I loved this game two weeks ago. I am playing on expert and am new to the Elder Scrolls series. My character is 1h+shield+heavy+restoration+ smithing.

Exploring the nord ruins outside of Riverwood was a beautiful introduction to the game, especially once I got Eyefinity working. As they say, quantity has a quality all its own, and Skyrim has that. In the first few weeks of play I explored, found treasure maps, watched my character grow in abilities, mined ebony and built legendary ebony gear, killed seven dragons, fought a dragon priest, solved a handful of dungeon combination puzzles, bought a house, encountered all kinds of bandits and thugs on the roads, wild animals, joined the companions, and am about half way (guessing) through the main quest at level 29. I have been doing a bunch of side quests to stretch out the game.

The game has plenty of challenges. Boss fights still require planning and use of all my abilities, and there are still some fights I have had to avoid, resolving to come back later. Difficulty is not the problem. I think the problem is diversity.

The thing is that now that my character has gained most of her primary fighting abilities, and I have visited about a third of the cities, I feel like I have experienced most of the game. Don't get me wrong, there is a ton of material I havent seen or experienced, but things are starting to repeat themselves. Every dragon fight is the same. Every bandit on the road attacks and has a semi-valuable gem and a lockpick in his possession. Most quests have about the same diversity as WOW quests. At first it seemed like there was more, as I am new to the series, but they are basically kill quests, travel quests, and gather quests.

I think it is a great game, but about 70 hours was the most I was able to get from it. I will probably finish the main questline over the next couple weeks when I have time, so figure 90 hours.



These are the things that should be improved to increase play value (for me):

*The fighting mechanic of hitting escape when things get tough and completely stopping action makes it as much of a strategy game as an action game. There is some diversity of action, and positioning is important, but its a pretty simple system. When compared to a game like Witcher 2, it comes up a bit short. Granted that is not the same kind of role playing game (you are Geralt of Rivia), but the whole mechanic of completely stopping time when you hit escape makes it less engaging. They should have done it like witcher, where going into your menu system slows but not stops time.

* Production value. The graphics are pretty good, but there are no cinematics or multimedia to enhance the experience. I'm not expecting something as involved and detailed as the Witcher2, but even WOW managed to integrate cinematic scenes into the main questline. If these exist, and I have not seen them, my apologies, but I think there should be more. The game relies solely on its middling graphics and large scope of its world. The rest lives in the imagination of the player.

*Graphics/Character Animations- These are sortof a let down for PC. They should have used DX11 for their flagship platform. It doesnt compare well to other PC titles in this regard. Its not just the graphics, but the simple character animations. My character has such a limited set of actions. Slash left, slash right, overhand power attack, shield bash, walk, run, sprint, magic ball in hand. Geralt of rivia has different kinds of attacks and movements which kept it visually interesting. Combat is quite abstract. I play solely in 3rd person because the first person graphics are so bad in combat.

*Interface- This is probably a result of being a console port, and probably contributes to the simplistic combat system.

*Scaling- This has been discussed ad-infinitum on the forums. I really like scaling for the most part, but there are problems with it. I got Ghost Blade which is a unique item with stats that scale based on the level you get it. Unique items should not scale. When I bust my butt to complete a hard dungeon, I should get an absolute reward. Because of scaling this feeling is absent from the game. There is not a feeling of accomplishment. I like not knowing how powerful enemies are until you start fighting them, but opponents are scaled to your level, not your abiliities, so when you find yourself demolishing opponents, it is more a reflection of your relative strength for your level and how well you did your professions and gear collection. Anyway, while scaling allows the game world to be more open which is good, progression has a very vague feel to it. I think there need to be more areas of absolute difficulty. Not the entirety of the game, just more fights that you attempt only to realize, "I'm not geared for this". And the world should let you know when you are treading in dangerous waters.

*Ability to Abuse Save without Repercussion- I have over 300 saves. I save because I don't want to re run content that I have already done should I die. The game just doesnt feel dangerous because of this. I wish there was a way to limit saves. I know this is not an MMO, just wish there was some negative repercussion for abusing save and reloading. Perhaps skills that were mid-level would regress if you start abusing save. Don't know how they would implement this, but it would be good.

*Limited voice acting- I think they did everything with five actors. It svcks to hear the same voice over and over in different characters. This really needs to be expanded.



*Crafting Limited- The economy and crafting is not as evolved as a game like WOW. I originally thought there was more diversity, but in Smithing you can keep crafting Iron Daggers, which should not give you skill ups. Alchemy system looks better, but I did not use it.

*Broken Economy- I got to a place where I have more gold than I can spend. I have 20K gold now, and generating gold is very easy. I want for nothing. Perhaps they should make some of the late game objectives contingent upon saving gold. Gold only has meaning at low levels.

*No classes- There is no incentive to replay as another class type because i can just power level any of the skills until I am level 80 or so. Freedom and flexibility is great at first, but none of the game is off limits depending on my "class". For example in WOW, a priest wouldnt have access to Warlock trainers, and there were class specific items and lore. I took a potion and my warrior faked his way into the mage college. Just didn't feel right. Sure it didn't restrict me, but I would be more compelled to play a mage if I hadn't been able to see it with my warrior.


I think Skyrim is a really good game (much better than wow), but there is enough repetition that after 3 weeks I feel like I've seen "everything". Because rewards are scaled, the game has a very vague sense of progression. And while the world is grand in scope and beautiful to behold, the combat system and PC graphics are sub-par for 2011-2012. The combat system has a very legacy, well-worn feel to it. Also, I think an open "sandbox" game needs to have more limits on character progression and be better tuned.


I am sure this will be flamed, but these are my opinions, and why I find myself becoming bored after about 70 hours of play. I think its obvious to most who play it that the game has the tools to be much more than it is with better tuning and more attention to detail.

Post some things in my post, It's for what should be change/added/improved

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1302927-what-do-you-want-in-the-next-updates/

I'd enjoy your freedback

"The economy and crafting are not as evolved as a game like WoW"

Uh...

Well...there are several differences that you should realize- WoW's main purpose for existing is to keep you playing so you'll pay them a monthly fee. In order to keep you playing, they have to constantly be adding things to the experience. This basically means that you're never done, which is why I quit playing that stupid game years ago. You'll never be the best, you'll never have the best gear, because in 2 months they'll just add a new set and yours will be outdated. They also have 100 employees whose sole job is to create new crap for you to craft/obtain so that you'll keep paying them. It's all just...junk in the end. You're wasting your life.

This game is designed to inevitably end. That's why there's a main quest- so you can beat the game. That's why there are eventually the 'best' items, because you've found them and there's nothing better. The POINT is to WIN.

But hey, different strokes, etc.

And there were over 70 voice actors. Some of them are even famous and stuff.

As far as most of your other complaints go- yes, you can pause the game. That's been a part of this series since it was created, it goes back to table top gaming experiences, wherein you have to check your stats, equipment, etc to strategically make a decision. Ability to abuse save? LOL. Um, well, honestly if you play WoW the game saves for you every millisecond, isn't that an abuse? *shakes head*, I don't know what to tell you...

It honestly sounds like your first experience with RPG was WoW and honestly, that's kind of sad. Play some oldskool RPG's and then you'll understand why Skyrim is enjoyable for what it IS, not what you expect it to be.

Lol guy unique items don't scale. The damage is changing because your one hand ability is higher. 70 hours and you don't figure this out? Epic fail.

I think its enjoyable for what it is. I think its a better game than wow in many regards, but could have been better. I dont think its GOTY, I think that should go to Witcher 2, but it was still worth 70+ hours of my time.

If the quests are quickly rote for the writer of this thread, how could 'multi media' possibly be of interest in the long term? Short movies get memorized pretty quick,and there are small kill scene shorts in the game right now.


I think Bethesda has some problems with Skyrim, but multi media has nothing to do with it. ( and the graphics are way beyond 'pretty good') Shortening the guild quest lines seems to be a reaaccuring complaint at this forum and I agree.


I have many compliments for Skyrim, and some concerns. Haven't found the right thread yet for them all.

At 80 hours of play I wasn't ready yet to throw in the towel. There are delights that take some digging to find. I think they're worth it. But I also believe Bethesda is tettering on losing some of the qualities that brought us all here.

An Elder Scrolls game is not Fallout. You need more than tourism to stay with it.

you still have a lot todo if you haven't did the dark brotherhood, college of winterhold, thieves guild and imperial legion or stormcloaks. joining a faction, in my opinion, is the most enjoyable part of skyrim and is more fun than the random bandit encounters or dragon battles.

speaking of dragons though, they do get a lot harder the higher your level gets. i'm level 45 and just fought my first ancient dragon. very tough. and also, the higher you level up the more interesting abilities open up. i just learned the invisibility spell not long ago. and have you got your pickpocket to 100 yet to be able to pickpocket the clothes off a character? have you tried the slow down time shout yet? have you got married yet?

its a great game and still has more to offer you i think. my favourite was the dark brotherhood, and thieves guild quests. i agree with the points you made in your post.

Did the OP join any factions? If not well... that's like 50% if not more of the game thrown out the window

This

And what other RPG can give you even 70 hours? I can beat Mass Effect in like 20-30 hours so.... "only" 70 hours? I've gotten 150 and still going, and I play CONSOLE.

I was about to flame you because you said Skyrim is much better than WoW.
Do not mention *** in these forums at all! Breaks the immersion!!!!

Ok now... if you are a pc user... you are in luck.
Check these PRE-CK mods and imagine what mods there will be out there after the CK.

Tytanis mod.
A ****load of new stuff. No better way to explain this:
http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1601

And...

Plutoman's mod PISE a WIP project...
Makes the scaling more diverse - from dragons to bandits - meaning that it makes the game less boring:
http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1269

I can't help but notice you compare it alot to wow, this isn't an MMORPG, that's like comparing Flight simulator to Battlefield. The graphics looks great on my PC which surpasses FFXIV's (see wut I did thar?!) Both of which run on full Video settings.
And the whole class thing? in Morrowind & Oblivion you Could make your own class with major and minor skills, in Skyrim you play how you want, Make a sword and board toting heavy armor with Restoration, and boom you could be a Paladin, Or a Battlemage/Red mage (See wut I did thar?!) strapping in Light armor with a sword and spell.

In an MMORPG like FFXI, FFXIV, and Wow they have Set classes so a person isnt Overpowered, in Skyrim You could choose to be Overpowered and learn every friggen skill, or CHOOSE to extend the playability by having set characters only use set skills like The Paladin Build above Just because he COULD use destruction magic doesn't mean you have to, leave that to your Black Mages and Red Mages(Again I say!) I mean your Destruction & Battle mages.

You can't kill children in Skyrim, Cyrodiil, New Vegas or New D.C. any game that children are present in Bethesda's Creations are immortal, I have no idea where you reside but killing a kid is often seen as a greater crime then killing an advlt where I live, which is where Elder scrolls are made

I love the limited voice acting, I love the guards that sound like Arnold Schwarzenegger xD the Voice Acting was way worse in Oblivion, The homeless beggars couldn't decide if they wanted to talk to you in a crackly nasty voice, or a regal one

I'm not so sure why everyone hates the combat system... Left Trigger for left hand, Right Trigger for right hand, the combat animations are alot better then in previous TES games, especially the barbaric and simple animations of Morrowind.

and if you're in a jam during battle you don't have to hit escape or pause the game, let that Draugr Deathlord kick your ass and kill you re-load and turn around, return when you are stronger.

Skyrim is only Immersive as you want it to be

Single-player games are meant to be beaten. And judging by the amount of time you've played the game, you've got more than your money's worth.

70 hours isn't that bad.
That's roughly 0.86 cent per hour of entertainment.
Pretty cheap compared to any other form of entertainment.

I got my money's worth, no doubt. I don't think its GOTY however.

I will probably finish the main quest then put it down for a year, and load some choice mods.

I will comment on the universe-freezing-menu bit: A month ago I thought to myself how it would be cool if they made the game so that absolutely no menu except the System menu (saving, loading, options, controls, etc) froze time. Out in the wilderness and but you need to refer to something in some book with a clue in it? Better make sure you've scouted the immediate area and find a low spot so you're concealed and you don't get jumped by a bandit. Clearing out a bandit stronghold but you wanna switch weapons? Better clear the room out and do it quick so some patrolling bandit doesn't come along while you're in the process. Fighting a tough enemy and wanna stop and eat some mammoth snout (seriously kinda disgusting) change armor completely, switch weapons and drink three or four potions? Tough crap, that ain't happening; or, rather, you could do it, but the other guy's gonna be whaling on you the whole time.

Hell, just changing a single piece of armor gauntlets or boots should take a good thirty seconds. You ever try and change from one pair of boots to another? You won't be doing it in two seconds, I can tell you that much. Even if they're cowboy boots it'll take a few seconds, and good luck changing boots while standing up, much less in the middle of a fight. "Oh, but I was using my sneak-boots at first but now they see me so I wanna switch to my solid metal steel-plate man-war-face-stomping boots and switch from my bow to my axe and shield and switch from my Necklace of Dirty Sneak Thieving +30% to my Amulet of RRRRAWRRRRR Bloody Warfare and take off the Archer's gloves and put on the Ebony Gauntlets of Larynx-Crushing +50%!" Ummmm...how about NO?

I'm not saying everybody ought to play Dead is Dead - I'm not - but hell, being able to pause time during battle, drink yourself back to full health, magic and endurance and switch weapons, armor and spells is just a really unbelievable power. It's like some secret magic spell that takes no magic power and which is more powerful than any other spell in any TES game ever.

I have played this game for about 240 hours and i'm still havin' fun! i'm i'm only level 46! :intergalactic:

Not necessarily. Spore, for example, and really any Will Wright game ever. Spore's a crappy, crappy, miserable game, of course, but man, it's one hell of an awesome toy if you like building things. Alien creatures, buildings, or vehicles - you can do pretty much anything.

And winning isn't in there at all.

I don't group simulation games with RPGs.

Right. Agree on this, and its a problem. If I didn't want to lose any more fights in the game, I would level Alchemy, brew and keep on hand 100 health pots at all times.

You should check out the way its done in Witcher 2. You have 5 "slots" (pockets) which you can put your popular items in, and cycle through them using a single key or bind them individually to hotkeys. There is a slow time feature when you start rifling through things not in your pockets. So you are not invincible and still have to work quickly. Time is slowed to about 1/4th real time. It is really well implemented.

If you want my advice, I think you should just give the game a break. Come back to it later and things will seem fresher, flaws less glaring.

Thanks, thats good advice. It is starting to feel like a grind.

I will have to agree, going to the menu during a battle and changing things like shouts, potions, armor, and weapons is very helpful. Without it, what's the point.

I would say play a diferent game for a while, then go back to playing Skyrim. That's what I do.

cant tell if trolling... some of your concerns are genuine, but some are just.... what? you got 70 hours, thats already more than most games.

cutscenes? you want cutscenes? you dont seem to know bethesda very well. story isnt their strong suit AT ALL. whatever could be gained from a bethesda cutscene wouldnt even outweigh the minor annoyance of being unable to play for 30 seconds.

there is no economy in skyrim. now granted some dynamism would be nice, but why are comparing this to WoW? the economy in WoW is player driven and doesnt have a speech skill, and has literally thousands of items, almost all of which have some use to the player. i mean... you cant even compare them.

yeah no classes is stupid, but again your expecting WoW-style, which is even worse. your not supposed to commit to one pre-designed path in TES games, you are supposed to take up speech and acrobatics to get the majority of enemies to no longer be hostile with the ability to blaze right past any who are still hostile; as in come up with whatever class you want. the complete lack of any major skill system stomps all over the sense of progression and character identity, but being told you are a mage who will learn these spells, only these spells, and to a definite endpoint in power is just bananas.

scaling has always been an issue. bethesda is actually getting better, but frankly we always leave it to modders... theyre better at it anyway.

the game was optimized for consoles. give it a few years, digital distribution will sweep the world over, and theyll come crying back to the PC begging us for forgiveness of their awful console ports :spotted owl: .