the vast landscapes of Tamriel in Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim, and the prospect of a new Elder Scrolls game is always exciting. However, the reality is that we won't be seeing The Elder Scrolls 6 for a while. Todd Howard, the director of the game, stated in an interview with Game Informer that the game is "progressing very well," but he also emphasized that Bethesda is "going to take time and as long as it needs to be to be great." Studio Design Director Emil Pagliarulo echoed this sentiment, making it clear that the team is not rushing the development process. While this focus on quality is commendable, it does little to soothe the impatience of fans who have been waiting since the game's initial announcement in 2018.

This is where Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon comes in. Developed by Questline and Awaken Realms, this game is a dark and gritty take on Arthurian legend, blended with Celtic mythology. It's a first-person RPG that shares many of the same core elements that make The Elder Scrolls so beloved: a massive open world to explore, deep character customization with numerous build possibilities, and a wealth of quests and lore to uncover. I found myself immediately drawn into the game's immersive world, which feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

The combat is challenging, the progression system is rewarding, and the story is a dark and inventive reimagining of a classic legend. The game's opening tutorial is extensive, but it's essential for understanding the complex narrative and the state of the world. Once you're let loose in the open world, you're free to follow the main quest or strike out on your own to discover the secrets that Avalon holds.

While Tainted Grail is a worthy distraction, it doesn't entirely quell the anticipation for The Elder Scrolls 6. The recent updates from Bethesda, though sparse, do provide some insight into the game's development. Studio Director Angela Browder spoke about the excitement of the process, citing "the opportunities, the hardware, the rendering, all of this stuff" as reasons why the game will ultimately impress fans. It’s clear that the team is aiming to create a truly next-generation experience.

The mention of overlapping development also suggests that Bethesda has other projects in the works, which could contribute to the extended development time of The Elder Scrolls 6. For now, we know that the game is being built on the Creation Engine 2, the same engine that powers Starfield, and that it will be an exclusive for Xbox and PC.

According to previous reports and rumors, there is another, fourth secret game to be revealed at the show, and it also might be related to Activision making a huge surprise. A recent post from the official X social media account of Xbox has also made The Elder Scrolls VI fans excited, as it says, “Big year for games ending in 6, though.”