CRPG-Meter:
Lets measure the crpg-ingredients for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim:
To determine if a game should apply to a certain level, all the mentioned demands must be fulfilled in that level and the levels below.
CRPG Categories:
Story, Characters, NPC-Interaction, Gameworld, Manipulation, Combat
Other interesting categories:
Graphics, Sound, Game length, Difficulty, Perspective and Play-style.
Each category is divided into 6 frames from "none" to "Heavy" CRGP-elements giving a score from 0 to 5 points.
A game’s points from each category will be added together and then divided with 6 and will classify its CRPG-score to the following list:
• RPG-Elements Score 0 - < 1 point => "No CRPG"
• RPG-Elements Score 1 - < 2 points => "CRPG ultra-light"
• RPG-Elements Score 2- < 3 points => "CRPG light"
• RPG-Elements Score 3 - < 4 points => "CRPG"
• RPG-Elements Score 4 - 5 Points => "CRPG Heavy"
The RPG-element categories and their 6 scores/frames
(STORY, CHARACTER, NPC-INTERACTION, GAMEWORLD, MANIPULATION, COMBAT)
STORY:
Questions:
- How many quests, side quests, puzzles, riddles are in the game?
There are many side-quests and one big main quest. The TES-tradition of Daedra-Quests is there again: Do some gods a favor. Many puzzles with switches, levers and other machines need to be solved in the dungeons. One combination puzzle type is getting repetitive after a while. HINT: look at the key.
- How great is the non-linearity of the game - can the quests be solved in more than one way?
You can solve most quests in a non-linear order (Some quests are depending on others). Unfortunately only a few quests can be solved in more than one way.
- How many side-stories, legends in books or from NPCs are told?
Many side stories are told, lots of legends and secrets are told in books, letters etc.; you can find many references to older TES-games.
- Are there different game-endings?
No. But you can ally with different factions to reach your goal(s). Skyrim is a Sandbox game – there is no real ending in the game. The end of the main quest is NOT the end of the game.
- Is it a game with many choices and consequences?
Yes and no. There are many choices but hard consequences are rare. You can do nearly everything in one walkthrough.
Rating:
No: 0 Points:
- The story is told in the beginning, and finished in the end, AND is not changeable during the game.
Ultra-light: 1 point:
- A Few ”events” (NPC’s, happenings (Disasters, divine influences etc.), Full movies interludes etc.) evolves the story, but still in a given path.
Light: 2 points:
- The story is developing through chapters or milestones, which still have an almost fixed path.
- A very few side stories/quests, OR noticeably different paths you can take to advance the same story, are available.
Medium: 3 points:
- The story develops as the game proceeds, meaning new information’s/events contribute for developing of the story on a frequent basis.
- Events (See above) impact on the story are considerable,
- The gamers actions have considerable impact on the development of the story.
- More than one path is possible in the main story. Not necessarily more endings, just the possibility to choose between different “story” paths of the “main story”. (Side quests not directly related to main story don’t count).
- A few side stories/quests besides the “main story” must be available.
More: 4 points:
- A few different endings are possible
- More than 2 ways to go through the story
- Lots of side stories/quests are required.
- Quests or tasks got often more than one solution!
Heavy: 5 points:
- Very open ended, with very high replay value regarding the story alone.
- Many events will contribute to many side / main story topics and respond to many different approaches from the player.
- Lots of books or other materials can give additional information’s about world for the interested player.
Skyrim (STORY): 3 points
CHARACTER:
Questions:
- How many different characters can you play (race, gender, profession, …)?
You can choose your race and gender and learn skill and dragon cries.
Any combination of skills is allowed.
- How many different skills can be chosen for your character(s)?
You can learn 18 skills (skill level 1 to 100).
Alteration, Archery, Alchemy, Conjuration, Block, Light Armor, Destruction, Heavy Armor, Lockpicking, Enchanting, One-handed, Pickpocket, Illusion, Smithing, Sneak, Restoration, Two-handed, Speech. (The differentiation in minor, medium, major skills from earlier TES-games is omitted)
At certain skill levels you can enhance the skills even more with extra features. One extra feature can be selected at each character level.
You can learn 20 dragon cries, too (similar to spells).
- How many different traits can be chosen for your character(s)?
No traits
- How many levels can be reached?
Level 50 is a common character end level. You gain character levels by learning skills. Skills can be learned by training, reading books and practicing. Higher skill levels are harder to learn. So leveling is slowing down over time.
- How much can the character be changed at each level?
In this game it’s the other way around: By advancing in skills you gain character levels. You can select one extra feature for one skill at each character level.
- How many guilds, groups can be joined?
The thieves guild, the mages guild, companions (=fighters) guild, black brotherhood, the Blades, join the emperor or the north rebellion, you can do services for every major city.
- How many different ranks in these guilds can be achieved?
You can become grandmaster of each guild and Thane of each city.
- Can you get a reputation?
Yes.
Rating:
No: 0 Points:
- No development other than a better weapon, armor and a few pre-distributed skill points after each chapter / milestone.
Ultra-light: 1 point:
- Max 2 points to distribute on the character(s) abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and a maximum of 10 upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
Light: 2 points:
- Max 5 points to distribute on the character(s) at least 5+ different abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 10+ upgrades (Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
- A minimum of social development / regards in the game-world societies is necessary) (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Medium: 3 points:
- More than 5+ points to distribute on the character(s) at least 10+ different abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 15+ upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
- The characters can have considerable social impact on more than one society / guild. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
More: 4 points:
- Now a party of at least 3 fully controlled characters should be possible,
- The choice from different professions / races should give a combination of at least 10 possible different characters (Note: Different mug-shots don’t count).
- Considerable social impact on more than 2 societies / guilds is possible. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Heavy: 5 points:
- More than 10+ points to distribute on the character(s) at least 15+abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 20+ upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
- 15+ different races/ professions to choose from.
- Plenty of societies/guilds which the characters have a social impact on. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Skyrim (CHARACTER): 4 points (Skyrim is a single player game =3, but a lot of 5 is covered, too)
NPC-INTERACTION:
Questions:
- How many dialogues are in the game ?
Many
- How many dialogue options do you have?
Only some options are available.
- Are these options depending on your skills, alignment or deeds?
There are depending on finished quests and your allies. The Speech skill is used for trading, bribery, persuasion and intimidation only. You don’t get more dialog options!
- Have your answers an influence on the game?
Sometimes
- Have the NPC's a life of their own?
Yes
- Is trading available / is it balanced?
Yes and yes (you can break it if you try hard).
Rating:
No: 0 points:
- Few NPC's most only merchants.
- Pre-determined dialogues.
Ultra-light: 1 point:
- The dialogues now have a few options, but it still contribute to the same story, AND each choice is reversible in consequence.
Light: 2 points:
- NPC's are presented in small societies, AND some of them can make a difference in further development of the game.
Medium: 3 points:
- NPC's acts truly as a part of a bigger community.
- NPC's in each society are much aware about social status also toward your characters.
- More than one society with NPC's are present in the world.
More: 4 points:
- There are fleshed out dialogue trees,
- Choices is most final and irreversible.
- NPC’s have considerable impact on the amount of Main / side- stories.
Heavy: 5 points:
- NPC's are aware of the continuously developing situation in the game-world, AND react clearly to the gamers actions and deeds.
- More than 2 bigger societies of NPC's must be available.
- Reputation, skills, alignment, attitude etc. have considerable impact on the NPC reaction.
Skyrim (NPC-INTERACTION): 3 points
Lets measure the crpg-ingredients for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim:
To determine if a game should apply to a certain level, all the mentioned demands must be fulfilled in that level and the levels below.
CRPG Categories:
Story, Characters, NPC-Interaction, Gameworld, Manipulation, Combat
Other interesting categories:
Graphics, Sound, Game length, Difficulty, Perspective and Play-style.
Each category is divided into 6 frames from "none" to "Heavy" CRGP-elements giving a score from 0 to 5 points.
A game’s points from each category will be added together and then divided with 6 and will classify its CRPG-score to the following list:
• RPG-Elements Score 0 - < 1 point => "No CRPG"
• RPG-Elements Score 1 - < 2 points => "CRPG ultra-light"
• RPG-Elements Score 2- < 3 points => "CRPG light"
• RPG-Elements Score 3 - < 4 points => "CRPG"
• RPG-Elements Score 4 - 5 Points => "CRPG Heavy"
The RPG-element categories and their 6 scores/frames
(STORY, CHARACTER, NPC-INTERACTION, GAMEWORLD, MANIPULATION, COMBAT)
STORY:
Questions:
- How many quests, side quests, puzzles, riddles are in the game?
There are many side-quests and one big main quest. The TES-tradition of Daedra-Quests is there again: Do some gods a favor. Many puzzles with switches, levers and other machines need to be solved in the dungeons. One combination puzzle type is getting repetitive after a while. HINT: look at the key.
- How great is the non-linearity of the game - can the quests be solved in more than one way?
You can solve most quests in a non-linear order (Some quests are depending on others). Unfortunately only a few quests can be solved in more than one way.
- How many side-stories, legends in books or from NPCs are told?
Many side stories are told, lots of legends and secrets are told in books, letters etc.; you can find many references to older TES-games.
- Are there different game-endings?
No. But you can ally with different factions to reach your goal(s). Skyrim is a Sandbox game – there is no real ending in the game. The end of the main quest is NOT the end of the game.
- Is it a game with many choices and consequences?
Yes and no. There are many choices but hard consequences are rare. You can do nearly everything in one walkthrough.
Rating:
No: 0 Points:
- The story is told in the beginning, and finished in the end, AND is not changeable during the game.
Ultra-light: 1 point:
- A Few ”events” (NPC’s, happenings (Disasters, divine influences etc.), Full movies interludes etc.) evolves the story, but still in a given path.
Light: 2 points:
- The story is developing through chapters or milestones, which still have an almost fixed path.
- A very few side stories/quests, OR noticeably different paths you can take to advance the same story, are available.
Medium: 3 points:
- The story develops as the game proceeds, meaning new information’s/events contribute for developing of the story on a frequent basis.
- Events (See above) impact on the story are considerable,
- The gamers actions have considerable impact on the development of the story.
- More than one path is possible in the main story. Not necessarily more endings, just the possibility to choose between different “story” paths of the “main story”. (Side quests not directly related to main story don’t count).
- A few side stories/quests besides the “main story” must be available.
More: 4 points:
- A few different endings are possible
- More than 2 ways to go through the story
- Lots of side stories/quests are required.
- Quests or tasks got often more than one solution!
Heavy: 5 points:
- Very open ended, with very high replay value regarding the story alone.
- Many events will contribute to many side / main story topics and respond to many different approaches from the player.
- Lots of books or other materials can give additional information’s about world for the interested player.
Skyrim (STORY): 3 points
CHARACTER:
Questions:
- How many different characters can you play (race, gender, profession, …)?
You can choose your race and gender and learn skill and dragon cries.
Any combination of skills is allowed.
- How many different skills can be chosen for your character(s)?
You can learn 18 skills (skill level 1 to 100).
Alteration, Archery, Alchemy, Conjuration, Block, Light Armor, Destruction, Heavy Armor, Lockpicking, Enchanting, One-handed, Pickpocket, Illusion, Smithing, Sneak, Restoration, Two-handed, Speech. (The differentiation in minor, medium, major skills from earlier TES-games is omitted)
At certain skill levels you can enhance the skills even more with extra features. One extra feature can be selected at each character level.
You can learn 20 dragon cries, too (similar to spells).
- How many different traits can be chosen for your character(s)?
No traits
- How many levels can be reached?
Level 50 is a common character end level. You gain character levels by learning skills. Skills can be learned by training, reading books and practicing. Higher skill levels are harder to learn. So leveling is slowing down over time.
- How much can the character be changed at each level?
In this game it’s the other way around: By advancing in skills you gain character levels. You can select one extra feature for one skill at each character level.
- How many guilds, groups can be joined?
The thieves guild, the mages guild, companions (=fighters) guild, black brotherhood, the Blades, join the emperor or the north rebellion, you can do services for every major city.
- How many different ranks in these guilds can be achieved?
You can become grandmaster of each guild and Thane of each city.
- Can you get a reputation?
Yes.
Rating:
No: 0 Points:
- No development other than a better weapon, armor and a few pre-distributed skill points after each chapter / milestone.
Ultra-light: 1 point:
- Max 2 points to distribute on the character(s) abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and a maximum of 10 upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
Light: 2 points:
- Max 5 points to distribute on the character(s) at least 5+ different abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 10+ upgrades (Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
- A minimum of social development / regards in the game-world societies is necessary) (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Medium: 3 points:
- More than 5+ points to distribute on the character(s) at least 10+ different abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 15+ upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
- The characters can have considerable social impact on more than one society / guild. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
More: 4 points:
- Now a party of at least 3 fully controlled characters should be possible,
- The choice from different professions / races should give a combination of at least 10 possible different characters (Note: Different mug-shots don’t count).
- Considerable social impact on more than 2 societies / guilds is possible. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Heavy: 5 points:
- More than 10+ points to distribute on the character(s) at least 15+abilities (Attributes /spells / treats / skills) each time they develop levels and at least 20+ upgrades(Levels) of the character(s). Learning by doing covering the same amount of development is acceptable too.
- 15+ different races/ professions to choose from.
- Plenty of societies/guilds which the characters have a social impact on. (Wiping out a society/guild is not counting)
Skyrim (CHARACTER): 4 points (Skyrim is a single player game =3, but a lot of 5 is covered, too)
NPC-INTERACTION:
Questions:
- How many dialogues are in the game ?
Many
- How many dialogue options do you have?
Only some options are available.
- Are these options depending on your skills, alignment or deeds?
There are depending on finished quests and your allies. The Speech skill is used for trading, bribery, persuasion and intimidation only. You don’t get more dialog options!
- Have your answers an influence on the game?
Sometimes
- Have the NPC's a life of their own?
Yes
- Is trading available / is it balanced?
Yes and yes (you can break it if you try hard).
Rating:
No: 0 points:
- Few NPC's most only merchants.
- Pre-determined dialogues.
Ultra-light: 1 point:
- The dialogues now have a few options, but it still contribute to the same story, AND each choice is reversible in consequence.
Light: 2 points:
- NPC's are presented in small societies, AND some of them can make a difference in further development of the game.
Medium: 3 points:
- NPC's acts truly as a part of a bigger community.
- NPC's in each society are much aware about social status also toward your characters.
- More than one society with NPC's are present in the world.
More: 4 points:
- There are fleshed out dialogue trees,
- Choices is most final and irreversible.
- NPC’s have considerable impact on the amount of Main / side- stories.
Heavy: 5 points:
- NPC's are aware of the continuously developing situation in the game-world, AND react clearly to the gamers actions and deeds.
- More than 2 bigger societies of NPC's must be available.
- Reputation, skills, alignment, attitude etc. have considerable impact on the NPC reaction.
Skyrim (NPC-INTERACTION): 3 points
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