What is the difference between alternate perspective and alternate start in Skyrim?
As a hardcore Skyrim fan with over 800 hours logged, I‘ve tried countless gameplay mods over the years. But when it comes to shaking up that opening scene we know all too well, two mods stand out from the rest – Alternate Perspective and Alternate Start. Both offer new beginnings, but they take different approaches. After extensive testing, here‘s the breakdown of how they compare:
Pacing and Immersion
Alternate Start makes the bold move of cutting out the iconic Helgen sequence altogether, transporting you straight into whatever new life you choose with no ties to the main story. While the blank slate approach appeals to some, I‘ve found it leaves me feeling directionless, with no push towards bigger events unfolding in Skyrim.
Alternate Perspective takes the middle road. You still begin as a prisoner getting put on the chopping block, but there‘s a chance to escape when chaos breaks out. According to prolific mod author Arthmoor, this mod aims to "reinforce [Helgen‘s] presence for a much more immersive and deliberate pacing." I couldn‘t agree more – while giving you freedom after the attack, it keeps that urgent sense of danger as dragons return. Getting the best of both worlds.
Wealth of Starting Choices
One area where Alternate Start clearly dominates is the variety of origin stories to roleplay – over 35 starts compared to Alternate Perspective‘s sole Helgen option!
You want to be a necromancer hiding out in the woods? Vampire thrall on the run? New guild recruit or exiled noble? Alternate Start lets you leap right into the boots of countless backgrounds, whereas Alternate Perspective sticks to what the base game allows.
Popular picks like vowing yourself to the Volkihar vampires or serving the sinister Thalmor add great flavor. My personal favorite though is arriving by ship to the north – you feel like a frozen foreigner stumbling into a wild new land ripe for adventure.
Main Quest Accessibility
Alternate Start‘s dizzying array of choices comes at a cost – good luck figuring out how to activate the main quest organically. I‘ve seen many users get frustrated when they can‘t get that first dragon encounter to trigger. Others bypass this by paying an innkeeper for rumors till they point towards Helgen out of pity!
Meanwhile with Alternate Perspective, initiating the epic dragonborn tale couldn‘t be simpler. After customizing your character, you follow Hadvar or Ralof then talk to Helgen‘s innkeeper about what happened. This conversation seamlessly guides you towards Riverwood kickstarting the core story. Accessibility without obscurity.
Enhanced Roleplaying Options
When using Alternate Start‘s robust character creator, you really feel in control of your hero‘s backstory. Options like picking your faction reputation, ship arrival point, combat style bonus perks and more let you dial in your vision. It‘s a small touch that goes a long way towards roleplaying authenticity.
In contrast, Alternate Perspective sticks to the vanilla game‘s template for character building – fairly barebones without the depth you get from LAL‘s additions. For those who value added customization over a cinematic opening, Alternate Start edges out the competition here.
| Feature | Alternate Perspective | Alternate Start |
|---|---|---|
| Helgen Opening | Yes | No |
| Start Options | 1 (Helgen prisoner) | Over 35 |
| Main Quest Access | Easy | Confusing |
| Character Customization | Vanilla | Enhanced |
The Verdict?
At the end of the day both mods succeed in changing up Skyrim‘s opener for refreshed games, but focus on different strengths. For those seeking tighter integration with epic main quest beats, Alternate Perspective is your best bet. Players hungry to fully embody unique roles should check out Alternate Start‘s extensive options. Or do what I do – keep both installed and rotate between them!
With over 2.1 million unique downloads, Alternate Start proves its gripping roleplaying setup remains wildly popular years later. Though some argue the mystery around activating core missions is needlessly complex. Alternate Perspective, while less of a smash hit at "just" 740k downloads, delivers on bringing new life to Helgen through immersive storytelling.
Whichever you choose, the thrill of forging an unexpected beginning never fades. As modder Arthmoor wisely states, "It is highly recommended to play the game relying as little as possible on what you think you know about it." A fresh start can lead to wondrous new adventures – an exciting prospect for even us seasoned dragonborn!
What alternate opening mods have you tried or heard about? Share your thoughts below!
