» Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:32 pm First of all, let me excuse for my poor english, wich is not my native language since I'm italian.
Now, as I wrote in the title, I'm going to buy a second copy of Skyrim. Let me introduce myself before explaining why. I've been a TES fan for a long time now, starting from daggerfall (I was just a teen), going through Morrowind and Oblivion and now, finally, Skyrim. No need to say I loved the first two, a bit less of love for Oblivion, however. Don't get me wrong, it was definetly a great game, but maybe it lacks some "charm" IMO. It's a matter of personal tastes, of course. Daggerfall was HUGE and I really enjoied it, but it's almost 15 years now. I think it doesn't make much sense talking about a 15years old technology. Morrowind was... I barely can find any adjectives for it. Let's say it was a world in wich you felt you could live a life, in all its freedom, maybe for the first time in a real 3D ambient. Definetly my favorite until....until Skyrim. Now it's a very hard duel between the two, I can't still claim a winner. Neither Morrowind nor Skyrim are perfect, both have their flaws (small, but still), but I can state, with no doubt at all, they're by far the best games I've ever played. I have to admit, i was somehow skeptical before Skyrim's release. I was worried about the new perk system and the "dumbing down" of some RPG mechanics, the attributes above all. But now that I have played more than 150 hours, I'm quite comfortable with them. Moreover, the perk system allows us, maybe for the first time in TES' story, to really play a "role". I know it can sound as a blasphemy to someone, but let me explain: one of the charateristics of Morrowind and Oblivion (both the strenght and the weakness at the same time, if you ask me) was the possibility to do virtually anything. You could be a mage wearing heavy armor and sneaking too. You could master every ability in the game. You could do the same in skyrim as well, but here's where perks come and make a HUGE sense, in my opinion: specialization, in other words. That makes every new game, with a new perks selection a whole new experience. And that is, IMO, real RPGing. You play a definite role, not a god-like superpowered hero able to do anything!
Now, before writing down what makes Skyrim a great game, I'd like to explain what makes it "not" perfect.
-A lesser variety of items and creatures
-Very few spells, compared to previous TES games
-lack of spell customization
-Magic somehow weaker than weapons
-Just a bunch of guilds to join and quite short questlines
-No real ranks in the guilds, wich sometimes makes me "missing" the feeling of advancing through the ranks.
-A poor UI, maybe too console user-frienfly
-non "state of the art graphics"
- An overall "dumbing down" in some aspects of the game
- A few more wich I can't think of, since I'm just back home after a few beers
What makes skyrim GREAT:
- It's EPIC. Maybe even more than in previous TES games, you breathe the "epic" atmosphere. This could possibly be explained by the "viking-ish" background. But also, for example, aligning with the stormcloaks or the empire, makes you feeling like "part of something" bigger than you.
- LOTS of things to do. An almost infinite number of "minor", never banol, quests.
- The crafting system: It was about time!
- The maniacal cure of the smallest detail: this is the perfect Beth's style!
- Soundtrack, simply beautiful and huge variety: Let me spend some words about this. I love Sergio Leone's movies. But none of 'em would be the same without Ennio Morricone's music. This applies for TES games too. Jeremy Soule is a genious, a real one.I love this guy! PLEASE, never let him go, beth!
- It's immersive, much more than Oblivion. It's been a long time since I was so addicted to a game. I'm not a teen anymore, and it becomes harder day after day. But with Skyrim I almost forgot the real world for two weeks!
- it's mature. it's plenty of examples, just the first one coming to my mind: Remember what Astrid says about those "victims"? Or Babette, it's a touch of class!
- Many, many others I can't think of, since I'm just back home after a few beers and a long writing in my non-native language
Now, finally, Why am I going to pay 50 more € for a game I already own? It's quite simple, actually. I want to support the great job Beth's done with Skyrim. And, at the same time, I want to put my small contribute to the PC-gaming industry. Please, Beth, never forget we're still here. I know what's Bethesda in Philip K. dike's novels
I'll never blame you for trying to make profits, that's what any company does. But we (PC USERS) are still part of the market. We are still glade to give you a lot of money, you deserve it!Small tip: you've already earned an insane amount of cash with skyrim. Want more?
Try to re-invest in it, relasing a huge expansion (such as a whole province... you have the means now, no excuses! ) and I - and many others, i'm sure- will be glad to pay 50€ more! 
