So, now that the honeymoon period is over... (Skyrim thread)

[NubiJuan]

I played skyrim long enough to do all the stuff for the college of winterhold, all the civil war stuff, and gave up at about the time you get told to find the elder scroll. i was really bored by it. at first it was fun getting the numbers to go up and then it became boring and there was no real motivation for me to do anything. there was nothing to pull me in, neither story nor gameplay. I honestly don't see how people enjoy it so much.

honestly all time I was playing Skyrim, I wished I was really playing Fallout 3.

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

I've been meaning to do a review on Skyrim for a while now. Over all I thought it was an amazing game. Yes it could of been better but I found that it was a step up from Oblivion.

@Jitters Caffeine
I found that the skill system in Tes is a hell of a lot better than that of Fallout. In Tes you get better at your skills by actually using them. In Fallout its do fetch quest #192, find a random hut or shoot a raider to somehow level up your lockpicking. Seriously wtf, it makes barely any sense at all.

Also for whoever said about being locked into skills from levelling up (I think it was Jitters). How is this even possible? You can freely switch between playstyles, which is something that I really like about Skyrim. You aren't locked into any specific build. If you want to try conjuration you can, if you want to switch to a pickpocket you can do that as well. If anything previous Tes games and Fallout lock you in a hell of a lot more than Skyrim. In them you are forced to stick with whatever you chose right at the start.

That's the problem with the skill system. Grinding. Want to get better Smithing? Better make Iron Daggers for two hours. Want better Barter? Better sell all those iron daggers ONE AT A COCKING TIME. The skill system dictates what you're doing at any one time. The Fallout system is entirely non-intrusive. Need more Lockpick? Dump some points into it on your next level up. If I want higher Lockpick in Skyrim, I have to sit there and break a shit load of Lockpicks so I can buy a perk that makes Lockpicking easier.

Also, I don't think I said anything about being locking into a particular playstyle. I said the game stonewalled me from playing a character with any aesthetic because of the lack of viable clothing/armor options, because you felt handicapped if you didn't have appropriate gear.

I played skyrim long enough to do all the stuff for the college of winterhold, all the civil war stuff, and gave up at about the time you get told to find the elder scroll. i was really bored by it. at first it was fun getting the numbers to go up and then it became boring and there was no real motivation for me to do anything. there was nothing to pull me in, neither story nor gameplay. I honestly don't see how people enjoy it so much.

honestly all time I was playing Skyrim, I wished I was really playing Fallout 3.

I went BACK to playing Fallout 3 after how underwhelmed I was by Skyrim. Better Character, better factions, better story. 'Nuff Said.

 

[DustyDrB]

For me it was the lack of choices within the quests.

In New Vegas nearly every quest could end in several different ways, but in Skyrim your choices are limited to either "do it" or "don't do it".

The whole world of Skyrim itself also felt like a beautifully constructed maquette; It was highly detailed, but it lacked any sense of live. This was again a result of the game not allowing much choice in how you interacted with the world.

I feel the same way. Asides from graphics, Skyrim was a step down in every way from New Vegas (not a Bethesda game, but you still think they would learn something). It's a beautiful looking game, but it's all so very soul-less.

I had fun in my one playthrough, but I was roleplaying heavily. Everything I did, I did it in character. I wrote up a backstory and my motivations for moving forward in the game beforehand. I think that's the only way I can really enjoy the game.

 

[someonehairy-ish]

I'm still enjoying it a lot. You just need a bit of imagination to get the most out of the combat system.
I made an elven enchantress character whose combat style revolves around controlling people and stealth - she never gets into open combat. She hits groups of enemies with spells like mayhem (makes everything attempt to kill everything else) then uses the distraction to slip into the shadows, meaning that she can then finish off the survivor with a dagger.
I also have a druidic breton guy who summons bears to help him (modded) and uses forsworn gear.

My advice to anyone who's bored with it is to think of a character archetype they find appealing. Look at what ALL of the magic schools have to offer; destruction isn't the only one worth using. Mix magic with archery and stealth or melee. Also, download the mod that lets you summon loads more types of creature.

 

[Cockney_Jesus]

I still love it. I think it's an incredible game although I hugely overplayed it when it first came out so I'm taking a long break and waiting for some dlc etc. until I start playing again.

 

[DustyDrB]

I got what people have called the good ones. Avoided Dead Money and... another one I forgot the name of.
But still, I should try it out soon. Should be enjoyable.

Honest Hearts is probably the other one you were thinking of. A lot of people seem to not like it. I love it. It taps into the outdoorsman in me. And it has my favorite guns in the game (.45 Auto).

I actually used to not like Dead Money, but my last two times in it I've enjoyed it. It does have a lot of gameplay mechanics that can slow you down and kill you very quickly. If you're the kind of person who forgets to save often, it might piss you off. If you're into horror, you might like it. I'm not...but I stick with it. The story (of the people in the past the whole area was built by and built for) is really good.

All of the DLC has stories that connect, and they also all point towards a final encounter in Lonesome Road.

I recommend all the DLC, but it really depends on your preferences. If you like horror and tense atmosphere, you'll like Dead Money. If you like nature, survivalism, and religious themes, then you'll like Honest Hearts.

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

I'm still enjoying it a lot. You just need a bit of imagination to get the most out of the combat system.
I made an elven enchantress character whose combat style revolves around controlling people and stealth - she never gets into open combat. She hits groups of enemies with spells like mayhem (makes everything attempt to kill everything else) then uses the distraction to slip into the shadows, meaning that she can then finish off the survivor with a dagger.
I also have a druidic breton guy who summons bears to help him (modded) and uses forsworn gear.

My advice to anyone who's bored with it is to think of a character archetype they find appealing. Look at what ALL of the magic schools have to offer; destruction isn't the only one worth using. Mix magic with archery and stealth or melee. Also, download the mod that lets you summon loads more types of creature.

Unfortunately, the only archtype the game seems to really like is a Stealthy Archer. The game seems to despise you if you want to play a Melee style "sword and board" character. Like you picked WRONG and the game wants you to know that by making you fight 6 dragons in 10 minutes, which I shit you not, actually happened to me.

NPC's perception of the players character always struck me as pretty idiotic. I can't count how many times imperial guards treated me like an urchin despite being an imperial legate....in full armor.

The lack of any characterization is something that REALLY put me off. In Fallout, the characters you met were incredibly deep and varied. Even within small communities, you had a VERY wide range of personalities. In Skyrim, you can gauge an entire capital city's general population by hearing the ambient dialogue of a passing beggar.

 

[Starke]

I got a sort of burnout in the first week or so, but I'd still say it's great. While features like to combat or story don't excel over any games, it's probably still the best Elder Scrolls game I've played. Great game, not fantastic, but I'd rather play it over many others.

I can respect that. But you'll always find me in wandering the Wasteland LONG before you'll see me step foot in Tamriel again.

To be honest, I really want to get back into New Vegas, but I got it fully on steam, and it's big bloody download, so I've just been putting it off.
WHOOPS.

Did you get the DLC? New Vegas has some of THE best DLC you'll find for a game. Period. Every single on of them adds hours of content and a slew of interesting, dynamic characters. Not to mention TONS of new perks, weapons, and armors to play around with.

I got what people have called the good ones. Avoided Dead Money and... another one I forgot the name of.
But still, I should try it out soon. Should be enjoyable.

Dead Money is VERY difficult. It focuses on Skill Checks and Stealth over straight up combat, which is why you SHOULD NEVER do it if you're under level 20 or so. It's easily the weakest of them. Old World Blues and Lonesome Road are MUST have. Great characters, great environments, and Old World Blues had a GREAT light hearted attitude. Hell, it even has Rusty Venture as one of the voices. I couldn't help but say "HEY THERE RUSTY" every time I talked to Doctor 0.

If I was asked to rate them, I'd have to say:

Lonesome Road
Old World Blues
Honest Hearts
then Dead Money

If you're feeling like you need a few new toys to play with, I'd HIGHLY suggest getting Gun Runners' Arsenal. Literally TONS of new weapons and weapon mods. Some for pre-existing weapons too.

I'd actually second the GRA, for the price it gives you some hilariously fun toys to play with.

On the content DLCs, I'd actually rate Dead Money above Lonesome Road.

Old World Blues is indisputably the best. It's an open zone, that can get a bit hectic at high levels. But it's saturated in MAD SCIENCE, and is easily one of the best DLC I've ever seen for a game.

Dead Money is a survival horror side trip. If you miss games like System Shock 2, and modern survival horror just insult you, then it's probably worth taking a look at. It is by no means perfect, but for what it is, it's actually pretty good. It's also merciless. That said, if you don't like survival horror, avoid it like the plague.

Lonesome Road is a lot of fun, unfortunately it's also one long linear dungeon crawl with some of the toughest enemies in the game. It's worth doing, for the loot, and the story, but to an extent it fails the overall focus of the game.

Honest Hearts is Another open romp. It's not bad, but honestly, there isn't much to recommend it. Everything works, but nothing works especially well. It's been accused of being a prolonged fetch quest, and that actually isn't a terribly inaccurate description. Also, while there's a lot of neat things hidden away for you to find, it lacks the feel Old World Blues has of loads and loads of places to explore.

 

[Casual Shinji]

For me it was the lack of choices within the quests.

In New Vegas nearly every quest could end in several different ways, but in Skyrim your choices are limited to either "do it" or "don't do it".

The whole world of Skyrim itself also felt like a beautifully constructed maquette; It was highly detailed, but it lacked any sense of live. This was again a result of the game not allowing much choice in how you interacted with the world.

I feel the same way. Asides from graphics, Skyrim was a step down in every way from New Vegas (not a Bethesda game, but you still think they would learn something). It's a beautiful looking game, but it's all so very soul-less.

I had fun in my one playthrough, but I was roleplaying heavily. Everything I did, I did it in character. I wrote up a backstory and my motivations for moving forward in the game beforehand. I think that's the only way I can really enjoy the game.

I don't think either looked that much better than the other.

It's just that the quests in New Vegas were intertwined with all the goings on of the world. All the NPC's were up to date to all the big events you had set in motion. This sense that the NPC's were aware of your influence made the whole setting feel more alive.

In Skyrim no one seemed aware of anything. Like how I'd become head of the Dark Brotherhood yet the Thieves Guild (which has close ties to the Brotherhood) still treated me like some wet-behind-the-ears whipper snapper when I first joined them. Stuff like this makes everything feel disconnected.

I return to Skyrim every few months or so, but only to go on random dungeon raids.

 

[WanderingFool]

I rented it twice for the 360, and put about 40 hours in myself. I plan on buying the PC version once it drops below $30, just to screw around with the mods. But, much like Oblivion, it just feels lacking. I would say FO:NV is still the better game when comparing the Beth games.

 

[DustyDrB]

For me it was the lack of choices within the quests.

In New Vegas nearly every quest could end in several different ways, but in Skyrim your choices are limited to either "do it" or "don't do it".

The whole world of Skyrim itself also felt like a beautifully constructed maquette; It was highly detailed, but it lacked any sense of live. This was again a result of the game not allowing much choice in how you interacted with the world.

I feel the same way. Asides from graphics, Skyrim was a step down in every way from New Vegas (not a Bethesda game, but you still think they would learn something). It's a beautiful looking game, but it's all so very soul-less.

I had fun in my one playthrough, but I was roleplaying heavily. Everything I did, I did it in character. I wrote up a backstory and my motivations for moving forward in the game beforehand. I think that's the only way I can really enjoy the game.

I don't think either looked that much better than the other.

It's just that the quests in New Vegas were intertwined with all the goings on of the world. All the NPC's were up to date to all the big events you had set in motion. This sense that the NPC's were aware of your influence made the whole setting feel more alive.

In Skyrim no one seemed aware of anything. Like how I'd become head of the Dark Brotherhood yet the Thieves Guild (which has close ties to the Brotherhood) still treated me like some wet-behind-the-ears whipper snapper when I first joined them. Stuff like this makes everything feel disconnected.

I return to Skyrim every few months or so, but only to go on random dungeon raids.

I don't know...the weather effects really do it for me in Skyrim. Even if the the people in the game look like carved wood statues, the environment is gorgeous.

You're right about the lack of awareness. It's even worse when you complete the civil war story and whatever side you're the head of still treats you like a nuisance. I was a Legate and some Imperial soldiers threatened me when I walked by them and their prisoner. What the hell?

 

[Muphin_Mann]

Still think it is one if not the best example for hype can make money and will buy your game the Game of the Year award. Reasons below.

Spoiler

Boring Combat - Worse then Minecraft's, only with the addition of duel-wielding which isn't anything special.

Colors Blended Together in a Gray and Brown Mix - Go anywhere, I mean fricking anywhere, and it will look very similar or identical if you go from cave to cave. The colors are either brown, shades of gray or white, with very little in between.

Looked to Real Worldy - And this is my biggest hatred with how it looks. It looks like a freaking boring hike in the woods. It would have been nice if it looked actually good but it doesn't.

Sound - Theres so little of it and what is there is replayed every thirty seconds.

RPG is missing the RP parts - It isn't a Role Playing Game when the games main two actions is kill thing or talk to thing, with zero middle ground.

Leveling System Makes Game Harder - If your using something like Stealth then be prepared to be killed thousands of times by everything.

Leveling Forces You Into a Certain Skill - If you play a archer then get used to using bows.

Bad Writing - This can be seen everywhere. Why did I have to X thing when I could have just done Y and save 50 minutes. Or those very bad accents that you hear throughout the game.

Overall, its still the horrid gaming experience I knew was coming.
[I swear to zombie baby jesus that if someone quotes me to combat my opinion on this by saying that this is not true, I will rip out your internet spinal column.]

Its not true.

I do, however, agree, that if your playing an ARCHER...you do need to get used to using BOWS. Just like in REAL LIFE and EVERY OTHER GAME with archery.

Also, i think you may have your Gamma way off if you think the game is just gray, brown, and white. Or maybe your playing a Fallout title by mistake. Or perhaps the recent, and very gray, I Am Alive.

 

[SmegInThePants]

creation kit is out, i expect a lot of changes to skyrim, maybe even some total conversions

it will take time, however, if ya weren't thrilled about it, check back in a year, and check the mods.

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

]I'd actually second the GRA, for the price it gives you some hilariously fun toys to play with.

On the content DLCs, I'd actually rate Dead Money above Lonesome Road.

Old World Blues is indisputably the best. It's an open zone, that can get a bit hectic at high levels. But it's saturated in MAD SCIENCE, and is easily one of the best DLC I've ever seen for a game.

Dead Money is a survival horror side trip. If you miss games like System Shock 2, and modern survival horror just insult you, then it's probably worth taking a look at. It is by no means perfect, but for what it is, it's actually pretty good. It's also merciless. That said, if you don't like survival horror, avoid it like the plague.

Lonesome Road is a lot of fun, unfortunately it's also one long linear dungeon crawl with some of the toughest enemies in the game. It's worth doing, for the loot, and the story, but to an extent it fails the overall focus of the game.

Honest Hearts is Another open romp. It's not bad, but honestly, there isn't much to recommend it. Everything works, but nothing works especially well. It's been accused of being a prolonged fetch quest, and that actually isn't a terribly inaccurate description. Also, while there's a lot of neat things hidden away for you to find, it lacks the feel Old World Blues has of loads and loads of places to explore.

Come to think of it, I probably would rate Dead Money above Honest Hearts. Dead Money focuses on VERY high skill checks to do almost anything, the lowest being around 50 and the highest of course being 100. But I'd have to say you're wrong about Old World Blues, it's the exact light hearted romp you need after something like Dead Money. I mean come on RUSTY VENTURE?! LBOBOTOMITES?! A TINY DEATHCLAW?! It's the kind of humor you really miss when you're playing Skyrim.

I don't think either looked that much better than the other.

It's just that the quests in New Vegas were intertwined with all the goings on of the world. All the NPC's were up to date to all the big events you had set in motion. This sense that the NPC's were aware of your influence made the whole setting feel more alive.

In Skyrim no one seemed aware of anything. Like how I'd become head of the Dark Brotherhood yet the Thieves Guild (which has close ties to the Brotherhood) still treated me like some wet-behind-the-ears whipper snapper when I first joined them. Stuff like this makes everything feel disconnected.

I return to Skyrim every few months or so, but only to go on random dungeon raids.

That's something else I really noticed in Skyrim. The exploration is in DESPERATE need of an in-flight movie. Stunning silence just isn't enough for me when I'm going between caves and bandit camps. Galaxy News Radio with Three Dog and Radio New Vegas with Mr. New Vegas really make the world feel ALIVE.

 

[DustyDrB]

Come to think of it, I probably would rate Dead Money above Honest Hearts. Dead Money focuses on VERY high skill checks to do almost anything, the lowest being around 50 and the highest of course being 100. But I'd have to say you're wrong about Old World Blues, it's the exact light hearted romp you need after something like Dead Money. I mean come on RUSTY VENTURE?! LBOBOTOMITES?! A TINY DEATHCLAW?! It's the kind of humor you really miss when you're playing Skyrim.

I think Honest Hearts was made just for me, as I think I'm the only person who puts it on equal ground with Old World Blues. I love the location so much. It just really taps into my desire to be a more hardcore version of Bear Grylls.

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

Come to think of it, I probably would rate Dead Money above Honest Hearts. Dead Money focuses on VERY high skill checks to do almost anything, the lowest being around 50 and the highest of course being 100. But I'd have to say you're wrong about Old World Blues, it's the exact light hearted romp you need after something like Dead Money. I mean come on RUSTY VENTURE?! LBOBOTOMITES?! A TINY DEATHCLAW?! It's the kind of humor you really miss when you're playing Skyrim.

I think Honest Hearts was made just for me, as I think I'm the only person who puts it on equal ground with Old World Blues. I love the location so much. It just really taps into my desire to be a more hardcore version of Bear Grylls.

I loved all the perks and recipes it added to the game. Made Hardcore mode SO much more engaging. Something else Skyrim really could have implemented... There are a TON of cooking recipes in Skyrim that literally serve NO PURPOSE AT ALL.

 

[DanielBrown]

Got my platinum, and had been in a vast majority of the dungeons, since two weeks after it was released and haven't played it since. Itching a bit to start it up again, but I got lots of other games to play.
The framerate issues kind of keep me from diving into it another time. Not sure if they've fixed it now or not.

Do you play on PS3? Because the issues are directly cause by the architecture of the console. It literally CAN'T be fixed. The way the game is SUPPOSED to work is that the game stops rendering something when you get far enough away, but on the PS3, it NEVER STOPS RENDERING THINGS. So after you walk far enough, the game is rendering SO MUCH that you'll be playing a powerpoint in about an hour and a half.

Aye, PS3.
Sucks to hear that, but thanks for telling me!

 

[Jitters Caffeine]

Got my platinum, and had been in a vast majority of the dungeons, since two weeks after it was released and haven't played it since. Itching a bit to start it up again, but I got lots of other games to play.
The framerate issues kind of keep me from diving into it another time. Not sure if they've fixed it now or not.

Do you play on PS3? Because the issues are directly cause by the architecture of the console. It literally CAN'T be fixed. The way the game is SUPPOSED to work is that the game stops rendering something when you get far enough away, but on the PS3, it NEVER STOPS RENDERING THINGS. So after you walk far enough, the game is rendering SO MUCH that you'll be playing a powerpoint in about an hour and a half.

Aye, PS3.
Sucks to hear that, but thanks for telling me!

Yeah, kind of sucks to hear. It's a literal game breaking bug in the system that can't be fixed. So unless you play giant sandbox RPGs in 45 minutes spurts, you're kind of screwed.