(I imagine the short answer for many is “extensive mods,” but I’m on PS4 so my choices in that area are a bit limited.)
I got really into Skyrim when I was unemployed during the summer of 2020. I’ve probably put in close to 1,000 hours to date. I still love the game, but unfortunately I’m now so familiar with the questlines, enemies, dungeons, and dialogue that it’s hard for me to continue enjoying it. Even if I put it down for 4-5 months, I still find myself a little burned out because I know it too well by this point.
Some might ask, “Why try to keep playing, then?” and it’s a fair question. Basically, I still like the mechanics of the game. I still enjoy a good dungeon crawl. Archery is an incredibly satisfying combat skill and I haven’t been able to find another game that’s quite as fun for archery. And tbh, Skyrim has become a comfort game for me when I need an alternate world to slip into for a few hours. I want to keep enjoying it. I’m just not sure how anymore.
For other players who’ve logged a lot of hours, I’m curious to know: How do you keep the experience fresh and interesting for yourself? Are there different RP strategies that you take? Do you mod the hell out of your game? Do you just embrace and enjoy the familiarity?
Wow! I just bookmarked this comment. THANK YOU for the amazing suggestions!
No prob! Happy to help.
Also, here’s the playlist with all of the Skypothesis builds.
Be warned, there are a lot (38 as of now), but it’s extremely varied and might give you a good starting point. Everything from treasure hunters to battlemages to silent assassins.
Apparently there’s one called “The Wood Orc”. Looks like it’s stealth archer, but “sneaky Orc” is always funny to me. One growing up with wood elves and becoming one with nature is an interesting approach.
That is another way to roleplay, actually. Like, if you’re familiar with different cultures across Tamriel, find excuses for one race/culture to behave like another because of their upbringing or something (you can actually find this in the game with Brand-Shei, who was raised by Argonians, but they messed it up a bit by giving him the same voice as all the other male Dunmer).