Same impression here. Oblivion is overrated, but how does that make Skyrim shitty is beyond me lol.

Seems to be some interesting stuff going into the AI as well (they say they won't have to script most of the stuff), so yeah from a technical viewpoint it's gotten my attention. Not to mention the super-modifiability of the engine.

Let's face it - Skyrim is gonna win not because it's a great game called Skyrim(even though it might be exactly this), but mainly because it's Bethesda and it has Elder Scrolls in the name.

It's at least +10% in the reviews too. You don't bite the hand that feeds you.

In my opinion Witcher 3 should have a chance, but not this year, not yet.

And yet they are doing things like simplifying skills and merging armour pieces. In a game where character customisation is what it's all about.

I don't think that's a fair thing to say. Less =/= worse. If the skills that got cut were useless, while the skills that remained have more depth, then that's a welcome change.

For one, magic seems to work much better than in Oblivion or Morrowind.

As for the armor types, same logic applies. There are apparently no more legs, but there are many more armor types and variations.

I have pretty strong opinions against Bethesda RPGs. I really wish that Skyrim was not being released the same year as the Witcher 2. I have never been a huge fan of post-Oblivion Bethesda despite the fact I am an avid follower of the modding communities that emerge from their games. Its hypocritical, I know.

While criticism towards the Witcher 2 from many (but not all) of the major review sites have been adequately objective. Well, objective to the extent that mainstream gaming journalism can be these days. Bethesda RPGs almost always get a free pass from these same major review sites.

These are just my personal opinions though, the games themselves are very popular and I do enjoy there modding capabilities.

You nailed it! And that's what pisses me off. I never said that Skyrim is shitty, but it's ridiculous how everybody takes this game as a "uber-pro masterpiece GOTY 4ever" even if it's not out yet...


BTW. I've already pre-orderd the game and can't wait to play it, and see for myself what's all the hype about.

I'd say competition is good. Besides, comparing Skyrim and The Witcher 2 is like comparing apples and oranges. Just you dislike Bethesda, that doesn't mean Skyrim being released in the same year would threaten TW2.

TW2 has got some pretty raving reviews (from the major sites anyways). Bethesda RPGs are rated a bit higher than they should be. But does that negate/undermine the fact that TW2 is well-received by critics and gamers alike? Nope. You put too much weight into numbers and scores.

Just my 2 cents.

But the variety of skills and character customisation is what I liked about TES games. In Morrowind, you could mix and match different shoulder pads. Now they are eliminating legs. Maybe they should just regress back to "here are five portraits, pick one" system. I loved mixing different armour pieces and it sucks they are now limiting this.

vAddictedGamer, you nailed it. The two games are uncomparable - a story-driven RPG based on existing series vs a sandbox RPG, they have nothing in common (this assuming Skyrim isn't too different from previous TES games).

It doesn't even matter who wins some ~GOTY~ award because the true quality of both games will shine through in a few years, when people forget about the hype and focus on actual games. Test of time is where it's at, not IGN's top ten article people forget by February anyway.