PREVIEW
I Played Skyrim Wrong, but It Felt So Right
(PC, PS3, XBOX 360)
The new chapter of Bethesda's huge Elder Scrolls series lets you play as you like.
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The demo let me roll my own character, who I made into a hideous High Elf enchantress (I named her Lady GAAAAHHH GAAAAHHH); I was given an impressive wealth of facial feature options all the way down to laugh lines. But the demo didn't actually kick off at the beginning of the game. My newly minted heroine entered the world in a small cave on the side of a snowy mountain -- apparently a short distance into the story, perhaps the equivalent of beginning Oblivion's quest shortly after the jailbreak and assassination of Emperor Septimus. Aside from a handful of loot, some starter gear, and a fire spell, my avatar stepped out of her alcove and onto Skyrim's vast, snowy mountainsides with nothing to her name and no real pointers as to her objectives, destinations, or ambitions.
Click the image above to check out all The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim screens.
Like any good Boy Scout (or wilderness-adept High Elf warrior sorceress, as the case may be), I scrambled to the top of the nearest tall rock outcropping and tried to get a sense of the lay of the land. Bare patches of rock jutted through the snowy ground cover, and the land sloped downward as it stretched toward the south. However, my instinct to take the path of least resistance and make like a rolling stone was mitigated by the fact that a few hundred meters uphill, to the northwest, was what appeared to be a hut. I headed in that direction in the hopes that whoever lived within was either friendly or else scripted to kick off a quest line.
As I drew near the structure, however, I realized it wasn't a hut at all but rather a vast fort surrounded on three sides by tall wooden posts whose ends had been filed to ominous points. I nevertheless made my way inside the fortress walls, where I began participating in some very confusing conversations and exploring some very inexplicable locations. Eventually, I realized that I had wandered into an area I shouldn't be seeing at this point in the game, unwittingly having bumbled my way through a minor design oversight that will likely be patched by the time Skyrim (of which this was a very early build) ships. I was, quite literally, doing it wrong, and in the process I squandered 30 minutes of my three-hour demo being a lot less clever than I initially believed.
Once I reoriented myself, I decided to continue on in the direction I'd started. The in-game map made it appear as though I'd emerged near the northern edge of Skyrim, so I figured I should keep trekking upward until I reached the end of the world. To my surprise, the map continued unfurling no matter how far I travelled, eventually revealing the nine wards of the land of Skyrim. I suppose you'd consider Skyrim a kingdom, although that definition appears to be the issue around which the game's central narrative revolves. The Empire (those guys again) see Skyrim as a territory within in its influence, while the residents are big fans of autonomy and would prefer to remain independent under the rule of their alleged true High King, Ulfric, whom the Empire regards as a devious terrorist in need of a good hanging.
Some friendly locals in Riverwood, the first town I stumbled across in my cross-country trudge, encouraged me to join their fight against the Empire. I felt a little torn. My years of experience with Star Wars tell me empires are bad, but Patrick Stewart used to be in charge of this particular Empire, and my years of experience with Star Trek tell me that Patrick Stewart is pretty awesome. I suppose in the end my Skyrim allegiances will boil down to the ages-old nerd debate of Star Wars vs. Star Trek. Frankly, that's not really the direction I saw this thing going.
Of course, that particular decision seems like the sort of thing that lay down the story's critical path, whereas I kept wandering in pretty much the opposite direction from anything that one might consider the heart of Skyrim's tale. Although a few conversations with Riverwood's inhabitants gave me a pretty good sense of where I was meant to go next -- the ruling Jarl of the nearby fortress city of Whiterun was said to have more info on the war creeping its way across Skyrim -- I didn't feel like getting entangled with the Man just yet. There was still so much of Skyrim to be seen!
See all The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Previews >
Comments (78)
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If I could only stop playing MW3 for long enough...
Posted: Nov 16, 2011 12:00AM PST by AshesBurnBlack
This game looks wicked! Nice review I might pick it up now. If I get bored of leveling up my UMP45 Ill try this out lmao.
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lol
Posted: Nov 11, 2011 12:00AM PST by ge0rge491
"I felt a little torn. My years of experience with Star Wars tell me empires are bad, but Patrick Stewart used to be in charge of this particular Empire, and my years of experience with Star Trek tell me that Patrick Stewart is pretty awesome."
love this... great review, totally agree
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Cant wait.
Posted: Oct 19, 2011 12:00AM PST by EN1G_X_DOZER
Excellent article and I can not wait for this game to be released.
KPKCBest stop hating and see if you can go to the store and buy a sense of humor.
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Even more excited!
Posted: Oct 19, 2011 12:00AM PST by Zealot_of_games
Thanks for a great sneak peak of Skyrim, it was filled with brilliant humour and I love the approach you chose to take. This article perked my interest even more about Skyrim. +1 Internets to the writer for a masterful read!
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Yes.
Posted: Oct 18, 2011 12:00AM PST by LadyGAAAAHHHGAAAAHHH
I approve this Preview. +1 Internetz to you, Sir.
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CANNOT WAIT
Posted: Oct 18, 2011 12:00AM PST by evan_witten
So freaking excited for this game. It will change everything.
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EPIC FAIL
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by ScottyGpanda
"the appeal of an Elder Scrolls game is its immensity, not its story" What games have u been playing lol?
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Wait
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by turkish101
are you saying that you do play them for the story? Yikes... read a book or watch a flick.
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Roll your own
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by wiseman4380
Open world games like Scrolls and Fallout 3 are more about carving your own path through the game, and therefor creating your own story through your actions. While the story line in these games is by no means bad, finding your own story is just more enjoyable.
Its similar to reading a book vs watching a movie. Reading is more enjoyable because you fill in alot of important details. Its very much your story as much as the author's. The author just kind of narrates the events while you flesh out the details with your imagination.
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Yeah...
Posted: Oct 19, 2011 12:00AM PST by Sinfullyvannila
TES stories are generally pretty lame. Especially Oblivion, ugh.
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Picking sides
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by wiseman4380
Its funny what motivates us to do things. Like Jeremy saying he wanted to side with the empire simply because Captain Picard was the voice of their late emperor. Classic
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Septimus? Really?
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by jbfarley
Am I really the only one who realizes it's not Septimus?
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I know, right?
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by wiseman4380
Its obviously Septimus Prime. Fuckin noob...
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Okay HOLD the !@#% up....EVERYONE
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by Pookiechan!!!
I get that the whole LADY GAAAH GAAAH thing was a joke, and I didn't take any offense to it. As a fan of Lady Gaga, I thought it was quite funny, because I'm pretty sure Jeremy didn't intend to mean anything other than to be humorous. BUT I will say, both sides fighting over this are pretty much wrong.
Below, we have one nut going "OMG LADY GAGA IS GORGEOUS"
and then below him, we have some bitch saying "1up is no place for Lady Gaga fans".
Okay, first off, I'd like to addresse the 2nd person.
1up is a place for ANYONE who enjoys video games. I'm sick of the arch-type gamer being some pessimistic hater-ized asperger's syndromized loser who plays ONLY video games, and does not touch any mainstream world of pop-culture or human interaction, and is just made to seem like a streamlined narrowminded nerd who thinks that they are so edgy and the rest of the world is dumb and that "they're" really in on it, and that it's everyone elses fault for being "so stupid" for their lack of sucess in social world.
Bitch guess what, I'm a Lady Gaga fan, and my video game collection would cause an earthquake if it were to ever fall ofF the shelves. Not only am I a fan of Lady Gaga and Video Games, I like sports, I like politics, I like stupid TV shows just because I'm not taking them too seriously, and I like going clubbing, and TONS OF OTHER THINGS. Shame on the person who limits their likes, and feels like it's okay to have MORE dislikes. You having fun limiting yourself and being insecure?
And now for the FIRST person
As a Lady Gaga fan, Yes, I get that she's gorgeous, just in a different way, and that people who are less aesthetically versed than you aren't keen to pick up on that (I'm not being sarcastic).
But when you go off sounding like a rabid groveling Lady Gaga fan who would defend her no matter what, it doesn't really do her or us any good, does it? Sometimes it's hard to think rationally when people offend us and don't understand us, but it always helps to step back and analyze people. Hell, saying this, I know a bunch of butthurt angry nerds are going to reply with "lol fag go back 2 west hollywood" , having only read the first half of what I say. But trust me, there is a reason they are that way, and they sure as hell weren't born that way. So just let it roll off the back of your neck like a swan. If people would rather live in ignorance, and not take the time to touch the world of a talented artist/pianist/musician/performer such as Lady Gaga, LET them. She will be successful in the way she knows how, because she knows how to get the ones that count. Oh...and did I forget to mention...Jeremy Perish was joking
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Well said.
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by vincentgoodwin
1up is a good community full of people from all different backgrounds who are united in their love of videogames.
We can't be the stereotype.
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Exactly
Posted: Oct 18, 2011 12:00AM PST by Pookiechan!!!
I don't want video games to be this corner niche that only "lesser" people play, unless you're playing Call of Duty or Gears of War, where you're suddenly "still cool". I think the more multi-dimensional people can become and learn to grow, the better they off are as a person, and they will be experiencing new things all the time. I think it would be cool to have jocks, drunken party sluts, businessman, and yes, even Lady Gaga fans all playing games like Zelda, Elder Scrolls, Persona, or other lesser known games (as far as pop culture goes) somewhere along the line. Eventually.
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Well...
Posted: Oct 18, 2011 12:00AM PST by LadyGAAAAHHHGAAAAHHH
I have never wanted this. Never. But I support your very strong opinion. Being a gamer does not mean one can not be a fan (or a part of) different subcultures.
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...................
Posted: Oct 18, 2011 12:00AM PST by NoobNeutralizer
This kid was obviously bullied in school and is most definitely gayer than Richard Simmons, Clay Aiken and Zachary Quinto combined...
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Nicely put good sir!
Posted: Oct 19, 2011 12:00AM PST by Zealot_of_games
Very well put mate. I don't like Lady Gaga but your sentiment is perfect, a perfectly constructed answer to every troll and piece of silliness posted while remaining calm and dignified. It's almost too rational and human to be on the internet on a forum... Did I get lost somewhere and find some alternate dimension version of an internet forum? o.o
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Hmm well
Posted: Oct 27, 2011 12:00AM PST by Uminobankai
"pessimistic hater-ized asperger's syndromized loser" is a little bit offensive. I know you didn't mean it to be, but you do imply a certain intolerance in your comment. What's wrong with asperger's sydrome? Why do you group it with negative qualities of pessimism and hating and then say "we're not all like that"? Just because autistic disorders make social interaction harder doesn't make you antisocial or hostile, and wherever you are on the autism spectrum, playing a 100 hour rpg is an immersive, escapist and largely solitary activity.
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Holy shit
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by haonetat01
Who would've thought that Jeremy's preview of Skyrim would end up being trolled by Lady Gaga fans, lol.
Anyway, great preview Jeremy, I CANNOT WAIT for this game. Oh, and Lady GAAAAHHH GAAAAHHH is the best name EVER for an Elder Scrolls character, lol.
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Just wanna get a Skyrim-job...
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by CaptainSassyPants
Because I've played since Morrowind when I was in middle school and I've spent countless hours wasting my life away...but it feels so good. I know Skyrim will engulf my life once again with it's many pleasures...and it will condemn my college life to hell. I can't wait to turn pale as a ghost because I haven't seen the sun in days. Who cares.
Btw: Lady Gaga is the silent killer. She makes you think she's beautiful, then you have an epiphany and realize it's just the part of you seeing her showing her nips and down stairs mixup all the time. She looks great from two miles away.
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Yup
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by VirulentGunk
I pretty much told my teacher I wasn't going to be in class for Nov. 11... partly because of the whole Rememberence Day thing, and because after I'll be grabbing Skyrim.
I may be in class for Video Game design, but I still prefer Video Game playing!
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LOL
Posted: Oct 18, 2011 12:00AM PST by UrbanJack4l
They all look like Miss America from the back???
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Dude...
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by VirulentGunk
Calm yourself.
He named his character GAAAAH GAAAAH 'cause the character made people go "GAAAH!" when they saw him.
And because it was a witty pun.
Why are you even here? Lady Gaga fans have no place on 1up... as you've clearly demonstrated.
Oh, and Lady Gaga is a terrible influence... anyone who disagrees: I present KPKCBest as exhibit A.
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Seconded XD
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by V4Viewtiful
i never got into elder scrolls, it seems i should start
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first time is magic
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by great_cake_bat8
I remember running around in fallout 3's wastes for a good half-hour before attmpting a quest, Bethesda's games have that quality when you first play them and as much as I like New vegas I rarley wondered around aimlessly and seek out stuff like in F3.
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F this crap
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by KPKCBest
Gaga's f$@%ing gorgeous you @ss! Wtf is wrong with this reviewer? Crap article insulting the most respected artist in the music industry, 1up you suck AGAIN
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Anybody who Disagrees
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by KPKCBest
about Gaga being gorgeous is wrong, she's really beautiful. If you've truly seen more than pics that are making fun of her or something you know she's actually very beautiful. Like when she was performing on The Today Show, she's so pretty there and basically everywhere else, and she's gorgeous in The Lady is A Tramp music video with Tony Bennett
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Going gaga for Gaga...
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by Shanef
is amusing, i once saw a picture of her in a magazine that made her look attractive, but it had been photoshopped to high heaven... Her songs are good, but i always prefer them after they have been covered by other artists, mainly because i do not like her own style.
I do however... love her nose, but i like bold jewish noses, so.... heh...
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Everyone calm down
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by mastergear93
We are here for Skyrim...not lady gaga
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Dude...
Posted: Oct 18, 2011 12:00AM PST by LadyGAAAAHHHGAAAAHHH
I mean... Really? Dude... Really? Just stop. Seriously. Stop.
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Hmm...
Posted: Oct 18, 2011 12:00AM PST by CobaltLightning
lady gaga most respected? Yikes the music industry has lost it. Look at the picture above... a kermit the frog outfit? She is clearly dilusional or a fantasic con. Not sure which, but either way it makes americans look like dumba$$es.
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KPKCBest... sounds familiar... hmm...
Posted: Oct 18, 2011 12:00AM PST by ActuatorSM
Oh yeah! Now i know where i recognize KPKCBest from!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHmvkRoEowc
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So...
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by Umaro
Is Skyrim all buggy/freezy like Oblivion and Fallout?
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Man
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by blackrevenger
I would be suprised if if wasn't but like any addict I gotta get my fix!
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3rd person view
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by ohJTBehaaave
So is Skyrim actually 'playable' in the 3rd person view? I prefer playing this type game in 3rd person over FP... and the previous games like Fallout kind of added in the 3rd person stuff as an afterthought. I'm hoping to play this game from a view so it looks like say Fable or The Witcher.
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Quest markers?
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by Machocruz
Are those unsightly little red and green markers back telling exactly where you need to go, and exactly where the person you need to find is standing?
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Previews that simply describe your experience with the game
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by Zomber
is what I'd rather read.
I'm so on the fence. I've never really liked a Bethesda game, but I always appreciate their scope and ambition. I need to hear more about how 'improved' the third-person perspective is.
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Lady GAAAAHHH GAAAAHHH
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by awwnuts07
+1. Best name I've heard for character.
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Perfect Name
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by elprofesor81
Absolutely perfect and anyone who doesn't see the humor needs to take a few bottle of pills.
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KPKCBest
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 12:00AM PST by Xel562
FYI KPKCBest the writer of this article is the editor in chief of 1up, Jeremy Parish. I doubt he'll fire himself for such a simple joke, and the only reason he named his character this way is because he made her ugly and did a pun with an existing name that allowed such pun.
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More RPG Games
Vitals
- Game:
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Platforms:
- Xbox 360, PC, PS3
- Genre:
- RPG
- Publisher:
- Bethesda Softworks
- Developer:
- Bethesda Game Studios
- ESRB Rating:
- Mature
- Release Date:
- 11/11/2011
- Also Known As:
- Skyrim
1UP Editor Score: A-
Average Community Score: A+
Achievements
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