First Impressions

Dyre Straits · Post by **Dyre Straits** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:52 pm

[QUOTE=mordib]on exiting the game i also get a windows error message, plus about 20 instances of some graphics thing ('FF', 'FD' i cant rememebr right now) in the quick tray. but still, crashing when you exit the game is better than in the game![/QUOTE]

I so agree with you. But, it's still quite annoying as it seems to take an inordinate amount of time for it to generate this error and return control to the Desktop.

At any rate, I have found that if I set my Desktop resolution to the same as I use in the game, it happens less frequently. Can others try this to see if they get the same result?

Invincible121 · Post by **Invincible121** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:40 pm

I've played it for about 5 hours today and it's great. Graphics are as good as I was expecting up close, however the distant views are verging on apalling. The trees stand out fine but the hillside they stand on looks like someone smudged it with oil pastels or something like that. It's really jarring to look at compared with everything else.

What I hate, HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE, is the sytem for unlocking stuff. It's stupid and I hate it! It's not responsive enough, at least with my mouse, for me to do anything beyond a 'very easy lock'. It needs to die a painful death.

I'm starting to love the persuasion system though. I'm starting to get a hang on it and it's a nice little mini-game-esque diversion. Plus it's useful if you get it right.

I also found the amount of character customisation amazing. It was quite overwhelming at the start. So many different options.

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 5:01 am

[QUOTE=Ashen]Aha, so you've had these as well ... me too, on both accounts. What bugs me is that I can't find fault with my system, and therefore cannot correct it.[/QUOTE]

Bethedsa Elder Scrolls games are notorious for lots of silly little glitches like that. No doubt they will have patches, eventually.
I deal with 'em by Quicksaving a lot, especially before moving from one location to another (doors and such).

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 5:06 am

[QUOTE=Invincible121] I've played it for about 5 hours today and it's great. Graphics are as good as I was expecting up close, however the distant views are verging on apalling. The trees stand out fine but the hillside they stand on looks like someone smudged it with oil pastels or something like that. It's really jarring to look at compared with everything else.[/quote]

Well, I'm not top-end specs, but the distant scenery looks ok to me. After all, distant scenery isn't leaf-sharp in RL!

[QUOTE=Invincible121]What I hate, HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE, is the sytem for unlocking stuff. It's stupid and I hate it! It's not responsive enough, at least with my mouse, for me to do anything beyond a 'very easy lock'. It needs to die a painful death.[/quote]

I very quickly went for the Automatic option.

[QUOTE=Invincible121]I'm starting to love the persuasion system though. I'm starting to get a hang on it and it's a nice little mini-game-esque diversion. Plus it's useful if you get it right.[/quote]

Yeah, it's fun once you get the hang of it, isn't it?

[QUOTE=Invincible121]I also found the amount of character customisation amazing. It was quite overwhelming at the start. So many different options.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, you can feel they are real people. And I loved Patrick Stewart as the voice of Uriel Septim. Only one I've recognised, so far!

Ashen · Post by **Ashen** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:12 am

[QUOTE=Fljotsdale]Bethedsa Elder Scrolls games are notorious for lots of silly little glitches like that. No doubt they will have patches, eventually.
I deal with 'em by Quicksaving a lot, especially before moving from one location to another (doors and such).[/QUOTE]

Oh yes, F5 is my best friend but still it is somewhat annoying. I am not too bothered in the sense of - it's a huge game, something has got to go wrong so I am not going to complain but I would like some little notice of - hey this and this happens, it will be corrected so that I do not have to spend time going through my system (or my friends' systems) trying to see what is off in the set ups.

And I think that they will have to think about a patch sooner than later, I see quite a few people having some serious issues with the game. Shame, I love it, and knock on wood, apart from these little annoyances no troubles for me.

trance · Post by **trance** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:36 am

[QUOTE=Invincible121]I've played it for about 5 hours today and it's great. Graphics are as good as I was expecting up close, however the distant views are verging on apalling. The trees stand out fine but the hillside they stand on looks like someone smudged it with oil pastels or something like that. It's really jarring to look at compared with everything else.[/QUOTE]

I know just what you mean. The visuals have, by and large, been very impressive to me, but the textures of distant hillsides are just plain ugly, ecspecially if the lighting and distance are just right.

As for my impressions thus far. I'm about 7 hours into the game, and loving it. Aside from the above-mentioned problem, the graphics really are wonderful, and there's been a few moments where I've just stopped and looked about in awe of the game-world.

Everything about the game, gameplay-wise, is vastly improved over Morrowind. Combat is great, whether melee or ranged. Sneaking about is fun, and so is magic use.

My one real problem with the game thus far is the dialogue. It just doesn't quite hold up compared to the quality of the rest of the game, particularly when it comes to the choices given to you, the player.

Now excuse me as I jump back into the game...

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:51 am

[QUOTE=Dyre Straits]I so agree with you. But, it's still quite annoying as it seems to take an inordinate amount of time for it to generate this error and return control to the Desktop.

At any rate, I have found that if I set my Desktop resolution to the same as I use in the game, it happens less frequently. Can others try this to see if they get the same result?[/QUOTE]

Go to Main Menu, then choose the exit option from there. It doesn't crash so often.

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:07 am

[QUOTE=Invincible121] I've played it for about 5 hours today and it's great. Graphics are as good as I was expecting up close, however the distant views are verging on apalling. The trees stand out fine but the hillside they stand on looks like someone smudged it with oil pastels or something like that. It's really jarring to look at compared with everything else.[/quote]

Only just realised your problem when I accidentally changed my video setting! If you change your video resolution to 1024x768 you should find that improves your visuals. And make sure you check your Options so you can optimise the visuals.

[QUOTE=Invincible121]What I hate, HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE, is the sytem for unlocking stuff. It's stupid and I hate it! It's not responsive enough, at least with my mouse, for me to do anything beyond a 'very easy lock'. It needs to die a painful death.[/quote]

Actually, I have now figured this out, and don't use the Automatic option any more:
1. ALWAYS save before you make an attempt, so you can try again. You will break fewer lockpicks - and they are FAR less easy to find after you get out of the sewer.
2. Position the pick under the furthest down tumbler first.
3. Use the left mouse button to push up the tumbler, then IMMEDIATELY hit the right mouse button to fix it in place. DON'T do what I was doing and try hitting both buttons at the same time.

I hadn't read the manual properly.

4. Improve your Lockpicking skill!

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:10 am

[QUOTE=trance]
My one real problem with the game thus far is the dialogue. It just doesn't quite hold up compared to the quality of the rest of the game, particularly when it comes to the choices given to you, the player.
[/QUOTE]

But the voices are good.

I just loved Patrick Stewart's Uriel Septim. Pity he is not there for very long. I could listen to his voice for ever!:laugh:

Oh... erm... am I the only one who failed to scroll down a full dialogue bar to see if there were other conversation options?