E3: New Skyrim Screens and Oblivion Anniversary Update
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
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First of all, Morrowind is older, so the graphics aren't as good, but that's just for aesthetically-minded individuals. The levelling-up in Morrowind is, admittedly, a little annoying, as you have to continually use one skill to improve it, and when you're just starting out, it's worse than useless. Oblivion's skills and levelling-up system is more streamlined, with a few exceptions (I'm looking at you, Merchantile). All in all, gameplay-wise Oblivion is better in regards to graphics and gameplay. However, the thing that really appeals the most to me about The Elder Scrolls games is the world, and the lore.GeorgW said:
Morrowind's explorable landscape is be far the most interesting. Oblivion is more mainstream Western fantasy fare; you've got your goblins, trolls, bears, wolves, etc, and the landscape is mostly plains and woodland (to quote Yahtzee "...[Oblivion] might as well be taking place in the same fucking meadow"). There is a bit of variation though; it's nice when you walk to the border of Cyrodiil and see where the landscape begins to change before it changes to the next region (eg. the landscape directly adjacent Skyrim in Cyrodiil is all snowy and mountainous).
Morrowind on the other hand is completely new and fantastical. Creatures range from minature dinosaur things to giant floating squid. The main method of travel for civilians is a building-sized insect who's controlled by carving out the top part of its carapace and directly manipulating its nervous system.
The majority of Morrowind is volcano and volcanic waste, the aftermath of an eruption, but the rest is considerably more varied around the edges of the main island. The Dark Elves are the native inhabitants, of which there are three main families, each with their own agendas, and distinct architectures. A big part of the underlying lore of the region is the invasion of foreign powers into the land, and the Dark Elves' resistance and hatred of outsiders, and their stubborness to change (slavery is illegal, but there's a huge underworld market trading slaves, mostly Khajit and Argonians).
I won't go into great detail about it all, but it's extremely interesting, the entire world that has been built around these games, and not just the province of Morrowind and Cyrodiil themselves. They've built an entire world. Morrowind just has the more interesting lore, in my opinion.
It doesn't mean a lot in terms of gameplay; if you don't enjoy swinging swords around, or constantly throwing spells to level up your destruction, to the detriment of all enjoyment, the Elder Scrolls games certainly aren't for you, and especially not Morrowind (again, unless you're willing to search around for mods to fix it, of which there are literally hundreds), but I thrive on these sorts of in-depth experiences.
As for the laptop then, well, I reckon you'll be able to play them, but perhaps not on the highest settings, for Oblivion at least, and I'm not sure about carefree; Bethesda games, especially Elder Scrolls games, are rather infamous for their amount of bugs. I'm not the best to ask about that sort of information, really. Your best bet is to get onto the Elder Scrolls forums and ask there.
Not really. The last game came out in '06. If Mario titles were that far apart, no one would complain.Mr. Omega said:
Well, I rather enjoy even the newer Zelda games, but each Elder Scrolls game is pretty original and separate from it's predecessors, especially compared to Halo and many Nintendo series.Mr. Omega said:
Also I think I'm going to have to make an exception to my "do not pre-order games" rule for this...
You haven't played enough Morrowind? hurrOnyx Oblivion said:
I probably wouldn't rush to Oblivion too soon, maybe play it after you've played Skyrim. If you're really keen on getting TES experience before Skyrim then Morrowind's probably your best bet, especially if you're a patient guy.GeorgW said:
EDIT: Be aware that Morrowind is a really strangely acquired-taste game. Like the other guy, I love Morrowind alot more than Oblivion, but for completely different reasons. It's probably worth your 10 bucks but if you don't like it then don't be too surprised
Ontopic, some of the aesthetics look dreadfully like Oblivion did and it really irks me... I think it's the way they have those uber curves on their bumpmap bricks. It's just really ugly and irritating.
Absolutely nothing, I too will probably buy the anniversary edition of Oblivion too. I lack Shivering Isle's anyway, so I may as well.Onyx Oblivion said:
Is the anniversarry edition coming out in the UK? I cant see it on Amazon. I had Oblivion on PS3, but I recently sold it (along with all my other PS3 games), and if the price is right this sounds like a great deal. Anyone know anything about the international release?
Oh my, you must get the Shivering Isles- one way or another. Even if you have to kill for it. It's easily the best part of Oblivion (mods aside).TheDarklite said:
On that note, who is already looking forward to the expansion(s)? For those who don't know, Elder Scrolls titles always have awesome expansions. I hope we get two or more full expansions this time. I wonder what their setting will be? I would prefer an addition to the existing landmass or an island, but a separate plane a la Shivering Isles will do.
Anyway, I was already chanting Game of the Year on this one. This new footage has me absolutely salivating. When that dragon swooped in from nowhere and nabbed the giant I actually became EVEN MORE EXCITED THAN I ALREADY WAS!
Hail the return of the Dovahkiin!
I wasn't a fan of Oblivion at all, loved Fallout 3, but jesus. This looks better than both of those combined, then set on fire, then wrapped in bacon.
And the animations, not only are they serviceable, they're actually rather good! wat is dis.
And the faces don't look uncanny. And the level of world detail is great. And the fighting/equipping system looks vastly improved. Just from looking at it, everything, it feels... solid. Like I just want to wander around the world on it's own merit. The gameplay footage has sold me here and back.
And the animations, not only are they serviceable, they're actually rather good! wat is dis.
And the faces don't look uncanny. And the level of world detail is great. And the fighting/equipping system looks vastly improved. Just from looking at it, everything, it feels... solid. Like I just want to wander around the world on it's own merit. The gameplay footage has sold me here and back.
While it does help to play the previous games to have a more overarching view of the franchise's story and basic gameplay mechanics. You most likely won't have to play the previous four games in the main series in order to understand what is going on.GeorgW said:
Unless I'm mistaken, Skyrim takes place a couple hundred years after the previous game. While it may reference some events of that game and what happened afterwards. Lack of knowledge of the previous storylines shouldn't harm your ability to enjoy the game.
Oh, and ALWAYS get the PC version if your rig can swing it. Each of the Elder Scrolls games has had a massive modding community and Skyrim is unlikely to be different.
What are the main differences between this 5th anniervsary edition and the GOTY edition?
@GeorgW, you should get it. It's fun, engrossing and atmospheric and you can spend as much or as little time in it as you like. It's not perfect, but they're forgivable flaws and if anything, will help make us appreciate Skyrim much more for fixing many of them. Bethesda make very good games.
Another cool feature is how each TES game is set in a different part of the world (Tamriel). Hammerfell, Vardenfell and Cyrodil (2 thru 4) and Skyrim to come.
@GeorgW, you should get it. It's fun, engrossing and atmospheric and you can spend as much or as little time in it as you like. It's not perfect, but they're forgivable flaws and if anything, will help make us appreciate Skyrim much more for fixing many of them. Bethesda make very good games.
Another cool feature is how each TES game is set in a different part of the world (Tamriel). Hammerfell, Vardenfell and Cyrodil (2 thru 4) and Skyrim to come.
I wish they'd start showing what all the races look like in Skyrim. So far I think we've seen the back of a Nord and a Khajiit in screen shots. I want to see what my Dunmer, Altimer and Bosmer will look like. :-/
Well, the pictures answered a VERY important question. Can I continue my complete obliteration of the elven race in every single Elder Scrolls Game?
The answer? YES!!!
On a related note, Morrowind is a very empty place when I kill every elf I see.
A xenophobic quest certainly, but those haughty elves have it coming.
The answer? YES!!!
On a related note, Morrowind is a very empty place when I kill every elf I see.
A xenophobic quest certainly, but those haughty elves have it coming.
Wow, thanks again for all that great insight!Andronicus said:
I think I'm gonna hold off until Skyrim, since that should have the gameplay, graphics and lore right, at least they say so. Plus, dragons!!
I might still look into it later on, and is so what game of the 2 are for me? I prefer gameplay over anything else, when it comes to RPGs in which you spend hundreds of hours, I don't want to get bored every time I meet an enemy. I want deep RPG levelling with the option to choose how I want to play and to really notice every level up and feel the increase in power. I always want new things to do, new quests to take on, new cities to explore and most of all getting fun loot. I don't want too much repetition, but I'm not scared of a good old grind as long as it's always fun. A good story will make sticking through boring combat a lot easier, but gameplay is always first. Graphics I don't care about.
With all that, it would seem like Oblivion is my choice? Or do you have a better insight?
That was probably the most fair minded, balanced, non-fanboy bile spewing comparison between Oblivion and Morrowind I've ever read. Nice work.Andronicus said:
You should get and play Morrowind, and then you should get and play Oblivion, and then you should get and play Skyrim. It's really the only option.GeorgW said: