Impressions of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

On our second day of E3 2011, we were lucky enough to have some schedule time with the Bethesda team, and since we missed their party from the previous night (extenuating circumstances prevented); we were excited to check out their games on display.  In this case, we're solely focusing on the follow-up to 2006's Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion; SKYRIM.  We had a prompt 4:00 meeting time, that we rushed from the South Hall to get to.  Good think we booked it, since they were starting right at 4:00 and if you missed it (nor wasn't on the list) you weren't getting in.  After sorting it all out, we were seated in a private (but fairly large) room with a large screen simply teasing "SKYRIM".



The developers then continued to spend the next 30 minutes in sort of a director's commentary mode, walking through a few parts of the game, showing gameplay, the menu system, and giving overall insight while the entire audience sat there drooling and simultaneously setting our count-down timers for 11-11-11.

That being said, here are the highlights of our extensive note taking.  Development of SKYRIM began with a new engine dubbed "Creation Engine" after the release of Fallout 3 (proper) about 3 years ago.  Bethesda has painstakingly created a world that surpasses that of Cyrodiil in terms of graphics, atmosphere and overall depth.  I used to think that Oblivion had some of the best graphics on this generations systems, my memory serves me that it still does, but after looking at the graphics again now, and seeing what they're doing with the Creation Engine, they've certainly raised the notch a few degrees



Bethesda opened up on the expansive new land, and proceeded to demonstrate weapon changing, magic selection, and even their completely revamped menu system.  Their UI has been completely re-written so you don't feel like "you're managing a spreadsheet" while you play, and have tried to blend it more with the game itself.  For example, when you review your skills, you look towards the stars and each "skill" is a different constellation, just a great use of UI! 



Lets us not forget the giant 4,000lb elephant in the room, and that's the DRAGONS!  They are pretty huge, and when you fight them, it's like it's own mini boss fight, with unique AI to each, there's no "pattern" to watch and find weakness, but you use all of your magic, and your shouts and your weapons to take down these beautiful creatures, and when you finally do, (and since your Dragonborn) you'll absorb the Dragon spirits which will grant you further "shouts" to have at your disposal.



Not to forget dynamic weather effects, more realistic faces and more variety in voices and NPC's, this title is truly shaping up to be a must have come November, then it's one you'll sink another 100+ hours to fully explore...we welcome the challenge guys!

Fallout 3: The Pitt | Review

So here it is, a scant week or so after release, (latest release) of Bethesda's Wastelandic Opus - Fallout 3: The Pitt. I've come to, and am still mildly walking around in the bowels of the steel giants and the molten metal industrial playground expansion of the game.

Okay, so Fallout 3 needs no introduction. If it does, you aren't playing "The Pitt", so we'll just roll right into the review.

In reality, it's a sizeable chunk of more missions, and a branching storyline from the main quest. Unlike "Operation: Anchorage", you play as your character from the game, with the stats, equipment and your own knowledge of the game rules. I would recommend one of two paths if you're thinking of starting off playing the Pitt.

For those who've already completed the game or are at least, at level 20. If you've reached this level, chances are you've b-lined it for the end, since you can't level-up anymore, you're not getting any further experience points for your quests. If this is you, and it likely is, you should wait until the third piece of DLC (Broken Steel) comes out sometime later in April as it will effectively lift the level cap from 20 to 30, and add more perks. This will give most of you all a reason to play the game again, and discover more areas.


The same is true of The Pitt - while taken as it's own set of missions, set in the legendary city of Pittsburgh (duh) - the missions are fun, even if they are a bit more of the same. But that's not always a bad thing - I just wished I could have gotten some experience points along the way.

Now, for those of you who haven't reached level 20, play this now! The story-heavy missions will ultimately lead you to a decision, on weather to side with Werhner or Ashur. One has "the cure" the other wants you to steal "the cure". I put "the cure" in quotes, because, we'll you'll see

Bottom Line: (8.5 out of 10) You can't fault The Pitt for being a victim of a level cap, so you have to view it for what it is, and what it is, is an incredible extension of an already expansive world. Just adding a few more missions, characters, and locales to an already outstanding game. And at the very least, keep the fans satiated until Broken Steel releases. Good Job Bethesda!

"The Pitt" release closing in

The newest of the Fallout 3 expansions, "The Pitt", is getting oh so much closer to it's March 24th release date.

With 4 to 5 hours of gameplay, the expansion will last less than a night after I learned by putting numerous hours into the base game the first time through. But with the price of 800 Microsoft Points, it is going to be hard trying to talk yourself out of this purchase. Throughout this gem of a city, you will have to pick a side, the slaves or the raider overlord, which will prove not dificult, yet highly entertaining, when executed with the rotary auto axe!

Looks like it is about time to pull the game out, blow the dust off, and kiss sleep goodbye.