Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

[Tannhauser]

Pretty cool item guide here

 www.mediafire.com/?oa12ih1itwhgfw2

[Lakov_Sanite]

People like me are excited about the propect of thief 4 but skyrim? hell I AM Garret in this game, it's awesome.  Stealth, bows, pickpocketing and lockpicks....nothing like a headshot on a ghost

[Lakov_Sanite]

Also, I seem to be contracting vampirism, no idea how but signs point to me ingesting every random ingredient I found, including vampire dust.

[Ironwood]

vampire dust.

 

[Lakov_Sanite]

It really is a game about exploring the wonders of  nordic landscape....and eating ectoplasm just to see what it does.

[MisterNoisy]

Played four hours of a Bethesda game on launch day with one lockup/crash - I'm impressed.  Even better, it runs glass-smooth on my PC on Ultra (GTX570 + i5 2500K) - the visuals are way better than I'd expect for the framerates I'm getting.

Only beef I have is with the menu UI, which is optimized really heavily for the 360 pad - mouse clicks in the menus are more often than not interpreted as d-pad presses instead of direct selection of items, which is annoying.  I'm as much an advocate of couch PC gaming as anyone, but I'm really hoping someone implements a more mouse-friendly menu system.

Only made it to the second city so far, playing stealth/thievery/archery mostly - did the same dungeon as Ruvaldt, though I had a quest that took me in there.  Came out with a magic word and a magic sword.  The boss fights seemed a bit on the easy side, but I attribute that to being able to soften them up with the bow before having to melee.

The game really feels more like Fallout than Oblivion, if anyone was still on the fence.

[Sky]

The graphics are serviceable, but the engine is showing its age. Had to crank up the mouse speed, felt like the slow thumbstick look. I think there is a bit of play in it still, because it was making me a bit woozy and that only happens in console/thumbstick games.

UI is bonkers, definitely works well with a controller and sucks with the kbam, especially the skills constellation thing. It was jumping back and forth between constellations when I was just trying to look at the heavy armor tree. Dialog is a bit wonky, inventory was a bit of a struggle because they never told you to tab out of it.  As good as the UI works with the controller, I'm playing kbam because navigating the world with a controller is balls.

Melee combat with friendlies around isn't friendly to the friendlies. "Hey be careful!" "Watch out!" Yeah, dude, don't jump in front of a berserker with an axe.

Still had an enjoyable couple of hours, I like that early on they give you a faction decision. I'm of course playing as my people and stuck with them.

[Xilren's Twin]

Early bandit quote "Come here so I can kill you and take your stuff!"

Loving the nordic theme so far, plus crafting looks like something you can do without too much effort.  Kill animals who attack me anyway, get pels, make leather at the tanning racks, combine into stuff at the table or forge.
I was actually tempted to go full caster just from the +50% mana regen robes you practically start with.
Oh well, off to work enforced gaming break.

[MisterNoisy]

The graphics are serviceable, but the engine is showing its age. Had to crank up the mouse speed, felt like the slow thumbstick look. I think there is a bit of play in it still, because it was making me a bit woozy and that only happens in console/thumbstick games.

UI is bonkers, definitely works well with a controller and sucks with the kbam, especially the skills constellation thing. It was jumping back and forth between constellations when I was just trying to look at the heavy armor tree. Dialog is a bit wonky, inventory was a bit of a struggle because they never told you to tab out of it.  As good as the UI works with the controller, I'm playing kbam because navigating the world with a controller is balls.

I think mouse acceleration is enabled by default, which would account for the wooziness:

Go to the SkyrimPrefs.ini file and change "bMouseAcceleration=1" to "bMouseAcceleration=0"

EDIT:  Could also be FOV:

In Skyrim.ini, set "fdefaultfov=X"

[kildorn]

They put a lot more "game" here than Oblivion, which makes me happy. You can still explore and just dick around without touching the main quest.. but the combat is smoother, the leveling system is no longer PANTS ON HEAD RETARDED, and the dungeon design so far is less "here is a realistic dungeon" and more "here is a dungeon that would be fun to explore and has a bit of character"

The UI and controls in general are still terrible. Like Bethesda has never employed anyone who has actually used a computer in their lives. The Favorites system is silly, just let me bind weapon slots to number keys or something damnit. I don't want to pause the game every few seconds mid fight just to fiddle with my inventory.

edit: more random thoughts: They did a really nice job making the world. It feels thematically right. I was impressed that not only was there a farm, but they'd bothered putting in an accurate functioning mill with it. Bethesda also still makes people with the strangest looking faces ever. I think it was Imperials where every character nose was completely flat in the front. Not just "that's a flat nose", I mean just a hard angle into a straight flat area.

[NiX]

Pre-order receipt is in my bag. Then I have to bus my ass to the store. Blaaahhhhh

[CaptainNapkin]

The graphics are serviceable, but the engine is showing its age. Had to crank up the mouse speed, felt like the slow thumbstick look. I think there is a bit of play in it still, because it was making me a bit woozy and that only happens in console/thumbstick games.

UI is bonkers, definitely works well with a controller and sucks with the kbam, especially the skills constellation thing. It was jumping back and forth between constellations when I was just trying to look at the heavy armor tree. Dialog is a bit wonky, inventory was a bit of a struggle because they never told you to tab out of it.  As good as the UI works with the controller, I'm playing kbam because navigating the world with a controller is balls.

I think mouse acceleration is enabled by default, which would account for the wooziness:

Go to the SkyrimPrefs.ini file and change "bMouseAcceleration=1" to "bMouseAcceleration=0"

EDIT:  Could also be FOV:

In Skyrim.ini, set "fdefaultfov=X"

Also the following taken from TweakGuides site...

For now, the most important tweak has to do with the fact that VSync is automatically on and can't be disabled from within the game. This not only reduces FPS, it also introduces mouse lag. To disable VSync in Skyrim, add iPresentInterval=0 to the bottom of the [Display] section of the Skyrim.ini file in the \Users\[Username]\My Documents\My Games\Skyrim directory.

And PC Gamer is aggregating some tweaks from various places on this page.

[5150]

I popped out at lunch to the shops to buy it only to find that stupid Game charges 5 quid more in store than online so I returned to the office to order online to see that I could have bought it online and collected in store grrrrrrrrrrrr! :-(

So I've ordered it but in order to avoid the 5 quid delivery charge for next day (at which point I might as well have bought it in the shop) it looks like I'll be waiting a couple of days for delivery :-(

I refuse to buy stuff via Steam if the retail activates through Steam - if I'm going to pay the same for it I'll have the manual etc as well please!

Wishing I'd pre-ordered now :-(

Probably just as well as I wanted to make use of the feature episode re run in STO this weekend anyway

[Tannhauser]

Well there went four hours in a hurry!  UI is clunky but otherwise I'm having a fine time.  No crashes or noticeable bugs.  Have done two dungeons and both were fun. I'm playing a Destruction/Restoration Mage with 1h sword and tinkering with blacksmithing.  Alchemy looks ok but I don't want to manage all those herbs.

The world feels realistic and immersive.  One of the early puzzles had me chuckling at my dumbness.  No stats!  Turns out I like this change, levelling is organic now.  Oh and my thoroughness paid off when I found a very nice cache of loot hidden in a narrow passage.  That kind of stuff is my bread and butter.

[WayAbvPar]

Got home and pre-ordered about 3 hours before unlock. Started download (at about 750kb/s), said it would take 2:23. Checked back 2 hours later, it was at 40%, downloading at 79kb/s 

Let it run overnight, then got it installed and ready to go. Then I came to work 

Might get stuck working tonight and over the weekend too. At least that will more than pay for Skyrim...

[Sky]

Tweaks seem to have sorted out the mouse stuff. FOV to 101, mouse accel off, vsync off.

Once you get past the aging engine, they have done a good job of making snowy mountains. Woke up to a good snowstorm here, so I'm in the mode. Can't wait to get a crackling fire tonight and dig into it.

[Nonentity]

The Favorites system is silly, just let me bind weapon slots to number keys or something damnit. I don't want to pause the game every few seconds mid fight just to fiddle with my inventory.

Once an item is on your favorites menu, you can mouseover it and press a number key and it will bind it to that key. If you bind a spell to it, for example, you can double-tap it to throw it into both hands.

[Outlawedprod]

Well I guess it has something for everyone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K27GuSSha0s

But the real question is "if someone has a basket on their head, does that mean they won't see me steal all their shit?"

And the answer to that is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt5aUdijAN8

Nope.

That video seems to indicate it does indeed work.  The npc does not call him a theif until the cauldron falls off his head and then he loots.

[koro]

I meant "Nope" as in "Nope they won't notice you."

[Morfiend]

I'm torn between PC and PS3. Can anyone give any insight?

[Evildrider]

Well I guess it has something for everyone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K27GuSSha0s

But the real question is "if someone has a basket on their head, does that mean they won't see me steal all their shit?"

And the answer to that is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt5aUdijAN8

Nope.

That video seems to indicate it does indeed work.  The npc does not call him a theif until the cauldron falls off his head and then he loots.

Lol that's retarded.

[Quinton]

Is there a pdf manual somewhere?  I can't seem to find it via Steam and the Steam Forums are down...

[jth]

PS3 version froze about 1.5 hours in. I wasn't doing anything special, just walking down a mountain. Hope this won't be happening too frequently.

[Miasma]

PS3 version froze about 1.5 hours in. I wasn't doing anything special, just walking down a mountain. Hope this won't be happening too frequently.

Fucking cliff racers.

[Sky]

Once an item is on your favorites menu, you can mouseover it and press a number key and it will bind it to that key. If you bind a spell to it, for example, you can double-tap it to throw it into both hands.

[NiX]

I'm torn between PC and PS3. Can anyone give any insight?

The answer is obvious: PC. The mods alone will be worth it.

Lol that's retarded.

Psychic guards are retarded. I'll take basket vision block over that any day.

[MisterNoisy]

I'm torn between PC and PS3. Can anyone give any insight?

I gotta imagine that unless your PC is fairly decrepit, you should go that route.

[Hawkbit]

I went PC and it was the right choice.  It feels like it wants to play with a PS3 controller, and I'll buy a GOTY for the PS3 when it releases for couch adventuring.  But the mod options are what have me sticking to PC.

[Thrawn]

I'm torn between PC and PS3. Can anyone give any insight?

Assuming you have a beefy enough system to run the game, is the answer to this ever not PC?  

You guys are making it very difficult to not buy Skryim right now.  I told myself I'm waiting until it probably goes on Steam sale for Christmas before picking it up in case it's not good.

[Morfiend]

I'm torn between PC and PS3. Can anyone give any insight?

Assuming you have a beefy enough system to run the game, is the answer to this ever not PC?  

I guess its just that I have been burnt by some PC games recently, that would probably have been better on a console. Consolitus on a console isnt a bad thing.

[Soukyan]

You guys are making it very difficult to not buy Skryim right now.  I told myself I'm waiting until it probably goes on Steam sale for Christmas before picking it up in case it's not good.

Just buy it on Steam now. It is well worth $60.

[Engels]

Yep, I caved. Having fun.

[El Gallo]

I'm just a couple hours in and oh holy shit the UI is beyond terrible.  It takes infinity keystrokes to swap weapons, an annoyance magnified by the fact that every spell is treated as an equippable weapon.  Worst consolitis ever.  I don't think I'll play more until someone mods something acceptable into that shitshow.  Which is unfortunate because the game otherwise seems pretty awesome.

[Reg]

Apparently if you put your weapons and spells into Favorites you can mouse over them in the Favorite menu and bind them to a number key. Why the fuck Steam doesn't automatically include a .pdf of the manual is beyond me.

[Sky]

Take some time, go to the Help section of the menu, read through it. A few good tips in there.

Once you get favorites, it's just bad, not horrible. My current complaint is the inability to smelt stacks of ore.