RPGs often base a lot of their mechanics on real life limitations. Measurements of strength and stamina often control or contribute to how much a player can carry in an RPG likeThe Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, but that doesn’t mean that the result is realistic.
Skyrim, likeOblivionbefore it, places a limit on players regarding how much they can keep with them at any one time. These limits keep players from hoarding every item in the game, but when a player steps back and looks at it all, it can quickly become clear how ridiculous the sheer quantity of stuff the Dragonborn can carry is despite these limits.
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Such is the case for duketrave, aSkyrimplayer who shared their experience of emptying their inventory of potions. A simple screenshot reveals a room absolutely littered in potion bottles, which duketrave says was only 25% of the potion collection in their inventory. TheDragonborn is capable of many supernatural feats, but one might be left wondering where they managed to tuck all these potions away on their person and still manage to move after the fact.
Other players were quick to commiserate, telling their own stories of carrying so many potions that dropping them all caused the game to lag or crash. Others discussed the time-tested tradition ofhoarding potionsand helpful consumables throughout the game in fear of what the next big fight would bring, only to end up with a surplus that they never touched.
In games likeSkyrim, carrying limits are based more on the physical weight of the items, rather than a sheer quantity. For example, a player may be able to carry a nearly-endless supply of flowers and herbs, as they’re practically weightless. It initially seems like a limitation that adds realism, but when one stands back and looks at the sheer physical volume ofwhat their Dragonborn is carrying, it quickly becomes absurd.
Of course, strict realism doesn’t always equal fun in video games. Even in other genres, there are usually oddities of some kind. For example, Leon’s restrictive briefcase inResident Evil 4is only one aspect of what he’s able to carry, with the various key items and collectibles seemingly taking up no space on his person. There might not be space for a single tube of healing spray in the briefcase, but that won’t stop him from gathering up chessboards and beersteins to sell to the merchant.
Roaming the world ofSkyrimwith its vast number of collectibles, consumables, and gear calls for a storage system that doesn’t make players feel like they have to constantly leave every new discovery behind. That said, Lydia’s begrudging comments aboutcarrying the Dragonborn’s burdensbecome more understandable when the player regularly dumps a huge amount of items like this on their companion.
The Elder Scrolls: Skyrimis available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
