General:Gamebytes - Elder Scrolls Arena First Look!

Gamebytes: Elder Scrolls Arena First Look!
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Medium/Format	Magazine Preview
Date	November 30th, 1993

THE ELDER SCROLLS CHAPTER 1: THE ARENA by Bethesda Softworks
Previewed by Ross Erickson

Bethesda has been best known for great hockey games and now fast-paced, state-of-the-art action games. The RPG genre is now about to be added to with their imminent release of The Elder Scrolls: Arena (chapter 1). Bethesda is never satisfied to do just another me-too game in any genre and Arena is no exception. Similar in some vein to the Ultima Underworld games, this smooth-motion game takes place both in dungeons and in the regular above-ground real world. And what a world it is! Huge in scope and detail.

The RPG game begins, of course, with character generation. You can either choose your character class or answer some rather intriguing questions which will determine your class and attributes. Wizard, Thief, or Warrior, are the choices you will have, each of which has many subclasses such as Archers, Monks, and Burgulars, and many more, dpending on your main class. You'll choose your home province and character traits and races are then determined.

The story of Arena is an ancient one where combat was fought by teams in the real 'Arena' where disputes were settled among the Lords. It was used peacefully until recently (enter you!) when conspiracy entered into the land and the Arena is threatened. Your role is to serve your masters by accepting various questions, secure the kingdom.

The graphics and combat engine in Arena is nothing short of spectacular. Movement is smooth and quick and the environment is rich and full. For those with slower machines, graphical detail can be turned down, but to to enjoy the richness of the world, a typical 486/33 would be recommended. Combat is real-time, but the interface seems to provide an easy-to-control way of movement while fighting. The mouse is a preferred tool to do this with one button used to fight while moving with the other. An automap is used proficiently in the game with NPCs indicating on the map where is a desired destination. The monsters range from the typical, (rats the like) to the big guys (vampires) which can really do some damage, though are worth a lot of experience points if you deal with them successfully. There are PLENTY of interactions with the world, as you'll find loads of NPCs in various camps, cities, and dungeons.

Bethesda has obviously recognized that sound is a vital part of the gaming experience today. Their tremendous soundtrack and copious digital sound effects live throughout the game and really add a lot of atmosphere. With full 360 degree rotational freedom, there's a real sense of exploratory freedom. During combat you can lunge, jump, circle, duck, and do just about everything you would if you were really fighting. The spellmaker gives you the ability to create spells from over 50 different effects for some amazing magical results.

The scope of Arena is immense and you'll be playing this game will into 1994. Sequels and other campaign modules are planned for the series in the new year as well. Arena should be shipping near the time you are reading this.

This preview is Copyright (C) 1993 by Ross Erickson for Game Bytes Magazine. All rights reserved.