Category: review

Not a Review: Skyrim

I’m playing through Skyrim for the second time right now. Technically, it is my first time playing the game, but I watched my wife play through it when the game first came out. The fifth in Bethesda Elder Scrolls series, Skyrim continues to build on the Bethesda’s formula for a western role-playing game: a large, stunningly intricate and beautiful world for the player to explore and a story-line that centers around saving the world. Having played through three of the previous Elder Scrolls games I’m confident in saying that Skyrim is the best of them and perhaps the best that can be down with Bethesda’s current model. The problem is that while they’ve created fantastically real worlds for the player to inhabit and an engaging story-line for the player to participate in these two goals ultimately conflict with each other. In order for the player to save the world everything in the world must revolve around the player. But, in order for the world to be real the player’s actions must have consequences. There were a number of times I found myself drawn into the story of the game being pulled a long by the narrative when all of a sudden the actions of the non-player characters stopped making sense. I had just usurped a Jarl from his role of ruler as a city, the man was seeking refuge in another city. In the real world the man should be trying to kill me, at least yelling and screaming at me but no there he sat in his “refugee camp” calming describing some event to me. Why? Why would he do that? Well, the main story demanded that this person go through this little bit of exposition, so he was. Ultimately, all the choice and world Bethesda gives the player to explore in Skyrim is an illusion. Skyrim never changes, regardless of how desperately the designers want you to think it does.

I think the folks at Bethesda need to decide on what they want to give players, a vibrant, real, world for them to interact with or an engaging, compelling story line because I think they’ve reached the point where those two paths have begun to diverge.

If they just want to create a sandbox world to explore though that’d be great too. A version of Skyrim without any people or combat would be amazing. You can get lost in just meandering through this game at times. Eric Stephen Allen of On the Stick called the game the best hiking simulator he’d ever seen. I agree with him.

If you want to hear me and a the guys from On the Stick talk a lot more about Skyrim you can catch us right here.

Beer of the Week 34 Éphémeré

Unibroue's Éphémère Apple

From the label:

Ale brewed with apple juice, coriander, curacao peels and with natural flavor added. Éphémeré is a seasonal ale brewed with apples. It offers a fragrant green apple bouquet and a remarkably well-balanced mouthfeel. Truly, a refreshing summer delight in every sip.

From my notes:

Cloudy, straw colored, thin head that quickly dissipates. Green apples and yeast on the nose. Very clear, crisp taste (dry). Flavor delivers on the smell of granny smith apples with some spice as well. Fruity finish.

I think this is a beer that wants to be a cider

Éphémeré is another great spring or summer beer. Cool and crisp with a tart apple taste. This goes great with lighter fare: salads, fish, sushi, chicken; also would go great with fresh berries. This would also taste great after being out in the heat or just sitting on your porch watching the sun set. I get the feeling that Unibroue wanted to make a cider but couldn’t commit and so they created a beer that came as close to cider as you can.

Rating (out of five):

Beer of the Week 33 Weissbier Dunkel

Franizskaner's Weissbier Dunkel

From their website:

Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Dunkel wins supporters with its refreshing yet aromatic and full-bodied flavour. This dark, cloudy specialty is a special treat for weiss beer connoisseurs and bock beer aficionados

From my notes:

cloudy, nearly opaque, coppery brown color. Fluffy, tan head w/ good retention, some banana and clove in the smell, big yeasty bread scent. Tastes of nuts, some, banana, and stone fruit. Smooth, so smooth very light carbonation, tiny hints of sour.

Cloudy, dark, and mysterious!

Dunkel’s are a relatively low alcohol, hearty beer and they can be enjoyed with other hearty foods: barbecue, sausages, roasted meats. Don’t be afraid of adding a little spice to the meal either it works well with dunkels.

Rating (out of five):

Beer of the Week 32 Red Chair NWPA

Descutes Brewery's Red Chair Northwest Pale Ale

From the label:

Witness the subtle, aromatic seduction of the debut Northwest Pale Ale. Another slap at brewing convention. Another kick in the pants. Enjoy. Not up for a full-on hop assault? Red Charin NWPA is a smoother ride. Seven select European and domestic malts take a surprisingly plush, satin turn on the way to citrusy hop kick. Edges out, layers in.

From my notes:

clear coppery amber color, thin tan head; quickly dissipates. Smells of citrus, fresh cut grapefruit that is the hops, some grain/grass smell behind it which is the malt. Tastes a lot like it smells, citrus is accompanied by some pine taste, smooth in the mouth. Citrus kick at the finish, still not bitter. Damn, this is good!

You see why they call it red chair? Look at that color!

Red Chair is the beer that turned me around on Pale Ales. Before I had this beer I thought hoppy beers were all awful, turns out it’s just most brewers of hoppy beers are awful. This beer looks,smells, tastes, and feels great. Pair this up with heavier foods, red meats, Shepard’s or pot pies, this beer pairs great with a burger!

Rating (out of five):

%d bloggers like this: