Fallout 4 in particular is good for me because settlement building, especially with dozens of mods added, can fill up a whole day. It's fairly creative, too. But eventually I get bored with it and move on to something else. It's getting to be that time.

I've been keeping an eye on the the news about Cyberpunk DLCs. I'm one of the few people who liked the game just the way it was, because it ran perfectly on my laptop. I could see room for improvement in the romances, which were pretty lame, and the vehicle driving was a pain. Having some new content sounds good, and when I finish my Mass Effect games I'll think I'll go back into Cyberpunk.

This update for Cyberpunk was released on GOG about a week ago - maybe you already noticed this.

My son liked the original game just the way it was, too. He is thinking it's probably about time for a replay.

So I'm back to my Mass Effect marathon, though at this rate it's more like a stagger.

I'd forgotten how clunky the controls are. It took me about three hours to remember them, and even then I had to look some of them up. Why they don't appear in the Controls menu is beyond me.

Anyway, it's still fun.

I have gone back to Dead Space 2. I can't believe I actually got through it last time! I will put it down to my gettimg older brain

I'm also noticing that ME2 seems harder than it was back in the day. There's a lot of naughty words being yelled at the computer.

Started Skyrim Special Edition last night and will keep it installed and dip in and out - as I do with other RPGs.

Certainly enjoyed the bit I've played so far

I am very glad to hear that, Mad! Have fun.

Love hearing that, Mad!

Thank you both !! I've made more progress now and am liking it even more

What class of character are you playing, Mad?

My preference was always for an Assassin/Thief developing into Mage-oriented skills later in the game. So much fun!

I'm playing a "Soldier" type right now who will no doubt end up being a "Goodie" !! 😁

But it's very early days and I'll probably be playing on and off for months, with dipping in and out, so who knows what could happen ??

But I've never managed to accomplish being a Baddie" 🤡

Same here, Mad. I really have tried to be a thief, but they want me to kill so many people that seem innocent! Then I tried to be an assassin and they want me to kill so many more innocent people!

Alternatively, you could try playing as an archer/mage with longswords for the odd close-up encounter. That combination is deadly. A sneak archer is formidable.

I watched a couple of Youtube videos of a guy playing as an archer and he was deadly!

Thanks, hagatha

Not too much fighting yet as I'm not very far into the game - but my current weapons are two iron swords - one in each hand.
[I think that's about the best for the skill I have right now ]

i recommend Sneak. Sneak is the easiest skill to learn. Just sneak everywhere you go, and you'll level that skill, and your character, in no time. And you can backstab with it, which is very useful for blade users.

At higher levels and with good equipment you can easily kill dragons with archery. Combining it with Sneak, you can take out most enemies without a scratch. I usually level Sneak, Archery, and Thieving skills all the way to the top.

I do find sneaking very useful - even at this early stage.

And I do want to learn archery.

However, I can't find the screen where your chracter is fully portrayed and with skills etc all listed.

[I did download a manual though so maybe I should take a more in-depth look at it !! ]

Mad, for me it was the Tab key where I could find my inventory, my skills, my magicka etc.

Did you know that you can train certain skills really easily? If you want to train your lockpicking skill, for instance, find the hardest lock you can and keep trying to unlock it. You need a good supply of lockpicks, so stock up. This trick is best used once you've got some cash to spend on picks, so perhaps mid-game.

I've already looked there. Draclvr, But it doesn't take you to a full screen that shows your stats.
And when I went online with the same question it appeares that this Special Edition doesn't carry one.
Which seems very weird to me

So I need to ask someone who is currently playing this edition but I don't know anyone who is

And hagatha.
Thanks for more tips. Always appreciated

Edit :

I'm thinking I might ask for a GOG Refund and then buy the full Anniversary Edition as opposed to this Special Edition.
No stats screen is not good for an RPG player of my inferior abilities

Mine doesn't either and from what I understand, none of the game versions has that kind of page. What Skyrim has is in the Skills options when you press the tab key. You have to move through each of the skills options to see where you are in each ability. A huge pain in my opinion, but that's the way the game is. Tab brings up Skills, Items, Map, and Magic. When you level up, you get a "perk" which you used to up whatever skills you are concentrating one.

You also have to "activate" some magicka after you "learn" it. Shouts are very useful, but you have to activate them and then manually assign them a quick key.

I might be wrong, but I don't think from what I've read, this menu is any different in the other versions. You can only change it by downloading a mod. I got used to it, but sure didn't care for it.

Thanks, Draclvr. Only it's not the info I wanted to hear !!

I actually DID apply for a refund for The Special Edition, Draclvr, and then spent the "refund" plus the "difference" to buy The Anniversary Edition - and I immediately found some slight differences between the two - and am happier with the Anniversary one !!

Plus, I've made really good progress now and am very much enjoying myself

Good news, Mad! Have fun!

Hi, The Skyrim character skill record is more graphical as opposed to a formal Character Sheet. It's supposed to reference back to old TOS stuff about divining knowledge from the heavens (or Aetherius as it's known in the Elder Scrolls canon). That said, there are Character Sheet mods available for the Special Edition on Nexus Mods . Not sure about the Anniversary Edition, haven't investigated anything on that one.

I haven't personally used any of those SE mods becuase I'm still using the original version (many of my mods didn't transfer over to the new versions), so can't speak if they are good or not. If you're interested in basic game stats (i.e. how many locks you've picked and so on) hitting "J" on the keyboard brings up the Journal and the center tab "Stats" has varied numerical stats on your game, though not the specific character skills for which you're looking.

TM