In this case, it’s worth looking back at the melee combat in Bethesda’s existing series, then asking what Starfield might improve on those past systems. Even though the IPs differ in setting and context, there are a couple of ideas that Bethesda could improve and integrate into its new game.
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Melee in The Elder Scrolls Games
The Elder Scrolls games, particularly Oblivion and Skyrim, have gotten their fair share of criticism in terms of melee combat. For one, there isn’t a lot of variety when it comes to weapon types. Whatever melee weapon the player chooses, it simply boils down to hacking and slashing either one-handedly or two-handedly. There isn’t much more to it than that, unfortunately. For instance, choosing between a one-handed sword and a mace doesn’t really change much of the melee combat, aside from slight differences in the speed of swinging. Morrowind gets criticism too, but its system for tracking hits is distinct from the two newer titles.
This admittedly watered-down system of melee takes tends to take away from the combat experience. While one could argue that Oblivion and Skyrim were made for players to focus more on exploration and role-playing, that doesn’t change the fact that the melee is decidedly lackluster. That said, Starfield could remedy this issue by providing not just a variety of weapon types, but a variety of melee combat styles. This means innovating weapon attack patterns that go beyond simply hacking and slashing – something that the newer Fallout games have started on.
Melee in Fallout Games
Melee combat in Fallout 3, 4, and New Vegas is more diverse compared to that in The Elder Scrolls series. This is primarily because the different types of melee weapons in the Fallout series also allow for different attack patterns. While there are the usual swords, daggers, and blunt weapons, Fallout also has items like the Ripper or the Power Fist that players don’t simply swing at the enemy. As a result, players have far more options for their characters’ melee builds.
That said, this variety is something that Starfield could improve on even more. After all, there are still a few gaps in melee weapons that Fallout left out on. For instance, there’s a whole slew of laser and plasma-based guns in the game. However, this technology doesn’t have any counterparts among the melee weapons, which is arguably a missed opportunity.
Admittedly, the Fallout universe is limited by its setting. In a post-apocalyptic world, it likely isn’t easy to come across advanced melee weapons (despite there being many advanced ranged weapons). Starfield, however, isn’t held back by the same context. Its cross-planetary setting allows Bethesda to innovate not only the game’s melee weapons, but the rest of the combat items available to the player.
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Innovating Melee Weapons in Starfield
Taking into account Bethesda’s past IPs, Starfield can do two things to improve its melee weapons. First, it should provide a variety of combat styles, not limiting itself to the characteristic hack-and-slash gameplay of Skyrim. This entails creating new weapons with different mechanics. There will be one-handed and two-handed weapons, as usual. However, instead of all bladed weapons, Starfield could implement more weapon types, like polearms, whips, and flails.
The game could also borrow the Fallout games’ chainsaw-like weapons and special attachments. This would allow for even more variety, adding unique effects to each weapon. For example, an electrocuted whip that has a chance of paralyzing enemies for a couple of seconds would be fun to use. Laser swords and daggers could also be an interesting addition to the list of potential melee weapons.
Shields are also an untapped resource in both The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. In the technologically advanced world of Starfield, players could easily come across shields that can release a strong shockwave, knocking enemies back and off their feet. Bethesda could draw inspiration from the shields of Skyrim and the special enchantments that make them better defensive (or offensive) items.
Lastly, it’s worth including gag weapons, much like the equippable fork and spoon in Skyrim. Though they don’t necessarily make the combat any better, the option to fool around with them provides good fun for players. And, of course, it adds to that weapon variety that Starfield would very much benefit from.
Rethinking Melee Combat Mechanics in Starfield
Aside from adding more melee weapons with different attack styles to Starfield, the developer should also emphasize other combat actions, like dodging and parrying. Doing so will make for a more dynamic combat experience for players that opt to focus on a melee build. This is something that’s somewhat present in Oblivion but was removed in Skyrim.
In Oblivion, the gameplay encouraged players to block, dodge, and parry. So, even though the older Elder Scrolls game had fewer weapon types than Skyrim, the melee combat was more interesting. Granted, it wasn’t perfect. Dodging and power attacks were still a bit awkward and clunky. However, in Skyrim, this system was barely noticeable. Players simply tapped the attack button with an occasional power attack or two mixed in.
This is something Starfield should bring back because the watered-down melee combat gameplay takes away from the overall experience. It makes hostile encounters for melee players monotonous at best and lackluster at worst. So, it’s not enough to think of new melee weapons. To truly innovate with Starfield’s melee combat, the developer needs to rethink its underlying mechanics. This is no small task, especially considering that Starfield will likely focus on gunplay. However, implementing such changes would definitely improve the overall combat experience in Bethesda’s newest IP.
Starfield is currently in development.
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