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. Nacirema
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    God damn! Here's some answers for the kids: 1) Bad Graphics. Upgrade your PC (That's all really.) 2) Game is too easy. Put it on Master difficulty (Settings -> Gameplay) 3) It's Oblivion! Rather than be a dumbass and rate the game without playing(EVERY ONE IS DOING THIS HERE) Why don't you just look for the faction quests? 4) It has bugs/glitches. Well, this game is not for you. SuchGod damn! Here's some answers for the kids: 1) Bad Graphics. Upgrade your PC (That's all really.) 2) Game is too easy. Put it on Master difficulty (Settings -> Gameplay) 3) It's Oblivion! Rather than be a dumbass and rate the game without playing(EVERY ONE IS DOING THIS HERE) Why don't you just look for the faction quests? 4) It has bugs/glitches. Well, this game is not for you. Such lammer doesn't deserve to play this masterpiece. Compare this game with the previous game you played and try to think about how complex it is. If Bethesda wanted, I am pretty sure they would make the best action game ever, because it's just too easy for them.… Expand
  2. ssjscottt
    Nov 14, 2011
    10
    pure, beautiful, immersion with a solid, SMOOTH release from Bethesda. and the freaking sidequests... they feel significant enough to feel less like side-quests and more like it's just part of the main story. I've put in over 30 hours already, and i cant wait to put in more!
  3. vangoat
    Nov 24, 2011
    10
    If you like open worlds and rpgs this game is amazing in every way. Graphics, characters, stories, and sound are all amazing and feel next gen. I played Dark Souls quite bit and this game is a calming wonderful experience with all the satisfaction and accomplishment. I thought I would never sell dark souls because of how great it was (albeit uber hard), but now i don't know if I'll everIf you like open worlds and rpgs this game is amazing in every way. Graphics, characters, stories, and sound are all amazing and feel next gen. I played Dark Souls quite bit and this game is a calming wonderful experience with all the satisfaction and accomplishment. I thought I would never sell dark souls because of how great it was (albeit uber hard), but now i don't know if I'll ever play it again. Obviously, Skyrim is not for everyone, but if you've every like an RPG this is the quintessential experience...unbeatable. Freedom beyond any game before it....I like my freedom.… Expand
  4. MetalHeadCrab
    Nov 28, 2011
    10
    The most impressive thing is the game hardly ever crashes like Bethesda's previous titles. Summary: Its good, enough said or it will all be spoilers.
  5. Yaztromo
    Aug 24, 2021
    10
    Almost ten years since its original release, Skyrim is still *the best* (digital) fantasy role-playing game for any system. Much-hailed games like The Witcher 3 or Divinity: Original Sin 2 have tried to compete with it over the years, but cannot match Skyrim in its overall quality, its free-form gameplay, and its understanding of what a role-playing game should be about.

    This is partly    Almost ten years since its original release, Skyrim is still *the best* (digital) fantasy role-playing game for any system. Much-hailed games like The Witcher 3 or Divinity: Original Sin 2 have tried to compete with it over the years, but cannot match Skyrim in its overall quality, its free-form gameplay, and its understanding of what a role-playing game should be about.

    This is partly due to what it delivers: an overwhelming amount of content and activity, great variety in all things, strong atmosphere and immersiveness, rich setting and story design, and slick and intuitive gameplay.

    The other part of what makes Skyrim so great, however, comes from what it (intentionally) leaves off: There are no obtrusive cinematics, and the character system is refreshingly simple and elegant without sacrificing any role-playing potential.

    Skyrim is a feast for both role-playing newbies and veterans alike. If you have not played Skyrim yet, but are interested in fantasy and role-playing, you should definitely give it a go. It is not just the best (digital) RPG you can get but possibly also the game with the most content for a considerably small price.    … Expand
  6. quassel
    Mar 11, 2012
    10
    if you liked morrowind you will love skyrim, its a real elder scrolls again after the not quite good oblivion, new engine, good quests and a allround good feeling, really a masterpiece
  7. Beaner
    Jan 20, 2012
    10
    This is my second review of this game because it's worth it. For those of you out there who like to rush through games, then maybe you'll find Skyrim to be too short for your liking; however, this is NOT the reason Bethesda makes their Elder Scrolls games. Like Morrowind and Oblivion before it, Skyrim allows you to sit back and explore an amazing world full of side quests andThis is my second review of this game because it's worth it. For those of you out there who like to rush through games, then maybe you'll find Skyrim to be too short for your liking; however, this is NOT the reason Bethesda makes their Elder Scrolls games. Like Morrowind and Oblivion before it, Skyrim allows you to sit back and explore an amazing world full of side quests and adventures. It's simply a beautiful game in every aspect and is the best in the Elder Scrolls series to date. I have been a fan of since Morrowind and will continue to purchase Elder Scrolls titles as they are released. Sure there are glitches in the game which Bethesda will fix and the menu navigation could be better, but all in all a great gaming experience. I can't wait for upcoming expansions :)… Expand
  8. Vany
    Dec 13, 2011
    10
    Everything about this game is amazing. I run it on ultra settings on a geforce gtx 580 and its incredible. This game will go down as one of the best games created, period. Since i have the game through steam, i don't want to mod it so i can get the achievements. I'm not sure if there is a way to quick change weapons instead of going through the favorites menu. It would be wonderful ifEverything about this game is amazing. I run it on ultra settings on a geforce gtx 580 and its incredible. This game will go down as one of the best games created, period. Since i have the game through steam, i don't want to mod it so i can get the achievements. I'm not sure if there is a way to quick change weapons instead of going through the favorites menu. It would be wonderful if i could hit the "1" key and it would equip my sword and hit another for shield, etc.… Expand
  9. CalebPeter
    Jan 7, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Simply....amazing. The graphics are amazing, combat, at least for me, is exciting and the best out of fallout or oblivion. Very good story that kept me wanting to find out what happens next, and and overwhelming amount of quests. To this day i have noot finished all of them and i have played it for hours on end. The gameplay was just stunning. For example, I was walking around in the capital city of Skyrim when I deciced to kill some random person, just for the fun of it. After the deed was done, I fleed from the many guards that were chasing me with there weapons drawn, and also the guys wife. A few game days after I escaped, 4 Hired thugs approched me and told me that some one wanted me dead. After killing them with the use of cheats, (I died to many times to count) I read a note on one of there bodies. The note was a bounty on me, and the person who issued the bounty, was, amazingly, the wife of the guy I murdered. This is just one of the few amazing things that happen in the game. There are a couple of glitches in the game, some fatal, so you might need to save often, but that is a small price to pay. If your looking for a good game to play, definatly play this one.… Expand
  10. Modernmin
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Only played this for around an hour, but very good so far! Well worth the buy and if someone rated it 0 or something, they just are either blind or not playing the same game!
    Buy this one!
  11. mattycakes13
    Nov 14, 2011
    10
    In what other game could you be fighting off two polar bears on an ice cap in the far north only to be interrupted by a dragon which swoops down, picks up one polar bear, flies 100 feet in the air and drops it on the other and then attacks you but loses because you are Dovahkiin.

    That's what I thought
  12. ripplechip
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    Everything I could ever want in an RPG. Absolutely stunning visuals, great combat, amazing voice acting and story. This game is the complete package, and a must-buy for any fan of Bethesda RPG's.
  13. DigitalVeil
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    Absolutely mind-blowing masterpiece. I have yet to find anything even remotely close to being a fault. Do yourself a favour and go buy this. This game brings me to tears it's so good.
  14. Nickolia
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    Gotta love the complete opposite theories on this game. It's either a 10 or a 0. So far through I'm on the 10 side as I am a fan of these completely open world games. There are many things that have stayed the same through oblivion yes but so much of it has been refined into a better game all around. Duel wielding and magic are currently my favorites of such improvements to the combatGotta love the complete opposite theories on this game. It's either a 10 or a 0. So far through I'm on the 10 side as I am a fan of these completely open world games. There are many things that have stayed the same through oblivion yes but so much of it has been refined into a better game all around. Duel wielding and magic are currently my favorites of such improvements to the combat system. Quests are abundant and feel fairly natural when accepting them. You'll always have something to do in Skyrim whether you are picking ingredients for potions or on your way to kill a dragon. All I can say is it's a very immersive, enjoyable game for me.

    The bad: I bought this on PC, the menu system was definitely made for a console. Good thing I have a usb controller I guess. Glitches are there and can mess up your feeling of being in this world but for me are tolerable. Graphics are beautiful and I'm not sure why everyone is saying it looks no better then oblivion. I've been playing battlefield 3 before this came out and I will say that I was much more impressed with the visual effects, such as smoke and fire lens glare etc, in that game but all around a good looking game for it's size.    … Expand
  15. keefbaker
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    If you didn't like Morrowind, Oblivion, Fallout 3 or Fallout New Vegas because that whole "exploring thing" was just too much bother then don;t go anywhere near this. If you want something that manages to take the best from all of those games and furnish them together in a massive, stunning package then yes, this is for you. I'm 20 hours in and it's only been out 2 days. In fact the onlyIf you didn't like Morrowind, Oblivion, Fallout 3 or Fallout New Vegas because that whole "exploring thing" was just too much bother then don;t go anywhere near this. If you want something that manages to take the best from all of those games and furnish them together in a massive, stunning package then yes, this is for you. I'm 20 hours in and it's only been out 2 days. In fact the only true worry i have about this game is that i may end up being more familiar with the world of skyrim than my own city.… Expand
  16. redpanda751
    Nov 19, 2011
    10
    Skyrim lives up to its hype and is truly an amazing game. The game is almost everything I wanted except for a few minor glitches, but that's to be expected from a game that hasn't been out that long.

    Gameplay: there's so much you can do in this game that it's almost too overwhelming? There's over a couple hundred hours of gameplay which is an incredible amount of time to keep you    Skyrim lives up to its hype and is truly an amazing game. The game is almost everything I wanted except for a few minor glitches, but that's to be expected from a game that hasn't been out that long.

    Gameplay: there's so much you can do in this game that it's almost too overwhelming? There's over a couple hundred hours of gameplay which is an incredible amount of time to keep you occupied.

    Graphics: The graphics are amazing. I have installed many graphics enhancing mods that have already been released and it looks AWESOME. The people that complain about how bad the graphics are either needs to get better hardware or get their eyes checked out. Seriously, how could anyone say this game looks bad compared to most games released this year?

    Sound: The soundtrack is great. However, it's a lot of the same track being played over and over and it might get tiredsome. Additionally, the game doesn't work for me unless I set the sound quality lower. This has been an issue for many so hopefully they will solve it soon. Still not worth docking a point over this though.

    Replay value: A TON of replay value. You can make as many characters with millions of variations of what you do and the great thing about this is that almost nothing needs to be repeated. (as long as you don't want to).

    All in all, this is a game-of-the-year material that no one should overlook. Note that I am NOT a fanboy and that this is my first time actually enjoying an Elder Scrolls game. If anything just try it out at your friends place or watch some youtube videos, it'll change your world!!!!!    … Expand
  17. Selarne
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    First of all let me say the game isn't perfect. While the graphics are a massive step up from Oblivion, don't be expecting Crysis 2 standard. Still - the game looks beautiful and has lots of detail. The gameplay is what the ES series is all about, and it is fantastic. I don't need to go into detail here, but bethesda have learnt from their mistakes in TES3/4 and this iteration of theFirst of all let me say the game isn't perfect. While the graphics are a massive step up from Oblivion, don't be expecting Crysis 2 standard. Still - the game looks beautiful and has lots of detail. The gameplay is what the ES series is all about, and it is fantastic. I don't need to go into detail here, but bethesda have learnt from their mistakes in TES3/4 and this iteration of the series is brilliant. The one thing I am slightly annoyed about is the menus for the PC, but in all honesty, will just take a bit of getting used to.… Expand
  18. GamerHGF
    Nov 14, 2011
    10
    The best game I have ever yet played, nothing more to say.
  19. mromih
    Mar 6, 2012
    10
    No wonder was chosen as Game of The Year. So many stuff to do, I think you can play this game for a year. Superb graphics (with a good video card). Plus the new Steam Workshop, when you can get community made free ad dons to enhance your experience. For me, its a 10.
  20. WhataTwist
    Jan 3, 2013
    10
    Even more than a year later I'm still enjoying Skyrim tremendously. However; without the mind blowing mod support, I would have stopped playing a very long time ago.
  21. xgustavo
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    Para mim, talvez esse seja o melhor jogo do ano... ou se não de todos os tempos... O jogo realmente é bom e te poem dentro de um mundo antes inexistente, já joguei cerca de 15horas e pretendo ficar muito mais, minha vida social acabou com skyrim kkkkkk...
  22. TellNoLies
    Mar 26, 2012
    10
    Absolutely the best RPG in terms of technical achievement to date. Don't mind the haters - notice how on all the best YouTube videos, there are always a couple hundred dislikes? Those are the same morons who give Skyrim a bad review.
  23. NotGunnaLie
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    I'm not gunna lie, this game is amazing, brilliant, outstanding, a masterpiece. I'm only filling the rest up because i need one hundred and fifty characters.
  24. ramha
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    Excellent and wonderful adventure! Oblivion was expecting, but received no less than Morrowind! Graphics nice, gameplay is perfect! the first 10 hours simply could not tear myself away from 3 o'clock which was engaged in hunting and fishing!
  25. Jdankens
    Mar 30, 2012
    10
    This game has stood it's ground as time goes on. Notice how the majority of negative reviews are when the game was released. Granted, I was a bit disappointed at first too. The graphics were not what I was expecting and there were a few bugs and the UI kind of sucked. Most of the negatives are from people that cannot be satisfied.

    Bethesda has proven to be a worthy company though,    This game has stood it's ground as time goes on. Notice how the majority of negative reviews are when the game was released. Granted, I was a bit disappointed at first too. The graphics were not what I was expecting and there were a few bugs and the UI kind of sucked. Most of the negatives are from people that cannot be satisfied.

    Bethesda has proven to be a worthy company though, releasing updates, an Excellent Hi-Res pack, and providing continual support The millions of people who have put in many hours can attest to the overall quality of this game. After you put in 100+ hours, you realize how impressive this game really is. They put so much time into designing this, so many unique places and dungeons.

    Oh and did I mention the mods? You can get as ridiculous as you want with this game. I know 'hardcore' elitists will never let their nostalgia go, this is by far the highest overall quality RPG game ever made.    … Expand
  26. Joxeu
    Mar 22, 2012
    10
    Hands down, the best games I have played in its class to date. The game is well designed and although there are bugs, the game's overall quality is still unparalleled with an enormous quantity of quests and choices.
  27. xEnAlex
    Nov 20, 2011
    10
    I give this game a 9/10, There was a few things that were minor.
    Story: Amazing story, well thought out and room for MANY side quests that involve with the story.
    Graphics: This is whole entirely on computer, but on highest quality and settings, Skyrim literally blooms in your face in its fullest potential. You can't rate graphics down unless you've seen the best. Gameplay: Like Morrowind    I give this game a 9/10, There was a few things that were minor.
    Story: Amazing story, well thought out and room for MANY side quests that involve with the story.
    Graphics: This is whole entirely on computer, but on highest quality and settings, Skyrim literally blooms in your face in its fullest potential. You can't rate graphics down unless you've seen the best.

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

    Lasting: Almost like Oblivion, YOUR SOCIAL LIFE ENDS. Even IGN mentioned that you should say goodbye to life. The game is that GOOD in dragging you back to Skyrim over and over. It's like fighting games, you try to get as many combos as you can and look at your own fruits of labor pay. Except in Skyrim, that's swords, magic, destruction, and dragon bones.    … Expand
  28. Leros
    Nov 23, 2011
    10
    Countless hours of gameplay, a huge beautifully detailed world to explore, great elderscrolls lore, tons of quests, the dark brotherhood, what's not to like?

    Well if you are playing on PC the textures are what bother me most, the ui is not good either, but I can deal with it. Other than that I hardly get any problems game runs very smooth on ultra settings. There are also a couple of    Countless hours of gameplay, a huge beautifully detailed world to explore, great elderscrolls lore, tons of quests, the dark brotherhood, what's not to like?

    Well if you are playing on PC the textures are what bother me most, the ui is not good either, but I can deal with it. Other than that I hardly get any problems game runs very smooth on ultra settings.
    There are also a couple of bugs, I even ran into one that broke a questline.

    All those problems make the game an 8, I have no doubts that as soon as the modkit is released the game will be the 11/10 it deserves to be.

    I will still rate the game with 10 to counter all those people handing out 0s to complain about problems they either exaggerate or cause themselves.    … Expand
  29. UntoldForce
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    Skyrim is everything I wanted it to be... and more. This is the first AAA title that launched this year that I was actually impressed with. The character creation and leveling system has been improved, using magic doesn't feel like it's a slow-motion pause fest, and the world is truly beautiful. Every Bethesda game has problems at first--and that's acceptable for a game that has hundredsSkyrim is everything I wanted it to be... and more. This is the first AAA title that launched this year that I was actually impressed with. The character creation and leveling system has been improved, using magic doesn't feel like it's a slow-motion pause fest, and the world is truly beautiful. Every Bethesda game has problems at first--and that's acceptable for a game that has hundreds of hours of content. I'm not going to expect a bug-free experience because many other (and admittedly much shorter) games can't even get things running on launch day (BF3, Dead Island, etc).

    The graphics are beautiful if you can afford to play on Ultra settings (2xGTX 560 Ti cards on my rig), but there's still a few issues with shadows indoors, which is a bit counter-intuitive considering that the outdoor spaces are huge. The graphics aren't groundbreaking (like the Crytek engine) but they'll do just fine, especially in the massive outdoor spaces.

    I'll address the most common complaint: the UI sucks. It does. The menus don't work half the time unless you perfect the art of scrolling, but that's a bug that I'm sure will get fixed. The other complaints are about the standard UI, which tells you less information than Oblivion. I think it gives you a more immersive experience, so you don't have to look at health/magic/stamina unless they're being used. It allows me to spend more time focusing on the world when I'm not in battle.

    Another complaint is about the voice acting and dialog. Come on guys, you can't get Patrick Stewart to voice EVERY TES game. Dialog can be a bit cheesy at times but I don't remember many games that don't have moments of cheesy dialog (in some cases it's lovable!)

    Overall, Skyrim stays true to the feeling of TES series, while making vast improvements in keeping you immersed in the game. It's truly one of the few titles out there that was actually worth the wait.    … Expand
  30. Alcapwn
    Nov 14, 2011
    10
    Yes the game is buggy, has outdated graphics, and a pretty bad weapon/spell switching system that feels like it was designed completely for consoles with no thought of pc in mind.........The question is, does any of this matter when I'm running around dual wielding flames of death? Or turning into a werewolf and biting the heads off my foes? Does it matter when I'm running for my life fromYes the game is buggy, has outdated graphics, and a pretty bad weapon/spell switching system that feels like it was designed completely for consoles with no thought of pc in mind.........The question is, does any of this matter when I'm running around dual wielding flames of death? Or turning into a werewolf and biting the heads off my foes? Does it matter when I'm running for my life from a pack of wooly mammoths and the angry giant herders? Do you think a crappy interface matters when I call down a dragon to snatch up that very same giant and drop him from 500 feet in the air? Do you think the tiny bugs really matter when I'm exploring a huge underground area that has a town full of enemies and pretty glowing mushrooms? You still don't know????? WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU GO BUY THIS GAME.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

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