6 Reasons Why Everyone Loves The Elder Scrolls Games
5. The Character Development Is Different Than In Other RPGs
Unlike many traditional RPGs - dating back to the days of pen and paper - which would allow you to level up your character in any way imaginable through various actions, The Elder Scrolls opts for a more natural approach to levelling up.
In fact, character progression in these games is more or less the exact opposite of how most traditional RPGs work. In those games, you complete general tasks (kill monsters, turn in quests, discover new locations, defeat bosses, etc.) until you pass a certain threshold to spend points on specific skills and attributes. In The Elder Scrolls, you level up your skills by simply using them, then after you've improved enough, you level up in general.
Though this has its disadvantages, it does give your character's development a more natural feel. You get the sense that you're getting stronger as you improve your skills simply by using them, as well as doing away with much of the rigidity grinding to RPG levelling systems.
Over the span of the games' releases, we've seen a steady trend towards simply allowing players to play however they want. You build your character organically as you play - literally by playing - without being pigeon-holed into specific roles.
Want to be a charasimatic barbarian? You can do that. Feel like being a sneaky wizard? It's possible. Want to be a heavily-armoured elf who is equally skilled with an axe and a lockpick, as a knack for negotiating prices at the general store? You do you.
In The Elder Scrolls, you can play however you want.