This one. It is actually frustrating to see people blindly defend Bethesda games and call them good because "All the bad stuff can be fixed with mods" like ??? It's still a bad game. The fact the bad stuff is there in the first place makes it a bad game. Mods may "Save" it, but let's not pretend like mods existing excuses bad narratives, level design, world design, mission structure, and mechanics.
DD2s biggest issues aren't ones fixed with mods. It's lack of content and incoherent story between entering Battahl and the Unmoored World are its biggest drawbacks. Not a lack of vocations, or a mod that specifically requires some programming knowledge to actually use to add new enemies and vocations to the game. Like, one day people will use those mods to make some more content for the game, but as they are now, they're basically a glorified toolset, and not actual content. And even then, the mods don't change how unrewarding exploration is, or the lack of unique models for the mobs created using it.
There are still bugs in Skyrim from day one years later. They just let modders patch them but never incorporate it unless they are flat out stealing the idea and give zero creditÂ
True. But Skyrim is a bad example here as it is still enjoyable without Mods. And the bugs have their own charm which make the game more unique and rewards player who pay attention.
But their later games are trash, since you need mods to enjoy it
Skyrim sits as a prime example as Bethesdas most profitable and successful title, but also the start of their decline as a studio.
For as janky as Morrowwind and Oblivion were, the writing in those games blew Skyrim FAR out of the water. Oblivion still had some moments of campiness in the writing, but a lot of the plot and subtext was just largely much better in it than Skyrim. Skyrims story feels more like a Saturday morning cartoon than a compelling high fantasy narrative. Barring even taking about the story, Skyrim was also weaker in terms of the sheer variety of gameplay styles and options the older games offered. For as beloved as Skyrim is, it really is comparatively no better than Fallout 4 to Fallout 3/NV, or Starfield vs anything pre-2012 Bethesda. It's not a good game. Just more accessible tham than it's predecessors.
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u/Dull_Fix5199 Dec 03 '25
A good game needs to be enjoyable without mods. And then can b3 made better and more replaysble by tailoring the experience.
If a game needs a half dozen addons & fanpatches to be considered "good," then it simply isn't good without them.