Skyrim (so far)

November 15th, 2011

Oh, this is really good.  Tools down.  Cancel Christmas.  You will see me in three months.

Posted in games by Joe Abercrombie on November 15th, 2011.

69 comments so far

  • Harvey Quinn says:

    I’ve been playing it while wearing the free skyrim beanie style helmet for the past 6 hours

  • Mafried says:

    Oh no…I’ve been holding off buying this game for want of life…I think my will has just been sapped…goodbye creal world

  • Mark Neale says:

    I’ve started playing despite insisting to myself I’d clear some of my current game back log…. Already completely lost in the world and that’s just with exploring.

  • James says:

    Yeah I just played it for about 8 hours straight today….just exploring mostly, and i uncovered the corruption in Markarth, it’s incredibly addictive. My only complaint about the game is a couple of bugs, dodgy voice acting and the god awful writing.

  • Alan says:

    Anything that contains the words “rim” and “so far” makes me fnar in a completely in betweeners, back to school style! Thanks for that Joe

  • Thaddeus says:

    Some of the writing and voice-acting could be improved, but generally the voice-acting (in terms of both variety and quality) is better than Oblivion.

    Not sure whether I shall be smited mightilty for putting this up, but here’s a link to my first impressions on Skyrim:
    http://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2011/11/skyrim-first-impressions.html

  • Tim H says:

    Yep, me too. Took a couple days off work just to play. I meant to be a mage, but ended up a stealth archer, as usual. Love it.

  • innokenti says:

    Bloody hell but you’re not wrong.

    I was away for the weekend without a way to play it, and now I have to be at work. And I would much rather be in Skyrim. Because it looks awesome and there is clearly just so so much stuff to do.

    There is still a lot of stuff around the experience that’s a pain, but it’s much easier to ignore that in un-modded Oblivion.

  • Dan says:

    I cant decide which to go, swords or magic? Or both?

  • Tim H says:

    Dan, you can pretty easily do both provided you focus your perk points on a single branch of Destruction, such as Fire. Save your perk points for the first few levels and see what style you like playing before you spend them. I’m finding Destruction a little underpowered even with perks and relying more on dagger and bow (15x dagger stealth attack damage ftw).

  • What, no revelations about your characters race choice? I picture you crafting a Ninefingers-esque rogue.

  • Dan says:

    Joe, I think that because you are going to be making us all wait an extra month or two (at least) to read your next masterpiece due to the fall video game season, that we deserve something! Yes, we loyal fans should be rewarded with the big reveal!! Who is in The Red County?! Is it Logan and Ferro like I’m guessing?!!

  • Jens says:

    Ten minutes ago I cast a fire spell at the cow in Riverwood.
    It ran off.
    I followed.
    It’s the fastest cow in all universes.
    And it can swim, too.
    Very fast.
    Hilarious.

    Great game – in all possible ways.

  • Derek says:

    Oh yes….The Companions

  • Dav says:

    I made a Nord Barbarian modelled on Ninefingers – turns out being a fighter is actually kind of repetitive (slash, power attack, slash, power attack…). I bet Logen has a hobby to cancel out the monotony – knitting, or something. Just imagine that – beaten Rudd Threetrees to a pulp, so he knits him a sweater!

    It’s a fantastic game, and the writing and voice acting for the two big questlines I’ve pursued (Stormcloaks + Main quest) was brilliant, though I admit other bits are a crock o’ crap, most notably some Daedric Quests (“I WILL ATTACK YOU WHO JUST DEFEATED A GIANT I WAS AFRAID TO FIGHT BECAUSE I AM STUPID EVIL”) and a Companion Quest or two (“So…You’re a Werewolf now).

    Game of the Year, me thinks.

  • ColinJ says:

    Yeah, great game. Immediately it reminded me of just what a time sink OBLIVION was.

    You’re on your way to a quest and discover a new cave or dungeon and think: “Oh, I might just pop me head in there for a moment to see what’s up…”

    Thirty minutes later you emerge from the other side of it, probably sweating and with cramped hands and a cool new weapon that’s too heavy for you to carry.

  • Sarah T. says:

    My 14 year old Minion had me sit down and watch the Skyrim video of character creation/play on youtube. Being a WoW and Guild Wars player I was thinking it was just going to be another ho-hum video. It looks so damn cool! If GW2 doesn’t hit the shelves soon ( waiting for years now ), this is going to be under our tree.

  • S.Stines says:

    Someone teach Dav to not post spoilers please lol

  • Eddy Gemmell says:

    I am just annoyed that I can’t get much time on it!
    Amazing game. Only just made to Whitehaven last night after knobbing about for the firts 6 hours mainly twatting those Foresaken numbskulls and trying to chase dear/elf/moose or whatever the hell they are.
    Wicked.

  • Simon says:

    I too am loving it. I’ve gone for 2handed axe wielding, heavy aromor wearing, badass, brunette, blue eyed, babe (I like cross dressing in RPGS)

    My only gripe is the occasional bug. Twice now I have been in a cut scene conversation and a random NPC wandered over and told me they could do with a glass of mead or told me they weren’t frightened of me. Making it hard to hear the conversation I was trying to listen to. Also on too many times to count I have been told “is that the best you’ve got” while in the process of killing them

  • Jacob says:

    Joe,

    Character name.
    Race.
    Playing style.
    Funniest moment thus far.

    Go!

  • Kelly R. says:

    What’s up Jake?

    This game is definitely one where you have to put your life on hold for a couple months.

  • Cryston says:

    el-oh-el

    Me too. This game has quite efficiently disenfranchised me from my life: i now look on reality with disdain. Why would I dual wield spreadsheets when my hands can be aglow with frost.

    But then i changed my mind, and i’m carrying twin swords.

    Is it possible to have a crush on a video game world? I almost as riddled with nerves to turn on my console every evening as i am to ask a girl out to a dance.

    Anyway, you must (and by must I mean if you would like to (please, please)) tell us some of your exploits in the world. But I’m sure you’re busy. Even now i’m waiting for this stream of consciousness to end so that i can get back to

  • Chevi77 says:

    I recommend to everybody going to Riften and having a drink contest in the local inn. The results were hilarious!

    It is definitely a world so well designed to explore that I still wonder how many hours I am going to put in it. Oblivion had me twice for a few 250 hours a go (first a warrior-thief, second a mage-assassin)so I wonder if I will reach 1000 on this one.

    And I don’t know if everybody agree, but I think these are the best dragons seen on an RPG ever. I am level 20 and still find them tough to kill: killed 2 with soldiers (those were easy) and 2 on my own at a half million healing potions rate each one of them. If it wasn’t for how clumsy they are when they land on the ground (thanks the Gods for that, otherwise they would be unkillable…)

  • Muzza says:

    Well as mentioned in an email to you (thanks for the response, must of did it in a Skyrim toilet break), I have taken leave for this game and have played non stop except for gym, sleep, eat, walking dog. Initially 2 weeks I have had to extend my leave to 4 weeks (….I new there was a reason I was saving my holidays)

    In all I have one month to dedicate to this epic game!!! (The Mrs is out of town for work for one month…maybe there is a god after all…nag and pants free Xbox-ing!!!!

    This is by far the best fantasy game I have come across and has purged the memory of the Dragon Age sequel.

    I started as a warrior and finished the Companion quests with my Bloody Nine styled warrior, but got into lock pick and now and a member of the thieves guild…wouldn’t mind a bit of assassination work. I haven’t even got out of Act 1 of the main story or really got going on the civil war.

    Bethesda better be back at work on the next one….I am addicted and will need a constant supply.

  • Troy says:

    yea since its north mine was named caul shivers…. gave him a bloody nice scar and fake looking eye… hard not to be evil running around skyrim with him.

  • Simone says:

    Stop it and write more books. I’m waiting …

  • Phloop says:

    Hi, my name is Phillip, and I’m an addict.

    I’ve relapsed again into my Bethesda addiction 2 days ago. I’m not proud of it and I’m really worried about how this is gonna affect my relationships. The dishes are piling up. I’m distracted at work. My computer’s making whining noises. I’ve been neglecting my girlfriend.

    I’ve killed two dragons. I’ve fallen in with some unsavoury folk. But the gold is good, at least.

    I need help.

  • ColinJ says:

    @Derek: I used that map mod and it’s pretty damn great. I’ve never been into modding before but I think I’ll be adding some better textures to the game.

  • Nick Sharps says:

    My first character is named Black Dow 😀 He’s a cold bastard.

  • Dan says:

    My mage is Davoust. I always liked that name and use it in games often…

  • Simon (@sqyiggle) says:

    yeah, I was excited to get this. I have lost most of the last week in a flurry of swords, shields and dragons. it is utterly superb. I loved Oblivion, but this is just different gear!

  • Muzza says:

    Forgot to mention my character is called the Bloody Nine. Nothing like an axe decapitation…love it.

  • Sam says:

    I called mine Glokta, malicious crafty thief with high skill in speech, of course :>

  • homer says:

    damn,might as well hook up an iv full of redbull and book the week off!ive spent 28 hours and not even begun the main quest,just too many distractions.you know how it is,’il just see whats in that tower’..2 hours later you emerge having cut and blasted the shit out of everything in your path.sod it,i hear it calling to me now..gotta go,what a great game 🙂

  • Bob says:

    Excellent game and very pretty too but on the PC the interface lets it down. I think it’s probably better on the consoles which use game pads etc but mouse and keyboard is so awkward.

  • JimC says:

    I started a new character. A female Breton with pale skin, dark hair and blue eyes. Have a guess what I called her…

  • Joe Abercrombie says:

    It is because of people like you lot that whenever I play an MMORPG (for about 10 seconds) I have to use ridiculously complicated spellings of my own character names. There should be some sort of rule about it.

  • Dan says:

    It is awesome, but I am a little annoyed I’ve been turned into a vampire and everyone tries to kill me on sight now. I should probably get around to curing myself…

  • Tim says:

    This game will be the death of me, it’s fantastic. Also I’m sure there is a main plot line somewhere but I keep getting distracted by random caves and unexpected meetings with gods.

    Note to Bob – You can plug a 360 controller into your PC if you want console controls. If you play it on console expect slower performance, worse looks and much longer load times.

  • Dan says:

    LOL Joe, that is funny. An author can’t use his character’s names because of us dorks. haha! Your right, there should be a rule! Either that or quit making such damn cool names that everyone wants!!

  • Derek says:

    Loving the game but wish it was bigger and more spread out.. You leave a castle and find a bandit camp a hundred yards from the gate ?
    Fast travel is a curse.

  • homer says:

    yep know what you mean Dan,a tad frusrating…so frustrating in fact that i decided to give in to my dodgy desires,and promptly started again as a black hearted,one eyed,female dark elf.

  • Muzza says:

    Joe if you wrote more characters like: Roger Wilson, peace loving vegan Bard and insurance salesmen, then I am sure you wouldn’t have that problem.

  • Dave Ellis says:

    Funniest thing that’s happened to me so far…two fiances and a corpse turned up to my wedding…the priest of Mara was not a very happy bunny I can tell thee and neither were the prospective wives!! Freaking love this game..where else would you get a story like that?

  • Chevi77 says:

    Muzza: if Joe did what you suggest, he wouldn’t be selling many books, I guess…
    Made it into the Dark Brotherhood! And the other day I saw a Sabre Tooth Tiger stalking an elk, felt like the David Attenborough of the North (with sneaking 65, which helps).
    Been away from home due to work for a couple days and I alrady have the cold turkey feeling. Damn you Bethesda, stop making games so good!

  • Dan says:

    Did y’all go imperial or stormcloak? I wonder how much it affects the story you experience…?

  • Dav says:

    If you finish the Civil War storyline before you get to Act 3, you miss a reasonably cool part of the main quest, Dan.

    Beyond that, whether you pick Stormcloak or Imperial has a reasonably minor effect generally. You’ll see your side’s NPCs instead of the others, and you’ll end up being more sympathetic to them – i.e. when my Nord went with Ulfric, it’s really easy to sympathise: he’s strong, he’s smart, and he just wants the best for his people. In contrast, when my Orc went fighting with the Empire, you get the feeling that Ulfriv is just a pawn, while Tulius is basically trying to hold Skyrim together so the Elves don’t storm in and enslave them.

    It’s AWESOME.

  • Chevi77 says:

    Thanks for the advice, Dav; I had the main story on hold to keep going with the side ones, but I guess I will mopve on to act 3 then… Enough faffing about neglecting my dragonborn duties, I guess

  • Derek says:

    Saw a headless horseman tonight lol.

  • Desiree says:

    I have all your books on my ipad – love them. and Skyrim is way cool. I am an avid world of warcraft person, but man this game is pretty awesome. I sat for two hours just watching my son play.

  • Matt says:

    Aside from the insanely long loading screens you mean.

  • Joel McKickass says:

    I started re-reading the First Law trilogy after playing this game. After seeing a random character called Calder, i couldn’t stop myself from reaching for them. Well, seeing as how my Nord is based on Caul Shivers, i couldn’t really resist.

  • TJ says:

    I just spotted this fellow in Skyrim. I’d love to think it’s not a coincidence ->

    http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Calder

  • Jon Smith says:

    I wonder how many people are playing Skyrim with characters based on your books (guilty!)

  • NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    You were my only ally against The Elder Scrolls games!!!!
    Now I’m alone!!!!!!!!!!
    I guess I’ll have to carry on this fight alone…..

  • Robb says:

    @Trey Griffeth

    Mmmm well that’s a pretty lonely fight. Join in and play anyway?

  • Joe Abercrombie says:

    Matt,
    Can’t say I find the loading screens that big a problem. I’ve got to have some time to work, after all.

    Trey,
    Well, credit where it’s due, I’ve found past entries heavily flawed but they’ve absolutely knocked it out the park with this one. There’s simply nothing that comes close in scale and quality of setting.

  • Mark Neale says:

    Details are out for the 1.2 patch, just love this bug fix :

    * Fixed occasional issue where a guest would arrive to the player’s wedding dead

    🙂

  • S.Stines says:

    I play on PC and I wait no longer than 3 seconds during load times.

  • Robb says:

    The first spectacular bug I saw was a Mammoth shooting up into the sky like a rocket. Then slowly…..slowly coming back to ground. Funny stuff.

  • Dan says:

    “Jon Smith
    November 28, 2011 • 7:10 pm

    I wonder how many people are playing Skyrim with characters based on your books (guilty!)”

    Oh god, not you too.

    I steadily realised over the last 30 hours of play that my character is Logen Ninefingers.

    I have no excuse. Unoriginality is me.

  • Gene G. says:

    I have an Argonian named Scale, An Orc bear of a bastard type named Tul’Duru,and a High Elf named Bayaz. I would dare bet a suprisingly large group of Joe-fans are playing. Seriously Joe,Skyrim could almost go hand in hand with some of your books. Heads flying, swords slashing…cant tell you how many times idiot storm cloaks jump in front of the axe as its coming down on a their foes…morons. Dow would have a laugh at that,I wish scars were nastier and more noticeable.The only thing I wish I could see more of is Joe’s style of cursing.Its highly entertaining.

  • homer says:

    sheeeiiiit! Level 34 and not even met the greybeards yet..but i CAN shoot the left testicle off a gnat flying through a snowstorm at 200mts,so,time wellspent methinks 🙂

  • @Joe Abercrombie

    That I don’t deny. The problem with the game is that a lot of the environments,(dungeons crypts and such), tend to repeat and the main plot and characters I found really….bland and that’s what brought the game down for me.

  • Keith M. says:

    Skyrim huh? My gaming PC’s busted & I have a Wii. What should I do? Snag a PS3, 360 or build a new gamer PC?

  • Joe Abercrombie says:

    Keith,
    I’ve kind of given up on gaming PCs these days. Keeping up with the hardware is just so effortful and expensive. I have tired of having something cutting edge for six months, something mediocre for six months, then something largely useless for a grand or more. Great thing about consoles is that you buy a game, you know it will run well, and you’ll have cutting edge tech for three, four, five years. There was a time I just couldn’t get the sort of games I wanted on a console but it feels like (with stuff like Fallout, Skyrim, Red Dead Redemption, Mass Effect, Dark Souls and etc.) those days are largely in the past, and I continue to be impressed by how much more developers are squeezing out of the current hardware. So I’d go console. I’ve got a PS3, but that decision was largely based on the extreme noisiness of X-Boxes at the time and the fact that my friend had one, so I could play X-Box exclusive stuff with him and PS exclusive stuff on my PS3. Honestly I don’t think there’s all that much to choose between the two. The fanboi ranting about which is best seems beyond pathetic to me, that’s for sure.

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