E3 Coverage: Skyrim – I don’t know about you, but I want to slay me a dragon!
Skyrim, the long anticipated continuation of The Elder Scrolls saga will be coming out in November. A behind closed doors presentation was given by game director Todd Howard, who did a basic run through of the game. The first thing that hits everyone is how good the game looks. After the initial reaction Todd Howard revealed that the demo was running on the Xbox 360. The run through showed off the new menu system, the new combat system, and the excitement of battling dragons on the plains of Skyrim. Overall, the presentation was great and it showed off just how amazing Skyrim will be.
Very little was revealed about the story in Skyrim. However, what was revealed was that dragons have returned to Tamriel and that dealing with the dragons will be a major part of the story. The protagonist of the game will have a connection to the dragons and will be able to use dragon powers that can be obtained after killing a dragon. In addition to the story there will be many different side quests and 150 unique dungeons that can be explored. The world in Skyrim is massive and the possibilities for adventure and entertainment are almost limitless.
The key reason why the graphics looks so good is that the engine was built from the ground up. Taking their time since Fallout 3, the new engine was built to near perfection and allowed E3 spectators to be in awe of how good Skyrim looks on the Xbox 360. While there was a little particle grain here and there, it was not very noticeable and this was only an early build of the game so it may just be a glitch that will be dealt with before release. After all the bugs are worked out, Skyrim will likely be the most beautiful game on the 360.
The revised item system looks interesting. It no longer takes up the entire screen. It is more akin to a series of lists like the Windows start menu. In the item lists players can examine objects in close detail. Not only does this allow players to appreciate the art in the game, it also is a necessity for some quests. The menu allows players to also equip weapons and abilities to their two hands. You can equip your character as you please with each hand independent of the other. Two weapons, a weapon and a spell, a spell and a shield are just a few of the options available. In fact if a character uses two spells at once they can combine for more powerful effects.
Leveling up in Skyrim is somewhat different than Oblivion as the level up screen is now designed as a series of constellations that seem to interconnect. As characters progress they will build up their personal constellations and unlock new perks. There are no longer major skills and minor skills, now all skills build toward leveling. However, the frustrating skills of athletics and aerobics have been removed to make leveling more focused on skills rather than tedium. The leveling system looks to be very refined and appears to have taken some lessons from Fallout 3.
The guilds will also be making a comeback in Skyrim. Players will have the option of joining the Fighters guild, the mage guild, or the thieves’ guild. So far there is no mention of the Dark Brotherhood, but as those missions were very creative it would not be that much of a surprise if they made a comeback too. In addition there are plenty of odd jobs people can do around town and players can influence the economy of the different towns they come across. If you want to sabotage a mill you can and it will have an impact on the town. Characters will be influenced by your actions in the game and completing different quests will change how things are in the world.
Overall, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim looks to be a very ambitious game with nearly endless hours of game play. Knowing the track record of The Elder Scrolls we can be confident that this entry will meet, and possibly beat, our expectations. Look forward to Skyrim coming out this November.
