The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
 

I can't imagine I'm the only person here looking forward to Skyrim. I've only played Morrowind and Oblivion, but they're two of the best games I've ever played and November can't get here quickly enough.

I haven't checked into it for a month or two, so if anyone has heard anything about it recently, feel free to share. I believe I read they were adding a talent system similar to Fallout 3, which should be interesting, though I'm not sure I prefer it over the improve-with-use system they had.

One thing about these games that I think needs improvement is the main quest line. I've literally never bothered with them; as soon as I get past the tutorial, I'm gone, off to explore Tamriel, without a care in the world for whatever I'm "supposed" to be doing. I don't want them to restrict free-roaming or anything, I just want the main quest to be more engaging and rewarding than it has been in the past.

Also, did I hear dual-wielding was in, or was that just a rumor? And dragons, too?

Oh, and any word on how level-scaling will work? I'm hoping they do some sort of mix of Morrowind and Oblivion, ideally without the shortcomings of either system.

11/11/11 I know what I'm getting for my birthday! You're not alone in the want of Skyrim! I've heard about the Dragons, and the Teaser Trailer I saw had one, but I haven't heard about Dual-Weilding. I seriously hope your right about that. I'd also like to see other ranged weapons then staffs and bows. Like maybe throwing knives, or staight up shuriken. I haven't heard about the leveling, but I think that you get powers from the various dragons you kill in the main quest, and if so then that would be the only reason that I would even bother with the main quest. I didn't mind the leveling of Oblivion, but I haven't played morrowwind in so long I don't remember how the leveling worked. I would liek to see the ability to kill off important characters again. That was fun.

Well, what I mean by level scaling is, you know how in Oblivion, you won't see a Daedric item until you're level 17(ish)? In Morrowind, certain NPCs had Daedric or Ebony or Glass or whathaveyou items, regardless of level; they didn't scale to the players' level. If you could kill them, the stuff was yours.

Same thing for dungeons. The game didn't care if you were level 3. If there was a Nether Lich in there, there was a Nether Lich in there, better luck next time. And if you could sneak past, or overcome the guardians, the treasure was yours, regardless of what level you were.

So, basically, what I'd like is a mix between the two, where low-level dungeons scale up a bit so you don't wind up getting bored with how easy they are, but keep the high-level dungeons around for some brave and daring exploration.

NPCs on the other hand, I think should be like Morrowind. I don't want to see every orc walking around decked out in full Daedric gear. That sort of equipment should only be worn and used by NPCs who would logically have it in-story.

I would really like that. And I would also like to see M'aiq the Liar make another appearance to tell us what the creator's are thinking.

Oh, I just checked, dual-wielding was apparently confirmed in GameInformer. My subscription ran out a year ago and I never bothered to renew it.

Awesome! I can't wait! The only place I really look for info is G4TV.com

I just recently got into Oblivion a month or 2 ago when I found it used at a game store for pretty cheap. I really like it since I absolutely love the Fallout games. xD So, I can't wait for Skyrim!!

I haven't tried the Fallout games. But I've heard that their really good games. Like Oblivion in the future?

Another thing I'm hoping for is better guild quests. The Dark Brotherhood line was fantastic, the Thieve's Guild was good, but the Fighter's Guild was boring and the Mage's Guild was outright irritating, with how hard it was just to join.

Edit-- Yes, Fallout is like Oblivion with guns. I've only played Fallout 3, but it was fantastic.

If there is no mage guild then I would be just as happy. WHAT IS WRONG WITH NECROMANCY? I happen to like Necromancy. The ability to talk with the dead would be very interesting in Oblivion. If the Fighter's Guild lost to the Black Wood Company, then it was their own fault for not doing everyones missions.

Maybe they'll let you join a necromancer's coven in this one. :p

That would be cool.

I'm also looking forward to seeing what they do with the NPCs this time around. Oblivion was just... disappointing, in that regard. Like, you could see how awesome it could have been, but it just wasn't.

I hope they at least hire a few more voice actors this time....

Yeah Fallout is post-apocalyptic. Like, after a nuclear war.

I liked the game system in Fallout: New Vegas better than Fallout 3, but the game just had too many bugs and froze all the time. @o@ So hopefully they do some good testing on Skyrim so it doesn't end up like that.

Oh, another point to raise.

Fast Travel, yea or nay?

I'll admit to abusing it myself, and that Morrowind felt more immersive for having to trek around more, but damned if FT isn't convenient.

I love Fast Travel. xD I already have limited time to play games so having the trek everywhere would mean I would get less done. Though I do like exploring on my own anyways.

You know, people who get annoyed with things like FT in games don't make any sense to me. If you don't want to ruin your role-playing experience, then... don't use it.

I mean seriously, are we not the instant gratification generation? Cut us some slack. :p

Exactly!! It's not like it's something you HAVE to use. xD It's just there for convenience.

Oh, what about flying? Am I the only one who missed being able to levitate in Oblivion? Maybe they'll let us ride dragons this time. :D

I love fast travel! It's way to easy for me to play that way.

I wanna ride on dragons!! *u*

Just read that we'll be able to edit our characters' bodies, as well as their faces. Though long overdue, I'm really glad to hear that. I love customizing characters (hence being on this site...)

Makes me think of the mod Midas Magic. You can get a flying carpet!

Hmm... apparently the map is going to be in full 3d, but we won't be able to set markers on it anymore. Not sure I'm happy about that tradeoff. Liked me some waypoints.

Not able to set markers anymore! Gasp! I really don't like that. I'm going to ghave to check the map like every three seconds now. Why woyuld they do something like that?

I would guess because there was some kind of problem with the map being in 3d now, but I can't imagine what. Is it really that hard to place a 3d beacon on a 3d map where the player clicks?

Next thing you know, they'll be telling us we don't get a compass anymore and we're expected to navigate by reading signs. Signs! :p

Please dont even joke about something like that!

Damn. Apparently dragon mounts are confirmed as a gigantic "no".

On the plus side, they have indeed hired more voice actors, and it sounds like there will be some sort of random quest system, which... could be either really cool, or dreadfully bad.

I seriously hope that it will be good, and niot bad. But I've never been too happy with random quest systems.

So, did anyone care for the Oblivion Gates? I personally hated them and will be glad to see them go. Navigating that place was a nightmare, and the rewards were "meh" at best.

I disagree, I'd go in there with forty feather potions and take everything. EVERY plant, creature, every item on every thing. Was easily worth it in money.

This is weird, but... I'm not sure I ever actually *bought* anything in that game, besides the houses. Money seemed trivially easy to come by.

I hope that's another thing they improve in this game. Think how awesome it would be if you're walking through the street of a city, hear two guys talking in a corner, creep close and overhear "So, have you heard the news? The local blacksmith just got his hands on a Daedric longsword and is offering it to the highest bidder..."

Something tells me that sort of thing is a bit too much to ask for, unfortunately, though.

Oh gosh that would be awesome. I'd also like to see kids running around and pick-pockets. Possibly an evolving economy that responds to wheather you buy stuff in teh area or only sell.

I think there may be elements of that, actually. Read something about a basic economic system.

And it's confirmed that children will exist in this one. :p

Sweet! Argh! Must contain evil impulses to kill entire city when getting new game!

I remember having a collection of about 40 complete guard uniforms decorating my front yard in one of my houses in Oblivion. You'd think they'd have got the message at some point. :p

I had nearly two hundred guard helmets in the waterfront house.

Speaking of which, how awesome would an improved reputation system be? Having the guards actually get freaked out and call for backup on seeing you would be amazing.

Or... random people coming to give you gifts or something, for, you know, those people who... don't... go on killing sprees. *shifty eyes* Yeah...

Or maybe their paying you off so that you won't kill them.

I'll admit, I did the Knights of the Nine questline and continued on being a good-aligned character through the whole game, and I was a god damned PARAGON. Even swore a vow of poverty. :p

Of course, in one of the quests, I killed an ally by mistake and hadn't saved in a while, so, rather than reload, I left my crusader gear on the ground and tricked myself out in Daedric armor and decided that I had fallen from grace. Many townspeople suffered. Too long gazing into the abyss, and all that. :D