Dawnguard Released

Gusington · August 06, 2012, 07:35:43 PM

Thanks guys. I will wait...even at 15.00 it feels too high to me still. That is, unless Toonces comes back and says the vampirism lore is totally badass and better than the vampire lines in the original Skyrim, which drove me nuts after a while.

Toonces · August 07, 2012, 12:43:12 PM

So I spent 4 more hours with it last night. I have to admit that I am sucked in and this has really captured my interest in Skyrim again.

I haven't seen many new features, maybe two new monsters. One of the quests was extremely annoying...in fact, a portion of a second quest was also really annoying. Like, stupid annoying- I'm actually surprised the developer put it in the game because it's so stupidly stupid. Fortunately it was short.

The dungeons and castles I've been to so far are very well done. I don't know that they use new textures or anything, but they are well put together and immersive. There is a lot of gore and general violence.

I think Gusington would like this but, having read everyone's comments, I would say that most people would not be happy with this for $20. However, I had a "just one more turn" moment last night, playing until just past midnight, and that doesn't happen to me very often anymore so I think that speaks to its value as much as anything.

Toonces · August 07, 2012, 06:03:55 PM

Put in another 4-5 hours today and this is definitely awesome! There is a totally new area to explore and a very large dungeon that I got completely lost in- took me a while to figure out how to get out!

The story is engaging and so far not too predictable. I've got a total of 8 hours invested and I don't think I'm close to the end yet. I've seen several new monsters in the new area to explore.

I think that if you're into vampire stuff you will find a lot to like here. I'm only taking a break because it is absolutely beautiful outside and I hate to spend the whole day geeking out on the computer. I do intend to put in a few more hours tonight, though. ;D

Gusington · August 07, 2012, 08:22:19 PM

Damn you. Waiting for your next post. My resolve is still strong.

Toonces · August 07, 2012, 11:14:10 PM

Toonces · August 08, 2012, 01:12:40 AM

Ok, I'm 10 hours into the story now and I think I'm getting closer to the end but I'm not sure how much is left.

One of the quests was quite interesting in that it had a tie-in to one of the main quests in vanilla Skyrim. I had to backtrack a bit and it was quite the adventure to figure it all out, but I did so go me.

I'm definitely digging this DLC a lot; I pretty much played a marathon session today and I need a break now. I'm not posting too many screenshots now because I don't want to spoil the surprise of the new places to visit. I just ended up at another new place and it's quite awesome.

Lastly, I downloaded and installed my first mods today. Man alive but I can see how that can become a time-sink! I got a add-on called Gleamwood or something like that; basically a sanctuary near some waterfalls where you can hang out and store your stuff, sleep, etc. I'm using it as my new base of operations instead of Breezehome for a while. Also, I got a lantern that hooks onto your belt (but haven't figured out how to make it work yet) and Hedge Knight armor, but you have to craft the armor and I don't have anything like the skill in smithing to craft it yet.

Gusington · August 08, 2012, 06:44:54 AM

It appears you are the only one here to have dived in to Dawnguard. I am mightily intrigued, but still hellbent on not dropping 20 clams on it.

Kushan · August 08, 2012, 09:09:00 AM

Quote from: Toonces on August 08, 2012, 01:12:40 AM
Lastly, I downloaded and installed my first mods today. Man alive but I can see how that can become a time-sink! I got a add-on called Gleamwood or something like that; basically a sanctuary near some waterfalls where you can hang out and store your stuff, sleep, etc. I'm using it as my new base of operations instead of Breezehome for a while. Also, I got a lantern that hooks onto your belt (but haven't figured out how to make it work yet) and Hedge Knight armor, but you have to craft the armor and I don't have anything like the skill in smithing to craft it yet.

You should have an item in your inventory called travel latern, if you didn't pick it up in river wood, or you can make it at a forge. Just equip it.

Sometimes I find myself downloading and searching for mods more then actually playing.

Gusington · August 08, 2012, 08:04:02 PM

Rock Paper Shotgun really does NOT like Dawnguard:

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/08/08/wot-i-think-skyrim-dawnguard/#more-119075

ouch

Nefaro · August 08, 2012, 08:16:56 PM

Quote from: Gusington on August 08, 2012, 08:04:02 PM
Rock Paper Shotgun really does NOT like Dawnguard:

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/08/08/wot-i-think-skyrim-dawnguard/#more-119075

ouch

Yeah, ouch. :o

Gusington · August 08, 2012, 08:20:58 PM

Like to see if Toonces can counter anything the RPS review states...especially about the lack of originality, lack of good vampire lore, etc.

Staggerwing · August 08, 2012, 08:29:20 PM

Quote from: Gusington on August 08, 2012, 08:20:58 PM
...especially about the lack of originality, lack of good vampire lore, etc.

Bear in mind that I've not read the review or played the DLC but it's always possible that one persons "Pfff- been there, done that..." is another pesrson's "Hot Damn! I feel like know this Effing place!"

Kushan · August 08, 2012, 09:11:03 PM

Disclaimer: I hate RPS.

That being said, I don't know why thew reviewer thought that Dawnguard was going to radically change the game and fix "fundamental complaints with the game." Bethesda doesnt do expansions/DLC that way. Their DLC is more quest, armor, weapons, etc. They don't fundamentally change systems.

Gusington · August 08, 2012, 09:30:37 PM

I am no TES expert by any means but the RPS review mentioned that the Oblivion expansions (which I have not played) did fundamentally change gameplay.

I hear what you and 'Wing are saying above though. What is done in Dawnguard may be enough to tickle my pickle. But to find out I still don't want to drop 20.00. That was the final straw with the RPS article too.

Kushan · August 08, 2012, 09:45:22 PM

Quote from: Gusington on August 08, 2012, 09:30:37 PM
I am no TES expert by any means but the RPS review mentioned that the Oblivion expansions (which I have not played) did fundamentally change gameplay.

I hear what you and 'Wing are saying above though. What is done in Dawnguard may be enough to tickle my pickle. But to find out I still don't want to drop 20.00. That was the final straw with the RPS article too.

Not that I recall. Unless they count Horse armor as changing the game. Then again I only played Shivering Isle and the Knights of the Nine DLC, and it has been a long time since I've played them. With all the mods for the PC version I'm in no hurry to purchase Dawnguard at the moment. I generally try to role play my character and my current one isn't really the vampire slayer type. Maybe when I do a holy warrior type play through.