Multiple Marriages SSE: A Skyrim Special Edition Mod Review

Multiple Marriages SSE is a free modification (mod) for Bethesda’s popular role-playing game, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition. This mod fundamentally alters the game’s marriage system, allowing players to wed multiple non-player characters (NPCs) simultaneously, a stark departure from the vanilla game’s monogamous approach. This review will delve into the functionality, advantages, disadvantages, and overall impact of this popular mod on the Skyrim Special Edition experience.

Expanding Skyrim’s Marriage Mechanics

The core function of Multiple Marriages SSE is, as its name suggests, to enable players to marry more than one NPC at a time. This significantly expands player agency and allows for more diverse and potentially complex roleplaying scenarios within the game’s world. Unlike the original Skyrim’s marriage system, which restricts the player to a single spouse, Multiple Marriages SSE introduces new mechanics to facilitate these polygamous relationships. The mod achieves this through the implementation of custom spells.

The most important spell is the “NPC Operator” spell. Casting this spell on an eligible NPC brings up an in-game menu offering three key options: marry, divorce, or tag the NPC as a potential future spouse. This streamlined system provides a clear and user-friendly method to manage multiple marital relationships. The menu is intuitive, even for players unfamiliar with modding Skyrim.

Another significant spell included in Multiple Marriages SSE is the “Relocation Operator.” This spell offers a practical solution to a common issue in polygamous relationships within the game: the management of spouse locations. Using this spell, the player can teleport their spouses to a designated location, be it their home, a pre-selected location, or even a specific location of their choosing within the game’s world. This convenient feature reduces the time spent traversing Skyrim to find and interact with each spouse.

The Limitations of Multiple Marriages SSE

While Multiple Marriages SSE offers a significant expansion of gameplay options, it’s important to acknowledge its limitations. The most significant drawback is the exclusion of certain popular NPCs from the pool of marriageable characters. Notably absent is Serana, a prominent vampire companion in the Dawnguard DLC. The mod developers cite her unique voice acting and dialogue as the reason for her exclusion, as incorporating her into the mod’s marriage system would require extensive and potentially problematic modifications to her existing dialogue and interactions.

Another significant limitation is the mod’s inability to receive further updates. As a straightforward port of an earlier mod designed for the original Skyrim, Multiple Marriages SSE exists in a static state. This means that any bugs or compatibility issues discovered after its release are unlikely to be addressed through future updates. This lack of ongoing support increases the risk of the mod becoming incompatible with future updates or patches to Skyrim Special Edition. Players should be aware of this inherent risk before downloading and installing the mod.

The mod’s simplicity, while beneficial for ease of use, also contributes to its limitations. The core functionality focuses solely on expanding marriage options; there are no additional features or gameplay elements added to enrich the overall experience beyond enabling multiple marriages. This focused approach may appeal to players who simply desire polygamous relationships in Skyrim, but it may leave other players wanting more complex or integrated gameplay mechanics.

Gameplay Implications and Player Choices

The introduction of multiple marriages into Skyrim changes the dynamics of the game’s narrative and social interactions. In the vanilla game, marriage to a specific NPC represents a significant commitment, adding depth to the player’s personal narrative within the game’s world. However, with the ability to marry multiple NPCs simultaneously, the sense of unique connection to a single spouse is somewhat diluted.

For some players, this might be a desirable change, allowing for greater freedom and a less restrictive experience. The ability to cultivate relationships with various characters and to balance the demands of multiple partners can add a new layer of complexity and strategic decision-making to the gameplay. It can lead to creative roleplaying experiences, where players may try to manage the various personalities and needs of their multiple spouses. Players might also explore the social dynamics within their polygamous relationships, creating richer and more nuanced personal narratives.

On the other hand, some players may find the mod detracts from the emotional impact of marriage in Skyrim. The special bond with a chosen spouse is a key element for many players. Multiple Marriages SSE changes this dynamic, potentially reducing the significance of each individual relationship. This is a subjective preference, and whether this change is positive or negative will depend entirely on the player’s personal preferences and expectations.

Technical Aspects and Installation

Multiple Marriages SSE is relatively small in file size and straightforward to install. The installation process is generally simple, usually involving extracting the mod’s files to the appropriate directory within the Skyrim Special Edition game folder. No complex configuration or scripting is required, making it accessible even for players with limited modding experience. However, players should always back up their game files before installing any mods to avoid potential data loss.

The mod’s compatibility with other mods should also be considered. While Multiple Marriages SSE is generally well-behaved and unlikely to cause major conflicts, it’s always recommended to check for potential compatibility issues with other installed mods before using it. Incompatible mods can lead to game crashes, glitches, or unforeseen behaviors. Many online communities and forums dedicated to Skyrim modding offer resources to check compatibility and troubleshoot potential issues.

Conclusion: A Mod for a Specific Niche

Multiple Marriages SSE delivers exactly what its name implies: the ability to marry multiple NPCs in Skyrim Special Edition. Its simple spell-based system provides a convenient and user-friendly way to manage these relationships, including the handy ability to teleport spouses. However, its limitations, primarily the lack of future updates and the exclusion of certain characters, need to be considered.

The mod ultimately caters to a specific player niche. Players seeking to expand their roleplaying possibilities within Skyrim and experiment with polygamous relationships will likely appreciate this mod. However, players who value the emotional weight and uniqueness of a single spousal relationship in the vanilla game may find this mod detracts from the core experience. Its simplicity and ease of installation make it an accessible option for beginners to modding, while experienced players will appreciate its straightforward functionality. The decision to use Multiple Marriages SSE depends entirely on individual preferences and expectations regarding the desired gameplay experience. The risk of obsolescence should be weighed against the expanded marital options it provides.