The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

 PC
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12985 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10,547 out of 12985
  2. Mixed: 1,375 out of 12985
  3. Negative: 1,063 out of 12985
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  1. Chride2k8
    Jan 5, 2012
    10
    Really good game, so addictive, can't stop...
    Great story, great landscape, great game play great voice acting and good re-play value (I'm now on my fifth play trough). My point of view is that you can't review a game if you haven't done all there is to do in a game (or at least most of the stuff) and this game almost seems endless and I know I haven't done everything and I haven't seen    Really good game, so addictive, can't stop...
    Great story, great landscape, great game play great voice acting and good re-play value (I'm now on my fifth play trough). My point of view is that you can't review a game if you haven't done all there is to do in a game (or at least most of the stuff) and this game almost seems endless and I know I haven't done everything and I haven't seen all the sides of the story (yet) so that is also why I'm not yet able to do a complete review...anyhow, one thing is for sure, YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS GAME!

    P.S. The only bad thing there is to say about this game is that the texture resolution is poor but it's ok especially when you think about how big this game really is, and then also if the texture resolution would be higher then also the system requirements would be sky high.    … Expand
  2. Miheil
    Mar 14, 2012
    10
    If there is a game you want to spend some time on, this is the right game. It is very addictive and the beautiful world and graphics will drawn players in for weeks. While some of the side quests are repetitive and there are still many bugs to be fix, this game definitely deserves a high mark.
    Furthermore, with the new steam workshop implementation, Mods from other players make the game    If there is a game you want to spend some time on, this is the right game. It is very addictive and the beautiful world and graphics will drawn players in for weeks. While some of the side quests are repetitive and there are still many bugs to be fix, this game definitely deserves a high mark.
    Furthermore, with the new steam workshop implementation, Mods from other players make the game even mroe interesting. Many fixes to the bugs are also solved by player mods.
    This game is the best game released in 2011.    … Expand
  3. dartlan
    Feb 3, 2012
    9
    I've put in 206 hours into this game so far according to Steam and have loved every minute of it. The game isn't perfect, I admit... Finishing the Dark Brotherhood quest line too early will break the Butcher quest and prevent you from buying the Windhelm home for example. But bugs and all I love how open the world is and cannot wait to get the editor to make my own content when itI've put in 206 hours into this game so far according to Steam and have loved every minute of it. The game isn't perfect, I admit... Finishing the Dark Brotherhood quest line too early will break the Butcher quest and prevent you from buying the Windhelm home for example. But bugs and all I love how open the world is and cannot wait to get the editor to make my own content when it comes out Feb 7th!… Expand
  4. SpiderCVIII
    Feb 5, 2012
    8
    Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an open-world WRPG with many weaknesses and only one real strength. The combat is uninspired and dissatisfying, the voice acting could use much more variety, the enemies could have been more diverse, and the main story could have had better presentation, but the one real strength about Skyrim is its longevity. The amount of quests in this game is enormous and theElder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an open-world WRPG with many weaknesses and only one real strength. The combat is uninspired and dissatisfying, the voice acting could use much more variety, the enemies could have been more diverse, and the main story could have had better presentation, but the one real strength about Skyrim is its longevity. The amount of quests in this game is enormous and the world is massive. There is always something to do in Skyrim during and well past the main quest line. Exploring the entire world of Skyrim is a great feat of its own, and clearing every quest in the game should easily net the determined player well over 200 hours. If you can get past Skyrimâ… Expand
  5. sickologist
    Feb 9, 2012
    8
    a beautiful and emmersive game, but crippling bugs and accidential ( yes, accidental) exploits make it infuriating. But once you can look over that, you find a game with beautiful scenery, innumerable ( but repetetive) quests, interesting enemies, npc's with varied personalities, and several items and enchantments. while I enjoyed a few of bethesda's other releases (ie- The Elder Scrollsa beautiful and emmersive game, but crippling bugs and accidential ( yes, accidental) exploits make it infuriating. But once you can look over that, you find a game with beautiful scenery, innumerable ( but repetetive) quests, interesting enemies, npc's with varied personalities, and several items and enchantments. while I enjoyed a few of bethesda's other releases (ie- The Elder Scrolls III- morrowind, and Fallout- New Vegas) more than skyrim, it's still enthralling and charming in it's own flashy, bloody way.… Expand
  6. Mortensus
    Jul 15, 2012
    9
    I found the previous elder scolls games pretty impressive, but Skyrim for me beat them everywhere. I will not talk about graphics and gameplay, etc , which are flawless for me, they are exactly what I expect of good games in 2011-2012, nothing really revolutionary, but a true atmosphere.

    Where the game becomes really amazing, it's when we go on the meat of the game, the rpg aspect. It's    I found the previous elder scolls games pretty impressive, but Skyrim for me beat them everywhere. I will not talk about graphics and gameplay, etc , which are flawless for me, they are exactly what I expect of good games in 2011-2012, nothing really revolutionary, but a true atmosphere.

    Where the game becomes really amazing, it's when we go on the meat of the game, the rpg aspect. It's one of the first time (in my experience at least) on a video game that even if there is a main quest, the universe is so rich and the quests so well written, so many little details, stories in the stories, that you almost forget about this "main" quest! There are so many things to do... you are just from time to time remembered of the main quest when suddenly out of nowhere a dragon is flying over you, shouting, and landing right in your back... Well, the feeling is unique.

    Another important thing, is the modding community, bethesta seem to love the moders contrary to so many big recent releases, and there are so many good mods...

    And last but not least, they are not selling you countless useless dlc even before the release. You pay a good game, you get it the first time!

    If you love a good rpg, this game is definitely a must have.    … Expand
  7. elhive
    May 7, 2012
    8
    You can say Skyrim's biggest advantage is also it's biggest flaw. I love sandbox games, and although I never really was a big fan of the Elder scrolls series I thought the freedom was certainly entertaining. But Oblivion was flawed on so many levels that I simply can't compare it to Skyrim. Yes, Skyrim is a much better game on every single way. Weapons and armor disintegration is gone andYou can say Skyrim's biggest advantage is also it's biggest flaw. I love sandbox games, and although I never really was a big fan of the Elder scrolls series I thought the freedom was certainly entertaining. But Oblivion was flawed on so many levels that I simply can't compare it to Skyrim. Yes, Skyrim is a much better game on every single way. Weapons and armor disintegration is gone and the dungeons are much more varied and interesting. Instead of repetative Oblivion gates you now have dragon fights but more importantly',the game looks and feels much better then it's laggy, buggy predecessor. The game has a ton of quests and will last for months,But here is the big problem: the game never has true high points. It's addicting, I'l give it that, but it doesn't have deep characters nor does it have an interesting story. It relies on it's endless replay value and sacrifices quality. It lacks focus and, as such, it was never memorable for me. Despite this, the game is fun and entertaining. The combat is excellent and the quests can be really grand and fun. The politics in Skyrim are actualy interesting and somehow held my interest of the story. The game is great, but it lacks focus, and Bethesda released it so buggy (let's not forget the broken PS3 version) that it's really a mixed bag here. People rave and praise it, and I can understand where the love is coming from, but it has it's flaws that shouldn't be passed by.… Expand
  8. IcoNat20
    Jul 17, 2012
    9
    All the great expansive game of Morrowind, and the artistic direction of oblivion, but... better? Every place is like a photo, or a work of art on a canvas. I shall not go into further detail.

    Downside, quests are short.
  9. UberGoat
    May 21, 2012
    10
    The most amazing game I have played in years. It is so immersive with so much to do. I am not the kind of person who enjoys playing single player games, but this game and Elder Scrolls in general is always an exception to that.
  10. madrigal
    May 16, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. You get out of it what you put into it. If you're going to cry about the obvious stuff, then go play Sims. Go make real choices. Go get 1000 different voice-over people and re-write the dialogue. I'm about 20 hours into it. I've read some of the other user reviews and there is some valid stuff to be said about Skyrim. I've rarely played this D&D type genre before. Last D&D style game I played was on the 3DO. Just not my gig. I have no idea about the Elder Scrolls before this so I can't speak to it. But I know that in this genre, there are spells and dungeons and caves and kill the yellow dragon, kill the red dragon, use the blue key for the blue dungeon...etc. etc. etc. There is a proven formula for this genre and their own family of games and Bethesda is just sticking to it. I have no problem with it. The truth is, this game is absolutely enrapturing in it's beauty and form (if you have the right PC and mods to run it) and fun as heck to play...if you are playing on Master difficulty. Therein lies the problem for many of these critics. They play an easy game and expect genius. When it takes you an hour to kill a dragon because you are out of arrows and running for your life, then a game gets fun. If you want more out of Skyrim, kick it up a notch. And a last word on "making choices" in a story-driven game. If you haven't already learned from Mass Effect....there are no REAL CHOICES. No matter what the game devs say, there is NO WAY to make a story-driven game with real choices. So get over it.… Expand
  11. WaterWoman
    May 18, 2012
    9
    This game is definitely either an 8 or 9. It's just weirdly addicting, and it looks pretty amazing. Sure, Witcher 2 looks great also, but that game, for me, got old and I never finished it. Skyrim, well, I had to keep playing (only level 40 I think). None of the bugs bothered me, and the mods were great.
  12. Qwerto227
    May 21, 2012
    10
    I enjoyed this game hugely, is that not all you need from a game, I loved the characters, the atmosphere, the combat, the sneaking however what really makes it for me is the huge variety of awesome mods
  13. HumanMale
    May 21, 2012
    9
    A nicely balanced and well-crafted game. Many customization options and seemingly endless quests and locations to explore. In fact, it's only when you find the borders and small flaws (e.g. getting stuck in certain locations) that the charisma and immersion of the world that is Skyrim fades. Those minor errors and missing polish left behind, excellent RPG.
  14. teshia
    May 31, 2013
    10
    Wow. I really didn't like Elder Scrolls 3 or 4 and could never figure out what all the fuss was about. I always thought Gothic 1 and 2 were WAY better at implementing an immersive open world RPG. To me, Oblivion just seemed bland and repetitive (ie. tower after tower being closed and they all seem to be designed the same way it got tiring for me). Skyrim changed my mind though. IWow. I really didn't like Elder Scrolls 3 or 4 and could never figure out what all the fuss was about. I always thought Gothic 1 and 2 were WAY better at implementing an immersive open world RPG. To me, Oblivion just seemed bland and repetitive (ie. tower after tower being closed and they all seem to be designed the same way it got tiring for me). Skyrim changed my mind though. I think they finally figured it out. The world looks great, the quests are pretty good. It has a nice big playtime on it yet you still feel like you can play it casually in 30 minute chunks. The open world design is fantastic. Traversing the world just feels fantastic, believable, and fun. I haven't seen an open world this well designed since the Gothic games. The factions, races and classes are fun without seeming unnecessary. Yeah it's pretty hard to say anything negative about the game. I will say that as a PC player, I absolutely hated the menu system. It wouldn't have taken that much work to make a nice PC based menu system that doesn't feel like a console system. Or maybe it could have been added in as a menu option in case you wanted to play on PC with a controller. That said, their support of mods has allowed me to add in PC friendly menu systems to replace theirs, so at least I have options and can't really complain, as I'm not locked into it. Thank you Bethesda for a great gaming experience. All the accolades are well deserved.… Expand
  15. Adrianf84
    May 24, 2012
    10
    Most EPIC, GREATEST sand box game i ever played ! Despite its bugs, it is nearly a perfect game. The only things u would complain is definitely its bugs, but bugs can be fix in later patch. This game totally deserve to have 10 score.
  16. Plamotaku
    May 27, 2012
    9
    Brief: 93% score from Plamotaku.
    A brilliant game that provided 144 hours, and probably more, of enjoyment. Through lush and beautiful graphics, you set out to carve your way as the Dragonborn, a special blooded human that has the power to control, command, and outright kill dragons. Enjoy this healthily saturated RPG, full of deeply packed content, quests, and a boastable stats system    Brief: 93% score from Plamotaku.
    A brilliant game that provided 144 hours, and probably more, of enjoyment. Through lush and beautiful graphics, you set out to carve your way as the Dragonborn, a special blooded human that has the power to control, command, and outright kill dragons. Enjoy this healthily saturated RPG, full of deeply packed content, quests, and a boastable stats system that makes playing this game an addicting treat.
    There is not much to complain about in Skyrim, except for occasional spouts of minor lag and terrain clipping issues.    … Expand
  17. Urillusion
    Jun 7, 2012
    9
    RPG? Check! Filled with countless tales of lore in the world of Tamriel. Sandbox? Check! There is no linearity unless you want to experience a particular story line from start to end. It is a visual and auditory masterpiece! The UI is different than past TES games, but I can not call the new leveling system or the UI sub-par compared to its older siblings. Add the thousands of Mods outRPG? Check! Filled with countless tales of lore in the world of Tamriel. Sandbox? Check! There is no linearity unless you want to experience a particular story line from start to end. It is a visual and auditory masterpiece! The UI is different than past TES games, but I can not call the new leveling system or the UI sub-par compared to its older siblings. Add the thousands of Mods out there capable of making your Skyrim experience that much more immersive, and you have a champion! The only reason I do not give Skyrim a perfect score, is because of a fair amount of bugs, many of which are comical. Also, the game may not be friendly to some PC hardware, but it will still play on any system.… Expand
  18. Hadrian
    Jul 13, 2012
    10
    I love the game. I have been a huge TES fan for a while. I liked Oblivion better but would have to say that this game is very, very good. Pick it up for sure!
  19. Indomidable
    Aug 8, 2012
    10
    Unmodded I'd call it a 8/10... Without Sky UI this wasn't a PC release just a console port.... I have a lot of fun playing this game. Particularly modding it. I find it interesting with some of these people reviewing a sandbox RPG... like it was a purely story driven one... It's open ended you don't have to do the quest lines an any particular order. Adding in the radiant AI (quest on theUnmodded I'd call it a 8/10... Without Sky UI this wasn't a PC release just a console port.... I have a lot of fun playing this game. Particularly modding it. I find it interesting with some of these people reviewing a sandbox RPG... like it was a purely story driven one... It's open ended you don't have to do the quest lines an any particular order. Adding in the radiant AI (quest on the fly) it's very well done!… Expand
  20. Dazaras
    Aug 12, 2012
    9
    A great improvement over previous Elder Scrolls games. The faces weren't creepy, and the dungeons felt suitably different. The enormous world has a lot of fun things no matter where you start looking, and the level system makes it possible to build a large variety of characters without the risk of making an inept character that existed in previous games. The main reason why this didn'tA great improvement over previous Elder Scrolls games. The faces weren't creepy, and the dungeons felt suitably different. The enormous world has a lot of fun things no matter where you start looking, and the level system makes it possible to build a large variety of characters without the risk of making an inept character that existed in previous games. The main reason why this didn't get a 10 from me was because of the bugs. It was almost impossible for me to complete all but the most simple questlines without encountering one or several. A lesser reason, although one which I hear far more people complaining about, was the huge number of NPCs that were considered "important" and therefore could not be killed. There were many situations in which an annoying or outright evil NPC could not be killed, at least until a certain point in a questline. This may just be an instance of a larger problem, as there are a large number of points in the game where the player is forced into a single course of action, or an event is triggered regardless of how you attempt to avoid it. This was annoying, but did not prevent me from enjoying the game.… Expand
  21. Karnos
    Sep 24, 2012
    10
    Skyrim is one of the legendary games, the games of the decade. Until this moment i believe it's the best of its time ou there. The graphics are phenomenal, as is the beautiful music and sounds. The map is huge and you can go wherever you like right from the start. There is a huge plethora of quests and a very small amount of them is boring "kill those", "fetch me that" style. There areSkyrim is one of the legendary games, the games of the decade. Until this moment i believe it's the best of its time ou there. The graphics are phenomenal, as is the beautiful music and sounds. The map is huge and you can go wherever you like right from the start. There is a huge plethora of quests and a very small amount of them is boring "kill those", "fetch me that" style. There are also a lot less bugs than in the previous elder scrolls games. The inventory needed improvement, but who cares! skyUI mod takes care of that. And now i'm getting to the point. The best part about this game besides making your character from scratch and besides your ability to do almost anything you can imagine is the mods. There are countless of mods and expansions that take the game to a whole new level literally. This really is a game that is hard not to enjoy. I urge you to try it! FUS RO DAH!… Expand
  22. Gamecritic0111
    Sep 22, 2012
    9
    An amazing experience. Great graphics, storyline, and attention to detail. There are so many different ways to play the game. Even after the ending of the game, the game still doesn't actually end. So many side quest to do, and a variety of weapons and armor. A great game, definitely worth $60.
  23. Paulo-Maciel
    Oct 20, 2012
    10
    There are people writing user reviews that are complete idiots! A big and complex fantasy world like I never saw in other games, and better that I thought possible in this hardware generation. This game is awesome!
  24. Klewer
    Nov 15, 2012
    8
    One of the best modern RPG's released recently. Interesting quests and a strong story make it a must have for any RPG fan. Only falls down in the general nerfing of the gameplay compared to previous Elder Scrolls to cater to a console/casual gamer crowd.
  25. Derpy_hooves123
    Nov 27, 2012
    10
    I personally have put over 400 hours into this game and still enjoy it! to solve all the graphical "problems" which kill the game, get mods! to fix lack of excitement, get mods! with the right combination of mods this game looks better than crysis AND has incredible gameplay! *TES GAMES ARE MADE TO BE MODDED THERES A REASON ALL THE GAMES COME WITH A MODLOADER*
  26. vectranon
    Feb 22, 2013
    10
    "EPICKA FANTASY POWRACA" i się nie mylili. Gra posiada 75 osiągnięć Steam i 94 ze skali od jeden do stu. System: walki i kamery mnie zaintrygował. Jednym słowem polecam Wam kupno tej epickiej fantasy!
  27. SergioEngles86
    Apr 21, 2013
    9
    Skyrim is by far the best single player first person perspective RPG on the planet.

    This game offers a ton of freedom to play your character how you want to play it.

    I am so glad to have play Skyrim even though I am from Spain and dont speak so good english.
  28. judgefx
    Mar 12, 2013
    9
    How many awards, accolades, reviews?
    This really is a work of art with only a few minor flaws.
    Menu system could be better. (Just mod it)
    Some errors in quests. (Just mod it)
    An open world but a little too guided at times while playing "follow the marker". (Just mod it)
    Buy it, then mod it, and love it. At over 1100 play hours I can say it is a good game.
  29. Pillz4111
    Sep 14, 2013
    9
    This is no doubt, absolutely the best game I've ever played. The visuals look beautiful, the scale of the world, the number of quests, which is MILLIONS. There is absolutely no way to stop playing this masterpiece. And with the two additional DLCs, there is absolutely NO WAY you'll sleep at all! However, there are a lot of bugs, and glitches, so I'm rating it a nine. I wish I could rate it a 10.
  30. Nerokin
    Nov 24, 2015
    9
    Discover An Awesome Open-World Fantasy RPG

    Overall: 85% (119.4/140) Atmosphere: 9.5/10 Graphics: 9.4/10 Level Design: 9.8/10 Sound: 9.8/10 Balance: 7.1/10 Controls: 7.5/10 Fighting System: 8.6/10 Mysteries: 9.3/10 Animations: 8.4/10 Artificial Intelligence: 6.7/10 Replay Value: 8.8/10 Story: 7.3/10 Tutorial: 3.5/5 Variety in Items: 9.7/10 Cost-Benefit Ratio: 3/4    Discover An Awesome Open-World Fantasy RPG

    Overall: 85% (119.4/140)

    Atmosphere: 9.5/10
    Graphics: 9.4/10
    Level Design: 9.8/10
    Sound: 9.8/10

    Balance: 7.1/10
    Controls: 7.5/10
    Fighting System: 8.6/10
    Mysteries: 9.3/10

    Animations: 8.4/10
    Artificial Intelligence: 6.7/10

    Replay Value: 8.8/10
    Story: 7.3/10
    Tutorial: 3.5/5
    Variety in Items: 9.7/10

    Cost-Benefit Ratio: 3/4
    System Requirements: 1/1    … Expand
  31. tsakiym
    May 21, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I do not have to say anything. But i need to write one hundred and fifty characters. i think my score can describe it.................................… Expand
  32. omalley
    Jul 24, 2015
    10
    No game has kept me hooked as long as Skyrim has. It took me about 3 years to finally retire from playing it. Far more than any game I have ever played ever. There is seemingly endless content and it is always fun, even when you start a new game. Best game ever. Eagerly waiting an Elder Scrolls 6. This is one of the few games that deserves a perfect 10.
  33. AbdulMalik
    Jul 24, 2015
    9
     The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an action role-playing open world video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the fifth installment in The Elder Scrolls action role-playing video game series, following The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Skyrim was released on November 11, 2011, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Three downloadable The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an action role-playing open world video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the fifth installment in The Elder Scrolls action role-playing video game series, following The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Skyrim was released on November 11, 2011, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Three downloadable content add-ons were released—Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn—which were repackaged into The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Legendary Edition, which released on June 4, 2013.
    Skyrim's main story revolves around the player character and his/her efforts to defeat Alduin the World-Eater, a dragon who is prophesied to destroy the world. The game is set approximately two hundred years after the events of Oblivion and takes place in the fictional province of Skyrim. Over the course of the game, the player completes quests and develops the character by improving skills. Unlike previous Elder Scrolls games, Skyrim does not require the player to select a character class at the beginning of the game, negating a problem which the development team felt that previous entries had by forcing the player into a rigid play-style too early into the game. Skyrim continues the open world tradition of its predecessors by allowing the player to travel anywhere in the game world at any time, and to ignore or postpone the main storyline indefinitely.
    The game was developed using the in-house Creation Engine, built specifically for the game. The team opted for a more unique and diverse game world than Oblivion's Cyrodiil, which game director and executive producer Todd Howard considered less interesting by comparison. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was released to critical acclaim and is often considered among the greatest video games of all time, with reviewers who particularly have acclaimed the refined character development and the great setting. The game shipped over seven million copies to retailers within the first week of its release, and sold over 20 million copies across all three platforms.
    Gameplay
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an action role-playing game, playable from either a first- or third-person perspective. The player may freely roam over the land of Skyrim, which is an open world environment consisting of wilderness expanses, dungeons, cities, towns, fortresses and villages. Players may navigate the game world more quickly by riding horses, or by utilizing a fast-travel system which allows them to warp to previously discovered locations .. The game's main quest can be completed or ignored at the player's preference after the first stage of the quest is finished. However, some quests rely on the main storyline being at least partially completed. Non-player characters populate the world and can be interacted with in a number of ways; the player may engage them in conversation, marry an eligible NPC, or kill them. . As in previous Elder Scrolls games, killing certain NPCs can make some quests or items unobtainable. Some NPCs cannot be killed. If witnessed, crimes like murder and theft accrue the player bounty points in each of the world's nine districts. Should the player be stopped by a guard, they may wipe their bounty with gold or jail time, or may resist arrest which will trigger an aggressive pursuit. NPCs may allocate the player additional side-quests, and some side-quests have parameters adjusted based on nearby dungeons which the player has yet to explore. Some NPCs who are befriended or hired by the player may act as companions who will accompany the player and provide aid in combat. The player may choose to join factions, which are organized groups of NPCs -- such as the Dark Brotherhood, a band of assassins -- or the player may choose to destroy them. Each of the factions has an associated quest path to progress through. Each city and town in the game world each has an economy which the player can stimulate by completing jobs such as farming.
    A perpetual objective for players is to develop their character. At the beginning of the game, players create their character by selecting one of several races, including humans, orcs, elves and anthropomorphic creatures, and then customizing their character's appearance. A head-up display appears when any of the player's three main attributes are being depleted. Attributes regenerate over time, although this process can be accelerated by using potions or regenerative spells. Health is depleted primarily when the player takes damage, and the loss of all health results in death. Magicka is depleted by the use of spells, certain poisons and by being struck by lightning-based attacks. Stamina determines the player's effectiveness in combat and is depleted by sprinting, power attacking, and being struck by frost-based attacks. The player's inventory can be accessed from the menu and items can be viewed in 3D, which may prove essential in solving puzzles found in dungeons.    … Expand
  34. Howmaster
    Aug 28, 2015
    8
    This game rocks, but it also has a few key issues.

    Lacks the customization and great story like Morrowind, but combat has been improved and fighting dragons is a lot of fun. There is a ton of content here and the world is amazing! My main gripes about this game are the voice acting, lack of difficulty and bugs. As with all Elder Scroll games, it has a ton of bugs which is a huge    This game rocks, but it also has a few key issues.

    Lacks the customization and great story like Morrowind, but combat has been improved and fighting dragons is a lot of fun. There is a ton of content here and the world is amazing!

    My main gripes about this game are the voice acting, lack of difficulty and bugs. As with all Elder Scroll games, it has a ton of bugs which is a huge pain and eye sore. As for the difficulty, once you get crafting down the game becomes incredibly easy and this also deters from the fun of exploring because you will not get any loot better than what you can make. I think Bethesda only hired about five voice actors for this game. There are waaaaaaay too many characters who sound the same throughout this huge world! Seriously hire more voice actors! After about 100 hours this game becomes boring, but that being said, this is a game you can easily put 100 hours into so its gotta be good!

    Not as great as Morrowind, but better than Oblivion, Skyrim is definitely a must have for RPG and adventure gamers!    … Expand
  35. RelentIess
    Dec 5, 2015
    10
    I love this game, spend my whole entire summer playing it, the amount of work that was put into this game was no joke. 10/10 one of the best game I've ever play
  36. Lokidos
    Feb 29, 2016
    10
    10 simply because it dragged me in when it was released..and I never bothered with its bugs or bad ai or some poor graphics some people said...I only can remember me playing the game for 2 weeks making a score of 155 hours played..Same as morrowind did back then (althought I was much younger to understand what I was playing)..I could say its one of the best games

    In the negatives id put    10 simply because it dragged me in when it was released..and I never bothered with its bugs or bad ai or some poor graphics some people said...I only can remember me playing the game for 2 weeks making a score of 155 hours played..Same as morrowind did back then (althought I was much younger to understand what I was playing)..I could say its one of the best games

    In the negatives id put the gearing that makes u almost invincible ;p    … Expand
  37. beemer127
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    I've already spent several hours with this game, and I have to admit that I am impressed. The audio score, the visuals, and the introductory quest immediately pulled me in. I have already spent over three hours with the game, and I look forward to spending many more hours with it!

    Some would say the graphics are horrible, but I suspect that is because their hardware isn't what it should    I've already spent several hours with this game, and I have to admit that I am impressed. The audio score, the visuals, and the introductory quest immediately pulled me in. I have already spent over three hours with the game, and I look forward to spending many more hours with it!

    Some would say the graphics are horrible, but I suspect that is because their hardware isn't what it should be. I'm running a Geforce GTS250 on a Win7 machine, and it runs and looks great. The smoothest Elder Scrolls game to date, as far as I'm concerned. The decision to go to a new rendering engine was a great one!

    A word on loading times: They are incredibly fast in most cases (thus far). I remember in Morrowind or Oblivion loading times could take about 30 seconds in some cases - annoying! In Skyrim, I'd say the loading times have been ~10 seconds, if not less. Again, this will vary due to your hardware (RAM, etc), but for the most part, expect faster loading times.

    Dynamic quests:

    I haven't really gotten too far into this - at least I don't think so. I have completed quests filed under "miscellaneous" in my journal, but I don't know if those are just scripted side quests or the "dynamic" quests the Radion AI engine makes. If they are, I guess that's a good sign. That means I can't really tell the difference, and I like that!

    Crafting:

    So far, I've dabbled into alchemy, but not too much. I've did a bit more with smithing, and I like the fact that you can craft your own things. I don't know how, exactly, you are supposed to find a steady supply of wolves (pelts/leather) or metals. I'm assuming you mine them, but so far the only thing I have gotten has been from the generosity of the early-game NPC's you encounter, and the monsters you kill if you get into one of the early game quests at the first town you are set loose on.

    Weaponry:

    One of the great things here is I love the fact that archery is now a lot more viable, though you still have to be a little creative with being able to use it. Unfortunately, even though it is improved, I still don't see it as being a "main" weapon unless or until you can level it up a lot and start doing a massive amount of damage on the first couple hits. There are other tactics you can use, though, I suppose. Stealth, or some way of slowing or even paralyzing the target, but I think in the early game you'll still have to rely on some kind of melee/touch based magic to finish them off.

    AI:

    The AI is pretty good. There are a few 'quirks' I still see, such as when I was following a NPC from where you start to where you are 'set loose' in a town. If I lagged behind a little too far, the NPC would stop and turn around, and then I would have to stop and wait for him to begin walking again. Imagine this start/stop procedure throughout the entire trip to the first town...it was a little irritating, but nothing you couldn't easily overlook. There was a couple other places where the NPC's got in the way when I was trying to walk up porch steps, or across a balcony, and it took a moment for them to move. Again, a little irritating, but not anything I couldn't handle.

    My one complaint so far:

    Switching from one "quick" slot to another while in the middle of combat was very, very frustrating. Maybe that is because the folks at Bethesda set an expectation that combat was supposed to be a little faster, but when I was trying to shoot a couple of arrows with my bow, and then switch to my melee weapon when the enemy got closer, it took a few seconds to do so, giving the enemy a couple of free shots. This is especially bad when you are trying to switch to a health potion, or healing spell. I ended up turning tail and running a couple of times while I waited for my gear to switch. While I realize that this is realistic (e.g. in real life it WOULD take time), this is one area I wouldn't have minded if they had suspended reality in favor of allowing me a smooth transition from weapon to weapon. I think that would have made combat that much more enjoyable.

    Conclusion:

    While the game still has its quirks, I believe this to be a vast improvement over its predecessors in the Elder Scrolls series. If you have the machine for it, it will run smooth, and look good. The AI still has a few quirks. The combat has some mechanics that are still not quite as smooth as I would like, but over overall, this is an amazing game thus far. I love the new atmosphere of Skyrim.    … Expand
  38. Marcusghost
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Maybe skyrim don´t have an incredible graphics on pc like others games(the witcher 2) but the incredible gameplay and other things make that you forget all this and just be pleased to play the game.
  39. CinderellaMan
    Apr 22, 2013
    10
    The PC version of Skyrim, combined with the current mods available through Skyrim Nexus or Steam Workshop, is an absolutely stunning game and much better than the original. With mods I can finally get the hardcore RPG experience: adding the need for eat/drink/sleep, exposure to the elements can kill you, no fast travel, horses that actually are useful, companions with their own questlinesThe PC version of Skyrim, combined with the current mods available through Skyrim Nexus or Steam Workshop, is an absolutely stunning game and much better than the original. With mods I can finally get the hardcore RPG experience: adding the need for eat/drink/sleep, exposure to the elements can kill you, no fast travel, horses that actually are useful, companions with their own questlines and personalities, more road signs for navigation, slow the time scale, camping equipment, more armors and weapons... its unbelievable how much the game improves with these additions. If you own a PC and are an RPG fan, you must get this game immediately. If you don't have a PC, go buy one just for this game.… Expand
  40. Digitalkid
    Dec 9, 2011
    10
    Really surprised with all that whining. Shame that some people have glitches, but I'm more then 120 hours in game, and it works great! Sure Skyrim is my GOTY and one of the most atmospheric games since Might and Magic 6-7. Skyrim not only revives all the best traditions of true oldstyle RPGs, but although adds some beautiful stylish looks to a detailed and well written story of Tamriel.Really surprised with all that whining. Shame that some people have glitches, but I'm more then 120 hours in game, and it works great! Sure Skyrim is my GOTY and one of the most atmospheric games since Might and Magic 6-7. Skyrim not only revives all the best traditions of true oldstyle RPGs, but although adds some beautiful stylish looks to a detailed and well written story of Tamriel.

    Ah, and look at those people with 0 ratings.. they mostly have all zeroes in their reviews. It's just impossible for them to get some positive emotions. Whiners))    … Expand
  41. JunasLB
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Game is brilliant. I've played Elder Scrolls: Morrowind and Oblivion and didn't really ever like those games - however, Skyrim is just perfect. Beautiful world, exciting history and great gameplay.
  42. jaward1
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Epic, fantastic, incredible, amazing, insane, huge, beautiful, wicked, gigantic, stunning, superb, mindblowing, lifechanging fantasy game. The best thing since oblivion
  43. TidWop
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    While I could ramble about how ridiculous certain "reviewers" are being, I'll simply state my opinion. Skyrim is essentially exactly what I wanted from the next installment in The Elder Scrolls series. What exactly dictates that? Basically, a polished, improved Oblivion. Being a huge fan of Oblivion, this game is pinpoint accurate on returning to the formula I love, while also sprucing itWhile I could ramble about how ridiculous certain "reviewers" are being, I'll simply state my opinion. Skyrim is essentially exactly what I wanted from the next installment in The Elder Scrolls series. What exactly dictates that? Basically, a polished, improved Oblivion. Being a huge fan of Oblivion, this game is pinpoint accurate on returning to the formula I love, while also sprucing it up, and adding more in. To start, those who say this isn't a visually appealing game is diminishing two factors.; the first that it is certainly a step above Oblivion, and that it is a role playing game. While playing, I have all the details on Ultra, and I'm running it at a constant 60 frames per second. Needless to say, it looks fantastic. Even out of the context of it being a role playing game, it still looks great! People simply look for anything to pile onto their rage-reviews. Next, the sound. At first, I was skeptical about the new soundtrack Jeremy Soule laid out for me. I was a huge fan of Oblivion's soundtrack, so Skyrim's soundtrack was important to me from the introduction. While initially I wasn't too impressed, it definitely hit perfectly after the first few hours. The Nordic choruses, the compelling drums, the serene tavern backdrops, it does just as Oblivion did. It creates a soundtrack that handsomely compliments the immersion factor of the world around you. I suggest that anyone who appreciates a good musical score to edit your audio values, and turn the "music" bar up a notch; it truly makes the gameplay better. Lastly, the combat system that lets your dethrone dragons, and bash in skulls of unsuspecting (or foolish) bandits, and the like. Bethesda outdid themselves when it comes to innovating their combat system. While I enjoyed Oblivion, the fighting was robotic, and repetitive. Quite opposite of its older brother, Skyrim redefines how you take down your foes, or friendly citizens (yes, we all occasionally go on questionable rampages when we get new weapons.) From finishing moves, to spell casting that isn't sluggish, the new combat system is perfect for Skyrim. Casting fire while swinging with an enchanted sword is satisfying, to say the least.

    While I could continue to write an explicit review, I'll stop myself, and end with this. Skyrim is undoubtedly a role playing game experience all fans should experience. While it sticks to the same formula while revamping itself all the while, why should that be a bad thing? If you loved Oblivion, you'll adore Skyrim. (This isn't a console port either, people just love to whine. The controls are just fine, and the visuals are a half step above consoles.)    … Expand
  44. Elsingo
    Nov 11, 2011
    8
    This game deserves an 8, it has good graphics, voice acting can now and then be realy horrible imo. Cant judge on the whole story but from what ive seen so far it has a solid story and fun combat.
  45. Makrish
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Controls are very easily adapted to, with favourite weapons able to be mapped to number keys (I discovered this purely by accident - hit 1 by accident after hitting 'q'), made for hot-swapping in fights. Textures I find are comparable to games like Witcher 2 and Divinity 2, and the view of the sunset/sunrise and Aurora Borealis is just amazing. I was climbing up the legendary 7,000 stepsControls are very easily adapted to, with favourite weapons able to be mapped to number keys (I discovered this purely by accident - hit 1 by accident after hitting 'q'), made for hot-swapping in fights. Textures I find are comparable to games like Witcher 2 and Divinity 2, and the view of the sunset/sunrise and Aurora Borealis is just amazing. I was climbing up the legendary 7,000 steps and stopped for five minutes just to watch the Aurora, with the moon in the background.

    This is probably the best RPG I've ever played.    … Expand
  46. IrishChai
    Nov 11, 2011
    9
    This game is incredible. I first played the Elder Scrolls series with Morrowind and thought it was mediocre. I just couldn't play or enjoy anything about Oblivion. It felt incredibly boring and uninspired after trying to get in to it a dozen times, so I gambled with getting Skyrim on the first day after watching a couple of the live streaming sessions online. It looked too good to pass up,This game is incredible. I first played the Elder Scrolls series with Morrowind and thought it was mediocre. I just couldn't play or enjoy anything about Oblivion. It felt incredibly boring and uninspired after trying to get in to it a dozen times, so I gambled with getting Skyrim on the first day after watching a couple of the live streaming sessions online. It looked too good to pass up, and my gamble really paid off. Skyrim is way better than the last two, and I've never felt so truly immersed in an RPG like this before. I didn't experience a single bug or crash with the game, although there were minor flickering or clipping issues graphically. However, everything else from the sound and atmosphere, to the quality voice-over work and options of stuff to do and directions to go has redefined my interpretation of excellent game design for a true sandbox RPG. The only negatives leading me to rate it down to a 9 is for those who enjoy a linear story and direction, as I admittedly sometimes prefer also. The way it drops you at the end of the prologue/tutorial is pretty abrupt, but I had no problem just wandering off in a random direction and seeking out adventure. It found me as it turned out, allowing me to go in a few different directions depending on my whims, but for some it might not come as easily. Everything else is top notch and well worth the price of admission.… Expand
  47. VergilAF
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Fantastic. The game is created by the makers of Fallout, so it's an open world where we can do what they want. Contrary to Fallout, where the scenery is a barren terrain, we have luxuriant forests, rivers and snow-capped mountains. The graphics are wonderful even though sometimes the texture limp. Great combat system that will keep us glued to the screen, between creatures really well made â
  48. StarC
    Nov 11, 2011
    9
    Deacz, you need to learn to use favorites (RTFM). I agree with the point that the game isn't the prettiest and especially the lack of facial expressions is a pitty. I like the fact that you can now only sell items to vendors that they also sell (no you cannot sell a bow to a fruit vendor). I'm off to play a bit more now. caio
  49. spmxvc
    Dec 16, 2011
    10
    Yeah, you need to tweak the game via console and the .ini files. Yeah, you need to get into the modding scene to fix some of the bugs and problems. Yeah, the game didn't run with over 2GB memory without some kind of third party application. Well guess what... that's what the dedicated Elder Scrolls players are used to. And we LOVE Bethesda for it. They let us play the game the way WE wantYeah, you need to tweak the game via console and the .ini files. Yeah, you need to get into the modding scene to fix some of the bugs and problems. Yeah, the game didn't run with over 2GB memory without some kind of third party application. Well guess what... that's what the dedicated Elder Scrolls players are used to. And we LOVE Bethesda for it. They let us play the game the way WE want to play it. Do we want to modify the way we level up? quite often we do. Do we want to modify the difficulty and scaling of the game? Of course we do. Do we want to tweak the graphics, overhaul the system, get the most out of our real gaming machines? You're bloody well right we do! The fifth installation in the Elder Scrolls series allows the gamer to play and change the game to suit them. Why did Skyrim win GotY 2011? Pretty simple. Bethesda created a game that let the user decide how they wanted to play. The Elder Scrolls series is one of the very few games that allow the user the utmost control over how the game works. Game developers need to understand, you give the community a development kit and you will have them work for free, creating new content, fixing bugs. That's the kind of community that dedicated PC gamers are, we love these games because they give us almost unparalleled control over the way in which the game functions. I don't like being locked to 65 FoV because the developers didn't want to put the option in the game for PC gamers. I don't like being locked to certain keys because the developers didn't want to make the code for remapping keys. I hate being forced to play a game in a linear style without any deviations from the path. Does the game have problems? Yes. Can these problems be fixed by the user? YES! Nothing short of a 10 out of 10.… Expand
  50. NedStark
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    The hype was justified. This isn't just the game of the year, but one of the best gaming experiences ever. Fantastic world and quite possibly the best soundtrack in a game I've ever heard. Do yourself a favour and buy this game. There is one negative thing though; your social life will suffer. Can't have everything.
  51. Tyrant_T100
    Nov 14, 2011
    8
    I preordered Skyrim hoping it to be better than Oblivion that was a flawed but fun game from Bethesda, in its own right it was good but compared to Morrowind from 2003 it was poor.
    After playing over 20 hours of Skyrim since the 11/11/11 I can say they have done a great job and Skyrim surpasses Oblivion and sits shoulder to shoulder with Morrowind.
    Many of the complex themes in Morrowind    I preordered Skyrim hoping it to be better than Oblivion that was a flawed but fun game from Bethesda, in its own right it was good but compared to Morrowind from 2003 it was poor.
    After playing over 20 hours of Skyrim since the 11/11/11 I can say they have done a great job and Skyrim surpasses Oblivion and sits shoulder to shoulder with Morrowind.

    Many of the complex themes in Morrowind such as the politics have returned and Skyrim is a better game because of it, the soundtrack is good but doesn't stand out as anything special. The game looks lovely graphically and the art direction is top-notch it avoids the ugly problems of Oblivion and Fallout 3.

    The game gets an 8 however due to occasional crashes that I'm sure will be patched as well as occasional memory leaks and fps drops. The game overall is excellent and feels like a true sequel to Morrowind.    … Expand
  52. keefbaker
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    If you didn't like Morrowind, Oblivion, Fallout 3 or Fallout New Vegas because that whole "exploring thing" was just too much bother then don;t go anywhere near this. If you want something that manages to take the best from all of those games and furnish them together in a massive, stunning package then yes, this is for you. I'm 20 hours in and it's only been out 2 days. In fact the onlyIf you didn't like Morrowind, Oblivion, Fallout 3 or Fallout New Vegas because that whole "exploring thing" was just too much bother then don;t go anywhere near this. If you want something that manages to take the best from all of those games and furnish them together in a massive, stunning package then yes, this is for you. I'm 20 hours in and it's only been out 2 days. In fact the only true worry i have about this game is that i may end up being more familiar with the world of skyrim than my own city.… Expand
  53. IHateFanboys
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    This game is a while lot of fun, I have been playing obsessively since its midnight release and I have been loving every minute. Clearing dungeons and slaying dragons are incredibly fun to do and leave the user with a feeling of accomplishment. Occasional glitches do little to detract from the hours of entertainment. Exploring is rewarding and challenging while interesting characters andThis game is a while lot of fun, I have been playing obsessively since its midnight release and I have been loving every minute. Clearing dungeons and slaying dragons are incredibly fun to do and leave the user with a feeling of accomplishment. Occasional glitches do little to detract from the hours of entertainment. Exploring is rewarding and challenging while interesting characters and unique characters make every encounter seem fresh and unusual. Its a really good game to eat up all your free time… Expand
  54. Demigodrick
    Nov 11, 2011
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Where to start? I've clocked up about 15 hours, and like oblivion, will most likely go on to clock up over 350. I must point out though I've been using a 360 controller from the start, so have had no problems with the controls. Graphically, this game is a massive step up from oblivion. Other people seem to be comparing the graphics of Skyrim to those of a recently released fps. Maybe turn up your graphics, over clock your gpu or buy a better one? Some of the views are breathtaking, the draw distance is fantastic and I think I'm in love with the landscape. Bethesda games have never been known for their lifelike graphics, let's face it. But this is close enough for me to actually want to be there. The cities themselves are beautiful. From dwarves cities full of mechanics, to broken down castles and forts, each one feels unique. Gameplay wise, I'm slightly miffed about the dark brotherhood. And the thieves guild. Why are they in decline? They put it down to 'bad luck'. That feels like a cheap way of making a storyline. And from what I've played, not overly impressed. Listener straight away for TDB? And then she bosses you about? I'm pretty sure that has been my lowest moment in skyrim. Fighting dragons is cool. It's good they don't focus solely on the player and ignore NPR creatures. I had an epic fight where I teamed up with a troll and a wooly mammoth, only for the troll to turn on me because I may have accidentally killed his mammoth. Whoops. I'm also starting to see the radiant quest thing kick in, with bounties leading to unexplored caves etc. whether or not it's truly unlimited I don't know, but with modding, it may well be. As I said at the start, Im using a 360 controller. It was plugged in already (I use it for bf3, so a word for you kb/m elitists, you're wrong :) ) and recognised instantly, and is pretty awesome. Pc version has force feedback, so obviously a console rip there. My only downside is I can't pick stuff up. At least, I haven't figured it out yet. So no basket on the head stealing for me. A few people are saying its buggy - look at the size of the world. It will take years to find every bug, glitch, spelling mistake (I noticed one in the book about the events of oblivion) and if you thought its be releases bug free you obviously never played oblivion. I do have one bug (at least, I think it's a bug) where I'm one hit killed by a giant and thrown into space. But what Bethesda don't fix, modders will..

    Which leads onto modding. Being unique for pcs (which is why you should have the pc version), it probably adds another 300+ hours onto the play time. Looking at the quality of oblivious mods, I honestly can't wait for skyrim's mods. It'll be interesting to see how much Bethesda let modders tinker with, if it's all the way down to the radiant story thing. There'll be some epic quests then!

    All in all, I'm highly Impressed with what has been achieved, and can't wait to spend the next few years solidly exploring ever part of skyrim! It's definitely a must buy!    … Expand
  55. Konflanz
    Mar 19, 2015
    10
    Deep, with a fascinating Lore, immense world to explore and amazing graphics for his era, it's not one of the best rpg games, but of all time. Go deep in Skyrim, you will not be regretful!
  56. PhoenixEX
    Jan 11, 2015
    10
    I would give this game more of a 9.7 but since I have to round, I will round up because this game deserves it. This game may be infamously filled with miner glitches due to its enormous size, but that doesn't stop it from being probably the best open world adventure I have ever experienced. I personally LOVE games that are almost impossible to complete, and this game does that well. InI would give this game more of a 9.7 but since I have to round, I will round up because this game deserves it. This game may be infamously filled with miner glitches due to its enormous size, but that doesn't stop it from being probably the best open world adventure I have ever experienced. I personally LOVE games that are almost impossible to complete, and this game does that well. In this game, you will find yourself replaying it over and over again. I generally do not have any thing to say about this game that is bad, but the glitches can be somewhat annoying if you find them, so that is why I don't give it a full 10.… Expand
  57. Animefuko
    Feb 15, 2015
    10
    Skyrim has it's ups and downs like most popular video games, but the ups tower over the negative. The storyline is amazing and on going gameplay meaning you will never get bored, as you have many other side quests. Great voice acting, and is very interactive. You will need to have a rather good pc to play this as the world is rather big. Most likely won't work on a laptop. There isn't alotSkyrim has it's ups and downs like most popular video games, but the ups tower over the negative. The storyline is amazing and on going gameplay meaning you will never get bored, as you have many other side quests. Great voice acting, and is very interactive. You will need to have a rather good pc to play this as the world is rather big. Most likely won't work on a laptop. There isn't alot of bugs, but there when there is you can use cheats to fix them and put them back in their place. Highly recomended.… Expand
  58. Necrotaur
    Nov 11, 2011
    9
    Skyrim is amazing. The world is rich and expansive, the graphics are a huge improvement (especially the character's faces) and as is typical for a TES game, there is a lot to do. Throw eventual mods into the mix and your social life is pretty much gone. That being said I really wanted to give the game a 10/10 but there remain a few minor issues. There are some poor animations - I onceSkyrim is amazing. The world is rich and expansive, the graphics are a huge improvement (especially the character's faces) and as is typical for a TES game, there is a lot to do. Throw eventual mods into the mix and your social life is pretty much gone. That being said I really wanted to give the game a 10/10 but there remain a few minor issues. There are some poor animations - I once saw a guy sit down in mid air then slide sideways into a chair (lol)- and a some minor bugs. Skyrim has a few awesome voice actors while the rest are middling yet still far, far better than Oblivion, and the PC controls are also rather awkward. Bottom line though: Skyrim is great and will keep you entertained for hundreds of hours.… Expand
  59. xploited
    Nov 11, 2011
    9
    Bought in on day 1 and I am sure I am gonna enjoy the hell out of it. :D Had a chance to launch it only one only, and the beginning and it already looks epic. The only downside is that I have to finish this game in 4 days before Assassin's Creed is out. xD
  60. rucknrun
    Dec 17, 2011
    9
    Amazing game. I run into some crashes on the PS3 on occasion but the game plays well and looks great. I spend half my day at work emailing friends about what they got into in game. An improvement over Oblivion.
  61. HenryBukowski
    Jul 18, 2012
    8
    For all the breathtaking aesthetic beauty of Bethesda games, I feel they could really take a lesson from Bioware in storytelling and making people come to life. I say this as a huge fan of Bethesda, with Fallout 3 and Morrowind being some of my favourite games of all time. But in games like Knights of the old republic, mass effect, neverwinter nights, Bioware do so much more to enthrallFor all the breathtaking aesthetic beauty of Bethesda games, I feel they could really take a lesson from Bioware in storytelling and making people come to life. I say this as a huge fan of Bethesda, with Fallout 3 and Morrowind being some of my favourite games of all time. But in games like Knights of the old republic, mass effect, neverwinter nights, Bioware do so much more to enthrall you with a storyline, to develop relationships and make you care. The main problem for me in Skyrim is this storyline. Dragons! 15 year old boys may find the idea of battling dragons awesome, but Bethesda can do so much more than this. There's a fine line between generic fantasy games and the more impressive and stylized ones, and I worry that by importing the fantastic trope that is dragons into your game you really only de-value your own concept. Hoist by one's own Petard, as they say. Couple of other things: dungeons. In Oblivion and Morrowind there was variety in what you could find within. In skyrim, you always know it's going to be a sh*t load of Draugr, and if you're bloody lucky, a couple of frostbite spiders. Where did that variety go!? Quests: There are some really fantastic ones, but at times I feel there's a lack of invention. The go get me this item approach to quests only carries you so far. Bethesda needs to innovate rather than play it safe. Combat: Mods are a must for this, but only available to pc users. I really can't see that the combat has improved since oblivion, just evolved in a parallel direction. Still no inbuilt parry system or anything, a shame. But I'm saying these things as someone who loves the elder scrolls, and believes in it. Beautiful game, with loving attention given to its 'Nordic' Lore. What I'm trying to say though is that Bethesda has set its sights on making the ultimate 'immersive' experience; a game where you can do anything, go anywhere, be anyone. But for that to have been truly realised, more attention would have been needed to the depth of the 'being', the 'doing' and so forth. Just because I can go anywhere and do anything, does not mean I will want to if there's inadequate depth to those in-game acts. For me, the answer is making us care more about characters, relationships, be more shocked and gripped by plot. Skyrim calls out for this if only to do justice to the huge effort put into crafting its glorious world.… Expand
  62. Dougeye-Master
    Nov 11, 2011
    9
    First off Epic!! is an understatment. What Bethesda have done here is everything they said they would, nothing more and nothing less, people seem to forget this and had too high expectations. Since the game was announced Todd Howard has been clear in interviews etc that the game graphicly would still be dx9 with a few improvements! The approach of improving what you already know has provedFirst off Epic!! is an understatment. What Bethesda have done here is everything they said they would, nothing more and nothing less, people seem to forget this and had too high expectations. Since the game was announced Todd Howard has been clear in interviews etc that the game graphicly would still be dx9 with a few improvements! The approach of improving what you already know has proved to be successful rather than trying to rush out a game this big with new tech, so what it hasnt got dx11 graphics and massive textures!! I still looks good and means you can have an absolutly massive world on one disk!! aside from this, radient story = win characters = win new unique looking and sounding races = win epic views and scenery = win even the damn horses have been sorted out! and oh did i meantion dragons are absolutly epic!!!, dont get me wrong there are a few tiny little flaws like npcs gettign stuck etc in the game but compared to what they have achieved and the scope of this emmense emmersive world they fade into Oblivion!! Right im going to loose a week of my life playing it now lol… Expand
  63. LonelySheep
    Feb 18, 2012
    9
    Without writing an essay, most of you know what to expect from Skyrim so i'll skip all that and just say that this game loses two points for two reasons to earn 8/10 and they are:

    1.Too many bugs to poke a stick at (can recall having to reload earlier saves at least twice due to game-breaking glitches). 2. An extremely primitive combat system, especially by today's standards. Besides    Without writing an essay, most of you know what to expect from Skyrim so i'll skip all that and just say that this game loses two points for two reasons to earn 8/10 and they are:

    1.Too many bugs to poke a stick at (can recall having to reload earlier saves at least twice due to game-breaking glitches).
    2. An extremely primitive combat system, especially by today's standards.

    Besides these, Skyrim is a beautiful, rich and very immersive game that one should take their time to fully absorb its content.    … Expand
  64. DigitalVeil
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    Absolutely mind-blowing masterpiece. I have yet to find anything even remotely close to being a fault. Do yourself a favour and go buy this. This game brings me to tears it's so good.
  65. xEnAlex
    Nov 20, 2011
    10
    I give this game a 9/10, There was a few things that were minor.
    Story: Amazing story, well thought out and room for MANY side quests that involve with the story.
    Graphics: This is whole entirely on computer, but on highest quality and settings, Skyrim literally blooms in your face in its fullest potential. You can't rate graphics down unless you've seen the best. Gameplay: Like Morrowind    I give this game a 9/10, There was a few things that were minor.
    Story: Amazing story, well thought out and room for MANY side quests that involve with the story.
    Graphics: This is whole entirely on computer, but on highest quality and settings, Skyrim literally blooms in your face in its fullest potential. You can't rate graphics down unless you've seen the best.

    Gameplay: Like Morrowind and Oblivion, the gameplay was almost the same, except they decided to tweak it with another engine, the Fallout engine. The end product was easily organized items and easily accessible spells. The game also had dual wielding and a new type of perk-building. While loyal fans of TES cried, casual TES fans rejoiced due to simplicity of the skill system. I preferred the old system, yet couldn't admire the new system.

    Lasting: Almost like Oblivion, YOUR SOCIAL LIFE ENDS. Even IGN mentioned that you should say goodbye to life. The game is that GOOD in dragging you back to Skyrim over and over. It's like fighting games, you try to get as many combos as you can and look at your own fruits of labor pay. Except in Skyrim, that's swords, magic, destruction, and dragon bones.    … Expand
  66. thesandiiman
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    The years of waiting has finally come to an end. And my verdict of the game? Absolutely amazing.
    I came into this fully knowing about the New ui, and that it was created as a multi platform game, that's why I will not complain about features that do not feel 'PC'. I am as big a PC gamer as the rest of em, but people have to realise that PC exclusive titles are going away, which in my    The years of waiting has finally come to an end. And my verdict of the game? Absolutely amazing.
    I came into this fully knowing about the New ui, and that it was created as a multi platform game, that's why I will not complain about features that do not feel 'PC'. I am as big a PC gamer as the rest of em, but people have to realise that PC exclusive titles are going away, which in my honest opinion earns the developers more money, and in the case of bethesda they totally deserve it.
    I spent my first few hours of the game literally looking around in amazement, standing still wondering... I have so many things to do, what to do first. Your character isn't limited by the choice of what skills to use, which strangely made me stop and think deeply about how to play my character. The graphics are beautiful and the new engine is amazingly stable. Not had a single glitch or crash, which for a day one Bethesda game is simply outstanding and would earn it a 10 on that merit alone.
    If you do not have this game, get it.. as fast as you can. Play it with an open mind and no expectations, and I guarantee it will be one of the best gaming experiences of your life.    … Expand
  67. Renu
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    This is easily one of the best games I have ever played and trust me, I have played a lot. Sure there are some bugs and glitches, but I haven't encountered any game breaking ones yet. Everything has been greatly improved from Oblivion, well except the UI part.

    UI is very stripped down. Where is sort function? Better highlights would have been great too, I have used potions by accident too    This is easily one of the best games I have ever played and trust me, I have played a lot. Sure there are some bugs and glitches, but I haven't encountered any game breaking ones yet. Everything has been greatly improved from Oblivion, well except the UI part.

    UI is very stripped down. Where is sort function? Better highlights would have been great too, I have used potions by accident too many times already. I can't see how much air I have left when I'm swimming underwater. I hope they release a patch to fix the UI or do I need to wait for a mod to do that?

    UI aside, the game is absolutely fantastic. Visuals are very beautiful, music is amazing, voice-acting is very well done. Story quests are much more interesting than in Oblivion. A pure masterpiece.    … Expand
  68. Ghjkl242
    Nov 13, 2011
    9
    I'm really not entirely sure why this game is getting negative reviews. Some of them are negative due to lack of observation (ie. you CAN change the controls :p), others don't make much sense (the menu system works great with a mouse. I think they were looking for something that would work well on both console and pc), but some of them do have validity. In response to the graphics: theyI'm really not entirely sure why this game is getting negative reviews. Some of them are negative due to lack of observation (ie. you CAN change the controls :p), others don't make much sense (the menu system works great with a mouse. I think they were looking for something that would work well on both console and pc), but some of them do have validity. In response to the graphics: they aren't bad at all. It's not goddamned Crysis, but it's a humongous improvement over Oblivion, and a hell of a lot faster. It actually runs faster than Oblivion on my machine. In fact, considering how much landscape ends up on the screen at once, it looks really good. Even the indoor areas look good. In regards to "The story is bad", it's not just about the story given to you (which is pretty good in the first place), but the story that you create for yourself, so if the story sucks, you probably aren't playing the game as it was intended to be played. In response to "There are more voice actors, but not enough", are you serious? I think I've heard the same voice twice one or two times, and I've played the game quite a lot. In contrast to Oblivion, which had roughly 10 voice actors (not including Patrick Stewart and Sean Bean who only played one character each), although, according to Wikipedia there were only 6 total, Skyrim has more like 70 voice actors. Not to mention the quality of acting is much better. And what is this about the combat being bad? It may not be perfect, but it's loads better than Oblivion, and definitely better than Morrowind. The only downfalls of Skyrim I can find are the occasional glitches (which I personally see as comic relief), and no short-cut keys, which hopefully will be fixed in the next patch. If not, some modder will make it anyways. If you want to know the numerous good things about this game, just look at other positive reviews. Right now, I'm gonna go play Skyrim.… Expand
  69. tyler_james
    Nov 13, 2011
    9
    An exceptional game. Period. The stand-out features of Skyrim are too many to name. What really hooked me, was the exceptional level of detail in the graphics, the excitingly tumultuous new-line adventure of terrorizing the populace as a werewolf, and the intense combos of a revamped melee system. As an avid Oblivion player, I really wanted something new to set Skyrim apart, and moreAn exceptional game. Period. The stand-out features of Skyrim are too many to name. What really hooked me, was the exceptional level of detail in the graphics, the excitingly tumultuous new-line adventure of terrorizing the populace as a werewolf, and the intense combos of a revamped melee system. As an avid Oblivion player, I really wanted something new to set Skyrim apart, and more importantly, to make the game worth the 60$ it cost me. Bethesda delivered. Unless you're running the game on a Pentium 3, the graphics are incredible with a refreshing style and user-friendly interface. Example: when your character looks at something really bright (like the sun) then looks into something darker (like a shadowed room) your screen actually mimics the experience of "your eyes becoming accustomed to the light/dark." NPC characters' eyes actually glitter in the dark sometimes. Incredible. As far as new content, how's being a werewolf? An exciting twist to the game, without the humdrum inconvenience of being a vampire in Oblivion, lycanthropy adds a ton of fun to the game without being overpowered and without causing the player undue tension with NPC's. And as far as combat goes, awesome. The end. Fallout style combat closers never get old. Critical strikes? I'm in. Dual wielding spells? as@hDb%as9dh!!! The only downside to Skyrim is the technical issues that need to be resolved (and I assume they will be in upcoming patches) that are mostly held to the player falling to death in silly, annoying ways, and the occasional quest bug. Also, the Dark Brotherhood isn't as cool in this one, but that's just my opinion. And, as usual with this style of game, I'm always conscious of the fact that I am completely and utterly alone. Some kind of multiplayer would make the engine truly groundbreaking. But apart from wishful thinking, and the occasional annoying bug, Skyrim is worth your money, and a whole lot more. 9/10… Expand
  70. Slaters
    Nov 21, 2011
    10
    One of the best games than i played! The Graphic is Awsome, the gameplay is very good and you have some random quests that make the game impossible to stop playing
  71. Ghosx
    Nov 23, 2011
    9
    Absolutely brilliant. Apart from a few minor glitches with the AI and the inventory menu, the game is flawless. A huge world to explore with the freedom to create your character the way you want to. A true RPG.
  72. gyrate
    Dec 23, 2011
    10
    This is the best game that I've ever played. I've never gotten into MMORPG because I don't like paying a subscription fee. The graphics are great and the content is overwhelming . On the PC version there are hundreds of mods to answer most critics. I honestly can't believe how deep this game is. It has its flaws as there are some bugs but nothing I've run into is game breaking. You couldThis is the best game that I've ever played. I've never gotten into MMORPG because I don't like paying a subscription fee. The graphics are great and the content is overwhelming . On the PC version there are hundreds of mods to answer most critics. I honestly can't believe how deep this game is. It has its flaws as there are some bugs but nothing I've run into is game breaking. You could read material in this game for what seems like ever. I'm not sure how an entire library of literature about this imaginary world possibly came about. Everything about seems brilliant to me but I had not payed any attention to this genre in gaming before. I've not played Morrow or any of the previous Elder Scrolls. To me this is not a 10 its a perfect 100.… Expand
  73. DeiCide
    Jan 20, 2012
    10
    Bethesda you've out done yourself once again! Few bugs here and there but what game doesn't release with bugs these days? As the games get more complex things are bound to go wrong, but nothing could stop me loving this title :) Top graphics, incredible immersion (I always forget about the time playing this), and a story that is unsurpassed by any other game for choice and depth. 10/10Bethesda you've out done yourself once again! Few bugs here and there but what game doesn't release with bugs these days? As the games get more complex things are bound to go wrong, but nothing could stop me loving this title :) Top graphics, incredible immersion (I always forget about the time playing this), and a story that is unsurpassed by any other game for choice and depth. 10/10 without question.… Expand
  74. GM_Pax
    Jan 20, 2012
    10
    I wish I could give this game a 9.9 - there were a few bugs, one of which absolutely destroyed my first playthrough, so a "perfect 10" is overstating things ... VERY SLIGHTLY. But otherwise? Gorgeous landscapes, an intuitive interface, a wonderfully adaptive system that can handle almost any conceivable play style ... and oh, so very very many things to go out and DO. If you buy onlyI wish I could give this game a 9.9 - there were a few bugs, one of which absolutely destroyed my first playthrough, so a "perfect 10" is overstating things ... VERY SLIGHTLY. But otherwise? Gorgeous landscapes, an intuitive interface, a wonderfully adaptive system that can handle almost any conceivable play style ... and oh, so very very many things to go out and DO. If you buy only one game this year? Make it Skyrim!!… Expand
  75. Klarko
    Jan 21, 2012
    10
    The best game I have played in a very very long time. The key to playing this game is to not just go thru the main storyline as fast as you can. Enjoy the beautiful landscape, dungeons/caves and faction quests. I would recommend this to any gamer.
  76. sohoguy
    Jul 6, 2012
    10
    This game is true masterpiece. Story, graphics, sound, open world. Also what makes any already great game even better - mods!
    Often you will just stop and look around, be it night or day, contemplating gorgeous landscapes. There is no need to hurry and do main storyline, you can just relax and explore. Not many games offer that. And most of them are not of THIS quality.
    P.S. And many    This game is true masterpiece. Story, graphics, sound, open world. Also what makes any already great game even better - mods!
    Often you will just stop and look around, be it night or day, contemplating gorgeous landscapes. There is no need to hurry and do main storyline, you can just relax and explore. Not many games offer that. And most of them are not of THIS quality.
    P.S. And many thanks for hiring Max von Sydow! :)    … Expand
  77. RamboRomulous
    May 29, 2012
    10
    Although this game is great period, the PC version is by far the best. Great graphics, great storytelling, great game mechanics, extream replay value, first person RPG at its best. Easily one of the best games of all time.
  78. Chris_DK
    Jul 7, 2012
    10
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an amazing game you shouldn't miss out on. It has a huge openworld with so many places to go and so many things to do. You are the chosen Dragonborn that is destined to fight the dragon Alduin, also known as The World Eater. In this game you can create your own character from different kinds of races with each their special abilities. In the game you set outThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an amazing game you shouldn't miss out on. It has a huge openworld with so many places to go and so many things to do. You are the chosen Dragonborn that is destined to fight the dragon Alduin, also known as The World Eater. In this game you can create your own character from different kinds of races with each their special abilities. In the game you set out to master the dragon language to become strong enough to defeat Alduin. The storyline is good and the game will consume a lot of your time.… Expand
  79. GYARA
    Jan 30, 2015
    10
    I'll admit it, I didn't give the game a fair chance in 2011, and I guess I did the right thing. Why? Because now it is consuming 35% of my free time. The quests might be a little dull, but hey, who said you have to do them? You can just roam Skyrim, which is, by the way, beautiful, and not care for the main quest. Also, the great thing about "forgetting it for the past 4 years" is the factI'll admit it, I didn't give the game a fair chance in 2011, and I guess I did the right thing. Why? Because now it is consuming 35% of my free time. The quests might be a little dull, but hey, who said you have to do them? You can just roam Skyrim, which is, by the way, beautiful, and not care for the main quest. Also, the great thing about "forgetting it for the past 4 years" is the fact that in that time a ton of mods were created, enhancing the gameplay which was great even without mods. It is basically "Oblivion v2" with those features we lacked in TES IV:
    -Dual wield
    -Better graphics
    -Better UI
    -Being the Dragonborn
    -Dragons
    -Spawning memes
    and more...
    If you liked Oblivion (or Morrowind for older players), you'll love Skyrim.    … Expand
  80. azeitona
    May 26, 2015
    10
    Certainly one of the best games I've played, ever. It comes with its problems, of course, like a ton of bugs, some of which have never been fixed by Bethesda, and the user interface is really ugly and not that intuitive. But the game sucks you in like... well, I don't even have the words. There has not been a game ever since Skyrim that took so many hours of my life. And I don't even likeCertainly one of the best games I've played, ever. It comes with its problems, of course, like a ton of bugs, some of which have never been fixed by Bethesda, and the user interface is really ugly and not that intuitive. But the game sucks you in like... well, I don't even have the words. There has not been a game ever since Skyrim that took so many hours of my life. And I don't even like RPGs! But the best thing about the game, aside from its atmosphere, story and soundtrack, is that it let's you play as you want. And if you don't like RPGs, you can kind of play like it's not one. This game is a must buy, and everyone should try it at least once.… Expand
  81. Costs1129
    Nov 3, 2014
    10
    I just finished replaying it this month, 3 years after its release! Even to this day, it remains the standard for the entire video game industry. I cannot praise Bethesda enough for their work, and this game will always remain one of our family classics.
  82. lilgrevious77
    Feb 3, 2015
    9
    I can safely say, without a doubt, that Bethesda has once again crafted a unique and exciting new game that is as fun to play as it is to write about. And I'm having a blast writing about it right now! In this Elder Scrolls entry, we are sucked into the fantastically fantastical world of Skyrim, a world which Bethesda has masterfully crafted, with elegant craftsmanship being found inI can safely say, without a doubt, that Bethesda has once again crafted a unique and exciting new game that is as fun to play as it is to write about. And I'm having a blast writing about it right now! In this Elder Scrolls entry, we are sucked into the fantastically fantastical world of Skyrim, a world which Bethesda has masterfully crafted, with elegant craftsmanship being found in every tree, temple, dungeon, house, castle, etc. If you hadn't gathered already, this game is a joy to explore, with every dungeon, every bandit hideout, and every city holding its own unique mystery and excitement. In Skyrim,I wasn't forced to explore every nook and cranny in its vast open world, I wanted to explore every nook and cranny. The game never forces exploration on you, because it knows that you will be more than willing to traverse the world on your own. The combat in Skyrim is an improvement on the combat of previous entries to the series, with kill animations and an actually viable 3rd person camera. There are also many varied, interesting quests to be found throughout the game, as well as many dynamic random encounters to be found that will keep the game fresh after you've completed all of the quests. The skill trees are as diverse and in-depth as ever, and perks are a fun addition. There are a few problems though. As with many other Bethesda games, there are multiple bugs throughout the game world. While most of these bugs are mildly annoying, there are a few bugs which can be game breaking, although I myself haven't experienced any of bugs which significantly hindered my enjoyment of the game throughout the 200+ hours I have spent playing. Also, some of the dialogue is poorly written, as well as some of the characters, but most of the time the dialogue and characters are interesting and enjoyable. Overall, I have and will continue to truly enjoy Skyrim, and I highly recommend it to any fan of The Elder Scrolls, RPGs, video games or quality entertainment in general.… Expand
  83. Kranitoko
    Nov 11, 2011
    9
    I've only played Skyrim for two hours now. I will admit that I hated Oblivion. Couldn't stand it. I even trolled Skyrim for 3/4ths of the year, but I decided to give Skyrim a try... and I will say so much that this game is really really good. There are a few bugs, but so far, they're not ones that may annoy the heck out of you. While there are still character models that tend to look theI've only played Skyrim for two hours now. I will admit that I hated Oblivion. Couldn't stand it. I even trolled Skyrim for 3/4ths of the year, but I decided to give Skyrim a try... and I will say so much that this game is really really good. There are a few bugs, but so far, they're not ones that may annoy the heck out of you. While there are still character models that tend to look the same, and voice actors that tend to be the same too, this doesn't happen all too frequently. The textures may not be the best out there, they certainly aren't the worst, and from a distance, they blend into the environment really well. I don't know what people are talking about in terms of dodgy controls. You have WASD to move, space to jump and so on. I think the only things that are dodgy using PC controls is that to use your left weapon, you need to click the right side of your mouse, and the same the other way around. But honestly: You can change that around in the control menu. I mean is that really hard? It takes 5 seconds. The other thing about naff controls is lock picking. While using a controller, you can slowly turn the lock, while pressing "A" on a keyboard in lock picking turns the lock real fast, so you could break the pick pretty fast, so you need to be careful. All in all, I cannot wait to spend my weekend on such a surprise. I would also recommend you buy on Steam because by the sounds of it, the retail version sounds like it's broken for the time being.… Expand
  84. deepspace
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    10/10
    Masterpiece.
    Some bugs, but it's to be expected of such a massive game. Lighten up critics.
    There is no better rpg than this, and I've played just about all of them.
  85. SP3333D-O
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    I have played the PC version 18 hours in the last two days (because it is that great) and have had almost no issues (1 quit to desktop).

    I am (maybe I should now say "was") not an Elder Scrolls fanatic. In fact, my first was Oblivion, which I got because of my interest in Skyrim. I hated Oblivion. I found it buggy, ugly, and boring, even with mods. I tried Fallout 3 after that, but only    I have played the PC version 18 hours in the last two days (because it is that great) and have had almost no issues (1 quit to desktop).

    I am (maybe I should now say "was") not an Elder Scrolls fanatic. In fact, my first was Oblivion, which I got because of my interest in Skyrim. I hated Oblivion. I found it buggy, ugly, and boring, even with mods. I tried Fallout 3 after that, but only found it less ugly and boring but still just as buggy. I almost didn't get Skyrim after this, but I am VERY glad I did. It has exceeded my expectations and is deserving of the hype and accolades.

    The graphics on Ultra @ 1080p (thanks to SLI 560 TIs) are beautiful and smooth, and using a 360 controller lets me sit on the couch and enjoy it on the big screen.

    I'm not a big RPG fan. I loved Red Dead Redemption, but I think Skyrim is even better. There may be some die-hard E.S. fans that will give this a bad rating because it may not be similar enough to the previous titles, but my guess is that is why I am enjoying it so much.

    Great game. Get it now if you have any interest.    … Expand
  86. Marsonra
    Dec 26, 2014
    10
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This is a game that I was really excited to play. Having played its predecessor, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and hearing amazing things about this game, I decided to get it over the summer in 2012. Much like Oblivion, Skyrim gives you a massive fantasy world to do whatever you want, and allows you to influence it however you want. So, is this game theThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This is a game that I was really excited to play. Having played its predecessor, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and hearing amazing things about this game, I decided to get it over the summer in 2012. Much like Oblivion, Skyrim gives you a massive fantasy world to do whatever you want, and allows you to influence it however you want. So, is this game the amazing experience I was promised, or will I have to shout this game to pieces? Let's find out! The gameplay of this game can be explained by what I said earlier: you get to live another life in a fantasy world that you can do whatever you want in, and influence however you choose. As I said, you can literally do whatever you want in this game. You can choose to help or harm the citizens of Skyrim, choose which dungeons you wish to explore, craft potions and armor, or you can just wander throughout Skyrim looking for something to do. Literally, whatever you want to do in Skyrim, you can do it. Whether you are a heroic or villainous character is all up to you. Skyrim is an RPG, so you can expect tons of role-playing game elements as you play the game. You get to create your own character from the start of the game using an amazing character creator. You can decide exactly how your character will look from a variety of options, and it is very simple and easy to use. After you play through the game's first quest, you are free to do what you want in Skyrim. You can play however you choose, whether it be aggressive, magic-based, or stealthy. As you use your character's skills enough times in the game, they will increase in level. Once you level up your skills enough, your overall level will increase. This allows you to increase your character's health, magic, or stamina (once again, this is totally your choice as to which you increase), by ten points. You also get a perk, which you can distribute to one of your skills, that will give it an additional ability. The leveling system is very addictive to say the least, and will probably keep you playing for hours on end. There are also tons of quests to do in Skyrim, further adding to the replay value. Overall, the gameplay in this game is just about the most fun you could possibly have in a video game. As for the graphics, they are every bit as amazing as the gameplay itself. This game boasts a much better graphics engine than Oblivion, and it shows. Everything in Skyrim is decorated with an incredible amount of detail, and makes the game look every bit as good as it plays. From the flora and fauna in the forests of Skyrim, to the cities and towns, to the many dungeons and dragons in the game, this game looks amazing. It also boasts an incredible day and night cycle, along with a weather system, further adding to the game's beauty. As for the story, this game actually has many stories in one. It all depends on what you are looking for. You could always follow a quest's storyline, or you could create a story of your own. This game does have a main quest, in which you are the chosen one, and you must find out why dragons are returning to the world of man. On top of that, you must kill a giant black dragon named Alduin, who's primary goal is to destroy the world. It is a bit of a cliched story, but the way it is told is very original. You will understand why when you play it. There are also factions you can join which have their own stories. Those stories are generally just you joining a faction and doing missions for them until their leader is killed and you rise to become the new leader. However, the way these stories are told is also original. There are also plenty more different kinds of quests in this game, or you can just wander throughout Skyrim, creating your own story for your character. You don't even have to do these quests if you don't want to. Overall, no matter what you decide to do for your character's stories, this game will be amazing either way. Overall, this game was, and still is one of the greatest video games I have ever played. If you do not own this game, you need to get it now. I can easily recommend this game to just about anyone who wants to play a video game. If you do not own this game, you must buy it now! Also, be sure to get the Legendary Edition of this game. That version includes this game, plus all of its DLC (downloadable content).
    Gameplay: 10/10
    Graphics: 10/10
    Story: 10/10
    Overall: 10/10    … Expand
  87. SenseyZ
    Feb 26, 2015
    10
    Are you bored of all those RPG's, that don't really live up to your expectations. Like RPG's that don't really have that much of depth, or ones that you won't even remember after playing for months.
    ________________________________________
    Then my friend, you're in the exact, right, spot! ________________________________________ Skyrim is a game that feels more like... another real    Are you bored of all those RPG's, that don't really live up to your expectations. Like RPG's that don't really have that much of depth, or ones that you won't even remember after playing for months.
    ________________________________________

    Then my friend, you're in the exact, right, spot!
    ________________________________________

    Skyrim is a game that feels more like... another real life. It's a game that you'll never forget, never hate, and might even cry if you remember your days in it.
    It has the soul and game-play and world of an RPG, It's what you will be talking about for years after playing it. The massive open world "that is expandable by expansions (DLC's)" With no Invisible walls whatsoever. The beautiful combat and game-play system. And the precise themes and soundtracks for the game. nearly endless quests, which are all very "AAIG" (Amazingly And Insanely Great) You will never be bored from this game.
    And you should as "Joe Vargas" said, get a portable toilet with a strap so you can attach it to your butt while playing. So you won't have to go for the miserable boring toilet seat. You will love all the things for you to do here, Ranging from Crafting to Enchanting to Exploring To Dungeon delving To Finding mysterious places or thing or people To Reading books To Creating your own "Dynamic quests" To Almost everything.
    _________________________________________

    The main quest line evolves from a dragon prophecy that states "The dragons will return" lid by an evil one who will bring the end of tamriel, while the civil wars rages throughout the holds. All of this at the same time will ensure a great time in this game. And don't forget that i said the quests are nearly endless, because they are "Literally" . The dragon and civil war thingy is just a fraction of how much quests there are in this game. I could talk about these quests but it would take a very long time to write them. Guys there is A great value for your money here, a great value for the expansions as well.
    Have i mentioned that this game will have A Greatly inevitable replay value? No i did not, because it does.
    If you have a PC, that's good enough for running games. Then buy Skyrim on it. Because of the mods there are for you to download into this game. Mods are "Custom modifications made by normal players like you".
    And these mods really Add to the value of your money, Since those mods never end "Literally said" You can see what these "mods" are by searching for them in youtube.
    _____________________________________________

    Now i want to end this Review and tell you to get some money, even if you have to kill for it "Figure of speech", And Buy this game right now, and install mods on, if you bought it on PC. And don't worry, this game is still as good on Consoles. Anyway, Skyrim is a world that will be carved in your memories FOREVER. see you in Skyrim fellow adventurer.    … Expand
  88. not_good
    Dec 12, 2011
    10
    A lot of hipsters hating on this because it's popular, you know the type. They'll say [insert band here] sucks, while they themselves can't sing a note or play an instrument to save their life. It's like saying the Beatles suck; they may not be your type of music, but to just dismiss them as crap is ignorant and petty.
  89. dacritic82
    Apr 23, 2015
    10
    This is the best game I ever played. Perfectly accomplished in every single aspect. There's so much to do here that it would be practically impossible to list them all. It overshadows every other game in the genre and the level of detail demonstrate the level of commitment and effort that Bethesda put into the making of this game. I probably spent 500+ hours with a single character and I'mThis is the best game I ever played. Perfectly accomplished in every single aspect. There's so much to do here that it would be practically impossible to list them all. It overshadows every other game in the genre and the level of detail demonstrate the level of commitment and effort that Bethesda put into the making of this game. I probably spent 500+ hours with a single character and I'm still far from growing tired of it.… Expand
  90. Chapa9dj
    Jan 23, 2012
    10
    Its like Fallout but with magic, more epic environments and landscapes, improved graphics, amazing soundtracks, huge world to explore, etc. Fallout is epic as well, but this game goes beyond that.
    Everything that is good, this game has it!!
    Except for the freaking spiders which has become a nightmare for me. Yes, i'm arachnophobic. I know that there are mods to replace it but i'm a bit    Its like Fallout but with magic, more epic environments and landscapes, improved graphics, amazing soundtracks, huge world to explore, etc. Fallout is epic as well, but this game goes beyond that.
    Everything that is good, this game has it!!

    Except for the freaking spiders which has become a nightmare for me. Yes, i'm arachnophobic. I know that there are mods to replace it but i'm a bit lazy at the moment. :|    … Expand
  91. coffee
    Nov 12, 2011
    8
    Yes it's a console port so the graphics are garbage and the menus are worse. Those two things are the games biggest downfall. After you get over that it's all good. To all the people who say there are no hotkeys I say, BULL@#*% ! Learn to play, fools. To all the people who are giving this great game 0s, 1', 2s etc because it's a console port I say, welcome to the future of gaming. NearlyYes it's a console port so the graphics are garbage and the menus are worse. Those two things are the games biggest downfall. After you get over that it's all good. To all the people who say there are no hotkeys I say, BULL@#*% ! Learn to play, fools. To all the people who are giving this great game 0s, 1', 2s etc because it's a console port I say, welcome to the future of gaming. Nearly EVERYTHING is a console port these days and unfortunately it's only going to get worse. This is an Elder Scrolls game through and through, nothing more and nothing less. The atmosphere is better this time round, as are a few other things but it's still just an Elder Scrolls game. It's not a 10 but it certainly isn't a 5 either. People should learn how to review a game before they jump on here sprouting their bull#@*$ scores.… Expand
  92. kenjara
    Nov 24, 2011
    9
    A great game. Well structured quests, a massive area to explore and improved gameplay over previous games. Skyrim is a big improvement over oblivion but still does not live up to the might of Morrowind.
    The new interface is a big improvement but still needs some work. Saving is buggy and there are still random CTD that I have come to expect from Bethesda games. Graphics are also a bit dated.
  93. Sasori261
    Jan 21, 2012
    10
    This game is top of the line material, most negative comments are just from people who hate everything and think they could do better. Sure, Skyrim might have bugs here and there, but compared to most games, the gameplay is unbeatable! I mean, it offers an open-world, with tons of characters and personalities, and hundreds of quests! Only a few games can offer that! And of course mods makeThis game is top of the line material, most negative comments are just from people who hate everything and think they could do better. Sure, Skyrim might have bugs here and there, but compared to most games, the gameplay is unbeatable! I mean, it offers an open-world, with tons of characters and personalities, and hundreds of quests! Only a few games can offer that! And of course mods make games more fun, but they aren't better than Bethesda! They could do more work to make the game as awesome as it could be, but who wants to wait like 2 decades for a game? That's why they leave the rest to modders to complete the game. So if your just a little complainer saying that just one little bug here and there makes everything that Bethesda put into this game suck, then gtfo and complain somewhere else.… Expand
  94. BatmanLover
    Feb 14, 2012
    10
    I began playing the Elder Scrolls series with Morrowind, and it has only gone better from there: this continues to be the only living series in existence which allows you unprecedented freedom. It's not a perfect game: the staples of the series, such as clunky animations, simplistic combat and unrealistic dialogue are present. But the positive things that you actually get... is staggering.I began playing the Elder Scrolls series with Morrowind, and it has only gone better from there: this continues to be the only living series in existence which allows you unprecedented freedom. It's not a perfect game: the staples of the series, such as clunky animations, simplistic combat and unrealistic dialogue are present. But the positive things that you actually get... is staggering. Want to complete missions? There are hundreds. Want to learn how to make your own weapons and master their use? You can. Want to explore a world that is the size of an actual small nation? This is the only place where you can do that (other than real life, that is). And think of the mods - I play with a few essential ones, and if there isn't something you like (don't complain it's a "made-for-consoles" game, it is, for financial reasons, but you can mod it to make it a pure PC game, e.g. with SkyUI), you can create it. With the included creation kit and the new Steam workshop function, modding is easy, supported and incredibly fun. They didn't make a perfect game, but with mods you can make it perfect for you.
    The only reason why you wouldn't enjoy Skyrim is either because you don't like role-playing games or because you don't know what you like. Skyrim opens its doors open wide ajar, and you choose what you do. It's up to you to know what you think is fun, and Skyrim will deliver. An unforgettable classic!
    Bugs encountered (current playtime 30 hours): Has never crashed. I once walked inside a mountain and on another occasion a mammoth fell from the sky for no reason. No game-stopping bugs or broken quests encountered.    … Expand
  95. Kelphy
    Nov 5, 2013
    10
    The very essence of this game is absolute perfection. One can not complain about a game like this, this is exactly what many should have expected from a medieval RPG. Tons to do, stunning graphics and great lore!
    This also raised the bar of a great RPG and hopefully there will be plenty more on the future that attempt to achieve this greatness.

    A must buy!
  96. dragonhunter567
    Dec 3, 2014
    10
    Skyrim, where to start. This game changed my life, hours and hours of gameplay everyday for like a month.
    This game changed my look an all other games. Im not talking about my opion but all of the fans of skyrim when i say that this is the best game ever made!
  97. batbaille
    Feb 28, 2015
    9
    Definitely one of the best RPG on the PC to date. Immersion depth, diversity , we want to do everything, explore, face anything . Will remain a reference time as RPG
  98. Pharamo
    Apr 12, 2015
    9
    This game is filled with flaws. Yet, the time I've invested in it is unprecedented in my book, namely, over 200 hours. The fighting is diverse but chaotic, you either sneak and kill the opponent in 1 dagger hit thanks to the maxed 15x damage multiplier, you cast a bunch of spells and hide behind your follower or you just slash your way through. The dungeons and their enemies becomeThis game is filled with flaws. Yet, the time I've invested in it is unprecedented in my book, namely, over 200 hours. The fighting is diverse but chaotic, you either sneak and kill the opponent in 1 dagger hit thanks to the maxed 15x damage multiplier, you cast a bunch of spells and hide behind your follower or you just slash your way through. The dungeons and their enemies become redundant. You can crank up the difficulty any time you wish, but at one point you will simply be too strong, even against opponents who're well above your level and the the incredible amount of side-quests become quite tedious after a while. The thing is, you won't notice these things after quite a while and at the time you reach this point you will have got more than enough happiness out of this game than most RPG series will be able to grant you! The insane amount of detail loaded in this game is a milestone and you will surely be able to appreciate it through the amazing voice cast, the beautiful graphics and the mighty Nordic, dark and cold, art-design and soundtrack. As for the story, the trailer (if trailer reviews were a thing, I'd give it a 10) made it sound more epic than it was. It certainly wasn't bad by any means, but I wasn't that enthusiastic for it, luckily there are enough other smaller stories in the game you can dig (honestly, I thought The Dark Brotherhood quest-line was better than both the primary and secondary main quest-line). All in all, the amount of flaws in Skyrim are easily forgiven by the incredible scope of it which make faults inherent.… Expand
  99. Scorn
    Nov 20, 2014
    8
    Played this game for days on end. Really enjoyed it and had a blast with all the mods that are out there for it. Still have yet to play the expansions, but I'll get those installed one day.
  100. Hanseshadow
    Nov 15, 2011
    8
    -- Skyrim has a large world, tons of content, and excellent quests. A compelling story makes you want to not stop playing. The graphics are top notch, the audio is great, and most of the animations are good. If you want a game that will give you many hours (40 hours in and I'm still not done, but I like to see and do everything) and you like fantasy single-player role playing games,-- Skyrim has a large world, tons of content, and excellent quests. A compelling story makes you want to not stop playing. The graphics are top notch, the audio is great, and most of the animations are good. If you want a game that will give you many hours (40 hours in and I'm still not done, but I like to see and do everything) and you like fantasy single-player role playing games, this is a game for you.

    Now, the detractors:
    -- 1) The interface on the PC is poor. The interface for the PC looks like it was an afterthought from controller based consoles. The largest detractor is the reliance on a favorites menu to select items to equip. There isn't a favorite item equip hot-swap system, which causes you to scroll through menus repeatedly to switch between magic and weapons. Standard PC RPG elements are missing, such as a minimap, hotbar, backpack, etc. The biggest detractor is the hotbar and customizable keys for specific spells and equipment.

    -- Information on the interface is scarce. You cannot see most of the information you need at a glance, such as what all the map locations you've visited and cleared (you must highlight each one). I haven't seen a note interface for the map, either.

    -- 2) Movement system is extremely poor.

    -- You can jump, walk, and run with movement keys. You cannot tell if something is too steep to run up, aside from sliding back or stopping. There isn't a climbing system, contrary to statements of "you can climb everything" prior to the game's release. If you are slightly sliding, you cannot jump. This leads to getting stuck for a bit while you figure out how to get out of the predicament you got yourself into. You cannot vault over fences or rocks, if your jump is inadequate. You cannot pull yourself up onto a ledge, if it is 1 centimeter higher than your jump height.
    --
    -- 3) Graphical glitches such as frame rate drops and texture issues on models exist with my system (core i7-950 with nvidia 560). Crashes occur without details. Since launch just occurred, I'm hoping for patches that will eventually solve these problems. My solution is to save often and restart, when textures do not render and frame rates drop to 1 per second.

    -----

    -- With the size of the world, the huge amount of content, and the well done quests, dialog, books, combat, and many other interesting aspects to the game. I give this game a realistic 8. It would be a 9 with a better interface. It would be a 10 with a solid movement system and interface for PC.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best PC Game of 2011
1
#1 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
2
#2 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. PC Master (Greece)
    Feb 29, 2012
    90
    Unfortunately, Skyrim trips and falls on its own (most probably, to make the cool-sounding deadline of 11-11-11) and just before it reaches perfection as the ultimate specimen of its genre, it self-destructs in a crucial aspect of game design: the interface and the peripheral components (inventory, journal, map, etc)... but that is not to say that Skyrim is anything but a truly majestic, epic RPG that will suck you right in its cosmos.
    Read full review
  2. Armchair Empire
    Feb 14, 2012
    100
    Skyrim is definitely one of the best games of 2011, but if the DLC holds out, it might just be one of the best games of 2012 as well.
    Read full review
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 19, 2012
    90
    Skyrim is the best open world RPG you can get. A true evolution of genre is not flawless but still it is the game you love to live in. [Christmas 2011]
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