My relationship with Bethesda games over the years have had many ups and downs, but one thing that hasn't really bothered me that much is the loading screens. Bethesda and loading screens go together like peanut butter and jelly at this point, and this base feature has been one of the biggest critics the developer has faced over the years. As much as gamers want Bethesda's loading screens to finally end The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5the truth is, this probably won't be the case, and fans might want to brace themselves.
Bethesda's loading screens have continued to ignite conversation and debate, and I completely understand the frustration. If the loading screens didn't stop Starfieldbut then there really shouldn't be any reason to assume that they will suddenly be fixed with The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5. While they can be annoying at times, Bethesda continues to use the Creation Engine, which means more loading screens are more than likely on the way.
Bethesda remains loyal to the Creation Engine, so the loading screens will continue
Like someone who was incredibly excited about Starfield Before it came out, Bethesda's spacefaring RPG didn't meet my expectations. I really enjoyed the ship building and some aspects of the story, but it didn't resonate with me how Fall-out did. When it comes to games made by Bethesda, I'm more invested Fall-out than The Elder Scrollsbut I have had a lot of experience with both franchises. So I'm well aware of the developer's penchant for loading screens, but it wasn't a deal-breaker when it came to playing Starfield. Maybe I've just grown to accept the loading screens, because even when I feel like they kill the game's momentum, at least the wait is short-lived.
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The news that The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 using Creation Engine 3 is not a surprise. Bethesda has shown with its response to Starfield critics that the developer is determined to stick to its guns. By now, loading screens have become an important part of a Bethesda game's identity, meaning it should be expected at this point. Of course, it will be controversial, especially after so many years of waiting The Elder Scrolls 6but a game with lots of loading screens is better than no game at all.
Bethesda's reliance on loading screens feels dated, but it's far from the only feature stuck in the past
In many ways, Starfield felt like it came years later than it should have. Between the NPC interactions, exploration and world, and RPG elements that didn't really feel like an evolution of the developer's previous games, Starfield is outdated for many players. However, it wasn't just the loading screens that made the game feel like it was from another era. Creation Engine 2 is a big reason for this, but it could also just be part of Bethesda's particular flavor. Todd Howard has been in charge of this studio for a long time, and he and the team he entrusts with these projects can simply enjoy a more nostalgic game.
The biggest criticism of Bethesda's number of loading screens is that they break a game's immersion. That's fair, but a strong story and exploration can at least make the roadblocks less noticeable. Unfortunately, Starfield struggled to achieve that balance, and I think it made the loading screens feel more obvious and frustrating compared to previous games.
There is a real possibility that a new Bethesda game that has the same enhanced elements as other RPGs would no longer feel like a Bethesda-made project. Of course, that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. But things like loading screens are minor compared to world building and repetitive procedural generation issues like Starfield marked. The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 must address these complaints before considering loading screens.
Bethesda now has a lot going on
- Fallout 3 remasters
- Fallout: New Vegas remasters
- Fall-out spin-off (made by Obsidian Entertainment)
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Continued Fallout 76 support
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Continued Starfield support
- The Elder Scrolls 6
The announcement of Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters and confirmation that a Fall-out spin-off and Fallout 5 is in development is big news for fans of the post-apocalyptic franchise. Bethesda remains tight-lipped on the matter The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fall-out details, but these reveals have ended a long silent period. It's definitely news worth being excited about, but fans hoping for major improvements to how Bethesda games work may be disappointed.
Creation Engine 3 expectations must remain realistic
The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 may look much better when it comes to graphics, but Creation Engine 3 is unlikely to be the leap forward some fans have been hoping for. Starfield was a great visual improvement. But it still played very much like a Bethesda game. That doesn't have to be a bad thing though. Although it can be hard to play Starfield and Fallout 4 having experienced stronger first-person role-playing games that Cyberpunk 2077Bethesda's offerings still have their own special charm.
There hasn't been one Elder rolls 6 release date confirmed yet, but leaks have claimed the target could be as far away as 2028 or more.
The hard truth is that Bethesda may no longer be one of the kings of the RPG genre. Years of evolution in mechanics and key features have continued to drive laps around the beloved Skyrim developer. The Elder Scrolls 6 already has Warhorse Studios Kingdom Come: Deliverance series to contend with, and the latter is confirmed The Lord of the Rings RPGs will only make the competition more difficult.
No matter how long the wait is, The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5s launches will be incredibly exciting. However, it would not be surprising if the same complaints plagued Starfields release returned. I really hope that's not the case, because Bethesda makes interesting games, even when the project doesn't always hit the mark. There's no telling what standard Bethesda features will be in future games, but it might be best for fans to make peace with loading screens.
