Summary
Expectations are high forThe Elder Scrolls 6, with gaming audiences hoping that it will build on what makes its predecessorSkyrimso beloved. There’s good reason to believe thatThe Elder Scrolls 6will be everything fans want and more, thanks to the benefit of new technologies, game design conventions, and everything that Bethesda has learned in the years followingSkyrim’s initial launch. However, there’s one specific aspect that will be hard to top.
This is a subjective matter, but most fans would agree thatSkyrimhas the most iconic openingof any Bethesda Game Studios release. In 2024, the intro sequence may be most famous for its seemingly endless meme potential, which has made lines like “Hey, you’re finally awake” recognizable even to those totally unfamiliar withThe Elder Scrollsand gaming as a whole. Indeed, the slow carriage ride into hostile Imperial territory, culminating in a foiled execution attempt and an explosive dragon attack on Helgen, is unforgettable. But this opening may have set the bar a bit too high.
The Elder Scrolls 6’s Intro Has to Catch Lightning In a Bottle
Skyrim’s Opening Masterfully Establishes Its Tone
Although it’s best known as a meme at this point—perhaps because of the countless times players have to sit through it on repeat playthroughs—Skyrim’s opening perfectly captures the toneof the game. The soft, reflective music and muted color palette immediately convey that this world is not one of whimsical and wholesome adventure; unlike the rolling, pastoral hills ofOblivion’s Cyrodil, Skyrim is cold, dark, and gray; prisoners aren’t held in stereotypical medieval dungeons with secret escape tunnels, they are executed outdoors, in the light of day.
One prisoner even tries to run, only to be swiftly cut down by a well-placed arrow, loosed casually by an Imperial guard. The resigned attitude of Ralof, another Nord prisoner, suggests that this sort of banal brutality is an everyday occurrence in the war-torn country of Skyrim.
For all the memes poking fun at it,Skyrimis still considered one of the best gamesof its era, and its worldbuilding plays a significant role in that praise.
It would be wrong to assume that, because of all the jokes it has spawned, the intro toSkyrimis somehow inherently ridiculous or comedic. Rather, it’s endured the test of time because of how well it sets up the rest of the game, escalating its tone and pacing in a nuanced and effective way.
The Elder Scrolls 6’s Intro Will Be Compared to Skyrim’s
The fact thatSkyrim’s intro is so ripe for meme potentialwhile being unironically fantastic at the same time makes it a tough act to follow. It’s not clear whereThe Elder Scrolls 6will take place, but the setting will no doubt benefit from having a sense of character as strong asSkyrim’s, which still manages to feel like a unique video game world all these years later. An effective and efficient opening act that establishes the game’s distinct tone and narrative will go a long way toward building this character early on.
Bethesda may even be tempted to try and recapture some of the specific magic ofSkyrim’s intro. It would be safe to guess that the game’s intro will at least reprise the franchise’s long-running imprisonment trope, but it will be more important forThe Elder Scrolls 6to lean into its specific characteristics, being intentional with whatever story and atmosphere it’s aiming to achieve. Realistically, it probably won’t have the cultural relevance or impact ofSkyrim’s opening, if for no other reason than the different context of its release, but it could be special in its own way, ushering in abold new chapter forThe Elder Scrolls.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
WHERE TO PLAY
Winner of more than 200 Game of the Year Awards, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim celebrates 10 years of adventuring in stunning detail. The Anniversary Edition includes a decade worth of content: the critically acclaimed core game and add-ons of Skyrim Special Edition, plus Creation Club content released on or prior to August 01, 2025.EPIC FANTASY REBORNSkyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose.LIVE ANOTHER LIFE, IN ANOTHER WORLDPlay any type of character you’re able to imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.YOU ARE WHAT YOU PLAYChoose from hundreds of weapons, spells, and abilities. The new character system allows you to play any way you want and define yourself through your actions.BATTLE DRAGONSBattle ancient dragons like you’ve never seen. As Dragonborn, learn their secrets and harness their power for yourself.
