This year, The Wayward Realms met its crowdfunding goal on Kickstarter, meaning the fantasy RPG is one step closer to becoming fully realized. Being developed by OnceLost Games, a studio led by former Bethesda devs, The Wayward Realms has excited many longtime fans of The Elder Scrolls franchise. Although the game has yet to reveal an official release date, in-game footage promises a beautiful-looking fantasy RPG.
Back in May, OnceLost Games released an official gameplay trailer for The Wayward Realms that showcased what the fantasy title has to offer. From the game's amazing graphics to the lifelike first-person movement, The Wayward Realms may have what it takes to be one of the best fantasy RPG titles scheduled for the future. There is plenty of footage in the trailer to be excited about, but one mechanic in particular is a simple, but brilliant, way to bring stealth gameplay to new heights.
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The Wayward Realms' Stealth Could Prove to Be a Genre Trailblazer
Having Simplicity Play an Important Role in Gameplay
The Wayward Realm's gameplay trailer emphasized the importance of both combat and stealth. Depending on a player's preference, either route can be taken in order to deal with in-game circumstances. However, when it comes to the stealth route, trying to sneak around at night has been given a major upgrade. When attempting stealth in the dark, players will be able to break lanterns in order to squash out the flame. When done well, stealth in video games can be incredibly rewarding to make it through. However, there are also instances where stealth can be a real pain, especially if certain limitations don't make sense.
For instance, every lantern in a fantasy RPG should be able to get snuffed out in order to better hide from enemies. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case. This stealth mechanic in The Wayward Realms may be simple, but it is incredibly monumental to the game's approach to this style of gameplay. It is likely that other fantasy RPGs will take note of The Wayward Realms' stealth when it comes to simple gameplay mechanics that actually work wonders.
OnceLost Games hopes to launch The Wayward Realms in early access.
Simplicity can lead to some of the most genre-changing differences in how a game operates, and The Wayward Realms could be a perfect example of that. Based on the gameplay trailer, The Wayward Realms aims for realism where it ultimately counts. The blood and gore of combat may not be too realistic, but the mechanics of the combat itself and the movement of one's character are likely things that will enhance immersion. Shooting an arrow into a lantern to help hide oneself in darkness is a great example of how The Wayward Realms is attempting to set a new standard in crafting a lifelike world.
OnceLost Games Utilizing Its Bethesda Experience
As a claimed spiritual successor to The Elder Scrolls, it will be compelling to watch how The Wayward Realms' release unfolds. Whenever the game finally releases in early access, it will have a high bar to clear. The Elder Scrolls franchise has become one of the most notable series in the fantasy RPG genre, but The Wayward Realms may have what it takes to stand up against the juggernaut, at least in the small things that make the world more lively. Since the game is being led by former Bethesda employees, the team has years of knowledge about what works and what doesn't when building an immersive world.
Something as simple as snuffing out a flame to avoid detection may not seem like much at first, but it is one of the most intriguing aspects of The Wayward Realms and its gameplay trailer. It isn't just a cool feature. It shows just how much effort is being put into even the smallest parts of the game.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
- Released
- November 11, 2011
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Creation Engine
- Cross-Platform Play
- no
- Cross Save
- no
- Expansions
- Skyrim: Dragonborn, Skyrim: Hearthfire, Skyrim: Dawnguard
- Franchise
- The Elder Scrolls
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- How Long To Beat
- 35 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium (Special Edition)
- File Size Xbox Series
- 29 GB (DECEMBER 2023)
