This is clearly no longer topical, but I'll make my opinions known.
Anyway, where to even begin with Skyrim? It's one of Bethesda's better titles (better than Online in this Troper's opinion), and it makes a grand contribution to the series as a whole.
Best of course to start off with Gameplay. Bethesda decided to go in a slightly different direction after Oblivion, opting or the Lockpick system from Fallout 3, in addition to a few new combat mechanics, namely Dual Wielding, Shouts, and the Power command key. Sprinting has thankfully been added, and now you can marry an NPC to obtain certain perks.
The graphics have had a clear upgrade, with a breathtaking skybox, magnificent scenery, and, if you maximize your draw distance, a spectacular new landscape, none of which is off limits. The faces look a bit more real (aside from possible player characters), and even the armor has been made prettier.
The story, by the Nine, the story is one of the better I've seen. Obviously you've got your typical end-of-days scenario, but that's more an excuse for the presence of dragons. If you do more than the main story, you're exposed to a lore that could stretch for miles, filled to bursting with political intrigue, camaraderie, love, loss, faith, and more adventure than you could poke a Bound Stick at.
As you may know from Bethesda's work, they've accumulated a sizable ensemble cast, and though it's all done by a handful of voice actors, and most characters fade into the background, it really does feel as though you're in a fully populated world. Only in the cases of couriers, soldiers, guards, or "human" enemies are anyone dismissed as their occupation. The cast is immense, and it feels like more than just a few identical models used to fill space.
One of the few complaints I have is how easy it is to break the game. I won't spoil anything, but saves have been lost to bugs which hindered the completion of entire quest lines. In addition, with enough Blacksmith grinding, it's possible to get the best equipment in the game before level 30. Possibly an exaggeration, but the scaling could use work to say the least.
All in all, good game, if a bit buggy. This Troper gives Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 4.5 hats out of 5. Would play a million times over, just to see how many stories I could make.
Late to the Parade
This is clearly no longer topical, but I'll make my opinions known.
Anyway, where to even begin with Skyrim? It's one of Bethesda's better titles (better than Online in this Troper's opinion), and it makes a grand contribution to the series as a whole.
Best of course to start off with Gameplay. Bethesda decided to go in a slightly different direction after Oblivion, opting or the Lockpick system from Fallout 3, in addition to a few new combat mechanics, namely Dual Wielding, Shouts, and the Power command key. Sprinting has thankfully been added, and now you can marry an NPC to obtain certain perks.
The graphics have had a clear upgrade, with a breathtaking skybox, magnificent scenery, and, if you maximize your draw distance, a spectacular new landscape, none of which is off limits. The faces look a bit more real (aside from possible player characters), and even the armor has been made prettier.
The story, by the Nine, the story is one of the better I've seen. Obviously you've got your typical end-of-days scenario, but that's more an excuse for the presence of dragons. If you do more than the main story, you're exposed to a lore that could stretch for miles, filled to bursting with political intrigue, camaraderie, love, loss, faith, and more adventure than you could poke a Bound Stick at.
As you may know from Bethesda's work, they've accumulated a sizable ensemble cast, and though it's all done by a handful of voice actors, and most characters fade into the background, it really does feel as though you're in a fully populated world. Only in the cases of couriers, soldiers, guards, or "human" enemies are anyone dismissed as their occupation. The cast is immense, and it feels like more than just a few identical models used to fill space.
One of the few complaints I have is how easy it is to break the game. I won't spoil anything, but saves have been lost to bugs which hindered the completion of entire quest lines. In addition, with enough Blacksmith grinding, it's possible to get the best equipment in the game before level 30. Possibly an exaggeration, but the scaling could use work to say the least.
All in all, good game, if a bit buggy. This Troper gives Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 4.5 hats out of 5. Would play a million times over, just to see how many stories I could make.