[360, PS3, PC] The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Preview

Platforms: Xbox 360, PC and PS3

Genre: Fantasy Action/Adventure RPG

Developers: Bethesda Game Studios

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Release Date: November 11, 2011

The wait for one of the most anticipated games of this generation is nearly over as Bethesda are less than two weeks from launching their second Elder Scrolls game on the current generation of consoles. Overall Skyrim is the fifth installment of the revered RPG franchise and we're just as excited as you but in the mean time here's a run down on what to expect from Skyrim!

The game once again takes place on the continent of Tamriel but this time you'll be adventuring across the northern region of Skyrim. A mountainous and snow-filled region however there'll still be a range of environments such as forests and dungeons so you won't spend all your time high up on the frost covered peaks and valleys. Skyrim isn't just a wilderness however as across the environment are 5 major cities and several small towns scattered across the landscape which will primarily be populated by the native Nord race of humans, you can get around Skyrim on foot or horse and you can fast travel to previously discovered locations. An example of one of the locations you'll be able to visit and interact with the populous is Winterhold which has developed to an influential town due to the presence of a college and several academic institutions such as a large library, but the residents of Winterhold aren't alone in their occupations as all across Skyrim you'll come across individuals going about their daily routines such as operating a mill. You'll be seeing less of needlessly wandering NPCs and more of them engaging in an activity this time round. Not only do they go about their business but there is also a live economy in the game and you can help or damage it through completing jobs or by sabotaging other's efforts.

The NPCs in Skyrim aren't limited to going about their own daily life in the community as you can interact with them, some can become a companion to aid you in your travels will others may become your enemy. NPCs also serve as the primary quest givers in the game and this time your actions, both during and outside of quests, will be recorded and adjusted by the new Radiant Story feature Bethesda has implemented which basically makes a dynamic consequence action for what you do in the world. For example if you kill a man in a cold blooded act then his family may find out and as such the community they belong to will lose respect for you, or if you get given a dungeon exploration quest then the game will direct you to a dungeon that you haven't previously explored. It is all about making the world more diverse and to show your impact in the world. There is of course some Bethesda-directed quests but the Radiant Story system is present a lot of your quests and actions.

Winter is approaching....
Not everyone in the world works alone and Skyrim has several different factions in the world, each with their own quest line such as the Dark Brotherhood (A fan favorite in the last Elder Scrolls game, Oblivion) or one of the several guilds. Each offering their own bonuses and experiences.

Skyrim is an RPG and as such wants you to develop a character and has a flexible set of options for your character to naturally develop. First up you chose a race to be and in Skyrim there are 10 playable races which are:
ArgonianDunmer (Dark Elves)Altmer (High Elves)Bosmer (Tree Elves)KhajiitNordOrcBretonRed GuardImperial

There are 18 skills to develop, these skills are divided equally into 3 sections which are combat, magic and stealth. You develop the skill the more you use it and level up when you have upgraded skills 10 times. In Skyrim every time you level up you get to pick a bonus or ability called a perk - a feature being carried over from Bethesda's own Fallout 3. This system allows your character to develop and improve in a way personal to them and what they do. Governing the player use are three attributes, first is health which can be restored through resting or through the use of a portion or spell. Second is Magicka which limits how many spells you can cast and third is fatigue which limits your physical ability such as sprinting and jumping - both Magicka and Fatigue automatically restore over time but immediate rejuvenation can be achieved through spells or potions like Health.

At your disposal is a wide range of weapons to use. Shields can be used to block enemy attacks or can be used offensively to bash your opponent, and there are a variety of blunt and bladed weapons such as swords or axes which can be bought, found or forged yourself. The weapons also have unique finishing move animations. You have the ability to dual wield as well meaning you could have a sword and a shield or dual wield two swords among other possibilities. Physicality isn't all what Skyrim is about as there are 85 spells available and the dual wielding system applies here too so you can use a spell by itself, or doubling it up to have a greater effect or you could even use two spells at once for different results. Or perhaps a freezing spell in one hand and an axe in the other to smash your frozen opponent? Or why not attack from range with the bow and arrow. There's also the option to get up close and personal with stealth and then do a sneak attack on an unsuspecting enemy for more damage.

One of the largest differences between Skyrim and its predecessors is the implementations of dragons into the world. Dragons are randomly generated so their number is infinite and they can attack the player out in the open or even reign down on towns and cities. There are several specific dragons and not all are hostile so you can interact with them and this is integral to the story of Skyrim as the player finds out they are 'Dragonborn' which means they can read the language of the dragons and through the world are several walls which if you read you'll gain access to a Dragon Shout which you can use in combat which have different effects, if you slay a dragon and collect its soul then you'll upgrade your Dragon Shouts.

This is just scratching the surface and the basics of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and as you explore the massive region you'll be constantly learning and discovering. It truly is a game massive in scope and if it can avoid a jittery launch which previous Bethesda games have suffered but later recovered from then it'll be a game of the year contender if what we have seen so far is any indication. So, how excited are you for the next installment of the Elder Scrolls franchise?

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