Escape from reality; Skyrim

Another Personal blog.

I love the Xbox game Skyrim. I've spent many hours riding around the province, exploring the valleys, mountains, tundra and caves. I've dealt with a lot of its' denizens both hostile and friendly and yes, killed quite a few too!

But it is just a game I hear you cry.

It is more than that. I've always wanted a fully immersible game, one you can interact with fully. Grand Theft Auto was good for that, the whole of the San Andreas to drive around, loads of side missions to do and plenty of people to interact with but it lacked substance. The dialogue was very limited and you could only access certain buildings.

Skyrim offers so much more. You can get into pretty much all of the buildings (depending on lock picking skill), talk to pretty much most people with most having individual dialogue and you are free from the oppressive need to do the Story missions.

This is what I have always wanted in a game, the freedom to do what I want a wander where I like.

There are problems. I've chosen the side of the Legion in the Civil War & thus I'm attacked by Stormcloaks as well as thieves, undead, beasts, dragons and magic wielding hill folk on my travels. Most can be outrun or fought but it makes journeying interesting.
I'm fairly law abiding having been caught stealing once but otherwise have no issues with the Hold's constabulary.

Aela, my Skyrim wife

I've got two houses, one in Riften and one in Whiterun, a Housecarl and a wife; Aela the Huntress. Although I don't see her often I do take her cool equipment and weapons for her.

I'm starting to sound like a geek aren't I?

Well, I am a geek. I like the escape from this world, the boring grey work, the trains, the bills, everything...

I like sitting astride my horse surveying the valley below, the mammoth being herded by giants, the deer chewing grass, the ruined Dwarven cities and ramshackle Nord fortifications. I can deeply immerse myself in this world and forget, just for an hour or two, that Chris exists - there is only Uglúk the Orc warrior charging into battle in armour made of Dragon scales armed with a two handed black Ebony sword. Slayer of men, bane of giants, hunter, blacksmith, miner, Companion, Werewolf and Legionary.

What isn't there to like?

Escapism is one of the best things a human being can do. Although I try and write, I draw a lot of parallels from my own life and friends. Most of the heroes are oppressed, shy, feel undervalued, desperate to escape. I read extensively too but there is nothing like dipping (or plunging) into another realm and mine is Skyrim. It is where I feel happy.