The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

[mckerney]

Yeah, with Steam it installs as it downloads. When it is released you'll need to wait for it to decrypt, download the day one patch (though hopefully that will go online before release) and then you might have to wait for some direct x or other drivers to install before you play.

[Thomkal]

Okay so I caved. The various previews I've seen are intriguing enough for me to give it a try. Besides my birthday is Monday and I needed to give myself a present. I'm probably going some kind of mage/archer to try keep everything from getting into hand to hand range since I struggled with the combat in Morrowind.

[MizzouRah]

I'm excited just to read the IGN review tomorrow.

[Peregrine]

The funny thing about this game is that I knew I would immediately buy it no matter what, so I haven't really been following the changes from the previous versions. So when I just read an article about the perk trees, shout system, dual handing spells, etc, well - my mind exploded.

Graclll-dmogy-wejeasd-qashdr Friday....

[CleBrownsfan]

Some reviews are out:

Gametrailers video review

IGN video review

Gamespot

[Peregrine]

IGN's gameplay commentary was really cool - to get an idea of how everything looks in gameplay.

Skyrim PC Version Gameplay Commentary Video - PC - IGN

[tyketime]

Originally Posted by tyketime

I downloaded mine from D2D, but when it tried to "install" within Steam, I got an error saying it can't install because the game has not been released yet. So when you did your preload, did you get further in the process than that? If so, I may click the Preload button inside Steam tonight.

I did go ahead and click the Preload button on Steam last night. The bad news is it downloaded the entire game again (~5GB), but my game status now says Preloaded. I can't wait for tomorrow morning - a quick decryption and patch, and goodbye weekend!

[TroyF]

12 est tonight, right?

If that's the case, I'll get a couple of hours into it tonight before bed.

[tyketime]

Originally Posted by TroyF

12 est tonight, right?

If that's the case, I'll get a couple of hours into it tonight before bed.

I haven't checked in past two days, but it seemed to me like it was closer to 4am EST. But I hope you are right!

EDIT: Couldn't wait, so checked from work. Currently 10:30ish am EST, and screen says it will unlock in approximately 14 hours. So... that makes it close to midnight EST. Awesome!

[Izulde]

Just got the text from Gamestop to be there at 10 pm to finalize payment even though I already paid for it.

Should probably show up a couple hours early anyway, as the BF3 midnight release was surprisingly packed when I went by my location.

[tyketime]

Originally Posted by Izulde

Just got the text from Gamestop to be there at 10 pm to finalize payment even though I already paid for it.

Should probably show up a couple hours early anyway, as the BF3 midnight release was surprisingly packed when I went by my location.

I haven't picked up the latest COD, but for Black Ops midnight release, Gamestop had three lines. First was to finalize payment. You got a different receipt at that point. Those people then filed into Line #2 to wait until midnight. Finally, Line #3 were for those who had not preordered, and were hoping extra copies would be available.

[GrantDawg]

I've watched the reviews, and it does indeed look like an incredible game. IGN rates it as the "best RPG ever made." Sadly, it still not one I would play. The combat system is not one I can work. If they had an "auto-attack" option, or something like that, fine. But I can't do the button mashing, move with keyboard thing. It kills me, because it really does look fantastic. They said the PC version looks much better than the console versions.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I've watched the reviews, and it does indeed look like an incredible game. IGN rates it as the "best RPG ever made." Sadly, it still not one I would play. The combat system is not one I can work. If they had an "auto-attack" option, or something like that, fine. But I can't do the button mashing, move with keyboard thing. It kills me, because it really does look fantastic. They said the PC version looks much better than the console versions.

Grant this has been my reason for not getting more involved in the Elder Scrolls games as I mentioned earlier in the thread-I think it may be a bit easier to handle this time around though. I'll let you know when I get into the game. I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of defenseless trees and rocks very unhappy with me that I used them as a testing ground.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Grant this has been my reason for not getting more involved in the Elder Scrolls games as I mentioned earlier in the thread-I think it may be a bit easier to handle this time around though. I'll let you know when I get into the game. I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of defenseless trees and rocks very unhappy with me that I used them as a testing ground.

Please do. I look forward to your report.

[DaddyTorgo]

Ugh. Expensive gaming month this.

[stevew]

Anyone have a link to a PC Can I Run This tool for Skyrim?

[CleBrownsfan]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Ugh. Expensive gaming month this.

No kidding!

[mckerney]

Wot I Think – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | Rock, Paper, Shotgun

Every time Bethesda reveal a new game, one of the first queries they have to deal with is how big its world is compared to previous games, with the general onlooker sentiment being that their open worlds are shrinking with every new generation. I can promise you that Skyrim is an enormous game, perhaps Bethesda’s biggest yet in my perception of it, and that isn’t anything to do with landmass (of which there is a vast and wonderfully varied amount). It’s because there’s so damned much to do. Hours fly by, great adventures are embarked on, and it barely dents what’s on offer. The thieves’ guild questline alone, the closest thing my time with the game had to a fixed purpose, offers more than do most other big-budget games’ singleplayer modes.

And it’s good stuff too, this thievery corporations’ tasks: long, ambitious, twisty quests that take you all over Skyrim, require lateral thinking and exploration of the outer limits of stealth, plus offer bona fide drama and intrigue whose outcome I was invested in for reasons beyond money and power. I’ve only made early inroads into the Companions arc and that seems similarly huge – add in the other guilds and factions, and the reputation quests offered by each city’s rulers, and the purportedly infinite roster of procedurally-generated favours for random NPCs, and you have something of grand magnitude, and an RPG that no sane person would consider writing a review based on a mere four days’ play. Sigh. Still- expect follow-up pieces, particularly on the main, dragon-y questline that I’ve seen nothing of, so happy was I in doing my own, primarily kleptomania-based thing.

...

Maybe I’ll do all that next time. First though, I really fancy a nice set of Glass Armour, so time to explore a few caves for ore to mine then spend some good, honest hours at the forge. I may be some time. I may be the rest of the year, and beyond. Not only is Skyrim, for my money, the game of the year, but… oh this is hard. Very hard. I’m sorry Morrowind – I love you, but I don’t need you anymore. I think, at last, there is a new Best Elder Scrolls Ever.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by stevew

Anyone have a link to a PC Can I Run This tool for Skyrim?

Good idea. I need to verify that myself tonight (although I assume I can, I want to see where I stack up to its requirements graphically).

System Requirements Lab

it's listed under T for "The Elder Scrolls" by the way - that threw me

[Thomkal]

PC Gamer Review:

Skyrim PC review

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Good idea. I need to verify that myself tonight (although I assume I can, I want to see where I stack up to its requirements graphically).

System Requirements Lab

it's listed under T for "The Elder Scrolls" by the way - that threw me

Sweet! My almost 3 year old laptop can run this.

[Thomkal]

There's been a couple small patches this morning on Steam-I saw one which was very small, so you might get Steam going just to get up to date.

[MizzouRah]

I've been watching that live feed.. can't wait to get into this tomorrow.

[Scoobz0202]

The Giantbomb one, Mizzou?

[tyketime]

So I've read a couple reviews that mention the controls for the PC are awkward (my term). I went with PC version because of better graphics and ultimately the mod community. Just read that the XBOX community will also get a 30-day head-start on the first 2 DLC's, and that the interface is "better". Any reason I should be concerned? Are most of you getting the PC version?

[Scoobz0202]

The major concerns right now I'm reading from people who are playing because they used a VPN are that the keyboard/mouse is pretty weak, mainly in the menus. A lot of the menus you can't even use your mouse. Which is absurd.

This can be fixed, or at least it can be from the mod community I am sure, but out of the box that is ridiculous.

edit: I still think in the long run, due to the modding communities ability to fix the menus and enhance the graphics through texture packs, the PC is the way to go. Just disappointing that something so simple can be so stupidly implemented. Worst case, the way my system is set up, I'll just plug my PC into my big screen and use a controller and get the best of both worlds (PC on high settings, and a interface obviously set up for a game controller)

[stevew]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Good idea. I need to verify that myself tonight (although I assume I can, I want to see where I stack up to its requirements graphically).

System Requirements Lab

it's listed under T for "The Elder Scrolls" by the way - that threw me

Thanks. I was having a hard time finding it. Sometimes Google is unbearable to search.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

The major concerns right now I'm reading from people who are playing because they used a VPN are that the keyboard/mouse is pretty weak, mainly in the menus. A lot of the menus you can't even use your mouse. Which is absurd.

This can be fixed, or at least it can be from the mod community I am sure, but out of the box that is ridiculous.

edit: I still think in the long run, due to the modding communities ability to fix the menus and enhance the graphics through texture packs, the PC is the way to go. Just disappointing that something so simple can be so stupidly implemented. Worst case, the way my system is set up, I'll just plug my PC into my big screen and use a controller and get the best of both worlds (PC on high settings, and a interface obviously set up for a game controller)

Ah, so it they didn't even bother doing a PC UI if you can't use the mouse in some menus. Hopefully Bethesda fixes it and we don't need to wait for mods, no reason there should be console style controls for menus and inventory when doing it mouse based is so much easier. It also wouldn't surprise me if they didn't both making the text smaller for PC than console like with the last couple Fallout games.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by mckerney

Ah, so it they didn't even bother doing a PC UI if you can't use the mouse in some menus. Hopefully Bethesda fixes it and we don't need to wait for mods, no reason there should be console style controls for menus and inventory when doing it mouse based is so much easier. It also wouldn't surprise me if they didn't both making the text smaller for PC than console like with the last couple Fallout games.

If Bethesda doesn't fix it, I'm sure DaRN's UI mod will. That's not insider knowledge, I just can't imagine an Elder Scrolls game without a DaRNified interface.

[cthomer5000]

Pumped for this. Been intentionally avoiding a lot of coverage since i've had it pre-ordered since June.

Only felt so-so about Oblivion, but i only played that after Fallout 3 (which is probably my favorite game of all time). It seems like they've made a lot of sensible interface and upgrade changes though based on Fallout. I did find Oblivion needlessly complicated when it came to leveling.

I am pretty sure i'm going to end up loving this game. Even if i think it's 'OK' im sure i'll get a ton of playtime out of it.

[terpkristin]

Got my shipping notification....will be here tomorrow...

/tk

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm honestly scared to death that the changes - specifically the ones to dual-hand weaponry - are going to be too much for my poor button mashing skills.

I grew to be pretty comfortable with the pause-menu-change-resume sequence of combat, and since I'm not very good a shield was pretty much mandatory, so right-hand wielding only was plenty for me.

[frnk55]

Going to be a long day tomorrow at work. Feel like a kid at Christmas.

[CrimsonFox]

I'm still trying to get Reilly's dumb guys off the dumb hotel roof and find the dumb kid in greyditch a place to live AND find the dumb sewers to kill more dumb molerats.

[Mustang]

All pre-loaded... just have to wait 2 hours now.

[Thomkal]

One potential warning here from reading the forums over at Bethesda-it's probably best not to change your keybindings from the default yet-several people are reporting that the menus do not update to reflect the changes-the menu will continue to say to hit the default key to do something rather than the key you changed it too. Appears there's a fix for it in the next patch-unclear if its any patch we might get tonight when the game unlocks

Edit: This is for the PC version

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

I'm still trying to get Reilly's dumb guys off the dumb hotel roof and find the dumb kid in greyditch a place to live AND find the dumb sewers to kill more dumb molerats.

Reilly's Rangers were a pain in the ass. Definitely not cut out to be Rockin' Rangers of the Junior Jimmy Brigade.

[Thomkal]

Steam says we can play now

[sabotai]

Decrypting now.

[tyketime]

Mine doesn't yet... restarting...

EDIT: YES! Restart worked... decrypting now

[lighthousekeeper]

decrypting is pretty slow.

[tyketime]

While waiting for midnight, I saw this. Looks like $27 online (ouch!). I wonder since it is digital if they will keep it "up-to-date"...

Work began on the official guide in early May, when I commenced an overwhelming trek into every frigid corner of Skyrim. Initially, I was thinking this would be a similar experience to my work on the Fallout 3 guide. But then phrases like “even more epic” and “five times the size” were whispered to me. More than five months, close to 2,000 man-hours of work (between myself and co-author Steve Stratton), several thousand cups of tea and packets of Monster Munch later, and with a massive support structure from both Bethesda and Prima, the guide is complete.


This weighty tome clocks in at 656 pages. It is around 550,000 words. It has over 150 maps and well over 1,000 screenshots. It has an interactive online version with a malleable world map (and an iPad map app). But more importantly, it’s been designed to fundamentally aid the adventurer no matter what their skill level, knowledge of the series, or familiarity with past Bethesda titles.

[Thomkal]

yeah stuck on 35% for a couple mins, now moving quickly and downloaded

[Thomkal]

now downloading a directx file :::sigh:::

[tyketime]

Preparing to launch now!

[tyketime]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

now downloading a directx file :::sigh:::

I thought I read something about a Day 1 patch as well...

[Thomkal]

and after the game detects my video settings for Ultra High, I'm in. See ya

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by tyketime

I thought I read something about a Day 1 patch as well...

There were two small patches over Steam this morning, not sure if that's what you are talking about or not.

[Izulde]

This is the first time I've ever hated living in PST.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by Izulde

This is the first time I've ever hated living in PST.

It might be unlocked on steam for you if you have steam...

My game is unlocked around 11PM CST. I think I heard rumors earlier the unlock time was going to be 12:01AM EST so... might as well check it out.