Uncover the Power of Dialogue Choices in this Epic Skyrim Quest

Highlights

Featuring numerous diverging paths and varying outcomes, this quest line offers a multifaceted and versatile narrative, catering to virtuous heroes and malevolent villains alike.

The quest line "In My Time of Need" showcases Bethesda's skill in creating an immersive and organic experience for players. Since its release in 2011, The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim has been a trendsetter in the open-world RPG genre, inspiring numerous other games. Alongside its vast exploration, immersion, and variety, Skyrim offers a staggering number of captivating storylines, both independent and interconnected. The game's ability to give players agency in unraveling a cohesive plot sets a high standard that few other studios have achieved.

Now that Starfield, Bethesda's highly anticipated next flagship RPG, is on the horizon, fans are taking the opportunity to revisit the studio's impressive lineup of previous titles. From the very first game in the Elder Scrolls series to their contributions to the Fallout franchise, Bethesda has consistently excelled at crafting expansive worlds that feel both believable and captivating, with memorable characters and engaging gameplay at the forefront of their design philosophy. As the studio's first new intellectual property in decades, many are describing Starfield as "Skyrim in space," prompting fans to evaluate its numerous strengths and occasional flaws, and leaving them to consider it as Bethesda's Opus Magnum.

In Skyrim, Player Choice is No Illusion

Crafting the plot of a vast RPG is no easy task, particularly when it comes to storytelling. While there is still a level of guidance and targeted themes, it is crucial for the player to feel a sense of control over the story and its world. The most exceptional RPGs create a dynamic web of dialogue choices and contingencies to account for players who deviate from the typical course of action. Skyrim, for instance, allows players to explore a wide range of moral choices, posing a significant challenge in constructing a coherent narrative that accommodates both virtuous and villainous protagonists.

In Skyrim, a group of Alik'r mercenaries are quarrelling with the city guards on the outskirts of Whiterun. Their dispute revolves around gaining entry into Whiterun, as they are in search of a Redguard woman called Saadia. Upon learning this information and accepting the "In My Time of Need" quest, players can venture into Whiterun to locate Saadia, who can be found at The Bannered Mare tavern. The quest branches in various directions from there, offering players the choice to inform the Alik'r about Saadia's whereabouts, effectively completing the quest instantly in exchange for 500 gold.

Help Saadia find and eliminate her accuser Kematu, and she will reward you with 500 gold. Alternatively, locate Kematu and align yourself with him, orchestrating a trap to capture Saadia alive. In return for this, Kematu will also provide you with 500 gold.

Agree to set up the ambush, but double-cross Kematu at the end, getting 500 gold from Saadia and 200 from Kematu's corpse.

For Bethesda, True Player Choice is Not Just Yes or No

The remarkable aspect of this quest line is that it incorporates contingencies for any decision the player makes into its storyline. The dialogue choices, including the seemingly resolute ones, can be reverted through preceding actions. It is easy to introduce a binary decision into a story, giving the illusion of agency, but ultimately resulting in only two distinct outcomes. In Skyrim, particularly in the "In My Time of Need" quest, the multi-dimensional and fluid nature of the unfolding storyline truly immerses the player, creating an authentic and organic experience.

Rarely does a game achieve such a level of immersion that it feels completely unscripted. In Skyrim, while there are some moments that follow a linear sequence, the majority of the game is characterized by unexpected events and spontaneity. A chance encounter can easily turn into a lengthy, captivating, and fulfilling side quest, where the outcome is shaped by the player's choices. Bethesda's exceptional writing in Skyrim is a testament to their talent, and we can only hope that this carries over to their upcoming game, Starfield.

You can play The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.