This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:16:29
The video provides a comprehensive ranking and review of Bethesda Game Studios' developed games, addressing both well-known titles and lesser-known projects. The creator critiques various games, including the IHRA Drag Racing series and "Elder Scrolls: Blades," highlighting their lack of depth and poor reception. "Fallout 76" is criticized for its problematic launch, drawing parallels to the troubled release of "Cyberpunk 2077."
The discussion further explores Bethesda's game evolution, especially the company's reliance on brand recognition and shift toward different gameplay mechanics over time. This includes analyzing "Fallout Shelter" and its monetization strategies, the VR adaptations of "Fallout 4" and "Skyrim," and the significant yet mixed legacy of "Fallout 4." "Starfield" is praised for its space exploration but noted for its first-person shooter focus over RPG elements, similar to "Fallout 4."
The video reflects on classic titles like "The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind," "Oblivion," and "Skyrim," appreciating their deep lore, storytelling, and expansive world-building. These games are highlighted for their lasting impact and replay value. "Oblivion" is specifically admired for its accessibility and engaging mechanics, which the speaker hopes will inspire the development of "Elder Scrolls 6."
Throughout, the creator cites the importance of initial impressions and the lasting impact of game releases on Bethesda's reputation. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to engage with the channel's content and support through Patreon.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the creator discusses the plan to rank all the games by Bethesda Game Studios from worst to best. The focus is specifically on games developed by Bethesda, excluding those they have only published. The video is sponsored by Play Asia, a site for importing Japanese games and merchandise, and it offers details about their offerings and a discount code. The creator highlights that Bethesda has produced some less memorable games as well, like the IHRA Drag Racing series, which lacked depth and were so poorly received that they essentially killed off the franchise.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the reviewer discusses the surprising development of a drag racing game by the makers of Skyrim, noting the unusual addition to their portfolio. They suggest the game might be of interest only to niche audiences or those curious about a drag racing video game. The reviewer then critiques “Elder Scrolls: Blades” for failing to replicate the depth of traditional Elder Scrolls games on mobile, labeling it as repetitive and creatively lacking. They highlight Bethesda’s over-reliance on brand recognition and criticize the poor initial reception of “Fallout 76,” comparing it to the disappointing launch of “Cyberpunk 2077.” Despite efforts to improve “Fallout 76” post-launch, the reviewer maintains that first impressions are critical and believes the damage done to the game’s legacy remains significant.
00:06:00
In this segment, the discussion centers around Bethesda’s release strategies and the quality of their products over time. The speaker highlights the release of the free-to-play resource management game Fallout Shelter, which capitalized on the positive momentum from the announcement of Fallout 4, despite being criticized as a subpar game laden with microtransactions. They express fatigue with the proliferation of mobile games that exploit similar mechanics. The speaker also addresses Bethesda’s foray into virtual reality with Fallout 4 VR, critiquing it for being antiquated and expensive compared to the standard version. Despite good mods created by the community, the VR adaptation struggles with sustained play. The discussion then shifts to Skyrim VR, which fares slightly better in terms of immersion and environmental detail but still isn’t optimally converted to VR. The speaker notes that while VR provides a unique experience, it isn’t necessarily the best way to play these games. Lastly, there’s a brief reflection on Fallout 4’s legacy, hinting at its struggle to align with what is traditionally expected from a Fallout game.
00:09:00
In this segment, the video discusses the evolution and focus of recent Bethesda games, comparing “Fallout 4,” “Starfield,” and their predecessors. “Fallout 4” is noted for its emphasis on shooting over role-playing elements, with better moment-to-moment gameplay but less engaging storytelling and a frustrating dialogue system. “Starfield” is praised for its space exploration, drawing comparisons to “No Man’s Sky,” and is considered a success at launch. However, it shares similarities with “Fallout 4,” preferring FPS mechanics over deep quest lines. Despite enjoying the exploration aspect, the speaker believes “Starfield” needs a sequel to enhance its RPG elements. The segment then transitions to Bethesda’s history, highlighting “The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind” as a game rich in lore and story, impactful even after 21 years, despite its dated graphics and less suited exploration or combat.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses their admiration for Bethesda’s capacity in world-building across different games. They mention re-installing “Morrowind” and express regret over not being able to discuss “Fallout New Vegas” extensively. Instead, they shift to “Fallout 3,” highlighting its ambitious nature and the significant impact it had on the gaming industry, despite some criticisms regarding its perspective change and lengthy opening sequence. Transitioning to “Skyrim,” the speaker praises its immense replay value and personal comfort, detailing their experience of its expansive world and content, including its DLC. They reflect on playing “Skyrim” before “Oblivion,” which set high expectations for the latter, leading to a deep appreciation for both games and recognizing “Oblivion” as equally impressive in certain respects.
00:15:00
In this segment, the speaker emphasizes the accessibility of “Oblivion,” an RPG from the mid-2000s, highlighting its fully voiced character interactions and ease of understanding as key strengths. They praise its engaging world and game mechanics, which make exploring the game’s environment and characters enjoyable. The speaker asserts that Bethesda should draw inspiration from “Oblivion” for “Elder Scrolls 6” to succeed. They conclude by encouraging viewers to comment, like, subscribe, and check out their other content, while also thanking their Patreon supporters.