User blog comment:Draevan13/The streamlining of the Elder Scrolls series, and some Skyrim flaws./@comment-30303790-20121114030728

The "dumbing down" of the games industry is terrible, though there are a few things on Skyrim's list I might try to defend.

As far as the enchanting goes, the inability to add certain spells onto an object may very well have two important functions. It works to balance gameplay, as it limits the number of stats you boost which (in theory) prevents a mage from becoming the world's best rogue. It should be able to help cover for a player's shortcomings without making enchanting the end-all, be-all class. This also makes your crafting experience more complex as you have to plan the best boosters for the character.

I would also wager this is an influencing factor for the reduction of armor customization as each individual part could potentially 2 enchantments. If armor went by Morrowind standards that's at least 14 boosters. While not reason enough to abandon my ability to wear ebony chestplates without pants, balancing this mechanic was probably a large issue. This would explain cutting of rings from 2 down to 1 as well, rather than allowing the player a ring for every finger.


 * Taking into account the overwhelming complexities of character customization in a game such as Saints Row, I have a hard time believing Skyrim's lack of player control is a result of dumbing down.

In regards to 500lbs being unrealistic, yes. But then so were the outlandish abilities the acrobatics...unless jumping off of water is more common than I understand. . .and thus begins the never ending spiral into "realism." Something that may have come into play here, and that I believe to be as detrimental to gaming as over-simplification.