I awoke on this bitterly cold Friday with an added enthusiasm, because today is the 11/11/11, the day I had been waiting patiently for, for over 12 months, the day of the hugely anticipated release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. So I thought I would entice you with the most absorbing and socially destructive game’s series, by sharing my experience of the first 4 hours of my play through. Spoiler alert

8:56 am Skyrim is currently installing, I’m attempting to be patient, but not succeeding.

9:01 am Decide to watch the television, only to witness a stuffed monkey attempting to play crazy golf. I hurriedly switch back to Skyrim.

9:02 am Skyrim has loaded and I’m currently watching the intro, and being completely blown away by the already impressive visuals at the same time.

9:08am Time to customise my character, wish me luck.

9:20 am Finally completed my character’s appearance, a very moody looking Nord and his terrifying name, “Jeff The Destroyer”. There is literally an endless scope for customizing your own individual hero/heroine.

9:22 am Sounds as though the continent of Skyrim is in turmoil.

9:24 am It’s the subtle things that impress me the most, like the way your eyes take time to adjust to the glimmer of the sky when looking up.

9:28 am A faint roar can be heard in the distance but is dismissed by the executioners as “nothing”, if only I could belive that.

9:30 am Rather ironically, a Dragon has literally saved my neck, thanks. Wait a minute….. Dragon?! Aahhhhh!!!

9:32 am This is one unhappy Dragon!

9:36 am Running, running, fire, burning, Dragon, runrunrunrun!!

9:40 am The menu system is very easy to navigate, assigning weapons and magic is flawless.

9:51 am Currently progressing through a cave that could collapse at any moment, yippee!

9:54 am Encountered some rather aggressive spiders, which me and my comrade swiftly disposed of before he decided to respond to the situation by asking “What next, giant snakes?”. Dont tempt fait!

9:58 am The Dragons cry’s can still be heard above.

10:00 am Have finally emerged from the cave, only to be confronted by something I’ve been waiting for since news of Skyrim’s existence was announced, not Dragons or huge blood soaked battles, but the moment of contemplation and feeling of awe when you step out into the beautifully crafted world of Skyrim. Simply magnificent!

10:11 am After a few brief battles with wolves and a gutsy thief, me and my temporary companion arrive safely in Riverwood, a quant little village by the river.

10:15 am According to some charming lady in Riverwood “I look sick”, nice to meet you too.

10:43 am After whittling away my time marveling over everything Riverwood has to offer (no, that’s not a euphemism), a shopkeeper has politely asked me if I could retrieve the “Golden Claw” which was incidentally stolen by thieves.

10:56 am The third person perspective is actually a viable option in Skyrim. So much more accessible than in Oblivion.

11:00 am Up to level 2, wahoo!!

11:13 am Have entered the caves where these miscreants are apparently inhabiting.

11:29 am You do notice little glitches here and there, but with a game of this scale its incredible how irrelevant they are.

11:35 am Some nameless bandit has just unintentionally committed suicide by pulling a lever that then activates a booby trap that furiously fires arrows. Whoops!

11:37 am I’m pleasantly surprised at being confronted by a puzzle. It’s relatively easy to deduce, but still a nice inclusion to the gameplay.

11:44 am And now I’m dead, killed by a gigantic spider. Should of seen that coming.

11:54 am Ha ha ha, take that you ugly Mother Hubbard! I have defeated the gruesome beast with ease as it succumbed to my glorious might, and has nothing to do with me lowering the difficulty down to apprentice.

"Stupid bug, you go squish now!"

11:59 am Typical, I save some hapless bandit from becoming an arachnids lunch and then he tries to flee without divulging the location of the “Golden Claw”, but not for long.

12:02 pm My first encounter with the Draugr, or roughly translated into english as disgruntled zombies (I think?).

12:06 pm I’ve retrieved the “Golden Claw” from the recently deceased and rather appropriately named ” Arvel The Swift”. Not anymore you’re not.

12:11 pm Must now descend further into this extensive cave.

12:30 pm Have now discovered “The Bleak Falls Secret” Yeah! But now I’m being savaged by a Draugr Overlord, doh!

12:35 pm Even on apprentice that was challenging, now its time to get out of here.

12:38 pm Completely forgot that I sneaked past a tomb full of Draugr as I entered and have just made more noise than a drunk trying to walk up stairs on my way out. Doh, doh!

12:45 pm I have finally emerged from the now deserted catacombs.

12:53 pm Returned to Riverwood with the “Golden Claw” and all the gold and trinkets I could carry.

12:55 pm I’ve presented the “Golden Claw” to the appreciative shopkeeper and he has rewarded me with 400 gold coins. A job well done.

13:04 pm I’ve sold as much as I could to the shopkeeper, who then responded to my bargaining techniques with a weary grunt. Ok Then.

Well that’s the way Skyrim progressed with me, but how has your experience been? Let me know your thoughts, cheers.