Not trolling, not flaming, serious question.

What's with all the fuss of Skyrim? Why is everyone going gaga over it? If you've pre-ordered Skyrim, why do you think it'll rock?

Detailed answers please, not just "because I enjoyed the other games" or "because I've played all the series starting from Morrowind." I ask because I am curious. I've played Oblivion, and I've even finished the main story on Fallout 3. But I never enjoyed Oblivion (played as archer), and FO3 was very "meh" especially compared to FO1 and FO2 --- I felt it was just like a shooter in the Fallout universe, with the added bonus of VATS and perks. As far as I can see, this is just a "new Oblivion" so based on my experience with Oblivion, I'm not too fussed about passing on this one.

Are there any game videos out there? Beta gameplay captures? I'd like to look at actual game footage, not some directed cutscene.

Thanks!

If you didnt like Oblivion, chances are you wont like this one. Its basically the next step.

I look forward to it because if its anything like oblivion, I can do what I want and not worry about the main quest...I spent most of my time being a vampire, killing people for the dark brotherhood and breaking into shops/houses at night to theif of people! great fun.

I created an Elf, sneaky Archer who also could use single hand/ two handed swords. Some magic like see in the dark and invisibility.

I played fall out but did not enjoy it as much as oblion, I did not feel as free in fallout. Im hoping I will be able to get lost in my own little world again and do as I please whilst doing the odd story mission.

jdbecks, so you're saying you like it because it's basically an "open world" where you could be as good/bad as you please?

One thing I remember with Oblivion was following the quest and going through one of the gates early on... and getting my butt handed to me in every corner. Each encounter was an "oh crap!" moment. Also, some side quests were very confusing, like go to this location and find this guy... then you go there and nobody is there!

Dude, it's got dragons!

DRAGONS!!!!

Dont minds those nerds, its all about sexual fantasies with lizard men........some people are really into some weid #%&*$#.

basicaly yes, then you can have a castle and stuff...kit it out...recruit some guards...if you fancy go raid a dungeon etc. The gates, was the only bit I did not like and tried to run through it as fast as I could.

Only reason I stopped playing oblivion was because I installed windows7 and forgot to back up my save file! doh!

Seriously guys, you gotta do better than that.

I think it's just the graphics. I never really enjoyed Oblivion, the world is coming to an end, you must complete this quest, but no worries if you want to run around the forest for a few weeks doing nothing.

I found the world was fairly dull, I mean I could do what I wanted, but basically that just meant killing things, or taking things.

It's an open world action rpg. If you like these kind of games then the Elder Scrolls series offer some of the best fun one can have with a computer game. If you prefer the more focussed, but also more 'corridor-like' experience of games like Dragon Age or Mass Effect that's OK, too.

The problem with (vanilla) Oblivion was that the levelling system, together with the levelling NPCs, was seriously borked. And the main story wasn't half as interesting as many of the excellent side-quests.