Elder Scrolls Skyrim: Some Thoughts and Quick Hits
Bethesda's Elder Scrolls Skyrim was released on 11/11 and I think it is probably one of the most monumental achievements in video games that I've ever seen. I mean, look at these screenshots. And look at this hilarious head shot.
The game has enough content for like 5 normal games. Some of the dungeons are adventures in themselves. I found a dungeon the other day, where a necromancer was trying to raise her dead husband and summoned undead along my path, till I got to her and killed her. And then they were together again anyways. Which was sweet; in a weird kind of way.
It's cool how the major factions (Stormcloaks and Imperials) both have their downsides and upsides. They are complex - it seems, so that your decision to eventually join either one isn't an easy one. Some games of this nature make it easy to pick a side based upon perks you get.
It's the little things that the game does that make it excellent though. A little "cleared" notice by dungeons you've found and defeated, so you never wonder "Hey, did I do that already? Or just wander by it?" The brief encounters with people that serve no real purpose but to add flavor. It's good stuff all around.
Sure, it has its bugs - but it's part of the charm. Corpses disappear. You get stuck in environments. Some things lack "weight" and are too easy to push around, etc.
Overall, it has to be one of the most perfect games ever created. It's almost too much content. It's nearly overwhelming how much stuff there is to do. I'm working a destruction mage. Leveling alchemy and conjuration as well, primarily. And some lockpicking as well (just so I get the extra gold/items perk).
Some quick takes on the game:
Coolest dragon fight: One at Falkreath. The dragon was attacking the town. I wasn't its main target, but it was going from rooftop to rooftop breathing fire on people. Looked fantastic watching him take off one building, and land on another to breathe fire down. That was incredibly well done.
Least cool dragon fight: One on a mountain top, where I kill the dragon in midair, he flies down to the ground to and and his corpse is buried somewhere underground - unlootable for eternity. Caused a huge framerate issue in the game as it was probably trying to figure out where to put the corpse. Its "landing trench" is there, but no corpse at the end. Weird.
Coolest shout: Aura. Lets you see the life forces of people around you. Fantastic in dungeons. I'm Batman! With fireballs!
Worst shout: Animal friendship. Yay? I'm not Snow White. I guess it'd make gathering up critters for a mass Fire Breath slaughter a bit easier. Sounds like fun actually, I might have to do that.
Encumbrance is my enemy. 300 weight is simply not enough when you are a pack rat like myself.