When a venerable tree speaks, one cannot help but listen. Upon awakening, I was greeted with the tree’s solemn declaration: “I have a task of great importance.” Who was I to decline such a request? “Take this note to the King,” it instructed, despite the absence of a monarch in the current playtest of A Short Quest. Nevertheless, I am eager to fulfill the tree’s wishes when the full game is released next year.
Exploring the Enigmatic World
During my brief hours in A Short Quest, I uncovered a plethora of mysteries that piqued my curiosity. Each time I strolled past a pond, it beckoned me to dance—an invitation to jump three times in exchange for a blueberry. I stumbled upon a note hidden within an ancient mine, revealing the existence of a “glyph cipher” inscribed on the side of a cart, yet its purpose remains a tantalizing enigma. Then there was the unexpected encounter with a ghost wizard in an underground realm, who humorously attempted to end my journey by dropping a scroll of flight from the sky.
The playtest offers a whimsical glimpse into a fantasy world brimming with eccentric characters and hidden secrets. I found myself in a duel with a guard atop a mountain, tricked into relinquishing some food to satisfy his hunger. In another instance, I retrieved a magical ember from a mine, which I later presented to a wizard, allowing me to craft my very first staff. Notably, none of these adventures were documented in a quest log or marked on a map. Instead, players must engage with the environment to decipher the functions of the peculiar items they discover, which can occasionally lead to unintended consequences, such as self-poisoning or realizing that blue squares beneath the health bar can be filled to cast spells.
Parting with any item I acquired proved to be a challenge, especially the broken sword I found early on, which grants the ability to parry attacks. Even as I concluded the playtest, its description hinted at an undiscovered use, ensuring that I would carry it throughout the entire game. Remarkably, even a simple rock I tucked away before acquiring a proper sword can serve as a defensive tool against enemies with quick strikes.
The Steam page teases an array of intriguing tools and companions awaiting players in the complete game, including axes, daggers, skeleton minions, ogres, and even a pet dog. While character levels are restricted in the playtest, the skill trees for weapons and spells suggest a variety of combat strategies. Although I didn’t have enough time to fully grasp how to identify enemy weak points, a bandit I encountered advised me to aim for the knees—an instruction that felt like a playful nod to classic RPGs.
Developer Silent Moon has aptly named this experience, confirming that it will indeed be a brief adventure, perfectly suited for its scale. It serves as a delightful appetizer, whetting the appetite for the long-awaited The Elder Scrolls 6. In fact, it may prove to be even more aligned with the essence of the series than whatever Bethesda ultimately delivers. I look forward to returning to seek out that king and fulfill the tree’s request when A Short Quest finally launches next year.
