The Elder Scrolls games are visually distinct from each other, partially because of the advancement of technology between their releases, but also because of changes to the artistic designs of each setting, which all differ dramatically from each other. One of the biggest visual distinctions between the game is seen through character design, as the different races in The Elder Scrolls tend to look different across games – something The Elder Scrolls 6 should keep in mind.
This is most evident in the mer, such as the Dunmer and Orsimer, and the beastfolk such as Argonians and Khajiit. The Elder Scrolls 6 needs to consolidate the designs for the different races, and stick with them from then on to give The Elder Scrolls some consistency. Oblivion Remastered‘s release may be an indication of The Elder Scrolls 6‘s designs, as Bethesda could be trying to establish consistency ahead of the next mainline game. The remaster takes after Skyrim‘s more visually distinct looks, rather than the softer, rounded faces and bright skin tones of the original Oblivion. Given how much the series has hopped between different character designs, it would be a welcome change to see a proper “look” for the mer and beastlook established.
Related
The Elder Scrolls 6’s Long Wait Could be a Blessing in Disguise
While the wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 will likely drag on, a big recent release along with another possible similar one could ease the burden.
The first three games in The Elder Scrolls, Arena, Daggerfall, and Morrowind, all had drastically different designs for certain races. While the human races remained fairly consistent, the Khajiit, Argonians, and Orcs saw significant overhauls with each game.
Arena
Arena‘s race selection looks very different to the one in later games in the series. Khajiit appeared as completely human, with only face paint to mimic their cat “cousins” as a reference to their feline origins. This was later justified with the different Khajiit types that happen throughout the moon phases. Argonians were referenced as a reptilian race, but had no real differentiation between mer and humans, aside from sharing the same shade of gray skin as the dark elves. Imperials and Orcs were also not available until Morrowind. Certain mer, such as Jagar Tharn who is described in The Real Barenziah with the appearance of a Dunmer, instead looks like a Wood Elf without the distinguishing gray skin tone of the Dunmer.
Daggerfall
Argonians were made to look more like the ones seen in later games, while Khajiit look like humans with a tail. All mer in Daggerfall have the more harsh, angular features that would be seen in later games. Orcs weren’t available as a playable race and were instead scripted as enemies, but appeared as bright green.
Morrowind
Morrowind introduced Imperials and Orcs as playable races. Both the Argonian and Khajiit races settled into the design that would carry through to later games. The mer still have angular features that make them visually distinct from humans.
Oblivion
The original Oblivion has beautiful landscapes, but its character design was more controversial. Characters, especially NPCs, tend to have rounded faces, including the mer, who had harsher features in previous games. In Oblivion, the mer races appear as humans with pointed ears and a yellow or gray skin tone.
Skyrim
Skyrim saw a return to the original designs that Morrowind had created. The mer, particularly the Dunmer, have harsh lines and even a brow ridge that makes their eyebrows more prominent. Mer now have colored sclera rather than whites in their eyes, ranging from black to yellow. These features differentiate them more from the human races, who remain consistent throughout The Elder Scrolls. The Orcs look dramatically different from the Orcs in Oblivion, who had bright green skin and round faces. In Skyrim, the Orcs have a muted skin tone that ranges from gray to green.
Oblivion Remastered
Oblivion Remastered shared consistency with the designs of Skyrim, giving the different races a design overhaul that altered their looks from the original Oblivion. Mer once again have visually distinct eyes and faces that differentiate them from humans, instead of looking like humans with pointy ears. The visual consistency with Skyrim may indicate that The Elder Scrolls 6 will continue the trend, keeping the mer visually distinct from humans, while Argonians and Khajiit retain their beastfolk features such as crests, manes, and tails.