After a slow news week on Skyrim (we hope our lore sections proposing possible origins of the Falmer and involvement of the Skaal helped tide you by!), we’ve finally got the goods for you!

The French Official Playstation Magazine, only yesterday, revealed some further news on what to expect in Skyrim. Check out Skyrim Worlds rundown of what’s news:

Places to visit

Don’t pay too much attention to those maps of Skyrim we’ve seen to date! Cities may have changed in the 200 years since they were drawn. In particular, we can apparently expect to visit the city of Riverwood, “a smattering of timber buildings, including a sawmill”.

Unique, hand-crafted settlements – the city of Markath Side, for example, is “set into dramatic stone cliffs, with buildings teetering on the edge of shseer drops”.

The largest trading port in Skyrim – Haarfinger

Expect to see Dunmer influences in Skyrim – certainly in one of the cities (we don’t know which yet)… there may even be a full-fledged Dunmer settlement.

Fans of Morrowind will be pleased to hear that the “eccentric” feel of the game is getting a revisit – every Nord faction will have their own unique customs and feel – no doubt creating a truly immersive world to appreciate, like we felt when in Vvardenfell.

Expect to find Dwemer ruins (… but, what does this mean about the mysterious Falmer? Surely their origins won’t remain unexplored, with only the Swemer to keep us entertained?!)

Places are linked and affected by their economy – destroy a towns crops, and prices will go up as they have to start importing goods, for example.

Dragons and Dragon Shouts

Dragons aren’t confined to the legend books, or saved till the big end battle – they roam the land! Whats more, its not scripted or part of a plot – a dragon may encounter the town you’re in at any time… and if they do, the consequences can’t be predicted.

Perhaps dragon will attack a town, perhaps they’ll leave it alone. It all depends on chance (or perhaps, a variety of factors determined by the games new Radiant AI engine..!?). Towns may be set ablaze, or left unscathed.

If you enter into battle with a dragon, don’t expect victory to be the end of it. A wounded dragon may crash into the ground, and you’d better be out of its way when that happens!

One confirmed new Dragon Shout ability is the power to slow down time (FPS fans of “bullet time” can relate to this!).

Combat

Finishing moves? Try plunging your sword into your opponents chest, and stand back to admire the gurgling death noises!

Hoping for improvements to archery? In addition to the balancing tweaks we already know about (less arrows, more damage per hit), archers can hold their breath while taking aim. It’ll cost you in stamina, but you’ll get a better aim as a result (COD snipers can relate to this one!).

Need to block in combat? Be careful what you’re duel-wielding. If you have a sword in one hand and a spell in the other, you’ve got nothing to block with! Switch to a shield, or a two-handed weapon. Remember those combat tactics!

Keep an eye on those enchanted weapons you find. Some may have hidden powers, that you won’t find out about until you use them!

Fighting alongside an ally? The games combat system features a “magnetising” capability to help minimise the risk of “friendly fire” – your attacks will be subtly pulled towards your enemies to make group combat expeditions more effective.

The Game Environment

The game will feature new activities to keep you occupied when dungeon-looting is just too much hard work – try your hand at cooking, woodcutting, mining or metalwork!

Skills can be raised above level 100… but it will not be possible to get every skill “perk” (implying some are mutually exclusive).

The new Creation Engine promises stunning weather effects, including clouds gathering around and rolling over mountaintops. Wind will make water swirl and cause waves.

Hang around in taverns – eavesdropping other conversations may just start you off on a new quest.

NPCs

Tired of canned speech in Morrowind and Oblivion? Fear not – only the “important” NPCs have anything significant to say to you now.

Need to find out more about someone? You may need to break into their home – “Because of the open world set up you can even progress by snooping around – following people, looking out for strange behaviour and even some light breaking and entering”.

The game will no longer zoom in on an NPCs face while they talk – you (and they) can carry on with their daily routines, including breathtaking realism while, for example, they turn their back on you to carry on working while they chat.

… and if you’re tired of hearing an NPC prattle on, simply walk away! It’ll cut the dialogue short.

Magic

The Spell Shield effect is returning!

Several new spells mentioned, including:

• Ice Trap – (triggered when an enemy walks over it)
• Circle of Protection – (repel enemies in your immediate vicinity)
• Fury – (turn your enemies upon one another)

Keep visiting back for more Skyrim news – we guarantee, as soon as there’s news available, we’ll be the ones bringing it to you! And if you like the sound of any of the above and want to explore the ideas some more, head on over to our forums and kick off a thread!

 Source: http://gamingeverything.com/?p=1500