WHAT I SAW:

Bethesda letting loose it's fantasy-epic, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

WHAT I EXPECTED:

My pre-demo excitement was through the roof and walking in to see The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim I had complete faith I would walk out just as excited as I was going in. I wanted swords, and magic, and dragons, and I wanted it all presented in the fantastic way only Bethesda knows how.

WHAT THEY SHOWED:

The world of Skyrim is an attention vacuum. Because of its detail and scope, once you start playing it's impossible to walk away without feeling like you want to go back and see some of the stuff you missed. Walking through the lush forest it's a daunting thought to imagine just how much work has gone into creating every last shrub, rock, and tree. Wildlife bounds about naturally, foraging for food or fearfully reacting to your too-loud footsteps. It's a living, breathing ecosystem and it can be hard to remember that none of it is real.

Most of the demo was spent meandering about this world, getting a feel for its colossal scale, but when it came time to kill some aggressive troll the second highlight of the game made its impact. The navigation and menu system for Skyrim is bar-none the best example of world-class typography and layout design in games. The clean, easy-to-read equipment management panes rest akimbo at the player's side just waiting for you to change your mind about whether it's better to wade in with a fireball, your bow, or that rusted axe you just pulled off your enemy. Its fluid ease of use makes the experience unforgettable and it will undoubtedly become a standard for inventory management in the future.

Finally, Skyrim wouldn't be Skyrim if not for the giant winged lizards that breathe death upon all who cross their path. I'm told that dragons are a rare occurrence in the game, but from what I saw their frequency must be minimized to keep the awe they strike - and the damage they deal - manageable. I met my end to one of these creatures, but it only heightened my longing for the game. I need to get back in Skyrim and get stronger, so the next time our paths cross that dragon won't stand a chance.

WHAT I THOUGHT:

There is so much to love about Skyrim that it's hard to express just how fantastic this fantasy feels.  In the short demo period I feel like I've seen so much, but I know I've barely scratched the surface and when Skyrim releases in November all the time in the world isn't going to be enough to make a dent in this massive game. After seeing the game in action I am convinced that this will be my desert island game, because it's so grand you could play it forever and still have more to do.