What's really promising, though – apart from all the other things that are inherently wonderful and exciting about a new Elder Scrolls adventure – is that all the important layers of artifice, whether it's inventory management, combat controls, pathfinding or even just texture quality and level geometry, are already so harmoniously attuned to immersing you in Skyrim that it's possible to pick it up from scratch and feel completely at home an hour later.

Bethesda hasn't let anyone play Skyrim before – something game director Todd Howard is keen to point out. "I'm f***ing terrified," he announces before we first turn on our screens and pick up the pads.

The fact is though that he could show it to us another dozen times in the same conditions and we'd find another dozen experiences to catalogue. November can't roll around soon enough.

Continuing down the path on the other side of the river, I stumbled across a group of Stormcloak soldiers escorting a prisoner. When I approached the group a hostile soldier blurted out, "Citizen, I'm warning you." Then I was presented three of choices. I could do nothing, free the prisoner, or free the prisoner and give him an item, which I assumed in this case would be a weapon so he could defend himself against his captors. Considering that there were three guards with their swords drawn and I was a mere level one character, I opted to stay out of it. As soon as I moved away, the soldiers returned their weapons to their sheathes.

Heading north again, I ran into another farm. This was a much bigger plot of land, with several gardens. In the middle of this farm a group of three humans were battling a massive giant. Rather than joining the fray, I decided to just sit back and watch. The battle raged back and forth, but eventually the humans prevailed. Afterwards I met Alea the huntress and her sidekicks Farkas and Ria. My first interaction with her was a statement about the battle – I could say "You don't look like you need any help," or "I tried to help." When I chose the flattering option, she thanked me and explained that her band was a part of the Shield-Brothers. I was then prompted to inquire about joining the group or wryly responding "Sounds like a waste of time." Alea told me that if I wanted to join the group I would have to ask the leader of the Companions.

ny vids showing ps3 version so can compare frame rate and shit?

Brilliant 40min Skyrim presentation (360vers) - http://lo-ping.org/2011/08/06/40-minutes-of-skyrim...

There is sprint, one of the smartest thing Bethesda did lol

In olbivion I made sure you increase my agility as much as I could to the point his jogging was a sprint lol.

There won't be any co-op, no.

In olbivion I made sure you increase my agility as much as I could to the point his jogging was a sprint lol.

Lets just hope the sprint in Skyrim isnt stamina based, but knowing how RPGs works, I bet they will add it.

I jumped everywhere. Having an insane jump made certain aspects of the game easier. *cough*the coliseum*cough*