Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Options

[BigMistake]

Anybody else played it yet? Been enjoying it quite a bit as a gamer, but as a designer-to be I'm constantly disappointed by things they just haven't changed. Feels a bit like Oblivion 2.0 .

[Hobbes]

I haven't yet, but I have been tempted. But I haven't played any of the Elder Scrolls games either (I know! Crazy!). A friend gave me Oblivion recently, but I've not got around to playing it.

But, as for it being Oblivion 2.0 (or Oblivion+), is that necessarily a bad thing? What, specifically, is it you were expecting from the sequel that it hasn't delivered (in terms of design, or mechanics, I mean) ?

[BigMistake]

I haven't yet, but I have been tempted. But I haven't played any of the Elder Scrolls games either (I know! Crazy!). A friend gave me Oblivion recently, but I've not got around to playing it.

But, as for it being Oblivion 2.0 (or Oblivion+), is that necessarily a bad thing? What, specifically, is it you were expecting from the sequel that it hasn't delivered (in terms of design, or mechanics, I mean) ?

Well, I'm missing a certain lack of noticeable innovation. For example, you can become the leader of a certain guild, but just like previous Elder Scrolls thats about it. You can sometimes take other missions, but thats usually where it ends. There's no actually leading your guild and making tough decisions, it's just a title. Even Assassin's Creed managed to introduce something like this!

Or crafting. You can now forge great weapons and mighty armors, but apparently you can't build a wooden house where you want, even though Orcs manage to do it (which, according to some races are slightly dumber). Or your companions. You can now order them around to do basic tasks like attack, wait, follow, etc. But apparently you can't command them to follow you on your second horse.

It's stuff like that. I know that technically it's brand new, that dungeons have automatically generated quests and that the dragons behavior is entirely random, but for the end user thats not noticeable. I'd just like some new features.

[Mata]

So this leads to an interesting question - I wasn't that fussed by the looks of Oblivion when my housemate was playing it... Should I get Skyrim?

[Hobbes]

RPGs have never really been my "thing". I usually dislike the notion of levelling up, and having to choose what perks or skills I want. However, when Fallout 3 was on Steam at a ridiculous price, I decided I'd try it. And I really, REALLY, enjoyed it. The exploration was where I spent most of my time. The "town in the distance" would always be my goal. It's semi-real-world setting (at least in terms of locations and architecture, if not the nuclear wasteland ) also appealed to me - I love the GTA games for the same reason.

The Elder Scrolls games, however, have never really enticed me enough to actually PLAY one. I'm not a big fan of the fantasy genre (excluding LotR) so the promise of orcs, dragons, elves, etc. was not enough. And the RPG element put me off a little more too.

But having watched and read a fair amount about Skyrim recently, and knowing how much I loved Fallout 3 (despite it's flaws), I have been tempted. Not tempted enough to pay the current full price though. However, the complete version of Oblivion just became about £5 on Steam, so that seemed like a good taster.

[Hobbes]

(oh, and there's always a little place in my heart for Bethesda, ever since they scared the crap out of me with Terminator: Futureshock in 1996)

[Phantom]

I have not played or obtained Skyrim yet but oh lord do I want to. When I saw some video's on youtube I was annoyed with some of the graphic choices they made, but that's maybe a matter of taste. Regarding to the actual game play I can't say yet I need to play it myself to get a good feeling about it. But for some reason this game is stuck in my mind constantly and usually I only have that with certain games, so it definitely trickles me.

[BigMistake]

So this leads to an interesting question - I wasn't that fussed by the looks of Oblivion when my housemate was playing it... Should I get Skyrim?

Totally depends. The graphics *are* better then Oblivion, and if thats the only reason why you didn't get it then I'd recommend buying it. But from a gameplay point of view there have been a few new features (dragons, dual-wielding/mixing) but nothing really mindblowing. (Also, yay for internet at school, went for almost two full weeks without online gaming )

[Witless]

Got it, love it. Not generally been a fan of the Elderscrolls games. I found Morrowind in a bargain bin for £2 a while back and have never enjoyed it. Oblivion was better and I quite like Skyrim. I like that there's no morale choice system like other games. If you are a dick to a character, that character hates but you can still build up better relationships with other people.

I like that this is the first Elderscrolls game where playing the whole game 3rd person is actually viable. I'd say it's the best fantasy genre for a while. Certainly kicks the Dragon Age series in the behind. Though if you don't really like fantasy genre RPGs I can't imagine this to be the game to change your mind. Though it does make me think of a fantasy genre Deus Ex at times.

I will say this though. Playing as a thief type character is the most fun I've had being stealthy since actual the actual thief games.