The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Hearthfire Review

[SacremPyrobolum]

If they wanted to make DLC that is, at least for PC users, almost null because mods are available to do the same job... you think they would have made it a bit more worth while.

This is so true. I can get 20 mods that have this same functionality or even more functionality all for free on the computer. If anyone on the pc actually buys this mod I'll be horribly surprised.

It is still worth getting for PC, actually, because while the actual content from Bethesda is subpar, the added resources and framework are not. The maker of the house building mod could use this to drastically improve their mod, but only if you have the DLC!

 

[Notsomuch]

Pretty much exactly how I expected it to be.

It is still worth getting for PC, actually, because while the actual content from Bethesda is subpar, the added resources and framework are not. The maker of the house building mod could use this to drastically improve their mod, but only if you have the DLC!

If they really wanted to they could just take the code and incorporate whatever is convenient into their own mod. No purchase necessary.

 

[Mortons4ck]

Pretty much exactly how I expected it to be.

It is still worth getting for PC, actually, because while the actual content from Bethesda is subpar, the added resources and framework are not. The maker of the house building mod could use this to drastically improve their mod, but only if you have the DLC!

If they really wanted to they could just take the code and incorporate whatever is convenient into their own mod. No purchase necessary.

Unless they're adding new hard-coded functions to the engine.

Kinda like what they did in Morrowind's Tribunal Expansion.

 

[Imp_Emissary]

Well that's disappointing.

I wish they would have at least let us make all the additions to the homes.
Oh well. It's only $5, and I'm sure the next thing will be more fun.

God I hope they put in the one that lets us ride a dragon. They do that, I don't care about anything else, I'll be happy.

 

[WanderingFool]

It wouldn't be an Elder Scrolls experience if it wasn't disappointing at first.

Modders already did it better :/

Now that looks like a good mod. Shame Hearthfire isnt anything like that.

 

[IamLEAM1983]

Still gonna buy it, largely because I enjoy having larger chunks of stuff to mess around with either casually or passively. I don't always have the time to spend running around tackling the game's bigger quests, but getting my weekly Skyrim shot for an hour or two wouldn't be that bad with this.

Yes, there's mods that do the same freaking thing, but I'm sure Beth isn't done poaching from the Skyrim Nexus. Let's just wait and see...

 

[tehweave]

This sounds like a two-way approach to appeal to the fanbase.

1. PC mods have been around for a while to do this exact same thing. This is just allowing PC modders to test a new ability to create houses, almost as if Bethesda is saying "here's a template for you guys made by us, go nuts!" I'm guessing this expansion will be modded like crap over the next few months. Gotta check back with the Steam workshop to see what they come up with.

2. This is allowing console users to get part of the PC experience, as mods like this are already available. This gives console users the ability to build their own home like the PC users can already do.

There seem to be bonuses to both sides, but it's nothing new if you own a PC version. I guess just an "official" house mod for Skyrim. Better for consoles, but a new realm for modders.

Honestly, I'd like to see what people do with this on Steam's workshop page for Skyrim.

 

[RatRace123]

Damn you Bethesda!

My dreams of a doom fortress have been shattered.
Guess I'll just have to live with making the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary my homebase.

 

[bat32391]

Meh I didn't expect much for 5 dollars, but I guess I'm satisfied with it.

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

Doing the same thing but making it a crazy-ass Nord-Fortress or something completely unique wouldn't have been much more expensive, and people would have gone nuts for it. I expect to like this DLC well enough, but I don't understand why they made it the way they did. I'm going to get it for the PC one way or another. Eventually. Because frankly people who say they will just get a mod and skip official content don't realize what they are missing, or they are content to miss out.

 

[Lizardon]

Here I've been, defending this when people were comparing it to the mods, saying that the official DLC would be bigger with more customisation. Unfortunately it really seems to be equivalent to the "Build a House" mod. I'll probably pass on this unless some people decide to expand on it later.

In the mean time, I'll stick to using Hjerim in Windhelm as my home.

 

[algalon]

Is there a mod to build a fortress, like house Telvanni, with a private dungeon at its base? I would like my own "Deception" style abode, with a variety of traps and snares to kill hapless bandits and thieves seeking an easy score, or maybe to kill those 2 guys that keep coming to visit my wife.

 

[immortalfrieza]

I know that if Bethesda tried to make this DLC have a Sims build mode level of customization it would probably have more bugs in it than a Sci-fi convention, but you'd think that they could have at least done better than this, especially with the adopted child mechanic.

 

[The Lugz]

i really feel i have to point out this dlc is heavily aimed towards the role-player and
machinima creator not so much the average player because you're not going to get much game-play
from it

as for the pc version
you can download and create your own buildings with the steam workshop and the creation kit
respectively

personally i want these deep single-player games to succeed so i will buy all the dlc for them
even if it is the proverbial horse Armour
but i will never buy extra cars for racing games, skins hats or anything mental like extra gold

 

[tmande2nd]

I heard they just did a smaller DLC to get out of their 30 day deal with Microsoft.

But yeah...this is really kind of well shallow.
I mean Dawnguard added lots of content...this just added three houses.

Eh its only five bucks so I dont care that much. If it was 20 there would be no way I would buy it.

 

[redknightalex]

This sounds like a two-way approach to appeal to the fanbase.

1. PC mods have been around for a while to do this exact same thing. This is just allowing PC modders to test a new ability to create houses, almost as if Bethesda is saying "here's a template for you guys made by us, go nuts!" I'm guessing this expansion will be modded like crap over the next few months. Gotta check back with the Steam workshop to see what they come up with.

2. This is allowing console users to get part of the PC experience, as mods like this are already available. This gives console users the ability to build their own home like the PC users can already do.

There seem to be bonuses to both sides, but it's nothing new if you own a PC version. I guess just an "official" house mod for Skyrim. Better for consoles, but a new realm for modders.

Honestly, I'd like to see what people do with this on Steam's workshop page for Skyrim.

This is how I feel as well. Although PC mods can do pretty much what this DLC does, it can only be done on the PC and thus console players are left out. At least they have something that pseudo-makes up for what PC users can create (minus the PS3 players because Bethesda can't get their coding right). As for PC players, this is just another way to expand upon the game and create more content that they may not have been able to before. Usually with each expansion pack or DLC the added content to the core gameplay is expanded upon and I'm sure modders will take advantage of it.

It may be disappointing but I'm sure there are other benefits that most don't see because they don't mod themselves.

 

[PunkRex]

I guess its useful for maxing out those last few stats and its fairly cheap... still... was so looking forward to building a fortress complete with dragon skull interior decorating... and wenchs... lots and lots of wenchs...

 

[everythingbeeps]

Honestly, I'd not fond of the whole "go out and find your own materials" aspect. I started building a house, but when I realized I was going to have to spend time at the forge making nails and locks and shit, my enthusiasm vanished. Honest, this almost seems like something better suited to people who AREN'T finished with the game, so they can acquire the materials as they go, rather then have their only real "quest" to be to fast travel to merchants looking for materials.

 

[orangeapples]

Minecraft has spoiled us. When we heard, "build your own home." we thought "What is all of the crazy stuff I've built in Minecraft? Can I do it in HD?"

Still looks like fun, but just have to remember it isn't minecraft...

 

[cerebus23]

Well since there already was a mod that let you build just about anything on pc, tho last i looked it caused crashes when built in certain areas, since you could build anywhere, believe it was wars in skyrim and the house mod did not like to play together, tho i have had issues with wars in skyrim causing ctds anyway if i just try to run through them for any amount of time seems to make the game crash in general.