On last Sunday's episode of Sup Holmes?, I wore my Rhythm Heaven Fever t-shirt. I also spoke with Tommy Refenes (the man responsible for of 70% of Super Meat Boy) and Shannon Gregory (the woman responsible for 99% of the views of this Wii U video) joined me to talk about love and sex and videogames. It was totally fun.
Someone from the audience asked the couple what is the best videogame to play in order to get someone in the mood for sex. Surprisingly, Shannon immedietely started moaning about Skyrim. From there we got some inside info on the development of the Mac version of Super Meat Boy, my quick summation of what I want in Elder Scrolls VI, and Tommy's thoughts on being an albino. Like I said, it was totally fun.
You can grab the full episode here, and if video is not yout thing, you download the show in mp3 form. This Sunday we record again, totally live on Twitch.tv/destructoid, with Mike Roush and Alex Neuse (developers of Runner 2 andBit.Trip Complete) on how to re-imagining or recreate a game series or game console. Is the PS Vita what the PSP should have been? Will Resident Evil 6 fix or fail the series?
We have opinions about these things. Do you? If so, add to the discussion by emailing your video, audio, or text-based questions to HolmesSupHolmes@gmail.com. Thanks everybody! We'll see you there!
Jonathan Holmes is the most lovable Associate Editor on Destructoid. Catch him on videos, original editorials, and on back episodes of the Destructoid Show and MTV's Road Rules. Jonathan is a retro gamer's gamer.
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Don't worry, Holmes, it's not just you or getting old. I doubt I'm gonna buy another Elder Scrolls. Not because of any long-standing hate or anything. I always wanted more with Elder Scrolls games, but they just keep giving me more of the same, always cutting down on content in order to make the same a little more visually or technologically impressive. I don't think the gameplay's exciting enough or the writing's immersive enough to justify it.
It may be a surprise, but no, Humpty, I'm not. It's just an opinion, but I own it proudly. The game is impressive in a lot of rights, but overall, it didn't excite or intrigue me. I was bored by my second dragon fight and tired of endless fetch quests. And I whole heartedly agree that the Elder Scrolls world needs something to mix it up. I have no problem with people disagreeing with me, but I also know that plenty agree yet keep shut up about in fear of upsetting the majority. Holmes, too, knows this reprehension. Let your unpopular ideals shine out, Holmes.
@Emmet - The thing is - and this is why people are disagreeing with you - is that Skyrim does shake things up. Dragons, Shouts, revamped-actually-palatable enchanting and magic, perks and graphics that are more realistic than colorful Tolkeinesque high fantasy like Oblivion is
All of that makes Skyrim fun and different from its predecessors.
Making another game just like Morrowind or just like Oblivion would be fair to accuse of being more of the same. That's not what happened with Skyrim. Opinions are cool and all, but dismissing the facts are not.
If there's not enough new to you that is fine, but there's enough new there for me and a lot of other people to have invested hundreds of hours. I've spent more time with Skyrim than Morrowind or Oblivion put together because they cut a lot out of what wasn't working for the series and focused on making the good parts better and the new features fun.
People all sore that they changed how enchantments and magic worked in Skyrim really need to go back to Morrowind and Oblivion and realize how terrible that shit was. That content was convoluted and deeply flawed garbage and needed to be jettisoned.
@Emmet: While I agree most series need improvement and invigoration, I personally loved Skyrim (long fan of the series ((since daggerfall)) not of oblivion rhough). My point? That was well said, not trolling. My question to you is, how would make it better, or what doesn't excite you? Are you traditionally a fan of open world wrpgs?
Personally all I would fix (and we need better hardware for these), is AI for everything, better, less scripted radiant quests, and more emergent, natural world occurances and quests. Current consoles definitely cannot handle these things though (memory the biggest issue), so I don't hold it against Bethesda and keep my expections within a what's feasible bubble.
I understand where Emmet's coming from--remembering Daggerfall and its climbing mechanics, the fact that different creatures brought different influences to soul binding, the spell maker, so on and so forth--but at the same time, I find that there's still an endless number of things to do in Skyrim. Like the randomly-assigned quests in Daggerfall, we have the Radiant Quest system. We have the ability to forge our very own swords, from mining the ore to smelting it to fashioning it and refining it; the ability to wear a necklace and get married as a result; the ability to breathe on someone or something and send them plunging through magnificent depths to their doom.
Skyrim took everything I liked about the Elder Scrolls and pumped it up even further.
I didn't want to pick a fightsabout Skyrim (or any game) or our love themed episode, but if someone asks why I like or don't anything, I'm going to try to give them a quick answer and move on.
I also find that talking about Skyrim on the internet is like talking about Jesus in the Vatican. There is one opinion to have. Anything else is nor acceptable.
That said, you guys managed to have a level and non-personalized discussion of the game right here in these very comments! Maybe the tides of blinding passion for Skyrim have receded a bit.
I didn't want to pick a fightsabout Skyrim (or any game) or our love themed episode, but if someone asks why I like or don't anything, I'm going to try to give them a quick answer and move on.
I also find that talking about Skyrim on the internet is like talking about Jesus in the Vatican. There is one opinion to have. Anything else is nor acceptable.
That said, you guys managed to have a level and non-personalized discussion of the game right here in these very comments! Maybe the tides of blinding passion for Skyrim have receded a bit.
IF YOU DONT LIKE SKYRIM I WILL FUCK YOU WITH A CACTUS!
not sure what emmet wants, I've got 30 hours in skyrim of just exploring the world. Been busy so haven't picked it up recently, but I have to say im with the mass its a solid game.
@The Silent Protagonist - I totally get that. And I will agree that the magic/enchanting system has been wildly improved, but at the cost of a few schools, mind you. There have been drastic improvements, but it just doesn't feel like a new experience for me. A tightened, more impressive yet also compromised version of the same. As for what is good for the series, I don't think it's easy to judge that. Some players like a more optimized experience, some players like a more in-depth one. When it comes to WRPGs, I'm certainly in the latter camp. I don't dislike The Elder Scrolls nor do I begrudge its fans, but I'm wholly done with the series and I just feel sorry when folks don't want to express an opinion on it due to the vocal minority of Skyrim fans who also have to be asses about it. Glad they don't seem to be here, however.
PhilK3nS3bb3n - I think the AI, combat, removed abilities and UI could be majorly improved. I'm not unused to big, open WRPGs and their clunky combat. Enjoyed the Fallout series (1-3), Knights of the Old Republic I + II, Planescape Torment, the Elder Scrolls from Daggerfall onwards. I've also played things like Fable, though I'm not sure how much that counts.
I'm by no means a game designer, but I can at least say what I don't like about it. Everything about the UI apart from the quick equip menu was terrible. The battle was lacking in any visceral appeal (apart from shouting), although I did like scrapping with big groups of humanoid enemies. Fighting giants, dragons, trolls etc. quickly became boring after I lost any intimidation from them. Plus I didn't find any reason for them to dumb down combat between Oblivion and Skyrim. It wasn't complicated in the slightest. Personally, what would be a dream for me would be a faster, less punishing version of Dark Souls' combat plus the additional 'perks' you can learn in Skyrim. And whilst I'm no game designer, I do like my writing, even in video games. And the sheer lack of characterization beyond simple cliches made it impossible for me to consider anyone in the world as a real character. Funnily enough, my most anticipated open world RPG now is from no Western developer. Dragon's Dogma looks to be the first fantasy game in a while that I may entirely enjoy.
@The Silent Protagonist - I totally get that. And I will agree that the magic/enchanting system has been wildly improved, but at the cost of a few schools, mind you. There have been drastic improvements, but it just doesn't feel like a new experience for me. A tightened, more impressive yet also compromised version of the same. As for what is good for the series, I don't think it's easy to judge that. Some players like a more optimized experience, some players like a more in-depth one. When it comes to WRPGs, I'm certainly in the latter camp. I don't dislike The Elder Scrolls nor do I begrudge its fans, but I'm wholly done with the series and I just feel sorry when folks don't want to express an opinion on it due to the vocal minority of Skyrim fans who also have to be asses about it. Glad they don't seem to be here, however.
PhilK3nS3bb3n - I think the AI, combat, removed abilities and UI could be majorly improved. I'm not unused to big, open WRPGs and their clunky combat. Enjoyed the Fallout series (1-3), Knights of the Old Republic I + II, Planescape Torment, the Elder Scrolls from Daggerfall onwards. I've also played things like Fable, though I'm not sure how much that counts.
I'm by no means a game designer, but I can at least say what I don't like about it. Everything about the UI apart from the quick equip menu was terrible. The battle was lacking in any visceral appeal (apart from shouting), although I did like scrapping with big groups of humanoid enemies. Fighting giants, dragons, trolls etc. quickly became boring after I lost any intimidation from them. Plus I didn't find any reason for them to dumb down combat between Oblivion and Skyrim. It wasn't complicated in the slightest. Personally, what would be a dream for me would be a faster, less punishing version of Dark Souls' combat plus the additional 'perks' you can learn in Skyrim. And whilst I'm no game designer, I do like my writing, even in video games. And the sheer lack of characterization beyond simple cliches made it impossible for me to consider anyone in the world as a real character. Funnily enough, my most anticipated open world RPG now is from no Western developer. Dragon's Dogma looks to be the first fantasy game in a while that I may entirely enjoy.
So Skyrim is the most romantic game ever, if you're the kind of people who finds ultra-stealh assassinations sexy. I... that makes sense.
"I also find that talking about Skyrim on the internet is like talking about Jesus in the Vatican." Make a shirt of this line, because it's the best thing that exists on the internet right now.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
8:15 PM on 02.16.2012 | 
All of that makes Skyrim fun and different from its predecessors.
Making another game just like Morrowind or just like Oblivion would be fair to accuse of being more of the same. That's not what happened with Skyrim. Opinions are cool and all, but dismissing the facts are not.
If there's not enough new to you that is fine, but there's enough new there for me and a lot of other people to have invested hundreds of hours. I've spent more time with Skyrim than Morrowind or Oblivion put together because they cut a lot out of what wasn't working for the series and focused on making the good parts better and the new features fun.
People all sore that they changed how enchantments and magic worked in Skyrim really need to go back to Morrowind and Oblivion and realize how terrible that shit was. That content was convoluted and deeply flawed garbage and needed to be jettisoned.
Skyrim took everything I liked about the Elder Scrolls and pumped it up even further.
Plus, moonwalking dragons.
I also find that talking about Skyrim on the internet is like talking about Jesus in the Vatican. There is one opinion to have. Anything else is nor acceptable.
That said, you guys managed to have a level and non-personalized discussion of the game right here in these very comments! Maybe the tides of blinding passion for Skyrim have receded a bit.
Great job!
I also find that talking about Skyrim on the internet is like talking about Jesus in the Vatican. There is one opinion to have. Anything else is nor acceptable.
That said, you guys managed to have a level and non-personalized discussion of the game right here in these very comments! Maybe the tides of blinding passion for Skyrim have receded a bit.
Great job!
not sure what emmet wants, I've got 30 hours in skyrim of just exploring the world. Been busy so haven't picked it up recently, but I have to say im with the mass its a solid game.
PhilK3nS3bb3n - I think the AI, combat, removed abilities and UI could be majorly improved. I'm not unused to big, open WRPGs and their clunky combat. Enjoyed the Fallout series (1-3), Knights of the Old Republic I + II, Planescape Torment, the Elder Scrolls from Daggerfall onwards. I've also played things like Fable, though I'm not sure how much that counts.
I'm by no means a game designer, but I can at least say what I don't like about it. Everything about the UI apart from the quick equip menu was terrible. The battle was lacking in any visceral appeal (apart from shouting), although I did like scrapping with big groups of humanoid enemies. Fighting giants, dragons, trolls etc. quickly became boring after I lost any intimidation from them. Plus I didn't find any reason for them to dumb down combat between Oblivion and Skyrim. It wasn't complicated in the slightest. Personally, what would be a dream for me would be a faster, less punishing version of Dark Souls' combat plus the additional 'perks' you can learn in Skyrim. And whilst I'm no game designer, I do like my writing, even in video games. And the sheer lack of characterization beyond simple cliches made it impossible for me to consider anyone in the world as a real character. Funnily enough, my most anticipated open world RPG now is from no Western developer. Dragon's Dogma looks to be the first fantasy game in a while that I may entirely enjoy.
PhilK3nS3bb3n - I think the AI, combat, removed abilities and UI could be majorly improved. I'm not unused to big, open WRPGs and their clunky combat. Enjoyed the Fallout series (1-3), Knights of the Old Republic I + II, Planescape Torment, the Elder Scrolls from Daggerfall onwards. I've also played things like Fable, though I'm not sure how much that counts.
I'm by no means a game designer, but I can at least say what I don't like about it. Everything about the UI apart from the quick equip menu was terrible. The battle was lacking in any visceral appeal (apart from shouting), although I did like scrapping with big groups of humanoid enemies. Fighting giants, dragons, trolls etc. quickly became boring after I lost any intimidation from them. Plus I didn't find any reason for them to dumb down combat between Oblivion and Skyrim. It wasn't complicated in the slightest. Personally, what would be a dream for me would be a faster, less punishing version of Dark Souls' combat plus the additional 'perks' you can learn in Skyrim. And whilst I'm no game designer, I do like my writing, even in video games. And the sheer lack of characterization beyond simple cliches made it impossible for me to consider anyone in the world as a real character. Funnily enough, my most anticipated open world RPG now is from no Western developer. Dragon's Dogma looks to be the first fantasy game in a while that I may entirely enjoy.
"I also find that talking about Skyrim on the internet is like talking about Jesus in the Vatican." Make a shirt of this line, because it's the best thing that exists on the internet right now.