The Crack Scrolls V: Dragoncandy

A dragon is no match for this feline warrior.

Game--The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim

System: PC, Xbox 360, PS3

Release: November 2011


Skyrim will suck you in. Binge gaming may ensue. Apologize to your loved ones if you start to play this game. They will miss you, and wonder where you've been months later when you reconnect at that random social gathering.

Like most Elder Scroll tittles, Skyrim is a massive videogame. For all the time spent--currently at 160 hours across two characters--I haven't come close to experiencing all the content. There's also DLC, which adds even more to this epic adventure. It has everything you'd expect from a fantasy game and then some. Players can create a wide range of classes, from a number of different races, and quest until the cows come home.

Beautiful landscape throughout the game.

The depth of the skill system is overwhelming at first, but once mastered it's a beautiful thing. Other games will force you down a strict traditional path of the warrior, rogue, or caster. You're either throwing lightening bolts, or blocking blows with your shield. Skyrim says fuck all that. If a character uses an ability, then they gain experience. It's not necessary to use skill points granted each level on abilities used in game. Anyone can throw a fireball, or pick a lock. Like in life, practice will eventually make perfect.

Obviously specialization in a select number of capabilities will define your character, but players are given free reign to figure out what works for them. You can be that archer who also summons creatures to aide them in battle, or the armored knight with a cunning tongue and pickpocket skills. Specialize in alchemy, enchanting, or become a blacksmith. Can't decide, then take up all three. The variety is mind boggling, and it increases the replay value tremendously.

Ah, the common folk.

Adding to the deep character development is a breathtaking world begging to be explored. The general theme for the game is loosely influenced by Nordic mythology. There are vast snow capped mountains, lush green valleys, caves, coasts, rivers, castles, and villages. The native populace speak in an accent the reminds me of Minnesota, and you won't go more than fifteen minutes before something random occurs. Be it a dragon attacking the local town, or a thief making a pathetic attempt to rob you.

Consistently while playing I kept thinking. Let's do one more thing. Just one more. I'll go to this town. Talk to one person, and be done. I traveled to that town, but got distracted by a murder that happened right as I strolled through the city gates. Next thing I know I'm off helping someone settle a local rebellion. Moments later I got sucked into a warrior cult who's leaders consisted of werewolves. Then I went hunting and fishing for a bit. I check the clock, it's one in the morning, and I realize another evening has been dedicated to exploring Skyrim.

Dragons take forever to finish their monologues. 

Story wise it's hard to give an overall definitive opinion. The game consists of major and minor quest lines. Each guild, the civil war, and the main story are major quest lines. With some exceptions the rest our minor. Some story arcs were more interesting then others. The dragon plot started off great, but sort of tapered off towards the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the Dark Brotherhood adventure, but didn't care so much for the Companions.

It was disappointing that the major quest lines didn't intersect very often. Also, with so many distractions from the sheer variety of this game, storytelling is hindered by a short attention span. You'll set out to save the word from the dragon menace, get distracted by a demon who wants to go bar hopping, which somehow leads you to an ancient cavern searching for a rare plant. All of a sudden you forget why you were fetching some item that was instrumental in defeating the wicked dragons.

Will you choose the Empire or the Stormcloaks?

Connecting the vast quest chains, and deep character development are the small minute to minute actions. Luckily most of these are fun, the gameplay mechanics are smooth, and the tasks are diverse. One minute you're picking a lock, the next you're launching an arrow at an unsuspecting foe. Both equally enjoyable, but each require different strategies. The game also provides interesting literature on a variety of subjects if you feel the need to do some reading. Explore, loot, read, sell/make items, and repeat. This constant rotation keeps the game interesting, and fans the flames of binge gaming.

The biggest issues with Skyrim are a semi steep learning curve, and the bugs. I spent only two years as a game tester, but my QA eye can't miss the blatant problems. Numerous visual issues, and full on crashes are not uncommon. Save often while exploring. I also found the constant chatter of NPCs to be rather annoying. Although judging from Reddit, that is now supposedly apart of the games charm.

Shot him in the neck. Still won't shut up about the Thieves Guild.

Skyrim embodies the cliche, variety is the spice of life. The games entertainment factor lies in it's diversity and solid execution. There's always something new. There's always something to do, and odds are you'll need a number of abilities to get the job done. Despite it's minor flaws Skyrim is a must own for any RPG/fantasy aficionado. Just be warned that your significant other will not be pleased if you purchase this game.

Fallout Lite

Game: Rage

System: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Release: October 2011

Rage was one of those games I really wanted to love. The classic post apocalypse setting. Vehicle races and combat. Open world environment. Gorgeous graphics and smooth gameplay. All are ingredients for a great game, but something was missing. That something was variety.

If you've played the first half of Rage, then stop. The second half is exactly the same. Find the main town. Get some guns and vehicles. Upgrade equipment by earning money from completing missions and races. Watch towns get taken over by the "Authority" as secrets from your past are revealed. End with some sort of climax. Rinse, wash, repeat. It's like having sex twice in a row. Everything is still fun, but you've seen it all before and it takes longer to finish.

The plot is almost a blatant rip off of Fallout 3. Instead of Vaults there are Arks. Instead of The Enclave there is The Authority. Instead of ghouls there are mutants. The main character wakes up/escapes/leaves the Vault/Ark to change the chaotic world that has risen from the ashes. Outside they encounter multiple factions that range from wild mutants to small settlements to large cities. Rage is like Fallout stripped of the compelling plot, interesting setting, and RPG elements. It's Fallout Lite with vehicles.

Gameplay is what you would expect from a title developed by Id. In this regard, the creators of Doom and Quake have not lost their FPS touch. The controls are smooth and responsive. Driving is fun, and reminds me of my days working on Mercenaries 2: World in Flames. Weapons are your standard FPS arsenal with the exception of the crossbow and wingsticks. The latter is basically the boomerang the kid used in the movie Mad Max, and both are a vain attempt to provide a stealth option.

Enemies could be smarter, and most encounters follow the standard FPS rhythm. Melee characters will charge blindly into your cross-hair. Gunslingers will attempt to hide behind cover yet always seem to poke their head out just long enough for you to get a shot off. If you stay in one spot for too long, then a grenade will be tossed to force you from cover. None of this is bad, but it hardly provides anything unique to a saturated genre.

The standard gameplay formula is enhanced by the top notch graphics and sound. I found myself staring at the vast landscape and beautiful clouds for minutes at a time. Character models are nicely detailed. The voice acting is a mix of no names and celebrities like John Goodman, but all deliver their lines well. The music fits the environment, but doesn't particularly stand out. All in all the presentation is the strongest selling point for Rage.

Presentation alone, however, doesn't make for a great game. The unoriginal plot was poorly executed. The repetition is terrible, and affects everything from pacing to gameplay. If this game was released when the PS3 and Xbox 360 launched, then it could have been a hit. Yet after so many years of shooters Rage fails to stand out from the crowd.