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. TemplarGR
    Sep 9, 2016
    10
    One of the few highly rated metacritic games that are actually worth the praise. This game is a masterpiece, Bethesda outdid themselves coming from the attrocious Oblivion and the good but not great Fallout 3. I didn't actually believe i would have enjoyed it when i installed it for the first time. It was a big surprise for me.

    This game, at the time of its release, had great graphics    One of the few highly rated metacritic games that are actually worth the praise. This game is a masterpiece, Bethesda outdid themselves coming from the attrocious Oblivion and the good but not great Fallout 3. I didn't actually believe i would have enjoyed it when i installed it for the first time. It was a big surprise for me.

    This game, at the time of its release, had great graphics and strangely low PC requirements for those graphics. Much improved voice acting, big open world, interesting world.

    This RPG is stellar on all fronts. Production values are great, the gameplay is great, story is decent, lore is rich. The content is huge and you will be playing for hundrends of hours, even without mods or add ons.

    I love the freedoms of the new perk system. One of the most satisfying things in Skyrim is trying to make unique combinations and classes. I have made at least 60 myself, and they all play differently.

    Skyrim is not without faults of course, and when it was first released it was buggier than the Amazon river. It still is and you should use the unofficial patches or wait for the remastered edition. But those faults mean nothing in contrast to how awesome this game is. Add the dlcs and some mods, and it becomes one of the best RPGs of all time.

    I can't believe the userscore average of 8.1 . Some players seem very salty. This game is one of the best ever. Just because it doesn't have Bioware's lesbian and gay romancing options doesn't mean it is a bad RPG. Grow up!    … Expand
  2. 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
  3. bstm300
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    I'd like for everyone to keep in mind that everyone's experience of this game differs according to the graphics settings, kind of character, and type of ad-hoc gameplay style they develop when playing through skyrimz. Myself, I do appreciate a challenge, but I also like to appreciate the storyline without having gut-wrenching, impossible battles. As such, I'm playing the game on theI'd like for everyone to keep in mind that everyone's experience of this game differs according to the graphics settings, kind of character, and type of ad-hoc gameplay style they develop when playing through skyrimz. Myself, I do appreciate a challenge, but I also like to appreciate the storyline without having gut-wrenching, impossible battles. As such, I'm playing the game on the default difficulty level. If you prefer to take a more relaxed approach like me, I recommend doing same. As for my playing style, I'm role playing the game as sort of a noble vigilante much like Robinhood. I haven't officially joined any factions other than the College of Winterhold which is purportedly not involved in world affairs-at least, that's the version of the story your told to believe. Behind the veneer of the college as a distant, scholarly retreat, there is the reality that the college is full of men and women with ulterior motives who have brought unsanctioned practices and customs with them, regardless of approval by the college's authorities. So far, the college if proving to be a very enjoyable experience. Compared to Oblivion's and Morrowind's Mage Guilds, the storyline is much richer, and you really do get the sense that your just a pawn in a dangerous game of mage politics. As for the game-play itself, I was frankly blown right of my socks by the dual casting. The visuals for the spells, the way the body moves when casting, and way spells can combine together nearly made me pee myself. If it's any indication to you of how cool spell casting is in this game, I spent nearly 45 minutes to an hour trying out different spells on the outskirts of a city just to see what they looked like and to test them all out. The only strong criticism I have for Bethesda, in terms of mage combat, is that there a major lack of conjuration spells. I'm hoping they'll make up for this in DLC's they release. Additionally, I'm thinking they may have erred in how they designed the level-up system for mages. It may have been a better idea to have sub-specialties for conjuration crazies like me so that the creatures we summoned gained better hp and attacks buffs as we put more skills into, for example, daedric summoning. In the end design, they probably limited the amount of spells in order to have better balance in the game and to be able to perfect each spell in terms of it's visuals and associated casting movements. Sword and archery combat is a great deal improved now, too. There are spin moves, thrusts, and slashes for sword lovers who want to have more flexibility in terms of their combat style which is a major plus. Then, for those who are more the dark brotherhood types, there are special take down moves that can be done with swords and daggers from up close. Secondly, archery feels much more natural now. The way your arms and body moves when you draw your bow is much more natural. Long distance shots are quite difficult to land since arrows actually do arch, but short range shots almost always hit (even if you're a low level archer). The bowman can even do a sort of shove attack with the bow to fend off attacking enemies although this isn't very effective against enemies wielding large weapons because they hit you long before you can shove them back with your bow. A minor complaint here, but I think Bethesda should have added a richer complement of melee attack options for the bow. In addition to the shove, the archer should be able to swing his bow as a make-shift blunt weapon and even use his arrows as a dagger. Alchemy seems pretty complex, and there are thousands of ingredients and recipe books to keep the alchemy buffs quite content. As for the number and variety of quests, I couldn't do them full justice here, but I think I can sum it up in one sentence. If you wanted to be a full-time adventurer and/or treasure hunter, it's entirely possible to do so given the sheer number of side quests available. I can't tell you the number of times I've run into random bandits, creatures, altars, graves, abandoned forts, mines, and ruins that have their own mini-story lines and often lead to other quests. Freaking awesome!

    Overall, the graphics, storylines, and voice-acting collectively work together to produce a role-playing experience so immersive, enthralling, and impressive that you may never put the game down until you finish it.    … Expand
  4. bernlin2000
    Feb 12, 2012
    10
    Overwhelming in its depth and value. Bethesda have really topped themselves: this is the best in the series so far and I never seem to have enough time to play through this fantastic game. It's a required purchase for anyone who considered themselves any kind of gamer: be prepared to be floored by the sheer depth of this game. It truly is unrivaled, even by its predecessors.
  5. Nahrga
    Jul 26, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. *Review Deleted
    ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************    … Expand
  6. camb198
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    In the week I have had this game I have played over 30 hours! I still haven't completed the main quest and I am loving it. The new leveling system is really nice and all the perks seem to "perk" my interest. Even the skills I wasn't going to level up, I want to level up due to the cool perks! I know the graphics are not ultra crazy but I am happy with the gameplay and to me that's whatIn the week I have had this game I have played over 30 hours! I still haven't completed the main quest and I am loving it. The new leveling system is really nice and all the perks seem to "perk" my interest. Even the skills I wasn't going to level up, I want to level up due to the cool perks! I know the graphics are not ultra crazy but I am happy with the gameplay and to me that's what count's. Especially when modders can "upgrade" the graphics with the addition of the Creation Kit. This will consume most of my free time for a long long long time! I can't wait for MERP! Middle Earth Roleplay Project! Everyone check out this mod they are porting to Skyrim! 10/10! Long live Skyrim ;-)… Expand
  7. 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
  8. JosephR
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    After waiting over a year for this game, and after playing both morrowind and oblivion, I am happy to say this is my favorite one so far. The only disappointing thing for me is that my computer cannot run skyrim on max, which is a big supprise considering I can run bf3 on ultra with no anti-aliasing. In short, If you have a pc, ps3, or xbox 360 and you don't buy this game, you areAfter waiting over a year for this game, and after playing both morrowind and oblivion, I am happy to say this is my favorite one so far. The only disappointing thing for me is that my computer cannot run skyrim on max, which is a big supprise considering I can run bf3 on ultra with no anti-aliasing. In short, If you have a pc, ps3, or xbox 360 and you don't buy this game, you are missing out on the best game of the year.… Expand
  9. casshern09
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    I hate to admit it. But this is the best game I have ever played in almost 30 years of gaming. I personally hated, and I do mean HATED Fallout 3 and Oblivion. I thought they were two of the most overrated games ever made. But this, oh man what an amazing game. It does have some flaws. Bad UI, a fair few bugs and some poor graphics. Fortunately those things can be fixed with mods. I amI hate to admit it. But this is the best game I have ever played in almost 30 years of gaming. I personally hated, and I do mean HATED Fallout 3 and Oblivion. I thought they were two of the most overrated games ever made. But this, oh man what an amazing game. It does have some flaws. Bad UI, a fair few bugs and some poor graphics. Fortunately those things can be fixed with mods. I am currently using about 8 or 9 and it makes the game beautiful as only a PC can. Wonderful game, any RPG nut needs to try it.… Expand
  10. Valleymsx
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    I started to play videogames 27 years ago. The RPG was my favourite type of games... In 1997 my life was chenged when i played The legend of Zelda - Ocarina of time. 11 / 11 / 11 today is another most important day in my life. I playing in the BEST video game on history. SKYRIM, is awesome. 100% recomended. If you have Windows updated, and "normal" graphics card with updated drivers...I started to play videogames 27 years ago. The RPG was my favourite type of games... In 1997 my life was chenged when i played The legend of Zelda - Ocarina of time. 11 / 11 / 11 today is another most important day in my life. I playing in the BEST video game on history. SKYRIM, is awesome. 100% recomended. If you have Windows updated, and "normal" graphics card with updated drivers... don't read bad opinions, this game is on of the best game in the history.... [10/10]… Expand
  11. 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.
  12. Tubie
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    This game is more like Morrowind and less like Oblivion. For all the good reasons. No other game can make you immerse yourself in itself like The Elder Scrolls V. The only fault I could even think of is the kinda clunky UI takes time to get used to if you don't use a controller. Aside from that, this game is as close to perfection as a video game can get.
  13. Levethian
    Dec 12, 2011
    10
    Opinion after 250+ hours. Bethesda's pursuit of freedom is admirable, and this is the best world created to date; but it naturally comes at the cost of a cohesive narrative. If you want great story & characters, better to play a more traditional RPG. Or better still, read a book. 60,000 lines of dialogue in Skyrim, but still not enough :). If you're about to play this for the first time,Opinion after 250+ hours. Bethesda's pursuit of freedom is admirable, and this is the best world created to date; but it naturally comes at the cost of a cohesive narrative. If you want great story & characters, better to play a more traditional RPG. Or better still, read a book. 60,000 lines of dialogue in Skyrim, but still not enough :). If you're about to play this for the first time, make sure you check the 'Skyrim Nexus' and browse it's 2700+ mods (amended UI, better textures), and I suggest a mod that stops NPC's from clamoring to spout their life-story (no NPC greetings).… Expand
  14. CaptainChaos
    Dec 17, 2011
    10
    Ok, after 110 hours I am prepared to change my review from an 8 to a 10. I gave it an 8 originally because (1) I was cheesed off that Bethesda still largely blew off the PC community with its interface design and limit for 2GB for memory (2) and also there were a number of things that really should have been better since Oblivion, and some were and others not so much. All that said, lookOk, after 110 hours I am prepared to change my review from an 8 to a 10. I gave it an 8 originally because (1) I was cheesed off that Bethesda still largely blew off the PC community with its interface design and limit for 2GB for memory (2) and also there were a number of things that really should have been better since Oblivion, and some were and others not so much. All that said, look - Bethy makes its games totally open source and supports PC people mucking around, so of course, the modding community fixed everything, Bethy is trying harder to make good in some ways for PC users after the fact, and finally - look, I spent 110 hours in the game, and it's not perfect but it STILL SURPRISES me, which I thought impossible. It could always be better and it should be slightly better, but maybe there is no way to make a game this big, that responsive to so many diff players. I mean, I've only finished 20% of the game, so what's that going to be? 1,000 hours? and 3 years from now, I will play it as a diff character with 100 mods. If that's not a 10 what is? Thanks Bethy.… Expand
  15. Lansow
    Nov 19, 2011
    10
    Don't let the people giving this a low score persuade you to skip this title. Some people will complain about anything, and search for any reason to complain. Giving this any score less than a 7 just proves they are typical internet trolls looking for a reason to **** This game is fantastic. Anyone that complains about lack of story is missing the point. This is a sandbox where YOUDon't let the people giving this a low score persuade you to skip this title. Some people will complain about anything, and search for any reason to complain. Giving this any score less than a 7 just proves they are typical internet trolls looking for a reason to **** This game is fantastic. Anyone that complains about lack of story is missing the point. This is a sandbox where YOU make the story.

    Some will say the menu is terrible. Initially it's tough to get used to, but after you use it for a while you realize that you never have to take your hands off the keyboard and mouse. The menus can all be navigated with the WASD keys.

    Graphics: amazing.
    Story: amazing.
    Voice acting: amazing.
    Immersion: unlike anything you've ever played.

    Let all the typical console casual gamers lament the game's open world. They have CoD for their "story on rails with invisible walls" fix. The rest of us can sit back and enjoy hundreds of hours of incredible game with the most "choose your own adventure" type gameplay ever created.

    Bethesda has done it again. This game is nothing short of awesome. Buy it. You will not regret.    … Expand
  16. thebigalex
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Skyrim will definitely be Game of the Year. Best TES Game I ever played. Also the Steelbook, map of Skyrim and the coloured Manual are awesome. Buy it!
  17. AndyRock
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    If you buy one game this year, this is the one to get, it's the best elder scrolls yet, minus the ui, and the graphical errors, it would be perfect, but those will get patched and modded out. Bottom line BUY THIS GAME
  18. TomSEA
    Nov 28, 2011
    10
    Huge and beautiful. Engaging and mesmerizing. The amount of content and replayability is off the charts. If you've played Fallout 3 or Fallout: New Vegas, then you have a pretty good idea what to expect as far as game mechanics are concerned. UI is pretty much identical to the Fallout games. Inventory is a little clunky, but doesn't take long before you're on auto-pilot with it andHuge and beautiful. Engaging and mesmerizing. The amount of content and replayability is off the charts. If you've played Fallout 3 or Fallout: New Vegas, then you have a pretty good idea what to expect as far as game mechanics are concerned. UI is pretty much identical to the Fallout games. Inventory is a little clunky, but doesn't take long before you're on auto-pilot with it and other game controls and just enjoying the game. As awesome and in-depth RPG as you will ever play IN YOUR LIFE. Just buy it and enjoy the game. I'd ignore the nay-sayers who seem more interesting in showing off their "zero" score and going out of their way to find and bemoan the slightest, insignificant defects while overlooking the gaming experience in its entirety.… Expand
  19. Fuzz
    Nov 26, 2011
    10
    Finally a game I've been anticipating for a long time doesn't disappoint me and, in fact, surpasses my initial expectations. Incredible game, a TON of content, engaging story and amazing gameplay choices. WARNING: Will cause sleep deprivation.
  20. MaDaStar
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    While no game really deserves a perfect score, I can't give Skyrim a mere 9 out of 10. There are a couple of minor issues with the PC version, but the only one that even bothers me at all, is the interface. It could be much better. There are some minor graphical glitches here and there, but looking at the game in the big picture, the 5th chapter in The Elder Scrolls series is worthy of aWhile no game really deserves a perfect score, I can't give Skyrim a mere 9 out of 10. There are a couple of minor issues with the PC version, but the only one that even bothers me at all, is the interface. It could be much better. There are some minor graphical glitches here and there, but looking at the game in the big picture, the 5th chapter in The Elder Scrolls series is worthy of a score in the high 90 percentile. There is so much to see and do. So many ways to develop your character, weapons, spells etc. that it boggles the mind. At first I was like a kid in a candy store. I didn't know where to start. Should I get a good start on the main quest or do just a little and then seek out the guilds and join one. Should I limit my exploring to one small area of the map, or check out a few far sections and see what was out there. Am I a hero with unwavering scruples, or will I do anything for more gold? Once I settled in, I got lost in Skyrim. Not in the "What the hell am I doing?" type of lost, but the "I should really go to bed / feed the dog / get to work" kind of lost. My video recorder is rapidly filling with TV shows that I've been ignoring, and the only time my wife has seen me during the past week is when we have dinner and do the dishes. Yes, this game is that good. There are plenty of places to find details on the game and the type of quests you will face, but I encourage anyone looking to pick up Skyrim, to play it without spoilers and discover a world where you can be the hero, thief, murderer, and dragon-slayer. Be one, or be them all. If you hate that the price of PC games are now averaging $60 for AAA titles, fret not with Skyrim, as you get your money's worth and more.… Expand
  21. Ashton2571
    Jan 21, 2012
    10
    Before playing Skyrim you must accept the fact that Elder Scrolls games... or Bethesda RPG's in general have tendencies to be terribly glitchy and well un-organised. Skyrim, reasons you are so great: Great graphics/models/views/effects, great combat (decapitating people casually), great array of weapons armour and crafting, great bunch of characters, a good adventurer experience.
  22. coltsr2
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Cant believe some idiots here are rating this a 0...that's just so pathetic and shows their mentality...sure this game has a few pc issues (dont most console ports today!) but this game is just amazing...most textures i see are really well done and teh whole atmosphere of this game is awesome..with beautiful scenery, buildings, caves and cavers etc etc etc..its all jaw droppingCant believe some idiots here are rating this a 0...that's just so pathetic and shows their mentality...sure this game has a few pc issues (dont most console ports today!) but this game is just amazing...most textures i see are really well done and teh whole atmosphere of this game is awesome..with beautiful scenery, buildings, caves and cavers etc etc etc..its all jaw dropping stuff!....yes some super HD textures would of been nice and maybe dx10-11 support but i doubt that would have added much to this already top RPG...i give it 9 out of 10 but am clicking on the 10 to try and offset the dickheads who gave it 0...the muppets are like spoilt children crying over minor issues like spoilt brats they are!… Expand
  23. Pinocchio
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Okay, i bought it for PC because of mouse control and improved graphics. First i thought, "wow", my HD5870 is good enough but then i realized that the game looks like Oblivion without any graphic-mods and low settings. Don't get me wrong, I will play this game because its like Oblivion, but it is not the game i was waiting for. Seems like the developers are afraid of improving graphics ofOkay, i bought it for PC because of mouse control and improved graphics. First i thought, "wow", my HD5870 is good enough but then i realized that the game looks like Oblivion without any graphic-mods and low settings. Don't get me wrong, I will play this game because its like Oblivion, but it is not the game i was waiting for. Seems like the developers are afraid of improving graphics of the pc version because consoleros would get angry. The menus are terrible too. They didn't even try to improve them for pc mouse. I have a wireless 360 controller for Windows, but i won't use it. I got it for sports and racing games. Let the patching begin....… Expand
  24. Aidoneus1
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    Hands down the best game in years. There are just a handful of game companies that consistently go WAY beyond what is expected when creating games, and Bethesda is one of them.

    As is typical of massive games like this upon release, ES V has crashed on me twice in a couple of days, but I'm sure patches will remedy this. It feels far more stable than Oblivion or FO3 upon release. The    Hands down the best game in years. There are just a handful of game companies that consistently go WAY beyond what is expected when creating games, and Bethesda is one of them.

    As is typical of massive games like this upon release, ES V has crashed on me twice in a couple of days, but I'm sure patches will remedy this. It feels far more stable than Oblivion or FO3 upon release.

    The leveling system is much improved from Oblivion in my opinion. Why they didn't go completely FO3 with the leveling in Skyrim, they did correct the fundamental issues with Oblivion's system. And they are perks galore! And you get to choose one each level.

    I haven't advanced far in the main quest yet (I tend to get easily distracted by side quests, of which there seem to be no end!), but the story already has the makings of another Bethesda epic.    … Expand
  25. goettel
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    Looked at dispassionately, Skyrim offers a by-the-numbers fantasy experience: you're a questin' hero looking to pick fights with dragons, slaying bandits and randomly spawning beasts, casting spells, and wielding a range of medieval weapons, all while listening to reams of mildly interesting dialog. At first glance, it doesn't offer the highly imaginitive and truly otherworldly feelingLooked at dispassionately, Skyrim offers a by-the-numbers fantasy experience: you're a questin' hero looking to pick fights with dragons, slaying bandits and randomly spawning beasts, casting spells, and wielding a range of medieval weapons, all while listening to reams of mildly interesting dialog. At first glance, it doesn't offer the highly imaginitive and truly otherworldly feeling landscapes of Morrowind. Its console roots are evident. And, it being a Bethesda game, you were expecting some bugs. Right ?

    Even after the broad praise on release, I wasn't convinced Skyrim could topple Morrowind as my #1 RPG on the PC, and initially held off on buying it.

    Now, 30 hours play crammed into three days later, its obvious to me that Skyrim has raised the bar for PC RPG's well above the competition: this is a remarkable game. Not so much for its choices, but for how beautifully it implements those choices. The landscapes are truly remarkable, perhaps for the first time offering a world which feels real instead of like a semi-random patchwork of locations. This really is a small country in a box, and it is a remarkable achievement in itself. Idylic villages, huge and imposing castles, haunted burial mounds, standing stones and impromptu altars to various gods, dungeons big and small, dreary plains, towering mountains and narrow mountain passes: all of it great to look at, travel through and explore. The main quest so far has been solid and quite engaging, offering just the right mix of challenge and hero (you) worship. You feel important, but not overpowered.

    Character progression is great, focussing on (the use of) skills, not on simply leveling (even though you do level), and the number of available options is staggering, offering a talent tree on all the many skills and schools of magic which really gives you the option to craft a character to your tastes.

    Sound is top-notch, including the dynamic soundtrack.

    Sure, I have some criticisms: the GUI could stand a couple of major and minor improvements, although I don't find it quite as bad as others have made it out to be. The voice acting is mostly competent, even pretty good in places, but it's also tacky in others - and some NPC's I wouldn't mind murdering just to get rid of their repetitive and trite oneliners. There are some graphical glitches. I've had a couple of crashes to the desktop - nothing so bad as Fallout 3 / New Vegas, though - in fact, I find this to be the most stable Bethesda game to date. Also, character animation is far from perfect.

    So is Morrowing finally surpassed ? In a word: yes. Even though the world might appear less imaginative than Morrowind's, this one simply feels more real and offers a ton of rewards to the intrepid explorer. It's hard to get anything done, because it's so very easy to get distracted by any number of things found en route to a quest objective. Many of the quests have an adult theme, require an uncomfortable compromise, or simply offer irresistibly 'evil' choices with enjoyably disturbing consequences.

    Skyrim is Bethesda's best yet and easily takes a spot amongst the best RPG's ever.    … Expand
  26. The_Ommadawn
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    I'm confused? Skyrim is advertised as a fantasy RPG. It has a vast world to explore, dungeons to loot, dragons to kill, bandits to beat down, trades to learn, inn's to sleep in, booze to drink, rivers to swim in, mountains to climb, weapons to fight with, spells to heal and destroy, towns to find, 300 hours of content, etc. So what did the low scoring people expect? Shoot, reload,I'm confused? Skyrim is advertised as a fantasy RPG. It has a vast world to explore, dungeons to loot, dragons to kill, bandits to beat down, trades to learn, inn's to sleep in, booze to drink, rivers to swim in, mountains to climb, weapons to fight with, spells to heal and destroy, towns to find, 300 hours of content, etc. So what did the low scoring people expect? Shoot, reload, shoot, reload, die, re-spawn??? As for the graphics ... (on ultra) are 'pinch myself' incredible when you consider what this game represents. I can see way, way off into the horizon with no fogging, people walking around, birds high in the sky, clouds realistically moving and trees swaying in the wind without the slightest lag or frame rate drop (60FPS). What other game does this??? Also, the load times leaving buildings/new areas are, at most, 3 seconds! How in the hell does Skyrim load this in so quickly? Something else I found impressive was I was walking through the bush during the night and a shadow of a bird of prey passed me. I looked up and there it was!!! Such attention to detail. I'm over and above amazed with what Blethesda have created. OK, It's not a huge leap from Oblivion or Fallout 3, but it's built upon those foundations and created the BEST of that genre. People are so hard to please these days (myself included) and when something comes along with genuine effort and thought, it becomes 'cool' to disrespect all the hard work. I salute the team behind Skyrim as they have given us (gamers) something to rejoice in. Best pre-crimbo present I could have hoped for. Thank you.… Expand
  27. Beararam
    Jun 30, 2012
    10
    First off, I'm new to The Elder Scrolls. I bought Oblivion a while back off of Steam when it was on sale, and really didn't enjoy it, probably because it was quite a few years old and shared a lot of the same sounds and features of Fallout 3, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I had a lot of fun in Skyrim. It piqued my interest in the series quite a bit, and have since read (not played, I know)First off, I'm new to The Elder Scrolls. I bought Oblivion a while back off of Steam when it was on sale, and really didn't enjoy it, probably because it was quite a few years old and shared a lot of the same sounds and features of Fallout 3, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I had a lot of fun in Skyrim. It piqued my interest in the series quite a bit, and have since read (not played, I know) the synopsis of all the other Elder Scrolls games. It's not perfect, no game is, but just a lot of fun. I think it deserves a higher score than an 8.… Expand
  28. Ajores
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    NOT RUINED BY CONSOLE PORT!!! There, got that out of the way :P

    Skyrim, thus far, has been fantastic. The world is quite memorable, that include everything from the characters the monsters and the dungeons and cities... everything is a fantasy escapists dream. What Bethesda promised they delivered. That said, there are some technical bugs but honestly nothing game breaking. This is one of    NOT RUINED BY CONSOLE PORT!!! There, got that out of the way :P

    Skyrim, thus far, has been fantastic. The world is quite memorable, that include everything from the characters the monsters and the dungeons and cities... everything is a fantasy escapists dream. What Bethesda promised they delivered. That said, there are some technical bugs but honestly nothing game breaking. This is one of the smoothest releases Bethesda has had. While there was virtually no work done to the UI to take advantage of the PC version, there are only a few things I dislike about it really. For one, how about a means to change what the "menu" keys are (such as using SPACE rather than ENTER, which would seem easier to me)? Does that mean Bethesda spent no effort making it work? Hardly, it all works quite well and even smoother than one might anticipate with a little getting used to. Ah well, -1 point for a few silly bugs and SOME odd key assignments when navigating the UI, but I'm thoroughly enjoying this game and I haven't the heart to give it anything less than 10! Great work Bethesda, can't wait to see what's next for Skyrim :)    … Expand
  29. alxvy
    Feb 21, 2012
    10
    A brilliant game which kept me playing for two months. However, I felt it had gone rather hack and slashy, with most quests being go to this dungeon and kill the leader/take this item. Also the "elegant menu system" was rubbish causing me no end of problems. Seems curmudgeonly to give it less than ten but it's still a flawed masterpiece. Also how did they manage to make chickens witnessesA brilliant game which kept me playing for two months. However, I felt it had gone rather hack and slashy, with most quests being go to this dungeon and kill the leader/take this item. Also the "elegant menu system" was rubbish causing me no end of problems. Seems curmudgeonly to give it less than ten but it's still a flawed masterpiece. Also how did they manage to make chickens witnesses to a crime? I only hope in Fallout 4 they bring back the interesting quests.… Expand
  30. 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.
  31. Moses89
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Even though I haven't fought my first dragon yet, everything I have seen so far has just blown my mind. I am only playing on high settings dang dual core and a 5770 all with 4gigs of ram, I will be upgrading my PC soon I know that, just for this game. However, the high settings still look amazing, everything is crisp and visually appealing. Although I got a weird motion sickness thingEven though I haven't fought my first dragon yet, everything I have seen so far has just blown my mind. I am only playing on high settings dang dual core and a 5770 all with 4gigs of ram, I will be upgrading my PC soon I know that, just for this game. However, the high settings still look amazing, everything is crisp and visually appealing. Although I got a weird motion sickness thing going on with the opening scene. overall the graphics are great! (there are a few tears and artifacts every once and awhile but nothing that can't be fixed with a few tweaks I am sure) I am in love with the dual wielding of spells and weapons already! This is a game that you must get if you even moderately enjoyed any of the previous Elder Scrolls games.… Expand
  32. Carnivale
    Feb 4, 2012
    10
    One of the most addicting games I've ever played. It's a beautiful, vast open world, filled with hundreds of things to do. You can lose hours upon hours on just exploring the world and looking at it's breathtaking scenery. The combat mechanisms are good enough to give it a right feeling. There's room for multiple playthroughs as it's impossible to go thru all of the content in just oneOne of the most addicting games I've ever played. It's a beautiful, vast open world, filled with hundreds of things to do. You can lose hours upon hours on just exploring the world and looking at it's breathtaking scenery. The combat mechanisms are good enough to give it a right feeling. There's room for multiple playthroughs as it's impossible to go thru all of the content in just one playthrough. By far superior to Oblivion.

    What's there to improve then? Most of the quests are really linear. The AI is stupid at times in combat. Some of the perks are useless, like the lockpicking perk tree. Nearly every spell is more or less directly connected to combat, we could use spells like open locks which don't relate so much to combat. Luckily for pc users the mods corrects a lot of flaws found in the game. Skyrim is a wonderful game, but even then I wouldn't play it without mods once I've tried them.    … Expand
  33. iloveeverything
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    I only have a 100 % to give to this game. Its the best elder scroll and the best game I played in years. The interface is extensible, the envrionnement is well made ( the world is small, but very well made), they improoved the AI etc... Worth every cents out of your pocket.
  34. VIPER15
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    if you buy one game this year make it skyrim the amount of content is worth the price. unlike most games nowadays .ive spent hours in this game already and ive barely touched the main story the side quests and random things you fine are so good you have gamer ADD on what to do next its awesome.
  35. bigboned
    Nov 25, 2011
    10
    It's hard to say anything negative when you actually realize the amount of work went into this game. The environment is masterfully designed, you just can't help yourself wanting to ride everywhere and take on whatever road brings you. But then, Bethesda has always been good at open world design. Their accumulated experience since Daggerfall is immense. But I think the real difference inIt's hard to say anything negative when you actually realize the amount of work went into this game. The environment is masterfully designed, you just can't help yourself wanting to ride everywhere and take on whatever road brings you. But then, Bethesda has always been good at open world design. Their accumulated experience since Daggerfall is immense. But I think the real difference in this game is the story telling which lacked in previous releases or even in Fallout 3. Morrowind and Oblivion were equally good games but they didn't necessarily invite you in. Skyrim on the other hand, sucks you in from the first minute. Achieving this kind of flow in an open world game is a big ask and Bethesda deserves all the credit for it. They achieved this with a a masterpiece map, with the quality and the quantity of voice acting and with the living npcs.. The character development is really rewarding and yes you do get really powerful if you spend enough time in the game. Some people are complaining about game being easy but that's the beauty of it. You get rewarded for every minute you spent in the game. There's negatives tho.. My henchman is a massive idiot or my horse can't reverse from the edges of the hills.. Some enemies cannot spot me even thought there's big ball of fire coming from my direction and yes I do like my dragons harder to deal with. It's all OK tho.. When you look at the sheer epicness of this game, all the little glitches seem to disappear.… Expand
  36. DrCola
    Nov 28, 2011
    10
    Subtract everything you hate about past elder scrolls games, add everything you love, add a better engine that does not crash on you every 10 minutes and is not a steaming pile of bugs, pretty up everything, make the faces cooler and make just about everything better and you have skyrim. This game is a masterpiece, its the game that we have been waiting for in 2011, (Most titles this yearSubtract everything you hate about past elder scrolls games, add everything you love, add a better engine that does not crash on you every 10 minutes and is not a steaming pile of bugs, pretty up everything, make the faces cooler and make just about everything better and you have skyrim. This game is a masterpiece, its the game that we have been waiting for in 2011, (Most titles this year have been bad to say the least) This game would deserve a perfect 10 if not for the super lame secondary main quest which is the civil war, you can kill the final boss in one hit, I understand that level scaling is bad in most cases, but in some cases things have to be level scaled. The annoying part is, the civil war is about the length of the dragon questline! this game would get a 9.7 in my book now, thanks to that one little detail, but since metacritic forces me to round up my score, 10 it is!
    Also, if you really want to complain about the crappy interface of how you painfully select everything and how its built for a controller, do one of the two following things : get a mod, or use a controller, we all have USB ports!    … Expand
  37. Itsapaul
    Sep 25, 2012
    10
    Why aren''t you playing this? It's easily the best Bethesda game so far. Explorations is as fun as ever and you can make whatever character you want from the get-go.
  38. timeformime
    Nov 24, 2011
    10
    Metacritic users who rate this game below a 5 can suck it, because Skyrim delivers in every possible way for those of you who want to immerse yourself in a fantasy world. Buy it, you will have spent your money as wisely as possible this holiday season.
  39. necronomad
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    (first few paragraphs are the summary) Well having given it a 10 it is obvious I thought the game was great. There is more game play content compared to previous games and the game world is believable (so far as fantasy can be). The game play has been streamlined to distill much the tedious things out, which may put off some hardcore fans but if the give it a go and compare with the(first few paragraphs are the summary) Well having given it a 10 it is obvious I thought the game was great. There is more game play content compared to previous games and the game world is believable (so far as fantasy can be). The game play has been streamlined to distill much the tedious things out, which may put off some hardcore fans but if the give it a go and compare with the previous games they'll realize it is for the better.

    Overall its a dam good game. If you don't like morrowind or oblivion then you won't like this game since free form RPGs probably aren't your thing so you should probably play something quite linear like the witcher 1 or 2. If you do like the previous games you may first feel a little upset with a few of the minor changes but once you realize why there in there you'll notice it does in fact provide a better game play experience. The vast majority of people having graphical problems are either on PS3 or very low end systems. There are a few crashes but for me at least they are rare (every 3 hours or so) and it is very quick to get back into the game. But with the quality Bethesda provides with all their games there is no doubt that patches will be released to tweak these problems and they don't impact on the games fun factor at all.

    The graphics are very nice and up there with any other fantasy setting game around and a nice upgrade over previous titles (I only compare with fantasy games as realism in graphics isn't the style they generally go for, meaning it is ridiculous and idiotic to compare graphics between this and battlefield 3 as the graphical styles are completely different, however it can be compared with The Witcher 2 and is probably equal though a little better than it in graphic wise).

    All of the complaints about the graphics I've seen are more because they dislike the graphical style (fantasy with a very slightly cartoon appearance) but the graphics are actually really nice. Of course the PS3 version of the game has graphical glitches, but that is more difficulty issues with the PS3 architecture than anything else. I haven't had any major graphical problems over 3 different PC setups and it all runs very smoothly. The only poorer aspect of the graphics from me is perhaps the particle effects for some of the fire effects but its a moot point and as a graphics programmer I can be a little picky there. The only major glitches I've seen are to do with animation transitions but again its kind of moot and doesn't break the immersion of the game.

    The AI path-finding also seems to have undergone an overhaul for the better. The AI is very good at navigating the game world and even in the few instances when it gets stuck it sorts itself out very quickly. There is still the problem of being able to trick it by placing yourself in a position it can't get too (such as on a cliff) and shooting it from afar, but that is really kind of cheating anyway and is an AI problem that will always be around for these games (other games get around it by simply preventing the player from moving to those locations, they can't do that in elder scrolls as it goes against their design philosophy of being able to go anywhere).

    Storyline wise the game is much better than oblivion (on par with morrowind which I enjoyed) and the voice acting throughout the game is head and shoulders above oblivion. Again with any elder scrolls game its the world and side quests that make up the meat of the game and here they don't disappoint.

    The combat system that takes about 20-40 mins to an to get used to but once you do you quickly realize how much better it is. There is actually some depth to it now rather then just hack and slash like oblivion (though it did try to be different). It is much easier to get the hang of than the Witcher though. The auto leveling system is also better since like the famous MMM mods you can still run into creatures of a higher level. it good still do with some more tweaking so that less weaker creatures appear (most bandits seem to be quite low level) but it is dam fun killing them so doesn't ruin the game at all.

    The gameplay has also been improved with the addition of small gameplay elements such as a crafting system, overhaul of skills (for the better), roleplaying aspects (not something I really enjoy but nice addition all the same) like chopping firewood to earn a little extra gold and many more things. I particularly like the new spell, enchantment and alchemy systems which have more depth but are simpler to play with.    … Expand
  40. Dethstar
    Feb 20, 2012
    10
    Following the bugs and issues around the launch I initially reviewed Skrim much lower. Oblivion was a 9/10 and Morrowind a 10. However, a few months on and with many problems patched out the game was improving rapidly. Then the mods came addressing all the console based limitations of the original and adding massive value to the game as a whole. For opening up the creation kit and theFollowing the bugs and issues around the launch I initially reviewed Skrim much lower. Oblivion was a 9/10 and Morrowind a 10. However, a few months on and with many problems patched out the game was improving rapidly. Then the mods came addressing all the console based limitations of the original and adding massive value to the game as a whole. For opening up the creation kit and the sheer strength of the modding community response which would not have been possible if Bethesda did not encourage it. This has gone from an ok to another classic.… Expand
  41. Viruzzz
    Jun 29, 2014
    10
    Skyrim is a truly great game. A huge world is open for you to explore when you step out of the tutorial, pick and chose what you want to do and except for a few instances where a dungeon is locked to a certain questline, the game doesn't try to stop you.

    There are so many community made mods for this game that the game has near infinite replayability, even the vanilla version of the    Skyrim is a truly great game. A huge world is open for you to explore when you step out of the tutorial, pick and chose what you want to do and except for a few instances where a dungeon is locked to a certain questline, the game doesn't try to stop you.

    There are so many community made mods for this game that the game has near infinite replayability, even the vanilla version of the game already has months worth of content, the amount of game you get from it is just staggering.

    The game has a few bugs, but nothing major and the unofficial community made patches fixes most of them easily. Not enough to knock it off a solid perfect 10    … Expand
  42. deetydoc
    Mar 20, 2012
    10
    I pre-ordered the game, so I've been playing it on Steam since day one. I've loved every minute of it and mods are just adding to the fun. 413 hrs in... it's STILL GETTING BETTER!!!
  43. spydercanopus
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    Best game I have ever played. I was a huge fan of 3, and I liked 4, but 5 is the BEST EVER! I have played for about 200 hours and still haven't beaten the game.
  44. Petrovita
    May 10, 2012
    10
    This game is amazing. If you haven't heard of it, you've missed something. But don't worry! That's why you need to buy it and try it. You'll never regret it. The best RPG in a decade!
  45. Chrono
    Nov 26, 2011
    10
    A true masterpiece, it's hard to say what RPG game will surpass it in 2012. The start is absolutely epic the build up is phenomonal once you have the world to your self, the world is alive and that's a good thing and even after you leave it, it will still feel alive that is a key point to a non-linear game and Bestheda have nailed it, The story and immersion are the things that are neededA true masterpiece, it's hard to say what RPG game will surpass it in 2012. The start is absolutely epic the build up is phenomonal once you have the world to your self, the world is alive and that's a good thing and even after you leave it, it will still feel alive that is a key point to a non-linear game and Bestheda have nailed it, The story and immersion are the things that are needed most in an RPG game and this game exceeds it, however there are a few glitches and bugs but they will eventually get fixed. DRAGONS FTW… Expand
  46. belfastbiker
    Nov 16, 2011
    10
    Oh. My. god.

    Where do I start? Never played any other Bethesda game apart from Oblivion, which I loved. I really only play WoW these days, occasionally. I took 8 days off work to play this, and I'm so glad I did. I'm on PC, so there are issues - I don't like the consolisation, and with it's frustrating keybinding bugs, that took ages to get my head around, but it's fine now. Apart    Oh. My. god.

    Where do I start? Never played any other Bethesda game apart from Oblivion, which I loved. I really only play WoW these days, occasionally.

    I took 8 days off work to play this, and I'm so glad I did.

    I'm on PC, so there are issues - I don't like the consolisation, and with it's frustrating keybinding bugs, that took ages to get my head around, but it's fine now. Apart from that, it's never bugged out on me. Also, trying to manage three different characters is practically impossible - I deal with it by having three backup save folders, and I believe there is already a mod to help this.

    Those are the only downsides, everything, EVERYTHING else, is STUNNING.

    The music is incredible, the sound effects are dramatic, peaceful, war-like, creepy, depending on the context, and absolutely PERFECT.

    Graphics, are ASTONISHING.

    As for playability, I woke at 9am to play it yesterday, didn't get breakfast until 5:35PM, I was so engrossed.

    Loving the stories, the quests, the perks, the skills, the dungeons, the baddies, the NPC's, there's literally nothing that doesn't make me smile hugely. And if you check YOUTUBE anytime, you can see any number of fantastic videos, all AI, videos that would be scripted cut-scenes on other games.

    As for the dragons, I damn near crapped myself. :)

    Skyrim is a MASTERPIECE.    … Expand
  47. Zennousha
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    The greatest challenge. Not making a full blown essay concerning The Elder Scrolls. Being a fan of TES since 96 with my first entry by Daggerfall, I have grown attached to each of the games for varying reasons. Daggerfall had unparalleled depth and customization with challenging dungeons paired with an atmospheric score. Morrowind had a truly engaging story and unique, interesting varietyThe greatest challenge. Not making a full blown essay concerning The Elder Scrolls. Being a fan of TES since 96 with my first entry by Daggerfall, I have grown attached to each of the games for varying reasons. Daggerfall had unparalleled depth and customization with challenging dungeons paired with an atmospheric score. Morrowind had a truly engaging story and unique, interesting variety of landscape. Oblivion had worked on the ARTS combat that Morrowind had failed to achieve, and gave us a look at next generation open world visuals.

    Now Skyrim comes along and takes a lot of the things I enjoy from each, and blends them together. While the product may be rather simplified, perhaps too many "ingredients" at this point may overflow the already heavy cup. That being said, I feel a lot of the steps are taken in the right direction despite my love for extreme complexity and depth. Skyrim somehow manages to make it work, and still attempt to please me with concepts of old, re-imagined through various systems, like the perk trees.

    Magic while a bit more skewed has really drawn the appropriate feeling of power, and combat while still a bit simple, feels far more refined and physical from Oblivion. Exploration feels varied, especially after Oblivion. The scenery is also truly gorgeous. I can hardly tell it's a DX9 game and multiplatform title at times, and it runs buttery smooth on my rig. Voice acting is a step up. Not quite there yet, but a considerable improvement from previous. The focus and attention to detail for all the little things is there, but remain subtle. Some things you might not even notice the first time around. It fleshes things out a bit more, and makes them feel more organic to the virtual world. Animations are also improved from previous titles. The score is outstanding as per usual, ranging from a powerful, sweeping choir to a soft, atmospheric melody. Then there's the Dragons. Their behaviour, their established language, their combat, their animations, etc. I could go on, but I digress.

    The game is not without its flaws however. A few CTDs here, a few minor bugs there (I have been fortunate in my play time, but it is hard to ignore the fact that issues do exist for others), and some things feel a bit lacking in content. However, it's not enough to detract from the gameplay in my case.

    Will it take place as my favourite TES game of all time? I still think Daggerfall may keep that place. Skyrim however takes a close second. Only time will tell how Bethesda will manage to one up Skyrim though. But until then, I await to see what the community will improve.    … Expand
  48. Tipjar
    Nov 14, 2011
    10
    Since it was first announced I was very pessimistic about Skyrim after the dry taste Oblivion left in my mouth, having to return to Morrowind to make myself feel good again about the state of the Elder Scrolls. Since then I avoided all media and news related to it, besides the negative rumours such as it still using Gamebryo, etc. I got suckered into getting it with a friend and afterSince it was first announced I was very pessimistic about Skyrim after the dry taste Oblivion left in my mouth, having to return to Morrowind to make myself feel good again about the state of the Elder Scrolls. Since then I avoided all media and news related to it, besides the negative rumours such as it still using Gamebryo, etc. I got suckered into getting it with a friend and after grudgingly starting it, I realized it was early morning and I had put aside nearly all my work for that day. I was blown away by literally everything that I saw, it felt like a return to my favourite Morrowind and more. I lost myself in the landscape and sounds of Skyrim, while thinking to myself if this was actually a real game. I've only done the very intro quests to the main storyline and since then I have spent about 16 hours only in and around the area of Whiterun and Riften. I'm so glad that Bethesda got past the trend it was having with Oblivion and Fallout 3, I'm very confident that I will be playing Skyrim for a long time especially when mods show up. I was also completely blown away by the game's low size and requirements for such a full and gorgeous game.… Expand
  49. clockradio
    Nov 16, 2011
    10
    After twenty-five plus hours played I still have not got around to finishing the main storyline. My quest log is loaded and I have not even explored all of the major towns yet. This game is packed with content and is literally the most fun I've had with a game in years. The combat system, for the most part is familiar to that of Oblivion, but the executions are absoultely awesome. SoAfter twenty-five plus hours played I still have not got around to finishing the main storyline. My quest log is loaded and I have not even explored all of the major towns yet. This game is packed with content and is literally the most fun I've had with a game in years. The combat system, for the most part is familiar to that of Oblivion, but the executions are absoultely awesome. So far I have not encountered any game breaking bugs, or anything really noticeable. The wait for this game was worth it (now the wait for mods begins) and I will be playing it for years to come.… Expand
  50. Truesteel
    Dec 1, 2011
    10
    Incredible graphics, great story, fun combat, immersive environments, what can I say that you don't already know? It has its fair share of bugs and problems as any Bethesda game does (and really any game of this magnitude) but it more than makes up for it in creativity, depth, and the sheer amount of content included in in the game.
  51. ihatt
    Nov 20, 2011
    10
    One of the best RPG games ever, it's nice that Bethesda really made it so awesome! Obviously, Skyrim is the game of the year. I wish, BioWare will ever make such masterpiece
  52. Praesi
    Feb 14, 2013
    10
    Yes, Skyrim has some little contra points like the Console like Inventory and a little bug here and there. But the World of Skyrim will blow your mind away. Countless Dungeons, Keeps and other Stuff to explore. The World is huge, so big you will have to spend 200h+ to explore every location. The Charme and Style of Skyrim creates the best Sandboxgame out there. Gameplayfun is unreached toYes, Skyrim has some little contra points like the Console like Inventory and a little bug here and there. But the World of Skyrim will blow your mind away. Countless Dungeons, Keeps and other Stuff to explore. The World is huge, so big you will have to spend 200h+ to explore every location. The Charme and Style of Skyrim creates the best Sandboxgame out there. Gameplayfun is unreached to this day Thats why i gave a 10. Thank´s Bethesda.
    P.S: Go FO4!!    … Expand
  53. p2k10
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    Skyrim Skyrim Skyrim, a really great game from Bethesda. I love the Nordic World and the Quest. The Witcher 2 an Skyrim are the best RPG of the Year. Thanks Bethesda.
  54. Hovis
    Nov 14, 2011
    10
    Personally I think that Skyrim is the best game ever made. Nothing else has created even a fraction of the depth and texture in the game world. I'm forty hours into it now and still not really feeling like I've so much as scratched the surface. It's just so damn good and so damn deep and there's so much of it, it's just mind blowing to play. I've never played anything like it. It is aPersonally I think that Skyrim is the best game ever made. Nothing else has created even a fraction of the depth and texture in the game world. I'm forty hours into it now and still not really feeling like I've so much as scratched the surface. It's just so damn good and so damn deep and there's so much of it, it's just mind blowing to play. I've never played anything like it. It is a staggering work of art, a masterpiece, a feat of game design that is utterly unmatched, in my opinion.

    One day somebody will make a game better than this. But at this moment, I don't think anybody has.    … Expand
  55. Lolipop
    Dec 25, 2011
    10
    This game is BEAUTIFUL ! No , it's a masterpiece and is probably one of the best games I have ever played .Bethesda really outdid themselves , THANK YOU GUYS!
  56. 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
  57. 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
  58. darkcerb
    Dec 5, 2011
    10
    66 hours played and there's still a mind boggling amount to do, this game has content, graphics and sound all AAA standard. If you like rpg's this is your game. Bethesda has created a huge open world chock full of quests and dungeons to explore populated with npc's that go about there daily lives reacting to the players achievements in game. I really can't recommend skyrim enough, run66 hours played and there's still a mind boggling amount to do, this game has content, graphics and sound all AAA standard. If you like rpg's this is your game. Bethesda has created a huge open world chock full of quests and dungeons to explore populated with npc's that go about there daily lives reacting to the players achievements in game. I really can't recommend skyrim enough, run don't walk to your nearest game shop or steam and buy this game.… Expand
  59. JaTochNietDan
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    It's impossible to not give this game a 10, it does everything right and nothing wrong. I cannot complain about anything in this game, the performance is excellent, the graphics are stunning and not to mention they are not bland by any means, instead they are wonderfully bright and vibrant. The animations have been vastly improved and playing in third person is very natural now, there is aIt's impossible to not give this game a 10, it does everything right and nothing wrong. I cannot complain about anything in this game, the performance is excellent, the graphics are stunning and not to mention they are not bland by any means, instead they are wonderfully bright and vibrant. The animations have been vastly improved and playing in third person is very natural now, there is a ton more content, of which is far more interesting and well-written than most previous entries in the series.

    Then we have the awesome new enemies that can provide a challenge as you level up and progress into harder dungeons and areas. There's a ton of skills and the all new perk system which is an excellent and well-needed addition to the series, not to mention the all new and vastly improved magic system and dual wielding system which is what fans have been asking for all of this time.

    Then we have the incredible voice acting done by over 70 actors, not a single flaw found so far in the voice acting. The storyline is incredible and all of the side quests are detailed and interesting. There are additional features, more crafting to be done and a massive world to explore that is packed with more content than ever before, instead of having vast open areas with nothing in those areas like in Oblivion, there is something to explore constantly as you move around the world.

    The cities and towns are more interesting, with improved AI as they actually go around doing their jobs and living their lives. You can get married and your spouse will provide you with some perks. Then we have the improved combat system which provides a much more satisfying experience for those who like to "get up close and personal", if you know what I mean.

    I could go on and on all day about this beautiful, astonishing and astounding game. There is truly no other game in the world like it, the only tiny little complaint I can make about this game is that on the PC, the User Interface was not designed for a mouse and keyboard, which could have easily had a re-design to enhance the experience for us PC users, that would have been appreciated but again, it's not a big deal and the User Interface works surprisingly well.

    I look forward to spending insane amounts of time in this vast game, as I'm sure many of you are too, I give this game the ultimate 10/10, because no other game can match the superiority of this amazing creative construction.    … Expand
  60. Archangel
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    After playing Skyrim. My view about RPG's has completely changed. The graphics were amazing. I played witcher 2 and i thought that was great but Skyrim took it to a whole new level
  61. 1010101
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    Wow! This is a fantastic game, and there's so much content! The quests are entertaining, the world is beautiful, what more could you ask for? I honestly think I'll need to play the game 2-3 times in order to experience all of the content.
  62. Metalsand
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Like every TES game, Skyrim comes back again, takes a good look at it's predesessor, and vastly improves upon it. Everything is pretty, combat mechanics are MUCH better than Oblivion, and the 70+ voice actors compared to Oblivion's 12 is astounding. I couldn't have asked for more from Bethesda.
  63. Heben2
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    It might have some initially bugs, as any other game, and I agree that it does not bring that much new to the franchise as it maybe should have - it could have used a prolonged beta and half a year more development. I especially dislike that it is clearly imported from xbox along with the bugs that comes with that.
    But then again, I loved Oblivion, and I certainly love Skyrim, as it is one    It might have some initially bugs, as any other game, and I agree that it does not bring that much new to the franchise as it maybe should have - it could have used a prolonged beta and half a year more development. I especially dislike that it is clearly imported from xbox along with the bugs that comes with that.
    But then again, I loved Oblivion, and I certainly love Skyrim, as it is one of the best games I have ever tried (without focusing on the bugs and glitches). Your possibility to make your own decisions of what is going to happen with your character in this wast open world is brilliant, as is its gameplay where they have corrected most of the bad from Oblivion and it is one of the most beautiful games I have ever seen (a long with Mass Effect 2), why I cannot give it less than 10.
    I still hope they make a major patch where they fix the greater bugs and the imported part on the PC-version..    … Expand
  64. velvetmeds
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    Wasn't a big fan of Bethesda; their games had freedom but lacked in having a interesting world. It always felt too fake, too "plastic", too bland. Basically, wasterd potential. But they have finally done it, an amazing world to explore, crazy amounts of content, in a more polished package than they've ever put out. Finally their potential has been accomplished; it's one of the best gameWasn't a big fan of Bethesda; their games had freedom but lacked in having a interesting world. It always felt too fake, too "plastic", too bland. Basically, wasterd potential. But they have finally done it, an amazing world to explore, crazy amounts of content, in a more polished package than they've ever put out. Finally their potential has been accomplished; it's one of the best game ever, get it.… Expand
  65. lostintime
    Nov 14, 2011
    10
    This game is awesome. I was a big fan of Fallout New Vegas so a lot feels familiar which I like. I can see myself wasting a good 100+ hours on this one which in my opinion makes it worth the purchase price.
  66. sabbede
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    Hands down the greatest cRPG I have played since... Well, to be honest, the last Bethesda game. Unlike every other game they have put out, this game is STABLE! The most stable and (major) bug free game they have ever released. It is:
    Deep
    Immersive Fun Addictive Beautiful Is it perfect? No. For example, I would have preferred full DX11 support. But it is so good, I can easily    Hands down the greatest cRPG I have played since... Well, to be honest, the last Bethesda game. Unlike every other game they have put out, this game is STABLE! The most stable and (major) bug free game they have ever released. It is:
    Deep
    Immersive
    Fun
    Addictive
    Beautiful

    Is it perfect? No. For example, I would have preferred full DX11 support. But it is so good, I can easily forgive the minor flaws. Buy this game.
    Love it.
    Live it.    … Expand
  67. allquixotic
    Nov 20, 2011
    10
    Combines the best elements of Oblivion and the Fallout 3 series with even better graphics, even more interesting AI, even more robust quests, a much more stable game (I've never crashed, not even once!), and a strong central story that, while you're free to go exploring in the sandbox, the intrigue of the story pulls you in and makes you want to go to the next location for the primaryCombines the best elements of Oblivion and the Fallout 3 series with even better graphics, even more interesting AI, even more robust quests, a much more stable game (I've never crashed, not even once!), and a strong central story that, while you're free to go exploring in the sandbox, the intrigue of the story pulls you in and makes you want to go to the next location for the primary story arc.

    I find the magic system somewhat disappointing because it's not as flexible as that from previous games; I feel like we missed out on the ability to create any spell effect at any strength with any of the casting modes (sustained, bolt, PBAoE, cloak, rune, just to name a few). It would be amazing to be able to create a Master level spell that combines sustained lightning and sustained flames :)

    But, the Magic system is my ONLY gripe, and only a slight one at that. The entire face of the Elder Scrolls series has changed, here; it plays a lot more like a combination of Fallout 3 and Mass Effect than Oblivion, except for the sandbox world. But now we have cinematic mini-cutscenes that occur sometimes when you (or even NPCs!) get the killing blow on enemies, which is awesome.

    BethSoft has done something rather surprising: they have put out a game with enough depth and complexity to satisfy the die-hard PC gamers who love to tweak stats and explore every last corner of a huge, open world; and they've also crafted a cohesive, grappling story that is strong enough that casual gamers can pretty much follow the mission markers that gently guide you from one primary quest to the next, without exploring. So depending on the player style, you can play this game as if it were as non-linear as Morrowind or Oblivion (almost! -- the magic system!), or you can play it as if it were a fantasy rendition of the cinematic, movie-like Mass Effect 2, and never stray from the linear path. It's your choice.

    I don't usually rate things a 10, but man, this game is going to keep me entertained for a long time. It deserves a strong 10 because I can't think of any other game in history that does what Skyrim does, quite as well as it does it. This game will raise the bar for all future RPGs.    … Expand
  68. Webwolf
    Nov 21, 2011
    10
    This game is one of the best! its so much fun! i have played only 21 hours, and there is so much to do! there so much to explore, fight, lvl, and so much more. only one word to say MASTERPIECE!
  69. Articunoh
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Great graphics, Amazing lore, architecture and world, massively improved AI and gameplay, this Elder Scrolls just about surpasses any Elder Scrolls- in fact most RPGs I have ever set my hands on. Even still- it's better on the PC with better graphics and mods/modding tools.
    Great game if you enjoy exploration, fighting, interacting or living in a world, or hell, even story. It's truly    Great graphics, Amazing lore, architecture and world, massively improved AI and gameplay, this Elder Scrolls just about surpasses any Elder Scrolls- in fact most RPGs I have ever set my hands on. Even still- it's better on the PC with better graphics and mods/modding tools.
    Great game if you enjoy exploration, fighting, interacting or living in a world, or hell, even story. It's truly among the best RPGs to date, and the best Bethesda game to date. A true masterpiece. The only real downside are the frequent bugs, but honestly there are so many plus sides to this game that I couldn't give it anything but a 10.    … Expand
  70. janbirsa
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    This has been the BEST RPG experience of my life... Skyrim > Oblivion. Skyrim is second best game I played this year among with Portal, every other game was just a waste of money and time. Caution: Skyrim may make you forget you have a real life and that humans sleep at night :P
  71. WarViking
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    One of the greatest games of all time. Takes a crap on both Oblivion & Morrowind. It is what Oblivion wished it was. With all the improvements and added content that Oblivion left out. Skyrim is a complete game.
  72. Stormcrow666
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    Fantastic~!!!! Great Graphics(ultra of course). Amazing story with an almost unlimited amount to do and see. I have been playing for a few days it just keeps getting better. The side quests are original and fun with twists and turns~! I am a die hard RPG guy and this might beat my favorite all time; Baldur's Gate, for the new best game title~! Well done Bethesda. Well done.
  73. wastelander75
    Nov 25, 2011
    10
    Exceptionally well put together game. Breath-taking visuals, fantastic audio and music score. Probably the best Elder Scrolls, and the absolute best Bethesda game, to date.
  74. jst68
    Nov 14, 2011
    10
    Wow! This is really what I was hoping for. Great game. Excellent story with interesting characters. A significant improvement over Oblivion. You can also see that it pays off to not fall into a yearly schedule like Dragon Age.
  75. Lionhearte
    Nov 14, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Beautiful graphics and high resolution textures, easy-to-navigate user interface which operates smoothly for the PC, combat is fluid and dynamic, the new perk trees are fun and unique, and the details put into this game are what make it so amazing, from tiny ants crawling on a rock, to being able to use the lumber mills; just for fun.

    Ignore the trolls who rate this anything lower than a 3/10 while only listing one or two superficial reasons. If you only buy one game this year - buy Skyrim. Nothing is more fun than killing dragons, or unleashing your fury on a group of bandits as a Werewolf, and the new Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild questlines are nothing short of magnificent. Game of the Year All Years.    … Expand
  76. worldcitizen19
    Nov 25, 2011
    10
    10/10. Terrific graphics!! Terrific gameplay!! Terrific Puzzles and story!! No crashes!! Movement as smooth as silk. Amazing that such a huge game with so much data and information can play so well. Feel like looking everywhere and searching everything. This is a CLASSIC. This is a Game of the Year without competition. I'm using an Intel i72600k@3.8ghz, Zotac GTX 580 AMP, Gskill 8gb memory10/10. Terrific graphics!! Terrific gameplay!! Terrific Puzzles and story!! No crashes!! Movement as smooth as silk. Amazing that such a huge game with so much data and information can play so well. Feel like looking everywhere and searching everything. This is a CLASSIC. This is a Game of the Year without competition. I'm using an Intel i72600k@3.8ghz, Zotac GTX 580 AMP, Gskill 8gb memory and an Asus Republic of gamers MB and it was worth getting this new PC just for this game which of course I didn't but it does it justice.… Expand
  77. Slate
    Oct 9, 2013
    10
    Lets face it, yes it has some bugs like any other game..but Skyrim is a rpg fan's dream..its an elder scrolls game for crying out loud. I grew up playing all of the series and watched it blossom over the years into something simply quite amazing. I have no complaints what so ever.. its truly a diamond in the rough.
  78. THE_COCONUT_MAN
    Apr 14, 2012
    10
    Bethesda just finished raising the bar for the modern RPG. A perfect sequel that builds upon the foundation of its predecessor and takes it above and beyond.
  79. Zumeraga
    Dec 3, 2011
    10
    I have never rated a game to be a 10 before, however in thinking what would I change about Skyrim??? Seriously nothing comes to mind. It is an incredible game. The story line is good, the graphics are incredible, the open ended gaming is wonderful, it is by far the most enjoyable game I have ever experienced. Congrats Bethesda, you have a winner here, in my opinion. I can only hope weI have never rated a game to be a 10 before, however in thinking what would I change about Skyrim??? Seriously nothing comes to mind. It is an incredible game. The story line is good, the graphics are incredible, the open ended gaming is wonderful, it is by far the most enjoyable game I have ever experienced. Congrats Bethesda, you have a winner here, in my opinion. I can only hope we don't have to wait 5 years for The Elder Scrolls 6!… Expand
  80. KeirDevou
    Jan 10, 2012
    10
    People who say this game isn't full of choices and awesome character customization and a fantastic story line with in depth quests dont know the first thing about videogames. This game rules, anyone who doesn't think so is an idiot. No I'm not being ignorant
  81. crackuh
    Mar 6, 2012
    10
    Amongst superb competition, in my opinion Skyrim emerged as the 2011 Game of the Year. It's one of the most engrossing, enthralling, and immersive gameplay experiences in recent memory. There's seemingly a boss fight around every corner, not to mention the visuals are absolutely breathtaking. In addition, I can't overstate how happy it makes me to see Bethesda fully endorse Skyrim PCAmongst superb competition, in my opinion Skyrim emerged as the 2011 Game of the Year. It's one of the most engrossing, enthralling, and immersive gameplay experiences in recent memory. There's seemingly a boss fight around every corner, not to mention the visuals are absolutely breathtaking. In addition, I can't overstate how happy it makes me to see Bethesda fully endorse Skyrim PC and the mod community with the integration of the Steam Workshop.… Expand
  82. 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
  83. MrCaca000
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    The aren't enough words to describe this game. When Bethesda develops a game, one should expect bugs, glitches, broken mechanics and some minor combat issues; problems that are present in Skyrim as well, but don't even come close to ruining the experience. The land is beautiful, with a lot of detail and bettered by a superb soundtrack that manages to touch your heart. There are some uglyThe aren't enough words to describe this game. When Bethesda develops a game, one should expect bugs, glitches, broken mechanics and some minor combat issues; problems that are present in Skyrim as well, but don't even come close to ruining the experience. The land is beautiful, with a lot of detail and bettered by a superb soundtrack that manages to touch your heart. There are some ugly textures and some colours are drab and monochrome, but that doesn't affect too much. I'm not even going to talk about the rest of the game, so speechless I am.… Expand
  84. Arvuti
    Nov 19, 2011
    10
    The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim redefines modern RPGs providing us a game with massive amount of content, beautiful graphics, incredible voice acting and soundtrack and excellent gameplay.
    While skyrim is easily the best game of 2011, it does have it's tehnical flaws. But considering how the game is more than 100 times bigger than most average FPS games, it's understandable.
  85. BrowniePoints
    Mar 8, 2012
    10
    BEST RPG EVER! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! ya! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! SKYRIM!! ya!
  86. okamimiyazaki
    Sep 13, 2014
    10
    This is that one game that I'll always love and will never get old. It's the one game I can keep coming back to when every other game bores me. With mods on the PC version and the ability to customize so much in the game, from graphics to characters and quests, there's endless content here.

    Yes, Skyrim has a lot of bugs, and it is a shame. However, that's the only negative thing I can    This is that one game that I'll always love and will never get old. It's the one game I can keep coming back to when every other game bores me. With mods on the PC version and the ability to customize so much in the game, from graphics to characters and quests, there's endless content here.

    Yes, Skyrim has a lot of bugs, and it is a shame. However, that's the only negative thing I can think of and after patching, they're minimized. Plus, on PC they're not as big of an issue (console fix).

    The biggest thing that Skyrim has done better than its predecessors is offer the most superb level design and environments, far better than Oblivion and Morrowind's repetitive dungeons that all look the same. Even the draugr crypts in Skyrim have unique layouts, unique stories, NPCs, etc. The only repetitive aspect is that they're filled with draugr. I'm amazed how many dungeons are in this game and how beautifully crafted they all are. The outdoor environments are great, too.

    Combat is so much better than previous games. Music is fantastic (as always for ES games), graphics are better and mind blowing with mods enabled. Dialogue isn't the greatest but is still an improvement over past games. Quests are mixed - I would say this is one area where the series didn't really improve, but they're still good and some of them (e.g., Thieve's Guild) are a lot of fun.

    The lore of the game, as always, is enchanting. I love reading all of the books, some of them are so well-written, clever and adventurous.

    Skyrim has everything you could want in a single-player RPG. Open world, exploration, immersion, beauty, roleplaying potential, fun combat (mostly), customization, some clever quest subplots, great lore, the list goes on. Truly a magical game that will probably never be matched, until ES:6 comes out.    … Expand
  87. LaMuffin
    Nov 29, 2011
    10
    elder scrolls. It returns with a big bang! its a massive world with amazing graphics and stunning storyline and side quest content. The fighting in this feels less clunky then oblivion did. And unlike morrowind and oblivion the world feels more alive. It feels like your not in a small world with tons of robots to talk to. The conversations flow more fluienty and the physics is improvedelder scrolls. It returns with a big bang! its a massive world with amazing graphics and stunning storyline and side quest content. The fighting in this feels less clunky then oblivion did. And unlike morrowind and oblivion the world feels more alive. It feels like your not in a small world with tons of robots to talk to. The conversations flow more fluienty and the physics is improved immensly. You might be thinking about the crafting system and think 'I DONT WANT TO MESS AROUND DOING CRAFTS I WANT TO FIGHT!!! ARTS AND CRAFTS ARE FOR GIRLS' well thats true to an extent. but the crafting system is very entertaining and can be exiting... for example you may have just found a deadra heart to make your first deadric weapon or armor peice. And another great part of the game are the perks. when you level up it is such a great feeling that you get to pick a perk. just like fallout. You can also get MARRIED!!!! getting married is suprisingly intense. more so than fighting a dragon. BUT the most important thing about the game for me is this: After you finish the main quest. You will feel like you beat the game. And that even though you still have like 1000000000000000 quests you feel like they are just errand boi quests.... well... The truth is that the main quest is one of the SMALLEST parts of the game! EVEN after you finish the FACTION QUESTS (Dark brotherhood theives guild ect.) There are MASSIVE side quests. You can go out and explore a abandoned house to find it has a deadric gods spirit that will offer you a powerful mace if you go to the mounatins and find a mage trapped by a large group of bandits and after 10 failed attempts to defeat the bandits you use Call Dragon dragon shout and KILL THEM ALL!!!! AND THERE ARE LIKE a BAZZILIONNN more quests like that!!! ITS THE FREAKIN GREATEST GAME EVER!!!… Expand
  88. CupMcCakers
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    Skyrim whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I have given the game a review score of 10 for this and one other reason, the other reason being that I do not believe 8.5 (average user score at time of posting) to be an accurate representation of the quality present and the enjoyment that can be taken from game. As usual it seems there are people that insist on bombing a gamesSkyrim whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I have given the game a review score of 10 for this and one other reason, the other reason being that I do not believe 8.5 (average user score at time of posting) to be an accurate representation of the quality present and the enjoyment that can be taken from game. As usual it seems there are people that insist on bombing a games metacritic score with 1â… Expand
  89. RoMeJo
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is amazing. Earlier this year I was calling for Portal 2 to be GOTY. I take that back. It is now between this and Arkham Asylum. Skyrim is an immensely immersive experience. From the beginning you are drawn into the storyline. There is enough content to keep a compulsive explorer like myself playing this game for the rest of the year. The Lore in this game is amazingly in depth. This is to be expected however it is Elder Scrolls after all. The story is amazing. Play this game with a free spirit. Skyrim begs to be explored.The game play is solid in first person and third person. I myself can recommend the stealthy Bow approach as well as the over powered mage approach. Both of these builds are highly entertaining and fun. They fixed alot of the Oblivion problems. I have yet to find 2 identical dungeons in the entire game. In oblivion it was always 'this tower that tower'. In Skyrim, each instance feels well thought out and inspired. Almost everything you stumble across has its own story. I have refused to read any FAQ or walkthru or anything since I began this game because it deserves to be explored by each individual. To research it would just ruin the experience. The difficulty curve may bother some folks. If you dont gear up and specialize early, dragon battles can be a serious pain. If you throw points all over the place and somehow make it to around level 30 without maxing out anything, you will have some difficulty. A lot of love went into this game. Prepare to be amazed when you finally stumble into Black Reach. It is truely breath-taking. Now I don't wanna go full blow fan boy so lets talk about the problems. I have to mention the problems with the UI. At first it is horrible. It is obvious that they were leaning towards the console version of the game in this regard. However, a few tips. A combination of your mouse, Tab, E, and Q is all you really need in regards to the menu. To be completely honest now that I have the hang of it, it is actually pretty functional. My only true disappointment with the UI is my inability to rotate items that I look at in my inventory. No matter what I do they just won't zoom or spin or anything. This can make certain useful items hard to use. I won't say anymore for fear of spoiling. This is a flaw that must be addressed. I haven't ran into any other problems myself but I have heard of a few instances of texture tearing, horses running straight up cliff faces etc etc, but in the end the good outweighs the bad 99999999999999 to 1. Do not miss this game. Its a must have. If you are a FPS fan boy who hates magic and elves etc etc you can still enjoy this game as an archer. Think of it as sniping in slow mo once you are upgraded. If you like beat em ups then go full on melee werewolf . There is something for everyone here. One of the best games ever made. Regardless of genre.… Expand
  90. KontraKommando
    Aug 29, 2012
    10
    Skyrim is very addictive, life-consuming, and overall amazing. It is pretty much the reason why I don't get enough sleep at night. You can spend several months developing a character, as you undertake a seemingly endless amount of missions. You can find yourself obsessed with leveling up your character, by unlocking perks to obtain new abilities. The story is pretty interesting as well,Skyrim is very addictive, life-consuming, and overall amazing. It is pretty much the reason why I don't get enough sleep at night. You can spend several months developing a character, as you undertake a seemingly endless amount of missions. You can find yourself obsessed with leveling up your character, by unlocking perks to obtain new abilities. The story is pretty interesting as well, however, the most enjoyment comes from choosing which paths your character will take, charting your own course. The world of Skyrim is majestic, hostile, and mystical. For people interested in high-adventure, ala Conan: The Barbarian; this is the game for you.

    However, there are some annoying issues with the game. The loading time in enter into each area can be very annoying. Moreover, the game is loaded with glitches, making some missions unplayable, or broken. However, there have been several patches to correct many of these issues.

    Overall, I still give Skyrim a 10. Despite some of the technical issues, this game is worth experiencing.    … Expand
  91. CollegeGamer
    Nov 23, 2011
    10
    I hardly play any RPGs. I played and loved Witcher 2, as well as Mass Effect 2. Never played previou Scrolls games. Yet, this game is amazing. I truly enjoy the combat, though it has its flaws. I love the fact that you can say screw the main quest and take off on your own. The side quests are better than the main quests in 90% of the games out there. Great music. Decent graphicsI hardly play any RPGs. I played and loved Witcher 2, as well as Mass Effect 2. Never played previou Scrolls games. Yet, this game is amazing. I truly enjoy the combat, though it has its flaws. I love the fact that you can say screw the main quest and take off on your own. The side quests are better than the main quests in 90% of the games out there. Great music. Decent graphics (poor compared to Witcher 2,) but the art design in this game causes moderate graphics to look unique and beautiful. Without any fanboyism, truly one of the best games ever made. ALSO, dude...this game is endless, and it is always interesting. How many games today are geared towards single player, and are worth playing? Hardly any these days. Skyrim is one of the few games I can say is truly worth the money.… Expand
  92. Heaviermetal
    Nov 19, 2011
    10
    Do im 55 hours into the game. I have played a Thief/Assassin type character and a warrior character, both feel like 2 different games. Honestly I have not be addicted to a game like this ever before. This is GOTY for me. I am lost in the exploration of Skyrim, and around every corner is something new and unique to discover. This is a true PC game. From the amount of gameplay to the funDo im 55 hours into the game. I have played a Thief/Assassin type character and a warrior character, both feel like 2 different games. Honestly I have not be addicted to a game like this ever before. This is GOTY for me. I am lost in the exploration of Skyrim, and around every corner is something new and unique to discover. This is a true PC game. From the amount of gameplay to the fun factor of modding and tweaking the game to make it more of your own. 10/10… Expand
  93. Rallinale
    Nov 21, 2011
    10
    This is the first game in the series that I have played, and I just have to say, this game is a masterpiece. Every aspect this game is simply fantastic. This is a must-have game for anyone who are looking forward to an awesome RPG experience.
  94. Forgoroe
    Nov 16, 2011
    10
    It's an amazing game that keeps you there playing it from beginning to end. Immersive, story, wonderful atmoshphere, plenty of quests (not boring) to undertake. It's a breathtaking game. It has its flaws, but they are greatly overcome by the features and awesomeness of the game itself. I hope bethesda learn to make their games a bit more polished and less buggier on launch though :)
  95. zer0_c0ol
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    i apologize but i will keep this short very short

    BUY THE GAME... period it is not as beautiful as witcher 2 but hell is it HUGEEEEE and the world immersion is parallel to no no game out there now
  96. fearless
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    Competing with nostalgia-rich classics of the genre, critically acclaimed "hardcore" offerings, deep PnP style multiplayer RPGs as well as Oblivion and the (superior) Morrowind before it, Skyrim still comes out on top to become the best game I've ever played.

    It combines the vast explorability and intoxicating atmosphere of Morrowind with the eminent playability of Oblivion, and turns    Competing with nostalgia-rich classics of the genre, critically acclaimed "hardcore" offerings, deep PnP style multiplayer RPGs as well as Oblivion and the (superior) Morrowind before it, Skyrim still comes out on top to become the best game I've ever played.

    It combines the vast explorability and intoxicating atmosphere of Morrowind with the eminent playability of Oblivion, and turns the art style, world design, voice acting, story and most everything else up to 11 to create an almost perfect high fantasy/sword & sorcery RPG experience.

    Visuals: 9.5/10
    Audio: 10/10
    Gameplay: 10/10
    Story/Quest Gameplay: 10/10
    RPG Mechanics/Design: 9/10
    Content/Scope: 10/10

    Overall: 10/10    … Expand
  97. Tropxe
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Some people seem to think that you have to use WASD or the arrow keys in the menus; you don't. The mouse can be used for everything. Other people talk about the graphics being like Fallout 3 or even Oblivion; they're not. Even on Medium, the graphics are a clear step forwards, put everything on max and you have a pretty stunning game that somehow runs smoother than past Bethesda games onSome people seem to think that you have to use WASD or the arrow keys in the menus; you don't. The mouse can be used for everything. Other people talk about the graphics being like Fallout 3 or even Oblivion; they're not. Even on Medium, the graphics are a clear step forwards, put everything on max and you have a pretty stunning game that somehow runs smoother than past Bethesda games on the same settings. The people's faces are still a little off, a bit clumsily rendered, but are still the best unmodded faces by far you'll have seen in a Bethesda game so far.

    So much as been added to the gameplay. The perks really allow you to customise your character in very specific ways, rather than simply doing more damage against creatures who can now take more damage as the game progresses. The combat still pales in comparison even to The Witcher 2, never mind an actually combat-focused game like Dark Souls, yet it is a lot more satisfying than in previous games, with enemies dropping to their knees when near death or begging for mercy.

    You can take jobs now, becoming a chef, a blacksmith or a lumberjack. Enchanting and alchemy returns too. The NPC behaviour is much improved over previous games. Rather than standing dumbly around and occasionally walking into a wall or tree, as they did in Morrowind, and rather than standing dumbly around and occasionally having in incredibly stilted conversations, like they did in Oblivion, they will now do their daily jobs, cooking, cleaning, making weapons at the forge, carrying lumber back from the nearby forest, and so on. The bard at the tavern plays various songs, actually playing the instrument used in the song, and will take requests from you, even commenting on your song choice ("Only a true Imperial would choose that one!") and receiving applause from any nearby NPCs at the end of his songs. How NPCs respond to you is varies on how you've completed certain quests; one man asked me to deliver an insulting letter to a woman that he'd written in her boyfriend's handwriting, hoping she'd then leave her boyfriend for him. I told him I'd do it, but then went to the woman in question and told her all about the plan. Now her and her boyfriend like me whereas the other guy is always rude to me. Get friendly enough with people and they'll let you stay the night in their house, eat their food and even "borrow" their weapons.

    All in all, an enormous step forward over previous games, and that's coming from someone who always love what Bethesda's games promised but usually ended up hating what they actually delivered.    … Expand
  98. REDSIPERAS
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    Best RPG of the year. Nuff' Said. This game will eat away your life; I couldn't even keep track of time while I was playing lol.
  99. Matseb2611
    Sep 1, 2012
    10
    Perhaps the most hyped game of 2011, and in my opinion quite deservingly so. Bethesda have truly done wonders with this game. I found Oblivion to be incredible, but Skyrim manages to surpass even that. There are many outstanding features about Skyrim, and I
  100. 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.
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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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