The hallmark of this series has always been player freedom, sometimes at the expense of any focus or through line to the story. Skyrim manages to get this balance just right. You can do whatever you want, pursue whatever quests and storylines interest you and work on the main quest whenever you feel like it.
And oh, what a world. Skyrim is a huge province and you are free to explore every inch of it. Design-wise, it's a beautiful if not flashy place. In the first hours of the game I found myself wishing that the architecture of Skyrim were more over-the-top. But I soon realized that the payoff to the more realistic visuals was just that: it made Skyrim feel like an organic, actual place. Whenever you discover a new fort, a new town, a lonely temple in the snow it can give a real thrill of discovery.
Travel through the game world has steadily gotten better in the series. In this game, a location doesn't appear on your map until you've heard about it. Once you've actually traveled to a location you can, forever after, fast-travel to it from any outdoor location. It's a good system that makes exploring the world rewarding and keeps the dashing about you have to do to get your quests done not a cumbersome chore. It's also satisfying to gradually see the map peppered with the locations where you have had adventures. It really adds to your sense of accomplishment.
For me the exploration highlight involved a long trek up the highest mountain on the map. It took a long time, and I was amazed at how real the experience felt: lines of snow blowing into my face, various creatures impeding my progress, the views off the edges of the mountain, etc. It was a thrilling ninety minutes.
And oh, what a world. Skyrim is a huge province and you are free to explore every inch of it. Design-wise, it's a beautiful if not flashy place. In the first hours of the game I found myself wishing that the architecture of Skyrim were more over-the-top. But I soon realized that the payoff to the more realistic visuals was just that: it made Skyrim feel like an organic, actual place. Whenever you discover a new fort, a new town, a lonely temple in the snow it can give a real thrill of discovery.
Travel through the game world has steadily gotten better in the series. In this game, a location doesn't appear on your map until you've heard about it. Once you've actually traveled to a location you can, forever after, fast-travel to it from any outdoor location. It's a good system that makes exploring the world rewarding and keeps the dashing about you have to do to get your quests done not a cumbersome chore. It's also satisfying to gradually see the map peppered with the locations where you have had adventures. It really adds to your sense of accomplishment.
For me the exploration highlight involved a long trek up the highest mountain on the map. It took a long time, and I was amazed at how real the experience felt: lines of snow blowing into my face, various creatures impeding my progress, the views off the edges of the mountain, etc. It was a thrilling ninety minutes.
Best Destruction Gear:
Master Destruction Robes/Daedric Armor Of Peereless Destruction.
Daedric/Ebony/Dragon Helmet of Pereless Destruction.
Hands: Ebony/Daedric/Dragon Gauntlets Of Extra Magic +21.
Feet: Ebony/Daedric Boots Of Resist Frost.
Other: Necklace (-10 cost), Ring (-10 cost)
Standing Stones: Atronach Stone (+50 Magicka, absorb 50% spells, Magicka regens at -50%.)
Apprentice Stone: (Magicka regens 2x faster, but twice as vulnerable to spells.) *•But with armor that doesn't really matter!*•
Master Destruction Robes/Daedric Armor Of Peereless Destruction.
Daedric/Ebony/Dragon Helmet of Pereless Destruction.
Hands: Ebony/Daedric/Dragon Gauntlets Of Extra Magic +21.
Feet: Ebony/Daedric Boots Of Resist Frost.
Other: Necklace (-10 cost), Ring (-10 cost)
Standing Stones: Atronach Stone (+50 Magicka, absorb 50% spells, Magicka regens at -50%.)
Apprentice Stone: (Magicka regens 2x faster, but twice as vulnerable to spells.) *•But with armor that doesn't really matter!*•
Skyrim Warrior Tips!
Warrior: Strong Fighting Character.
Weapons: War Axes, War Hammers, Axes,Swords,Great Swords, Maces, Battle Axes.
Apparel:Heavy Armour,Gauntlets, Helmets, Boots, Sheilds.
Useful Potions: Fortify Heavy Armour, Poisons, Fortify Block, Fortify Carry Weight, (Restore Stamina, Health for all types of characters).
Useful Enchantments: Fortify Carry Weight, Fortify Block, Fortify Two/One Handed, (Fortify Stamina and Health for all types of characters).
Useful Spells: Destruction, Conjuration, Illusion.
Useful Shouts: Unrelenting Force, Marked For Death, Storm Call, Call Dragon, Call Of Valor, Fire Breath, Frost Breath, Disarm, Become Ethernal, Dragonrend, Whirlwind Sprint.
More Tips: Warriors always need stamina potions. You can use bows and magic as a backup. Many warriors live at 'Solitude' and 'Whiterun'. enchant jewellery, weapons and apparel. (Improve weapons and apparel at forges.)
Warrior: Strong Fighting Character.
Weapons: War Axes, War Hammers, Axes,Swords,Great Swords, Maces, Battle Axes.
Apparel:Heavy Armour,Gauntlets, Helmets, Boots, Sheilds.
Useful Potions: Fortify Heavy Armour, Poisons, Fortify Block, Fortify Carry Weight, (Restore Stamina, Health for all types of characters).
Useful Enchantments: Fortify Carry Weight, Fortify Block, Fortify Two/One Handed, (Fortify Stamina and Health for all types of characters).
Useful Spells: Destruction, Conjuration, Illusion.
Useful Shouts: Unrelenting Force, Marked For Death, Storm Call, Call Dragon, Call Of Valor, Fire Breath, Frost Breath, Disarm, Become Ethernal, Dragonrend, Whirlwind Sprint.
More Tips: Warriors always need stamina potions. You can use bows and magic as a backup. Many warriors live at 'Solitude' and 'Whiterun'. enchant jewellery, weapons and apparel. (Improve weapons and apparel at forges.)