The Elder Scrolls 6should feature a wide variety of quests, andSkyrim’s Blood on the Ice could be a blueprint for similar quests going forward. Although not relevant to the main conflict, Blood on the Ice is an intriguing mission that sends players exploring through one of Skyrim’s biggest cities. It has a distinct feel, but it’s one that can be replicated inThe Elder Scrolls 6. While its approach can’t be overused, it could set up some intriguing mysteries for players to research. With that approach,The Elder Scrolls 6’s future missions could benefit handsomely.
In the city of Windhelm,Skyrim’s Blood on the Ice questsees players put in charge of uncovering a serial killer after their latest murder. The ensuing mission requires players to search for clues as to the whereabouts of the killer before they can claim another victim. While Windhelm is already an important location inSkyrim, being the home of Ulfric Stormcloak, Blood on the Ice gives players an excuse to explore and get acquainted with the city as they go about their work as an impromptu detective. It may not be glamorous work, but just like mostSkyrimquests, it’s a good cause worth undertaking.
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Skyrim’s Blood on the Ice Tests the Brain Rather Than the Blade
Fittingly for a game with mythical themes,Skyrimis a game full of mysteries, making Blood on the Ice fit right in. One thing that set Blood on the Ice apart is that while many ofSkyrim’s mysteries are old legends, or have holes that don’t get filled in, the player can solve what happened in Blood on the Ice almost entirely on their own. The only real assist that they need comes from Wuunferth the Unliving near the end of the quest, with them doing pretty much the rest of the investigation single-handedly. As a result, the player can feel satisfied upon completion.
Blood on the Ice is equally notable for its lack of combat. Considering thatmuch ofSkyrim’s plot involves a civil war, it’s no surprise that a majority of quests feature their fair share of fights. Even when traveling from place to place, there’s a chance that the player could be attacked by thieves or assassins. On the contrary, aside from confronting the killer at the end, Blood on the Ice lacks combat completely. It relies on the player themselves to complete it, rather than their character’s level or combat ability. This makes it a quest that pretty much any Dragonborn can tackle.
Of particular note is that Blood on the Ice actually encourages characters to think outside the box, which is something that could begame-changing inElder Scrolls 6if embraced. If the player has Wuunferth arrested immediately when prompted, the killer will claim another victim, and they will have to jump through one more hoop to catch the killer. However, if the player takes matters into their own hands and confronts Wuunferth, he will instead point out a contradiction and reveal how the player can stop the killings that night. It’s a trick that more missions could use to challenge players or reward sharp thinking.
Blood on the Ice may not be an action-packed mission for the most part, but it is certainly memorable. Although it will be along time beforeElder Scrolls 6is finally released, speculating on what the future could hold for the series can be good to determine howThe Elder Scrollscan evolve. While the majority of quests will still remain dungeon-crawling, villain-fighting adventures, a few more cerebral quests would be welcome as well, especially in a land as mysterious as Tamriel. Blood on the Ice could be a good influence on the quest design ofThe Elder Scrolls 6.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis available now for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
