Lessons learned--Skyrim

For the first time in many months, the stars aligned, and I was given a few hours to attack the pile of shame. There were many games to pick from, but there was one at the top of the pile staring at me, daring me to play.

Skyrim

It’s going to take me about 50 years to finish this game, so don’t expect a review any time soon. There are tons of reviews out there if you need to check one out. For me, I am going to chronicle a few things about my time in Skyrim. I am saving the kingdom, albeit slowly, but learning a lot along the way.

Lessons learned (5 hours in):

1.  Save often.
2.  If your character is at level 3, don’t try to kill a giant. Really, don’t. Just wait awhile.  If you try, you will be impressed with your ability to fly.
3.  If your character is at level 3, don’t try to kill a giant’s mammoths. Seriously, don’t. Maybe you will have better luck killing a chicken in the village.
4.   Leave the chickens alone. Killing one will get you in a lot of trouble. Who am I kidding? Avoid mammoths and chickens. Do some leveling up first.
5.  Whenever the prompt comes up to steal something, don’t do it in front of someone, even if you are carrying a large axe.  It never ends well. 
6.  Don’t step on ornate floor tiles in caves.  Look but don't touch.
7.  When stealth is required, give squatting a try.  Squatting down seems to make you invisible to the world.
8. If your character is at level 4, oh never mind.  See lesson 2.

If these lessons don’t make a lot of sense, pick up the game. You’ll see I am right, and no matter what happens, avoid killing chickens. You’ll thank me for that advice.


Minor Spoiler--youtube video of someone fighting giants

The Pile of Shame

When I was younger, devoting hours and hours to playing video games was easy.  A 100 hour RPG.  No problem, just give me a week to complete it.  Video games were not just a hobby, but a passion, a way of life.   As I have become a “responsible adult” I tend to find less time to game as so much of my life is spent between my family and job.  When I do get the chance, it’s usually playing games with the kids or finding a spare moment to try out something on my iphone.  Regardless, the itch to still be a hardcore gamer never goes away, even if you know you don’t have the time to do so. 

Enter the pile of shame.

What is the pile of shame (AKA the stack of shame)?  It’s the pile of games that people like me buy with good intentions to resume their hardcore gaming ways.  “I’ll carve out some time and then I will play it.”  I have probably said this 1000 times.  I have been able to do it a few times.  Maybe it’s a visit to Mom’s house, going to one of the kids’ events, or just mowing the yard.  The time to sink into a long game just no longer exists.  As a result, the pile just grows and grows.  In looking at my current pile, I found L.A. Noire, which I received last year for Father’s Day.  The game is still sealed and seems to be slowly inching its way up the pile.  I really wanted to play the game when I received it, but life conspired to take that time away.  

Christmas saw the addition of Batman:  Arkham City and The Elder Scrolls V:  Skyrim.   I’ve been saying almost daily that I was going to fire up Skyrim, only to have life remind me that I am no longer a hardcore gamer but a father and husband first, gamer second.  Skyrim, however, is patiently waiting for me at the top of the pile.

I still long to be that gamer of old and sink my teeth into a 100+ hour game.  Will I ever get to?  Of course, I’ve bought the game, and it’s in the pile.  I’ll just carve out some time and play it……