The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Preview

Keeping with their “E3 2011’s Most Anticipated” line of previews, CVG also put online PSM3 magazine preview of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which doesn’t seem to offer much in the way of new information but should serve as a good refresher about the game’s selling points until E3.

Fitting, then, that the fighting mechanics have been reworked too. Gone are the days of circle-strafing enemies and whacking them with your sword or blasting them with magic – it’s heavier, more brutal stuff now, and if you start a fight you’d better make sure you can finish it.

Perhaps the biggest innovation in scrapping is two-handed combat, via a system that lets you combine weapons and magic to suit your fighting style while making the most of class-based skills. Vanilla load-outs see you packing a sword and shield, while more adventurous play could see you toting a pair of daggers or even dual wielding magic.

Obviously, certain combinations fit specific scenarios, so you can save custom load-outs and quickly switch between them – hopefully without too much menu faff. In addition to base combat you can learn Dragon Shouts, special abilities afforded to your character.

Why? According to Elder Scrolls lore you are Dovakin (translation: dragon born), a person fated to rid Skyrim of a massive Dragon Demon. This means you have a love-hate relationship with the scaly beasts, both fighting against them and calling on their help.