Some neat stuff on the level design of skyrim!

[Traggey]

I saw now the GOTY-Edition of Skyrim will be released soon with all addons included. But where we talking about Game Design of Skyrim, read here my critics of what I see of the game:

Without to have the game played yet, I want to briefly list some things that do not please me by sight and also prevent me from buying it. 

1. Character choice: 
A Role-playing common "feature", but that ruined the credibility and immersion. So you can not empathize with the character, because he has no authenticity. He's just a person himself, assembled by the player, so is losing any kind of seriousness. Rather than assume the role of a specific predetermined person can determine his race and appearance itself, by menu selection. Not only that this personality is lost, but you might as well determine the race and therefore is omitted (presumably) the opportunity later to join a race or to become a member. Please correct if I'm wrong here, but I just want to be a given, neutral, and not that the game itself as a "game" represented by one can adjust everything in his taste. A fun-element that tarnishes the immersion, while you can not take seriously the story from the beginning - because the character is missing. By individual design using the menu, the character then also has no features that characterize it and contribute to the atmosphere. I do not want to play anything I want to play a particular person, namely, which is predetermined by the game. The only way is for me a plausible story and I can empathize with them. Because it's just like you are. 

2. Dialogues:
 Am I correct that you as a player has no voice? In conversations with other NPCs, you can select only one question in text form, but it does not speak himself, but the other NPC begins directly respond. This also applies to all other records where the character has had no voice. Seems to me not very well done. Gothic already 12 years ago had a full synchronization and if one is accustomed again, I do not like to give myself satisfied with "worse". It must also be said that the style of language is very poor spoken. The dialogues include any form of expression that could be a part of the atmosphere. It seems to me as if all peace-joy-egg cake, and no trace of emotion in the dialogues! 

3. First Person & Interface:
There are definitely games where this perspective fits well, such as in Amnesia. However, this view bothers me in a role play. Although you can switch to 3rd person, but a storeroom option makes the principle of existence does not always equal good again. Since then there is no easy to epic, if you can change and customize everything as well as the HUD, where I will have no indicators on the screen to dive the best possible way. Mini Map, life displays and other symbols or overlays should not only be present in the optimal case. For me, it then acts always as "typical game" and nothing serious. I am also disrupt such elements on the screen immersion in a world. 

4. Too much magic:
 When I look at gameplay videos, I can only see the two hands of the character, which burned in a fire ball or other magical effects every "enemy". Very special demands on the style of the weapons since I have especially in a medieval viking RPG, such magical effects Bang Boom absolutely not fit into the game, because they look so typical of fantasy RPG after. I would much rather subtle weapon like a sword or a weathered rusty ax. Not as big or enchanted, but pretty realistic. Otherwise the combat system and everything around it is not particularly interesting impression on me. I prefer playing games with strong niche vision are implemented credibly build up slowly and waive all-possible gimmicks. 

I'm considering whether I should buy me the GOTY edition because the big world does make a wonderful impression on me, but I can not absolutely the above things combined with my interests. Because I'm very picky when it comes to games and play only what is truly unique and very good. I know that Skyrim is not better or equivalent like Gothic, Risen or The Witcher (which I bought recently), but I do not expect. But I want to give Skyrim another chance, because otherwise I can count only on what I've seen. Possibly. what can anyone say to my criticisms here. Because represent Skyrim as the best RPG I consider grossly exaggerated. Just the success does not tell how good a game is. I would appreciate if someone here as a fan of the game, you could say something. Because I think without the four points raised, Skyrim could really be a good game.

1.

You get to create the charater yourself, throughout the game you join guilds, clans and develop your charater in very spefic ways, instead of playing the charater someone else created for you, you get to make your own.

You can even marry and adopt children and with the Hearthfire DLC build your own home!

As per tradition in the elder scrolls games you get to pick your own starsigns which give you bonuses to certain things.

Your racial choises affect the way people will treat you in the game more than ever so here in skyrim due to extreme racism going on!

2. Your character is not voice acted, however everything you say is dependant on what you choose to say, usually you're given the option of 3/4 different things to say.

3. You can play in 3'rd person too if you want to.

4. If you don't want to play a mage character, you don't have to, join the warriors guild and beat people up with a giant mace if that's your wish! Or join a guild of assasins!

[Ghieri]

1. You pretty much have free reign on your character. You can virtually steal anything, kill anything, or react in any number of ways.

2. Well, dialogue mostly serves a practical purpose. You can use it to influence a person's decision or opinion. Or just to make something happen. Most of the personality comes from the decisions you make in game.(You can extrapolate what kind of character you have. I have a drunken thief that is skilled in two-handed combat, and looves getting his sexah on.)

3. There is a hud, but it's relatively minimalistic. Also, your health/stamina/magicka bars disappear when you aren't in combat. So you almost have a blank screen. Yes, you can change to 3rd person but I find combat clumsy while in it.(Though I am used to First person)

4. Yes you can dual-wield magic. No, that doesn't make you over-powered. It just gives you customization options(Do I want a full on fire attack, or do I want to balance Fire and healing? Maybe I want a dagger and a fire blast?) < I do not play a magic character so I have no idea if that's a good idea.

[Nice]

being a mage in skyrim is FAR from overpowered, imo it's the hardest way to go.

[Googolplex]

OK thank you. I generally dislike to create my own character because of game typical implausibility. I do not want to have the choice who I want to play or to create my own super model hero lol.
Hmm... I'll see to get the GOTY edition later. But I can't understand why Skyrim get hyped by so much people. There are generally principles of design I dislike, but I'll look to give it a try.

[Ghieri]

But I can't understand why Skyrim get hyped by so much people.

It's a $40 game that offers 10 times more hours than your average $60 game that ALSO happens to be really fun.

[Nice]

But I can't understand why Skyrim get hyped by so much people

Because A LOT of people don't share the same view on gaming as you do. For example, the best thing for me in Skyrim is that you can be anyone you want and do anything you want. While you dislike such a feature

[Deep One]

What? Googol is going to buy a AAA game?

edit: i must be seeing things... he would never do that. Maybe it's time to go to bed

[Googolplex]

What? Googol is going to buy a AAA game?

When it's a good game, I'll buy it. Not every AAA game is trash.
I bought The Witcher 1 & 2 and Tomb Raider which are all three very good games. I also bought some modern Need For Speed games as an old fan of the franchise, but I was stupid to do that, because most of them really are trash. EA managed to ruin the series and now I'll never buy anything from EA.

[failedALIAS]

because most of them really are trash. EA managed to ruin the series and now I'll never buy anything from EA.

[Ghieri]

I'll never buy anything from EA.

Funny that you mention it, because I was just playing Mirror's Edge not 5 minutes ago.