My playthrough of Skyrim is now well over forty hours, I kid you not. No, I haven’t been getting enough sleep these days but hey, we all must have priorities.
What can I say? Forty hours in and it feels like I’m not even half-way into the main campaign. As for open side quests, well, I’ve lost count at this point. And there are quite a good number of major cities that I haven’t even visited yet.
This is without a doubt the gaming experience of the year. The only aspect of Skyrim that I find lacking is character development. Not regarding your own character – I think that who you role-play should be defined by the choices you make in the game and I’m glad there’s no pre-digested background to be forced on the player. I’m talking about the absence of a deeper background regarding supporting characters, especially when it comes to those who eventually become your followers. I have been walking around with Lydia for at least half the time; that’s like 20+ hours. I’d like to know a bit more about her, not necessarily as a romance interest but to have a better understanding of her origins and motivations, and maybe even to unlock a personal quest. I’m sad the game doesn’t seem to provide that…
I also haven’t pursued romance and I don’t think I will. I don’t see my female Nord dual wield axe warrior considering marriage a priority. But still, judging from what I’ve read on the interwebz, marrying seems to be a bit inconsequential and Fable-styled. If that’s the case then Bethesda might have missed a good opportunity because in-game relationships should be meaningful and play a decisive role in the destiny of your own character.
These are, however, the only bits of criticism I can say about this game. I am overwhelmed by the depth of its universe. Skyrim is huge and every journey feels like an adventure. I keep getting sidetracked as I’m always tempted to explore that cave or that fort that is standing in the distance. And I also love the complexity of the political background, the shades of grey. I admire the sense of nobility of some Imperials I’ve met, yet despise the abuse that is often committed under the shadow of the Empire. And I understand the motivations behind the Stormcloak rebellion yet loathe Ulfric who appears to be nothing more than a bigoted racist driven by ambition alone.
So, as you can see, I have been possessed by Skyrim. And I wonder where it will take me, what choices will I make, and what will be the fate of my treasured character. The answer is out there, beyond the foggy mountains or under the glimmering lights of the aurora.
Time to go…
Image credits belong to Dead End Thrills (click above to view in full).
Yes, I have been playing The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim lately. No, this is not a Skyrim-exclusive tumblelog. But you’ll be seeing a lot of it around here in the next few weeks.
A few words about Skyrim… It just reminds me of everything I love about video games. Most of all, the sense of place. Which in this case would better be described as a sense of landscape.
To be there… Just being there, wandering through the forests, going up the mountains, delve into the caves, is just as much a part of the game as doing quests or following a storyline. The beauty and the freedom in this game are unparalleled. And yet you never feel lost in the experience because there is always a strong sense of purpose that drives you in your journey. Yes, Skyrim has become, quite unexpectedly, my favorite game of all time.
Image credits belong to Dead End Thrills (click above to view in full).
LA Noire, the hard way
So I’ve been moving through the ranks of the LAPD. I’m still a long way from finishing the game, I’ve just barely made it to Homicide. Still, here’s a bit of advice regarding what I believe to be the most enjoyable way to play LA Noire.
The Art of Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood is more than just a game, it’s an experience. The sheer scale of the city of Rome, portrayed as it was in the 16th Century, makes it a delightful journey into a world populated by real historical figures and remarkable locations. The game actually serves as a unique encyclopedia of the architecture and people of that era – in fact, the gaming interface cleverly triggers a codex entry every time you stand near relevant landmarks and characters. Needless to say, I’ve spent much of my time playing ACB doing nothing more than sightseeing, discovering wonderful churches and temples, enjoying the exquisite sights provided by the city’s iconic hills and aqueducts, and stopping the game every now and then to read the latest codex information.
Dead Space Review: The Architecture of Fear
I intended to write a formal and architecturally solemn review of Dead Space. With the second title in this popular sci-fi horror series released just a few days ago, I figured this might be the perfect opportunity to introduce myself to Isaac Clarke’s outer space misadventures, right from the start. Now, still heavily fueled by adrenaline after a 14 hour playthrough of hell, I’m back to tell you all about it. Welcome aboard the U.S.G. Ishimura, the place where video game nightmares come true.
My picks for 2011
The New Year is just around the corner. It’s a good time to take a look at some of the games I plan to follow during 2011…
Arguing for the Game of the Year
The selection of the Game of the Year is always a source of intense debate on the internet. Gamers are passionate people and will fight for the games they love without restraint. It’s only natural. But maybe this is also an interesting moment to question the substantial reasons that should support such a title. I’m not going to pick a game for you. In fact, I will argue that the Game of the Year is not a matter of passion or favoritism. Instead, I propose that we take a look at the reasons that make certain games stand out. Games that are not just entertaining but truly important.
Reinventing Lara Croft
Tomb Raider? 1996? Look, I was there, okay? It was pretty remarkable. And it wasn’t Indiana Jones meets the Spice Girls generation. I mean, sure, Lara Croft is the gaming version of Harrison Ford’s icon hero. But the first Tomb Raider was much more than just a pretty face. It did things we had never seen before. It revolutionized the platform genre and turned it into a fully 3D experience. It presented some of the most unique videogame environments anyone had ever seen. Plus, it had a giant freakin’ dinosaur.
How I became a Mass Effect fan
Back in the days of the old Xbox I bought a game called KOTOR. I was mostly motivated by the Star Wars setting and had no previous experience in Role Playing Games. Although I found it to be quite enjoyable, my absence of skills eventually got the best of me. Somewhere half way through the game I got stuck, my team of characters killed repeatedly due to my evident lack of expertise. And so it was that I eventually left KOTOR unfinished. Hélas…
