Not much to be said that the poll doesn't cover.

I was just thinking about "Finishers" in the game. Something usually associated with action games, stylistic finishers add a bit of "Badassery" flair to kills, but, playing many games, I have some issues about them.

I personally want them to be optional, basically for all the reasons I listed in the poll, but most of all, because they interrupt gameplay, being scripted and random, thus out of the player's hands. I only hope, at the very least, they don't happen mid-battle and allow you to get killed by something else attacking you from behind.

This again!?

My opinion - finishers are completely wrong for TES games. They're scripted, feel unrealistic, etc.

This is a first-person RPG not a third-person action game. Combat like M&B:Warband please, not like Fable.

It's pointless arguing though. Mainstream gamers want to turn the Elder Scrolls series into a third-person action game with finishers, combos, etc. And this is probably what they'll get. :confused:

No, they won't be like Fatalities. It can make battles feel more real, as it was always weird how enemies just collapse when you deliver the final hit.
As for gameplay interruption they can always make it short and sweet, I mean what we saw on the trailer was pretty short too, or if nothing else, make it only work on the last enemy of the group.

As for becoming boring, well the main complaint about VATS before Fallout 3 was released was that all these slow-mo kills would be boring after a while, but it never really became boring in the actual game...

I can't really think of any game that has finishers in a way that is appropriate for TES, so I'm interested to see exactly how they will be implemented in Skyrim. I can't vote one way or the other until then.

I sense another Yahtzee watcher

Yes indeed. But that's still a legitimate concern for a game where nobody really felt "Finishers" belonged in the first place.


I just wish I could hear something about them that implies the player has some control over them. Stemming back to that "interrupting gameplay" issue.

Think of it, you're surrounded by Draugr, hacking quickly, and all of a sudden, the game stops, you dance around for a little bit, then lop off it's head. That's the idea I get right now from Finishers. Had it been more along the lines of "Random chance applied to the killing blow of a power attack", I think I wouldn't be so cautious about them, because at least it puts some control over it in the player's hands.

A bit like in PoP: Sands of Time where when you extracted the sand from an enemy, and all the other enemies just sort of waited for you to finish before resuming their onslaught.

as long as they're quick. Like, really quick, as in you jump in, stab, then your back to gameplay.

Interruption of gameplay is my main concern, I don't want to get hit when I can't do [censored]. The finishers/counter kills of AC were well done, quick fluid and kept you from getting smacked

I think it could work, but not on every enemy every time.


I should only be able to do a finisher if I'm seriously kicking some guy's ass and I have all the momentum.

AC has one of the best counter systems I've ever seen.

So many "It shouldn't be optional" votes, but nobody posting about why it shouldn't be optional. I am disappoint.

Really? All they do is add a bit of flair to the kills. Nothing more, nothing less.

from http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1185722-part-01-todd-howard-interiew/

IMO, Dark Messiah had the best first person combat. You had control over which fatality to use, you had a meter and they didnt take forever. Besides, the magic kills were the stuff man!!

Soo in 'people who aren't developing the game' terms, finishers are used when you kill an enemy with a power attack? That would make me a lot happier about how it works, and it would definitely make me feel like I have a lot more control over what my character does.

well for one, it is a combat oriented game......why would anyone want a combat oriented game to be less "real" ?? Id rather see my sword contact my opponent than a lame looking glancing blow, with a little "clang! "

secondly, i understand, it is an RPG after all, but that doesnt mean it should be a point and click adventure. ( not implying you or anyone else is assuming it should be, as i was a huge fan of NWN)

But i do agree with the "losing control of your char" thing........ the last thing i want to see is a 5 second 3rd person cut scene of a combo attack :facepalm:

I'm guessing any power attack will have a fancy animation, whether or not it is the final blow. In the trailer there is a special spinning attack that doesn't kill the enemy. I think that's probably one of the power attacks for sword.