In Between Posts, July 8, 2012
July 8, 2012
Well it seems I’m feeling better. My fatigue left me towards the end of last week and I got back into the groove of things proper by working my tail off in the produce department, completing research and homework, and playing video games. I’m seeing The Amazing Spider-Man later tonight so I’ve got something to look forward to. Afterwards, I’ll be neck deep in homework relating to business ethics and the environment. I tell you what, nothing will make you think the phrase “business ethics is an oxymoron” like reading in-depth about business practices and how they relate to the environment. On the bright side, there’s a lot of room for improvement.
Red Dead Redemption has eluded me the past couple of weeks thanks to my increased focus on school. Still, the few hours I play it here and there keep me wanting more and continue to enlighten me of the impressive talent housed at Rockstar Games. When talking about The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Bethesda Game Studios was given massive praise and rightfully so. One comment that stuck out to me (and it could’ve originated internally) was that the worlds they created were done so well, they were essentially the main character. Indeed, Skyrim was an impressive area in it’s totality. Playing Red Dead Redemption, I can see a glimmer of the same awesomeness in the massive environment they’ve created, but truly, Rockstar Games’ skills lie in the narrative – specifically the characters. They’re multidimensional personas that are not simply out to kill someone. The journeys I go on with them, where I’m giving a heaping helping of dialogue, fills me in on their motivations, goals, and personalities to such a degree that it’s almost pathetic comparing other games to Red Dead Redemption. Needless to say, it’s engrossing.
Also, I must give enormous congratulations to my best friend and his wife for their newborn daughter. They’re two of my favorite people and I wish all three the best.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Collector’s Edition Review
March 22, 2012
The contents of the collector's edition of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
I’ve written three articles covering collector’s editions of video games so far and they’ve all been similar. Namely, they all came in metal DVD cases; of course they contained other bonuses too but nothing spectacular in my opinion. Well, when it came to releasing a collector’s edition of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Bethesda Softworks decided to do it big.
The collector’s edition of Skyrim is hard to miss in a store thanks to the massive box it comes in. Because it houses a foot tall statue of the dragon Alduin, it takes up a lot of space, which is also why it’s been marked down from its original retail price of $150 to $100, so stores can get rid of them. That’s still a lot of money and the game itself is FANTASTIC and definitely worth playing, but maybe you don’t need all the extras the collector’s edition comes with.
Alduin is really solid, like, made of rock hard plastic, and he has many protrusions, so he’s hard to grasp and handle. Luckily he comes with a stand resembling a word wall from the game, although the stand is hollow and feels cheap, the opposite of Alduin. Regardless, that’s not disappointing because it does its job of displaying Alduin well. If you’re unashamed in your love of dragons it’s a wonderful display piece, if you’ve got the space.
Another bonus included in the collector’s edition is a massive art book, definitely the biggest and best I’ve ever received with a game. It’s not miniature like the ones I’ve received with other games; no sir, it’s a full size book. It contains nearly two hundred pages of concept art, computer-generated art, and descriptions of almost anything you can think of that’s in the game. It’s a seriously nice art book.
Lastly, the collector’s edition features a documentary DVD distilling many facets of the game. It never delves very deep into any particular subject, but, like the art book, covers so many features of the game. I wished I watched it before playing through the game or at least before beating it, but listening to the developers discuss various features of making Skyrim was still interesting.
The collector’s edition of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim sells for around $100 now and personally, I think the premium over the standard edition is worth it, if you’re into displaying massive statues of dragons. The statue of Alduin is badass, the art book is ridiculous compared to the ones that usually get bundled with collector’s edition of video games, and the documentary DVD provides some deeper insight into the game. Too bad the game doesn’t come in a nice SteelBook though.
Alfhedil’s Journal – Middas, 19th of Last Seed, 4E 201
December 27, 2011
Alfhedil's adventure begins!
I survived! Just as I was about to beheaded, a dragon caused a ruckus and I was able to get to safety. But that begs another question. Where’d that dragon come from? They haven’t been seen for hundreds of years. This journey began as I tried to cross into Skyrim…
I was to be beheaded along with a group of Stormcloaks, the Skyrim loyalists who are attempting to break from Imperial control. As I laid my head on the chopping block that dragon came out of nowhere, killing many, and practically destroying Helgen, the town I was brought to. The dragon caused chaos; it was remarkable how powerful it was! Luckily, Hadvar, a fellow Nord and I escaped via a tunnel and we made it to safety after fighting a handful of Stormcloaks.
When we were safe, he and I made our way to Riverwood, a small village nearby. Hadvar’s uncle, Alvor lived there and he promised me shelter. Hadvar is a member of the Imperial Legion and suggested that I should join and fight the Stormcloaks. Nord’s like us aren’t common among the Legion ranks but he was very convincing in his reasoning. He believed the Imperials offered the best chance for peace. I shan’t make a decision yet. I’ve only been in Skyrim a few days and need to get my bearings.
While in Riverwood I met with many, if not every, resident and offered to lend a hand to the shop owner, who just recently had a valuable item stolen from him. With a lead I traveled to Bleak Falls Barrow, a nearby Nordic shrine. Sure enough there were many bandits there and I did come across the shop keeper’s item. He rewarded me with a meager amount of gold but I was glad to help; I feel better introduced to my surroundings and the people now.
It’s been a rough couple of days and it looks like there’s much ahead of me. Alvor wants me to travel to Whiterun to send word of the dragon attack to a person named Jarl. Hadvar has been very persuasive in recruiting me for the Imperial Legion, but it’s no time to make a decision. Tomorrow I must head for Whiterun and deliver Alvor’s message.
