Skyrim: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:54 pm

Hey guys its AustralianGamer117 here and I want to talk to you all about Skyrim; its innovations, its flaws, and things we would like added, removed, changed or expanded upon. Skyrim, by most peoples standards and by my standards is an excellent game. Its both a masterpiece and an epic. I didn't make this thread to rip on the game but rather talk about it. In my opinion, the thing that makes Skyrim soo great is its wide open world. You are free to do as you please, travel where you want, went you want and how you want. You control how your character fights and how he fits into the world whether you are a thief or a vampire that works in the dead of night, an adventurer or mercenary that hops from town to town looking for leads for further adventuring, or a murderer or waylayer that kills innocent people for potential profit. Freedom of choice is the main emphasis of this game as opposed to other games with linear storylines that confine the player to level based world systems etc. Open endedness is the epitome of Elder Scrolls and the pinnacle of gaming ingenuity at its finest. However, despite being an open world adventure, Skyrim lacks on character integration and interaction; a staple in roleplaying games. Most characters simply ignore your character, spouting off some generic comment based on their disposition toward you such as, "It's a fine day with you around."

After Morrowind, the Elder Scrolls games seem to be getting a more mainstream and almost a bit generic. By no means what so ever am I saying this as an insult to Todd Howard, his team at Bethesda, or the wonderful work that they did with the Elder Scrolls franchise. I just feel that Morrowind was extremely desirable in many aspects and that I believe these aspects should be corporated in future elder scrolls games. Enemy variation is highly limited in Skyrim compared to Morrowind. In Skyrim's caves you will either find vampires, bandits, falmer, or mages, draugr. Each has very few differentiation among its ranks. There are only a few types of falmer and badits with only slight stat variation and usuaully no visible differentiation. In tombs, fighting only draugr can get a bit mundane. However, with Dawguard, the Soul Cairn has a decent variation among the undead with the Bonemen, Wrathmen, Mistmen, Keepers, Skeletons, etc. They actually have unique differences such as Mistmen only being a floating upper torso, Wrathmen being a skeleton wearing ancient nordic armour, keepers being 8 ft tall monstrocities with Dragonbone armor. This large variety of variation among the enemies is scene in Morrowind as will. Some undead are large, hulking beasts, some are skeletons, then there are the bone-lords. Each has their own uniqueness making them fun to fight.

I do not bestow any criticism in order to defame or diminish the Elder Scrolls series, but rather shed light on things that could be done in future games/DLC's to improve the game fanchise. Ultimatly I would like to see more cities (or at least smaller ones) and small unique towns that provides lore and back story. I would also like to see Inns on the road with unique atmosphere in order to enhance the immersion purpose of the game. Also, I think it would be a good idea to add more item variation such as spears, thrown weapons, medium armor(thats a stretch) as well as consumable variation such as seen in Morrowind with Greef, Flin, Sujamma, etc. I also like in Morrowind that certain venders wouldnt speak to you if you were carrying illegal substances. Thats the kind of immersion Elder Scrolls needs. Also, I would like to see more variation between the factions of enemies. Again I reference to Dawnguard's enemies within the Soul Cairn and Morrowind's enemies. The more unique enemies a game has, the better experience they have exploring. The number one thing I wished was in Skyrim was a better character interaction and integration system such as characters/followers that progress and develop throughout the game experience not just an NPC with a few speech options. Dynamic dialogue and interaction is what elder scrolls needs.

My next topic is Daedra. Elder Scrolls feels like its conflict lore revolves around Daedra and yet there are only a handful of Dremora in Skyrim and no Clanfear, Daedroths, Xivalai, Scamps, Spider Daedra, etc. Both Oblivion and Morrowind have Daedra as a main aspect of the lore and environment. Morrowind had Daedric Temples and Skyrim had Oblivion Gates. I would prefer the return of temples. To expand upon this, however, i would like to see different temples dedicated to different Daedric Princes, each having unique eneimies to fight ie Molag Bal having some sort of Vampir Lords of Coldharbor or Peryite having diseased, bloated corpses guarding his Temples. Obviously they would have to pick and choose which daedric princes they would include because there are too many to include, but its the start of an idea. There could also be different factions associated with each prince that you could align yourself with that would allow you to enter there temples scattered around a landscape and not be attacked by worshippers or Daedra. Inside the temples, there could be venders that sell specific items linked to each prince such as Mehrunes Dagon followers inside the temples would sell some sort of cursed artifacts while Meridia followers in her temples would sell things to purge the undead. This would be great variation to the game. Having different Daedric princes with temples across the gaming environment could provide rooms for factions associated with each (My picks would be for Dagon, Molag Bal, Vaermina, Meridia, and Sheogorath but thats just me personally.)

Thanks for reading, mates :)

PS, i might start a new topic later on the Daedric Temple idea cuz i like it :P
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Lil'.KiiDD
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 1:14 pm

My next topic is Daedra. Elder Scrolls feels like its conflict lore revolves around Daedra and yet there are only a handful of Dremora in Skyrim and no Clanfear, Daedroths, Xivalai, Scamps, Spider Daedra, etc. Both Oblivion and Morrowind have Daedra as a main aspect of the lore and environment. Morrowind had Daedric Temples and Skyrim had Oblivion Gates. I would prefer the return of temples. To expand upon this, however, i would like to see different temples dedicated to different Daedric Princes, each having unique eneimies to fight ie Molag Bal having some sort of Vampir Lords of Coldharbor or Peryite having diseased, bloated corpses guarding his Temples. Obviously they would have to pick and choose which daedric princes they would include because there are too many to include, but its the start of an idea. There could also be different factions associated with each prince that you could align yourself with that would allow you to enter there temples scattered around a landscape and not be attacked by worshippers or Daedra. Inside the temples, there could be venders that sell specific items linked to each prince such as Mehrunes Dagon followers inside the temples would sell some sort of cursed artifacts while Meridia followers in her temples would sell things to purge the undead. This would be great variation to the game. Having different Daedric princes with temples across the gaming environment could provide rooms for factions associated with each (My picks would be for Dagon, Molag Bal, Vaermina, Meridia, and Sheogorath but thats just me personally.)

Thanks for reading, mates :smile:

PS, i might start a new topic later on the Daedric Temple idea cuz i like it :tongue:

Since Oblivion crisis Daedra worship is frowned upon even more it makes sense for the lack of temple.
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Chris Jones
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:23 pm

OP: you forgot dwemer automatons!
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Yama Pi
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 9:25 am

Yes, dwemer stuff rocks. And just because it is frowned upon in one era doesnt mean it has to be discontinued in the next. Even if it is not daedric temples or anything, they need to find something to expand upon otherwise content from each game to the next will continue to dwindle. It just has to be something new with good variation of enemies and items. Keeps things feeling fresh and new :).
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Hannah Barnard
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:00 pm

Yes, dwemer stuff rocks. And just because it is frowned upon in one era doesnt mean it has to be discontinued in the next. Even if it is not daedric temples or anything, they need to find something to expand upon otherwise content from each game to the next will continue to dwindle. It just has to be something new with good variation of enemies and items. Keeps things feeling fresh and new :smile:.

Well there are shrines but it's not as populated as in Oblivion.
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Rhi Edwards
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:31 pm

Yes, dwemer stuff rocks. And just because it is frowned upon in one era doesnt mean it has to be discontinued in the next. Even if it is not daedric temples or anything, they need to find something to expand upon otherwise content from each game to the next will continue to dwindle. It just has to be something new with good variation of enemies and items. Keeps things feeling fresh and new :).

I think daedra are getting a little time-out for now. They'll be back, for sure! Makes sense ina country which doesn't really trust magic, and a world which still remembers the oblivion crisis....
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Manny(BAKE)
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:56 pm

Skyrim seems to be a highly nine/eight/skooma divines oriented area, so daedra worship is obviously even more frowned upon there.
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matt
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:02 pm

Thats right, I guess I gotta brush up on my lore. But still, I hold my position that they need more faction with a higher level of player development. In the mages guild you should have to progress your way up the different schools of magic and become skilled in each before attaining the next rank such has having to increase my conjuration skill to become an adept conjurer. I hate that I became the Arch Mage and only using like 2 spells. I also wanna see more factions. :)
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N Only WhiTe girl
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 11:44 am

Thats right, I guess I gotta brush up on my lore. But still, I hold my position that they need more faction with a higher level of player development. In the mages guild you should have to progress your way up the different schools of magic and become skilled in each before attaining the next rank such has having to increase my conjuration skill to become an adept conjurer. I hate that I became the Arch Mage and only using like 2 spells. I also wanna see more factions. :smile:

Agreed Skyrim guilds are joke. Except the dark brotherhood, that one's alright.
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Michael Russ
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:53 pm

I hate that I became the Arch Mage and only using like 2 spells. I also wanna see more factions. :)

LOL yeah the CoW questline was pretty abysmal...
If not more factions, then several different questlines for each faction would do!
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Bereket Fekadu
 
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Post » Sat Jun 30, 2012 12:08 am

I beat the CoW questline in under a day... It's longer than the storyline for Tails in Sonic Adventure at least?
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Rob Smith
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:48 pm

Yeah, and I want titles to actually matter. People criticizing me for shouting in public after I just killed Alduin the World Eater and descended from Sovngarde is pretty immersion breaking. I wish people would change the way they talk to you and actually address you properly depending on if you are the listener of the DB, Stormblade, the Dragonborn, etc.
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Prisca Lacour
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 11:03 am

Yeah, and I want titles to actually matter. People criticizing me for shouting in public after I just killed Alduin the World Eater and descended from Sovngarde is pretty immersion breaking. I wish people would change the way they talk to you and actually address you properly depending on if you are the listener of the DB, Stormblade, the Dragonborn, etc.

Yeah especially the dragonborn. Skyrim doesn't make me feel the legendary hero of the nords. The people didn't even react to accordingly.
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Jhenna lee Lizama
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:09 pm

What's so impressive about shouting? Klawed shouts at mommy Klawed all the time and just gets in trouble.
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Tanya Parra
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 9:38 pm

What's so impressive about shouting? Klawed shouts at mommy Klawed all the time and just gets in trouble.

It's supposed to be the ancient arts of the nords and it's not just about shouting the dragonborn is a legendary hero of the nords. It would be nice if the nords adress us accordingly.
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Daddy Cool!
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:44 pm

It's supposed to be the ancient arts of the nords and it's not just about shouting the dragonborn is a legendary hero of the nords. It would be nice if the nords adress us accordingly.
M'aiq is suing me and you don't get my joke? I'm being sued for nothing!
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Ann Church
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 2:02 pm

M'aiq is suing me and you don't get my joke? I'm being sued for nothing!

No, sorry I don't talk khajiit. :biggrin:
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CxvIII
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:25 pm

Lols, in a nut shell here is what Skyrim needs

>More character integration and npc interaction

>more variation among enemies

>longer, more indepth factions

> more weapon, armour, and item variation.

Im not being a morrowind really devoted fan with nostalgia goggles or anything, and not saying they have to remove quest markers or make things confusing or anything. I actually consider myself the casual gamer. I just want each time I play to be filled with new and exciting experience. Most importantly is factions and enemy variation. The only thing that ruined draugr fighting for me is how mundane they became. As I said earlier, Dawnguard did a good job with the Mistmen and such to provide different types of enemies to fight. I wanna see more envasive combat such as one enemy protecting his ally from harm with some type of ward and enemies healing each other, etc.
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Mizz.Jayy
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 2:48 pm

sorry, first sentence of last paragraph was illogical. i mean morrowind really devoted fan. my bad lol.
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Oceavision
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:25 am

what the hell, it wont let me type the word fanb0y hear. lol
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Emzy Baby!
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:04 am

Lols, in a nut shell here is what Skyrim needs

>More character integration and npc interaction

>more variation among enemies

>longer, more indepth factions

> more weapon, armour, and item variation.

Im not being a morrowind really devoted fan with nostalgia goggles or anything, and not saying they have to remove quest markers or make things confusing or anything. I actually consider myself the casual gamer. I just want each time I play to be filled with new and exciting experience. Most importantly is factions and enemy variation. The only thing that ruined draugr fighting for me is how mundane they became. As I said earlier, Dawnguard did a good job with the Mistmen and such to provide different types of enemies to fight. I wanna see more envasive combat such as one enemy protecting his ally from harm with some type of ward and enemies healing each other, etc.
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Shannon Marie Jones
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:04 pm

About the factions... I did the companions in under 2 hours. That is ridiculous. They could of done such a better job. And then the little jobs you can do once your finished are even worse. Kill the wolf. Really, that's my quest? And when I enter the house where the wolf is, the orc resident is in there with it and then suddenly kills the wolf with his pick axe. :facepalm: Very stupid to say the least.
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Ysabelle
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:01 pm

and i wouldnt mind elseweyr being the next elder scrolls game Mr Klawed Flaw, The Khajiit-meister
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NAtIVe GOddess
 
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Post » Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:31 pm

and i wouldnt mind elseweyr being the next elder scrolls game Mr Klawed Flaw, The Khajiit-meister
I'd love it, but it seems we're on a trip to the land of the Altmer most likely. But, Elsweyr is a client state for the Thalmor right now.
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Avril Louise
 
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