The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4435 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3,744 out of 4435
  2. Mixed: 344 out of 4435
  3. Negative: 347 out of 4435
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Soulrain
    May 21, 2012
    10
    Bethesda did a great job by developing a massive game like this. The experience is undiscribable. The soundtrack is amazing and the best I've ever heard in my life. The simple the combat system is the great and fun it is to play. Fighting enemies has never been more intensive, landscapes have never been more beautiful. They are variously divided, but there aren't any borders noticable whenBethesda did a great job by developing a massive game like this. The experience is undiscribable. The soundtrack is amazing and the best I've ever heard in my life. The simple the combat system is the great and fun it is to play. Fighting enemies has never been more intensive, landscapes have never been more beautiful. They are variously divided, but there aren't any borders noticable when entering a new climate zone. The several towns are masterpieces of architecture, stuffed with lots of NPC's, who are almost perfectly animated and seemingly filled with the spirit of life. Skyrim puts you in another world full of dungeons to explore, quests to solve, people to talk to, items to seek and find and uncountable things to love.
    But, Skyrim still has its flaws. Fighting dragons can sometimes be frustrating because of several bugs and glitches, horses might levitate while playing this game and it might freeze from time to time.
    To have the best experience with Skyrim, do not install it onto your hard drive.    … Expand
  2. TheMailman98
    May 21, 2012
    9
    This is my favorite addition to the Elder Scrolls series. Although some may argue that the others are better, Skyrim is my favorite because of how much smoother it plays than the others. The story line is also the best in my opinion, but that's just me. The facial expressions are also much less creepy than in Oblivion which is an improvement. The main reason I didn't give this game a 10This is my favorite addition to the Elder Scrolls series. Although some may argue that the others are better, Skyrim is my favorite because of how much smoother it plays than the others. The story line is also the best in my opinion, but that's just me. The facial expressions are also much less creepy than in Oblivion which is an improvement. The main reason I didn't give this game a 10 was because of the occasional game freezing and some annoying glitches, but otherwise an amazing game.… Expand
  3. Ben69xd
    May 21, 2012
    5
    This game removes everything that a RPG is/was Classes, GONE! If you are going to buy this game, make sure that you are an Argonian (why? because of here http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Argonian_(Skyrim) ), get married, beat every story, don't deny a quest, level everything to 100, get every achievement, and then go back to playing morrowind. the gameplay is alright, but you have toThis game removes everything that a RPG is/was Classes, GONE! If you are going to buy this game, make sure that you are an Argonian (why? because of here http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Argonian_(Skyrim) ), get married, beat every story, don't deny a quest, level everything to 100, get every achievement, and then go back to playing morrowind. the gameplay is alright, but you have to force yourself not to use the fast traveling system if you want to wander. Pluse this game is 10x more ugly than oblivion and the voice acting is just a little bit better than oblivion but not buy much.… Expand
  4. BrunEXx
    May 20, 2012
    9
    Muito bom mesmo esse game, a Bethesda fez um trabalho perfeito e mesmo com os bugs que o jogo carrega nada atrapalha o seu desempenho.
    O melhor RPG da geração até agora, recomendo a todos.
  5. Kietz91
    May 14, 2012
    6
    Unbalanced, unpolished, uninspired, and shallow.

    If I were to define Skyrim in only four words, that is about what you could expect from me. For as interesting a world Skyrim is to look at, the developers seemed fine filling it with repetitious, "uninspired" quests, given to you by countless amounts of npcs', none of which in possession of what I would call an actual personality. The    Unbalanced, unpolished, uninspired, and shallow.

    If I were to define Skyrim in only four words, that is about what you could expect from me. For as interesting a world Skyrim is to look at, the developers seemed fine filling it with repetitious, "uninspired" quests, given to you by countless amounts of npcs', none of which in possession of what I would call an actual personality. The gameplay, while serviceable, is rather unpolished and doesn't meet up to the standards set by other action games of today. Character development, not only weak, is rather unbalanced. The game rewards you for boosting skills you may have no interest in using, and the whole point of actually leveling your character seems trivial, being that enemies scale with you. Long story short, this is a rather flat experience. Sure, if you set your standards low, the sheer amount of content, as lackluster as the majority of it is, should last you a long, long while. Anyone looking for something thought-provoking and memorable, however, should look elsewhere. The game is a nice looking, yet very generic hack 'n' slash loot fest. If that is something that interests you, you will probably love this game. If you are looking for something more, this game should be avoided.    … Expand
  6. SCHMOOPITIZE
    May 13, 2012
    9
    Skyrim, is defiantly one of my favorite games of all time. My favorite part is the skill system. Being able to simply level up skills instead of mindlessly grinding for experience. You feel yourself getting better at a certain task. For instance, you will be casting flames at level 5 but when your destruction turns 25 and your level 10 your casting firebolt. The part that makes itSkyrim, is defiantly one of my favorite games of all time. My favorite part is the skill system. Being able to simply level up skills instead of mindlessly grinding for experience. You feel yourself getting better at a certain task. For instance, you will be casting flames at level 5 but when your destruction turns 25 and your level 10 your casting firebolt. The part that makes it interesting isn't that your skills increase with your level but your skills increase with their specific level. Firebolt wasn't because of the level 10 is what i'm trying to get across here. There is only one major flaw i had with the game, all of the side quests are more interesting then the main quest. I have replayed the game over 20 times (i know no life) and i only beat the main story once. While i beat dark brotherhood all 20 times. The game is a bit buggy but with all the patches there are no game ending ones left. The combat is a bit stiff and can be boring. Especially if playing a melee class. While magic is insanely over powered if you have a trusty follower. Being stealthy is by far the most fun thing to do in the game. I found out of the 20 characters i had, 3 mage/assassin hybrids 2 warrior/mage hybrids 1 normal warrior type 6 pure mages and the rest were all stealthy when in every single other game i'm ALWAYS A MAGE. and never the sneak. THAT JUST HOWS THE IMPACT THIS GAME CAN HAVE ON THE PLAYER.… Expand
  7. Naglfar
    May 13, 2012
    9
    An Elder Scrolls game based around Nords? Awesome. I loved the whole concept, and the vast snowy landscapes were varied and interesting, from the Dragons, to the old ruined temples, to ancient Grey Beards and their secretive society. I was a huge fan of Oblivion and even though this game is based around viking culture (which is another personal interest of mine) I found myself preferringAn Elder Scrolls game based around Nords? Awesome. I loved the whole concept, and the vast snowy landscapes were varied and interesting, from the Dragons, to the old ruined temples, to ancient Grey Beards and their secretive society. I was a huge fan of Oblivion and even though this game is based around viking culture (which is another personal interest of mine) I found myself preferring the former mainly for it's variety of story telling which seems to be lacking slightly in this title. Having said that, this is still one hell of an awesome RPG with ton's to do and numerous quests and adventures to be had in your own time.… Expand
  8. MikeE50
    May 8, 2012
    8
    Skyrim is overrated. It's a good game but it is essentially Oblivion with a new coat of paint. The good parts are the world and the exploration. I have spent many hours just looking at the landscapes. Arguably, you could get your money's worth doing just that. The actual gameplay, however, is the same tired formula from Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, and Fallout 3. Obviously many peopleSkyrim is overrated. It's a good game but it is essentially Oblivion with a new coat of paint. The good parts are the world and the exploration. I have spent many hours just looking at the landscapes. Arguably, you could get your money's worth doing just that. The actual gameplay, however, is the same tired formula from Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, and Fallout 3. Obviously many people enjoy this but I'm about 2/3 finished with the main quest and have no desire to finish. There are simply too many fundamental gameplay design decisions that make the game not fun. The combat is not fun. Moving around in the world is not fun (the player's "hit box" collision model gets stuck on tiny geometry bumps). The potions are not fun. The inventory is not fun. Picking up hundreds of tiny objects (e.g., coins) in the game world with an Xbox controller's crosshair is not fun. The plot is generic and the dialogue ranges from mediocre to terrible, and is uniformly spoken too slowly. The first King/Jarl you meet sounds like he's on painkillers. The cutscenes (not cutscenes per se as they all happen while you play) are laughably bad as well. I think the Skyrim team needs some new designers to inject some new ideas into their otherwise capable hands. As a game it is mediocre but as a world to explore it is one of the best. 8/10.… Expand
  9. GamingKing2KO
    May 7, 2012
    7
    Terrific game, loved the gameplay but some of the levels were too easy to earn. Too much glitches, this game needs to be polished. And if you save over 3-5 mb some of the game content cannot be accessed.
  10. handoba
    May 4, 2012
    6
    The most overrated game I have ever seen, not as fun as it promises to be, cool in the beginning but it ends boring, and brings almost nothing new to the series.
  11. Gamer44
    Apr 27, 2012
    10
    This game is a true work of art everything about this game is amazing from the stunning graphics to the smooth gameplay and let's not forget the amazing storyline.This is my favourite Installment by far this game is a Masterpiece and a must buy for any rpg fan.
  12. KillerGum
    Apr 24, 2012
    7
    Skyrim is, in a nutshell, a very disapointing game. Having not played the previous ES titles, I decided to pick this up because of the massive hype it recieved. It simply did not meet the hype it got.

    Lets start off with the good. Pros: Huge open world to explore Many, many side quests Expansive culture Many things to forge Great level up system Pretty good graphics And here's    Skyrim is, in a nutshell, a very disapointing game. Having not played the previous ES titles, I decided to pick this up because of the massive hype it recieved. It simply did not meet the hype it got.

    Lets start off with the good.
    Pros:
    Huge open world to explore
    Many, many side quests
    Expansive culture
    Many things to forge
    Great level up system
    Pretty good graphics

    And here's the bad...
    Cons:
    A few bugs here and there
    EXTREMELY shallow combat system
    I had no incentive to explore the world
    World can sometimes feel "empty"
    Characters seemed very bland
    Shallow combat makes spells more useful, negating the "Play your style" approach

    A few of my Cons could be just the way i see things, but to me, this game is only "Pretty good" Obviously, if you are a fan of the ES series, you should pick this up. If you are a newcomer like me, I would be cautious when approaching this game, but also come at it with a positive attitude.    … Expand
  13. Mattheusheck
    Apr 20, 2012
    7
    Vast world, pretty graphics, nice music, quite interesting story, character development system better than Morrowind and Oblivion. Unfortunately, there is lack of something great, stunning and absorbing. I didn't end even the main quest. It contains also poor main characters, nothing distinctive. If you like sandboxes, you'll enjoy dungeon crawling. Otherwise, better think up purchase.Vast world, pretty graphics, nice music, quite interesting story, character development system better than Morrowind and Oblivion. Unfortunately, there is lack of something great, stunning and absorbing. I didn't end even the main quest. It contains also poor main characters, nothing distinctive. If you like sandboxes, you'll enjoy dungeon crawling. Otherwise, better think up purchase. Nevertheless, Skyrim is better than his older parts of The Elder Scrolls series.… Expand
  14. Levardos
    Apr 19, 2012
    6
    I must admit that Skyrim has disappointed me. It didn't live up to my expectations. This game is an improved version of TES IV: Oblivion. It doesn't really show any innovation. Just improvements... What this game is only good for is exploring. And even if caves and ruins all differ, it still quickly gets repetitive. There's not enough types of opponents. Dragons on the other hand, I mustI must admit that Skyrim has disappointed me. It didn't live up to my expectations. This game is an improved version of TES IV: Oblivion. It doesn't really show any innovation. Just improvements... What this game is only good for is exploring. And even if caves and ruins all differ, it still quickly gets repetitive. There's not enough types of opponents. Dragons on the other hand, I must admit, are epicly made. They are innovative.. But other than that... Well, ok, random events, these are fun as well. But besides that, the story and all of the side quests are really boring. I was seriously hoping that they'll make the story really entertaining... They had so many years to work on that. But all they've done is that they have improved few things, and added dragons. Graphic-wise they've done a good job. I really think this game is far too hyped up. Comparing it to oblivion, it just doesn't offer enough of new things. I got bored sooner than I expected. Oh, and also... "Romancing" is the most shallow in the history of games here. And the only purpose of having a wife is that she may start a shop, and give you money every once in a while... Pros: -Huge open world, which is fun to explore... until it gets boring. -Graphics. -Dragons. Cons: -Just doesn't offer a lot of new things, compared to Oblivion. -Boring main story and side quests. -Could use more types of enemies.… Expand
  15. jafc34
    Apr 19, 2012
    8
    Skyrim: straight to the point it is a good game, you can spend a lot of time just exploring and filling in minor and unrelated quests. However after a 200+ hours it can get a little repetitive and lose its lustre even if you have played a couple of different characters and taken different paths.

    That said it is a solid game that is easy to get into and enjoy, while your character does not    Skyrim: straight to the point it is a good game, you can spend a lot of time just exploring and filling in minor and unrelated quests. However after a 200+ hours it can get a little repetitive and lose its lustre even if you have played a couple of different characters and taken different paths.

    That said it is a solid game that is easy to get into and enjoy, while your character does not have a true overall impact on the game world outcomes apart from the main quests there are moments which make you smile. There are some detractions but this is to be expected with a game of this size, glitches are many and annoying at times. The game engine has notable memory lag/leak problems if you enable all auto saves and have too many save files (which can grow to enormous sizes). Load times are just plain embarrassing and get worse as you progress. The so called witty humour deployed by developers at every turn may not seem apparent and will fly over heads of those who have not played the previous elder scrolls games â    … Expand
  16. Runfocovah
    Apr 18, 2012
    9
    Ok, where do I begin? Great game, really entertaining, good graphics, tons of quests to do, plenty of customization, long but doesn't get you tired of it. Loved it.
  17. MrMassakka
    Apr 16, 2012
    9
    Simply amazing! In my opinion clearly the best in the series and my personal GOTY. The limitless freedom of exploration returns and lets you experience an unique adventure that is setting milestones in the RPG genre. You have the complete freedom in what you do, there is not even a real class you choose: You build up your complete own in the flow of the game. The huge environment invitesSimply amazing! In my opinion clearly the best in the series and my personal GOTY. The limitless freedom of exploration returns and lets you experience an unique adventure that is setting milestones in the RPG genre. You have the complete freedom in what you do, there is not even a real class you choose: You build up your complete own in the flow of the game. The huge environment invites you to explore every single part of it with beautiful landscapes, an amazing soundtrack and interesting sidequests around every corner. It has been a long time since I was this satisfied with a game.… Expand
  18. diehard-gamer
    Apr 15, 2012
    10
    The best game ever. Probably.
  19. yrcrazy
    Apr 15, 2012
    10
    Without a doubt the best game ever made . It stand s out from the rest in a crowded market (and its even better on PC).Buy it and you wont be disappointed.
  20. PITOS
    Apr 14, 2012
    9
    Actualy it is 10/10 but ipad wont let me score 10.
    This game is my favourite singl player in 2011 and im still playin it. Lvl 48 Perfect game. I hope to see this on next gen.

    Ps: sorry for my english
  21. Understated
    Apr 13, 2012
    8
    I'm tired of paying $60.00 to be Bethesda's 'beta' tester. They will not see the halls of 'Sovngard', but the halls of 'Sheol and Shame', for their lack of perseverence, patience, and care. You know, those inherent qualities necessary for any work(s) to be called 'art'. I'm just about done with them! They need to improve their craft! Skyrim? 8.0 and not a penny more. I really want to sayI'm tired of paying $60.00 to be Bethesda's 'beta' tester. They will not see the halls of 'Sovngard', but the halls of 'Sheol and Shame', for their lack of perseverence, patience, and care. You know, those inherent qualities necessary for any work(s) to be called 'art'. I'm just about done with them! They need to improve their craft! Skyrim? 8.0 and not a penny more. I really want to say 6.0, but their willingness to risk new and broader territories (unlike Nintendo) is healthy. Risk and craft can co-exist!… Expand
  22. Sounest
    Apr 12, 2012
    9
    An excellent and ambitious game with plenty to do and a fun world to explore. There were some dungeons that felt a little repetitive and predictable, but the challenge aspect still made them interesting to play through. The game may have initially shipped with a few bugs (flying horses anyone?) but still made for an enjoyable experience.
  23. EuanR
    Apr 12, 2012
    9
    Skyrim is BIG. In fact, it is a little overated. The thing I don't like is that the game uses a compass rather than an on-screen mini-map, and to navigate a world as big as Skyrim, you need a mini-map to do it properly. This would rank as one of my favourite games, just stuff like Fallout and Zelda games would beat it.
  24. TheElderTrolls
    Apr 11, 2012
    7
    Personally I Feel As If I Waited Longer To Get This Game, Then I Actually Played It. I Mean It Is One Of The Best Games Ever, But To Me Its Like Harvey Birdman Said" Let me get this straight: Skyrim's people --who supposedly thought dragons were a myth, like Godzilla-- find themselves in the midst of a FULL-FLEDGED DRAGON INVASION, and it ranks maybe 5th on their conversational priorityPersonally I Feel As If I Waited Longer To Get This Game, Then I Actually Played It. I Mean It Is One Of The Best Games Ever, But To Me Its Like Harvey Birdman Said" Let me get this straight: Skyrim's people --who supposedly thought dragons were a myth, like Godzilla-- find themselves in the midst of a FULL-FLEDGED DRAGON INVASION, and it ranks maybe 5th on their conversational priority list, after the civil war, their lost amulet, the fact that you're wearing light armor, and the weather. And when you singlehandedly stop said invasion, what do you get? A few comments from guards to the effect of, "Hey, stopping that dragon crisis was awesome, bro." Then it's back to "I took an arrow in the knee." The faction quests, with the possible exception of the Thieves' Guild, are similarly uninspiring. Oh, and my wife in I have a sham marriage , in which I show up every week and she gives me gold. I'd like to converse with her, but she can only say four lines of dialogue. Bottom line: maybe this is the price of a truly open world -- i.e., it's miles wide and an inch deep. And to be fair, there's plenty of mindless fun to be had. But I'd trade most all of these random dungeons and dragon/troll/mammoth battle royales for some sense that what I'm doing matters."… Expand
  25. Vyeskas
    Apr 10, 2012
    10
    This game is incredible, you will enjoy playing it for months. Despite having some little technological and combat problems (although the combat is better than it was in Oblivion, it could be better now), this game is almost perfect. If you like RPG here you have the best option, if you don't like RPG this couldn't be your game. I qualify this game thinking in RPG players.
  26. TheQuietGamer
    Apr 9, 2012
    9
    Outstanding, a game you can and will spend hundreds of hours playing, and you can play it any way you want to, first or third person, do you go in stealthily or head first hacking and slashing, do you fight with a mace in one hand and shooting fire out of the other or do you choose the classic sword and shield approach, you can also choose your race and appearance, the leveling up systemOutstanding, a game you can and will spend hundreds of hours playing, and you can play it any way you want to, first or third person, do you go in stealthily or head first hacking and slashing, do you fight with a mace in one hand and shooting fire out of the other or do you choose the classic sword and shield approach, you can also choose your race and appearance, the leveling up system is fantastic, skills increase as you use them, focus on archery and your skill with it will increase, pick a lock and you get better at doing so, and it's just so much fun to play, it's easy to fall into the just one more quest trap because there are just so many of them, seriously almost every character in the game will give you one, this game also has what I personally believe is the biggest open world of all time that's jammed pack with content, and unlike most other open world RPG's this world feels truly alive and is a blast to explore, this game does have some flaws however, it's got quite a few bugs and glitches, the main quest is kind of short I completed it in a little under 17 hours and that was with me completing side quests, exploring, and just goofing around, and it has a kind of disappointing ending, but it's fun and after you complete the main quest you get to keep playing basically forever to complete all the side quests and just have fun, and when I first bought it (the day after it came out) the graphics sucked, but with all the updates from Xbox Live it looks good now, but if your not connected to Xbox Live you'll be playing an ugly game, it doesn't hinder your enjoyment of it, and it may have just been my copy but it's something to consider, but even with it's flaws this is still an outstanding and fun experience that you'll lose yourself in for several days, realize that you've played nonstop for days, grab a snack and jump right back into it for several days more, your truly getting more than your moneys worth, so go out and buy this, you wont be disappointed.… Expand
  27. skinny_mean_man
    Apr 8, 2012
    7
    a good game. just maybe not for everyone. if your into the elder scrolls you already know what your getting into. it is a game that will be perfect for some and just a decent play for others. i'm the ladder of the two. it's a game that i can only play for an hour here and there. i can not sit and play for hours on end, i find myself getting bored and even annoyed after an hour or two.a good game. just maybe not for everyone. if your into the elder scrolls you already know what your getting into. it is a game that will be perfect for some and just a decent play for others. i'm the ladder of the two. it's a game that i can only play for an hour here and there. i can not sit and play for hours on end, i find myself getting bored and even annoyed after an hour or two. still its a solid game but for me something didn't click just right.… Expand
  28. Everlong
    Apr 7, 2012
    9
    Can't really say much more than what has already been said. A brilliant and thoroughly enjoyable game. Incredible graphics, thrilling gameplay and beautiful music.
  29. ZHenderHill
    Apr 6, 2012
    8
    On the whole, of course, there is very little bad to say about Skyrim. Quite possibly the most immersive gaming world ever conceived, it features a startling scope of beautiful landscapes both above and (in terms of Blackreach) below the ground level. The amount of hours I sunk into traipsing across the environs is concerning, and it wasn't for a second boring. The gameplay is better thanOn the whole, of course, there is very little bad to say about Skyrim. Quite possibly the most immersive gaming world ever conceived, it features a startling scope of beautiful landscapes both above and (in terms of Blackreach) below the ground level. The amount of hours I sunk into traipsing across the environs is concerning, and it wasn't for a second boring. The gameplay is better than ever, the levelling system is better than ever (if a little easy) and the mechanics for alchemy and enchanting are better than ever.

    The factions storylines were shorter than they could have been, however, and overall the meatier part of the game seemed to finish all too quickly. Bethesda boast over 300 hours of gameplay, but after about 50-60 you'll really be struggling to find things to do with your character. And though Skyrims unrestricted levelling system does feel like an improvement from Oblivion, once you get to level 40+ the game becomes quite unfulfilling. Additionally, the brevity in which one can complete entire factions/most storylines actually negatively affects replayability. I started a new character looking forward to a completely new gameplay experience and instead found it to be repetitive (and - dare I say - boring?). It's difficult to pinpoint what exactly has changed, but Oblivion had a charm which made even a 3rd or 4th playthrough delightful, and Skyrim has not translated this charm. Perhaps its the bleakness of the northern regions snowy wastes? Who knows?

    Overall, Skyrim is undoubtedly a masterpiece and one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences there is. It is epic on all scales, almost to the degree of exhausting all interest in 'epic' games. Still an essential game to play.    … Expand
  30. TJK
    Apr 5, 2012
    10
    An epic role playing game that can provide hours and hours of fun. A huge map with what seems like unlimited stories that can start from just talking to random people. It is a creative fantasy masterpiece that is not only the best game of 2011, but one of the best games of all time. The only downfall is that it could start to get old to some people after awhile.
  31. broenheim
    Apr 5, 2012
    4
    When I first saw this game, I was excited. I mean, YES!!!!! A sequel to oblivion, a game I enjoyed the hell out of, is having a sequel. It's going to be amazing. And it was. For maybe 2 hours. However, after that honeymoon, the game falls off. The quests feel bland. The guild quests try to create a storyline instead of it actually me being a thief. I mean, one of the thief quests actuallyWhen I first saw this game, I was excited. I mean, YES!!!!! A sequel to oblivion, a game I enjoyed the hell out of, is having a sequel. It's going to be amazing. And it was. For maybe 2 hours. However, after that honeymoon, the game falls off. The quests feel bland. The guild quests try to create a storyline instead of it actually me being a thief. I mean, one of the thief quests actually let me kill the one person guarding the house! We're not the dark brotherhood, but I could, and I did, because it was tedious as hell to get that one person away. The story of Skyrim... who cares. I mean, nobody cared. It's all about the open world. However, the combat was very simplistic and Oblivion had the same system. The combat was not refreshing, magic was more like 2 good spells and gimicky spells that you would only use cause they looked good. Dual wielding was nice, and I have no problems with it. But I could not start a new character. Sure, I could start out a mage, or a warrior, or a thief, but there's no classes. There's no bonuses, no anything. Becoming that master warrior is something you could do on your first character except that he probably has better gear, better gold, and better health. But I'm ok with that, if combat wasn't boring. Dragon fights are completely foolish, and a pain in the ass if you don't have the shout to bring them down. All it is is hacking and slashing when it falls down, and running around hoping it drops again. Also, the world is stale as hell. I killed the emperor, THE EMPEROR for christ's sake, and no one even bated an eye. Skyrim is part of the empire, loyal to the emperor, but there was no big mourning, no one crying in the streets, people saying it was the stromcloaks who killed him, NO! It was just the same old thing when I came back to town. I went for the stromcloaks, and guess what... nothing changed. No big changes. Nothing. This gives very little sense of reward or progression. It only matter in story quests, but those are alright, but make up 3 hours or so. With bland quests with very little reward besides gold or awesome daedra weapons, questing just isn't fun. Also, 90% of the quests are all just conventient. They just happen right when you get there. Maybe it'd be alright if it was a traditional rpg where you actually go town to town in a set order, but it isn't like this. It happens SOOOOOO much. How come I didn't feel this way in Oblivion, or Fallout 3 or New Vegas. Because they intergrated their quests nicely. Skyrim did it poorly. I'd rather just go to an inn, and literally just live my life like a lumberjack then go questing. But there are TONS of dungenons. Oh wait, all them are the same. Maybe not exactly the same, but once you go in one crypt, you've been in them all. Loads of zombies you hack and slash through, and reach the end, get a new shout, and you leave. While shouts are nice, they just seem gimmicky and a bit clunky, and some of them are useless. Well this game is good for the honeymoon phase, after that OMG THIS IS SKYRIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! part, this game just falls off and feels uneventful and a lifeless, stale world where your actions mean nothing. Even though your doing so much stuff. It's pretty. Combat is boring, quests are boring, everything is boring.… Expand
  32. MythicDO
    Apr 4, 2012
    10
    Indeed, a masterpiece of free-form gaming. While the game is not "perfect", it is perfected for the time being. If you haven't gotten it, you own it to yourself to get it and experience the wonderful world BGS has created.
  33. ReUndone
    Apr 2, 2012
    8
    Very fun game, but I felt it was way over hyped. It didn't meet the sky-high expectations that were put on it. It's a very fun game with amazing graphics, but the gameplay does get repetitive.What do I mean by repetitive? Half of the quests and dungeons are practically the same. I mean, honestly, lots of dungeons are the same old thing over and over again. Skyrim is a very fun andVery fun game, but I felt it was way over hyped. It didn't meet the sky-high expectations that were put on it. It's a very fun game with amazing graphics, but the gameplay does get repetitive.What do I mean by repetitive? Half of the quests and dungeons are practically the same. I mean, honestly, lots of dungeons are the same old thing over and over again. Skyrim is a very fun and entertaining game, but it's not earth-shattering like many claim that it is.… Expand
  34. Tyrannis1964
    Apr 2, 2012
    10
    Amazing game one of the best RPGs I have played in a really long time a lot better then Oblivion and on par with Morrowind and I don't know if its better then Arena or Daggerfall but an overall enjoyable game
  35. potatoes351
    Apr 1, 2012
    1
    As a rule i dont give games 0 ratings but if i did this would be one of them. Skyrim was the most overhyped game of all time hands down. Yeah the game looks good and is big which was an almost cert. However the game is broken. The combat doesnt work, it isnt fun to play, its repetitive, i could go on. Ill finish with the game is a buggy piece of crap that needs to be redesigned near enoughAs a rule i dont give games 0 ratings but if i did this would be one of them. Skyrim was the most overhyped game of all time hands down. Yeah the game looks good and is big which was an almost cert. However the game is broken. The combat doesnt work, it isnt fun to play, its repetitive, i could go on. Ill finish with the game is a buggy piece of crap that needs to be redesigned near enough immediatley in order to be as good as it was meant to be… Expand
  36. Michos
    Mar 31, 2012
    2
    To clarify, I do not actually thing Skyrim is a 0/10 game. I enjoyed it a lot, but i believe it in no way deserves high score it got, especially compared to other games on the top list, and that is why i'm giving it such a low score.
    The game is actually pretty enjoyable.Everything good that can be said about the game was already said, so i'm going to concentrate on the bad things.
    First,    To clarify, I do not actually thing Skyrim is a 0/10 game. I enjoyed it a lot, but i believe it in no way deserves high score it got, especially compared to other games on the top list, and that is why i'm giving it such a low score.
    The game is actually pretty enjoyable.Everything good that can be said about the game was already said, so i'm going to concentrate on the bad things.
    First, the game is repetitive. It was accused of being a 'single player MMO' and i agree with this judgement. There is a bajilion identical dungeons (90% of them consisting of one main tunnel, 1 or 2 dead ends and a 'secret passage' leading back to the entrance, that can be opened only after completing he dundeon. The last one is in every single cave in the game. Every. Single. solitary. One.) and most of the quests consist of "go there, kill everything, get back, so i can tap you on the shoulder". You will also see the same tower/altar/building with a broken roof/campfire reused and copy-pasted over and over again.
    Also, there are barely any memorable characters. Again, just like dungeons and buildings, most of the npc lines are reused for every blacksmith/mage/whatever. Even when you meet one interesting, kind-of-dickish merchant, and you thing "hey, i like this guy", you'll later travel to the other city, and find out dark ef living there has the same voice, and is telling the same lines. Cheap.
    Story...is very basic. And very boring. And doesn't affect the world around you in any way, other than comments from the guards. You can save the entire world, and then go to some lord or somebody, that you -just personally saved or helped- and he'll never recognize you, and then send you to give a letter to his assistant. Who then rewards you with a "Good upgrade to your equipment", obviously not seeing your full dragonbone plate, that every city guard talks about.
    If you are not slaughtering people for fun, there's no way to affect the world around you in any way. You are being told you did something, but you never see what it changed. Unlike, for example, bioware RPG's, where you can actually experience how yor actions affect other people's lives, here...Well, you just kill the most powerful man in Skyrim, yet all his people are still running around, war camps are still set, and every quest given to you by his followers is still active. There's of course a lot of good stuff to the game, but -there's over 1000 good reviews here. They already praised every single dragonscale pixel of this game.    … Expand
  37. RGCHarlequin
    Mar 30, 2012
    10
    Brilliant. Immersive. A Masterpiece. This is Skyrim.

    Bethesda never fail to deliver with a good RPG, do they? Skyrim brings the best Bethesda have to offer. This is a game not to be missed, for newcomers and veterans alike. This is game does everything right, fixing anything players didn't like about Oblivion; improved graphics (of course), combat, interface, dialogue, and alot less of    Brilliant. Immersive. A Masterpiece. This is Skyrim.

    Bethesda never fail to deliver with a good RPG, do they? Skyrim brings the best Bethesda have to offer.
    This is a game not to be missed, for newcomers and veterans alike. This is game does everything right, fixing anything players didn't like about Oblivion; improved graphics (of course), combat, interface, dialogue, and alot less of those glitches you hated from before.
    The story, is very immersive, and will keep you playing until you finish, and WAY beyond. Without giving too much away; You are the Dragonborn, set to rid Skyrim of the Dragons, who have come to wreak havoc in Tamriel. Skyrim of course has side quests, and alot of them. These are what will keep you playing until you get every last artifact, weapon and spell tome. And, to top it all off, an INSANE amount of miscellaneous objectives; which can lead to some weird questlines and quests (A talking dog!)

    As for the combat, the combat isn't that fun to use. You'll be using the same 2 or 3 attacks with any weapon, like Warhammers, Daggers and Greatswords. Performing power attacks take away your stamina, but deal more damage than any other attack. Performing a power attack when your enemy is on low health, and you'll enter a killcam mode, showing a finishing move with cinematic impact (Decapitation!)
    Of course, if you favour stealth and range, a bow & arrow is the way to go. You can't vary much about your bow or arrow, just the type (Long Bow, Steel Arrow, etc). Oh, and with any weapon, you can make it better via smithing or enchanting.

    Customization is, like always, a big part on bow you want to play the game; and Skyrim does it really well. Like enchanting, perhaps. Want to be stealthy? Enchant your armour with a muffle sound enchantment. Like bows and arrows? Enchant your bow with a damage increase.
    Smithing is the art of creating a things like weapons, armour and jewelry using ingots, or improving weapons and armour using ingots.
    And alchemy is the art of making potions, using some of the weirdest ingredients you would never think of. Troll fat? Daedra hearts? Each ingredient has their own effect allowing you to make some really helpful potions.

    And finally, the graphics and sound.
    The graphics are stunning, with a great attention to detail. You will find NPCs with their own unique thing to say, and no graphic is overused through any part of the game. In fact, the attention to detail is so good, there are ANTS. That's right, ants. On rocks, in dungeons, everywhere. Yeah, there are pop in textures every so often, but they're graphics worth popping in. As for sound, the game is divine. Travelling through forests and rivers, you will hear a fantastic tune, a quiet one that really put's you in the game. But as soon as you enter combat, another tune plays; one that really set's the mood for fast paced combat against challenging enemies, and believe me; there are ALOT of enemies; over 400. As for voice acting, Bethesda does a good job, never using the same voice actor for any two main characters. Every stranger you meet will react to your decisions; agreeing or disagree with them. They may challenge you to brawl with them, bribe you, intimidate you or persuade you, and you can do exactly the same back to them, It's a great system the really works and gives you control over who you want to be.

    Closing comments:

    This is possibly the greatest game on any console to date. Yes, the combat is clunky, Yes there's pop in textures, Yes there's glitches, but this is so easily out weighed by how many things this game does right: An immersive story, insane customisation, varied enemies and quests, and how long this will keep you occupied (Me: 120 hours, and counting) If you are a fan, or just getting started, of RPG's, this really, cannot be missed. And, if you aren't a fan of RPGs, let Bethesda chage your mind with this stunning, brilliantly executed game.    … Expand
  38. GidBix
    Mar 28, 2012
    10
    This is the first Bethesda game that I have played all the way through and I must say that I believe this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship! The scale of this game is mind blowing! 100 hours in and I STILL have not completed a multiple factions. While the graphics are a little rough sometimes, none of that matters as you find yourself more concerned with your character and othersThis is the first Bethesda game that I have played all the way through and I must say that I believe this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship! The scale of this game is mind blowing! 100 hours in and I STILL have not completed a multiple factions. While the graphics are a little rough sometimes, none of that matters as you find yourself more concerned with your character and others that roam the world of Skyrim. It is no surprise that this won Game of the Year. It is OFFICIALLY THE BEST GAME I HAVE EVER PLAYED.… Expand
  39. Trafaret
    Mar 28, 2012
    0
    What an awesome game, you know! Laggy, buggy and ugly, it's combat mechanic is broken, upgrades are useless, and the world is empty. Story is just awful (dragons are back, what a tragedy!). At the beginning, people discuss uriels, kings and others, whom I even don't know. That is the why the score is 0. Do not buy it.
  40. marwood87
    Mar 27, 2012
    10
    Firat time Elder Scrolls player, and I will certainly be downloading the DLC the day it comes out, This game is in my top 3 of all time, the leveling up system is the best I have ever seen in my 20+ years of gaming!
  41. Kaisar_Villhelm
    Mar 27, 2012
    10
    This is quite possibly my favorite game this console generation. Bethesda has yet again delivered a game with both an outstanding story and gameplay without sacrificing the development of the Tamriel lore underneath it all. I'm still finding hints hidden in the games hundreds of books about the future of the world and its many inhabitants. Even if this is your first quest into the ElderThis is quite possibly my favorite game this console generation. Bethesda has yet again delivered a game with both an outstanding story and gameplay without sacrificing the development of the Tamriel lore underneath it all. I'm still finding hints hidden in the games hundreds of books about the future of the world and its many inhabitants. Even if this is your first quest into the Elder Scrolls universe, I implore you to read the books you come across, as they greatly help explain the nuances of Tamriel's past, especially since the events of Oblivion.

    While I have definitely encountered a few glitches in my 300+ hours across Skyrim, nothing has been particularly game breaking, and usually a load from a previous save fixed any problems I had advancing. I'm also very impressed with Bethesda's outpouring of support for this title across all platforms with new patches still being released regularly to fix major and minor issues.

    Without gushing too much, I can simply say that Skyrim is a must have title for any fan of Western role-playing games and definitely a title to consider for everyone else.    … Expand
  42. nosoleout
    Mar 26, 2012
    10
    This is the game that we will look back on and say why is no one making these kind of open world RPGs enymore. if we still have a bethesda we will have kick ass games like skyrim.
    no day-one dlc, we get the full game,and great fan support from the dev.
    Got to give a company like Bethesda props for staying true to the elder scrolls and the fans of these games. If you have not had a chance    This is the game that we will look back on and say why is no one making these kind of open world RPGs enymore. if we still have a bethesda we will have kick ass games like skyrim.
    no day-one dlc, we get the full game,and great fan support from the dev.
    Got to give a company like Bethesda props for staying true to the elder scrolls and the fans of these games.
    If you have not had a chance to play this game or seen it at a friends or a trailer and came to the sense to not buy this game give it a try for yourself, a hour or two in and you will never forget the time you spent in skyrim.    … Expand
  43. gerthanis
    Mar 26, 2012
    9
    halfway through it but still believe it is an exceptionally well done rpg. i love the level advancement system; gives you the freedom to use your character as you see fit.
  44. silentshade
    Mar 23, 2012
    10
    This is Skyrim, the best game ever in my opinion. I could go on and on about the different mechanics and quests and items and weapons and people and jobs and all of the other stuff in the game but to be honest, it would ruin the game. Skyrim is game you need to experience without previous inside knowledge on it, the simple fact is if you like Elder Scrolls or simply RPG's, no scratch that.This is Skyrim, the best game ever in my opinion. I could go on and on about the different mechanics and quests and items and weapons and people and jobs and all of the other stuff in the game but to be honest, it would ruin the game. Skyrim is game you need to experience without previous inside knowledge on it, the simple fact is if you like Elder Scrolls or simply RPG's, no scratch that. If you like amazing games then you must play Skyrim, experience the wonderful world of Tamriel.… Expand
  45. IplayGAMESone23
    Mar 23, 2012
    8
    Very good game, quite frustrating at times. It is definitely worth installing to your hard drive. If you have a decent PC it's way more worth getting it for that. I would recommend it on Steam, as you'll have to register anyway. I really think it's worth the $90 (australia) BUT it would be wayyy better if played on a larger HDTV (I played on a 2006 analog TV). I really found that it hasVery good game, quite frustrating at times. It is definitely worth installing to your hard drive. If you have a decent PC it's way more worth getting it for that. I would recommend it on Steam, as you'll have to register anyway. I really think it's worth the $90 (australia) BUT it would be wayyy better if played on a larger HDTV (I played on a 2006 analog TV). I really found that it has really low graphics compared to PC.… Expand
  46. ShamefulDispray
    Mar 22, 2012
    9
    This is a great game. People complain about bugs etc but I have only suffered from one bug the entire time I have been playing and I've played Skyrim for well over 60 hours. Many people complain about the difficulty but how about this. Turn the difficulty up? Drastic I know but it works. The graphics and testures ARE improved from Oblivion and Fallout and this is the kind of game you pickThis is a great game. People complain about bugs etc but I have only suffered from one bug the entire time I have been playing and I've played Skyrim for well over 60 hours. Many people complain about the difficulty but how about this. Turn the difficulty up? Drastic I know but it works. The graphics and testures ARE improved from Oblivion and Fallout and this is the kind of game you pick up and can play for 10 hours in one sitting. There is always something to do ALWAYS new quests and people to speak to and things to loot. It is refined and improved on many levels. Movement is better, combat is refined, the skills system has been changed into something more realistic and dynamic. You wanna be good with swors? Use a sword. You wanna be a mage. Cast spells. It works well and is very fluid and new. The game has its faults as any game does. A few glitches here and there and I believe the main questline is too short but apart from those minor issues this is an immersive and great game. DO NOT listen to the other reviewers who claim the game is unplayable. This is a case by case thing and 98% of the time it works perfectly well.… Expand
  47. ryanfrye
    Mar 20, 2012
    10
    So....this is the best game ever made. I could elaborate, but there is no real need to do so. Too bad RPGs are not everyone's cup of tea, because this game has no peer. This will be a very tough act for Bethesda to follow.
  48. xHEISENBERGx
    Mar 20, 2012
    10
    Not since Morrowind have I thrown so many hours at a single game. Even Oblivion didnt mesmerize me as Skyrim has. From the visual improvements to the streamlined leveling system to the improved magic and combat, all the way into the story-telling as a whole, Skyrim never ceased to amaze me. A fantastic journey and a milestone in the gaming industry. There is so much I could go into, fromNot since Morrowind have I thrown so many hours at a single game. Even Oblivion didnt mesmerize me as Skyrim has. From the visual improvements to the streamlined leveling system to the improved magic and combat, all the way into the story-telling as a whole, Skyrim never ceased to amaze me. A fantastic journey and a milestone in the gaming industry. There is so much I could go into, from the reworking of the smithing and alchemy, to the mysteries of the dwemer ruins, all the way to the bad-assness of the dragon battles, Skyrim leaves me awestruck and wanting more time and time again… Expand
  49. paxbanana
    Mar 19, 2012
    9
    When I first began playing this game, I called it the medieval Fallout: without the bugs. The story and the world are huge, which makes playing it so much fun. I really enjoy the leveling system: level up by the skills you use. The music was wonderful, the graphics were great, and the quests were all fun. Unfortunately, my second playthrough had some notable bugs, most annoying of all wasWhen I first began playing this game, I called it the medieval Fallout: without the bugs. The story and the world are huge, which makes playing it so much fun. I really enjoy the leveling system: level up by the skills you use. The music was wonderful, the graphics were great, and the quests were all fun. Unfortunately, my second playthrough had some notable bugs, most annoying of all was Shadowmere didn't spawn. However, for such a LARGE game, the small number of bugs was pretty surprising. I imagine I'll be popping Skyrim back in my Xbox for a while.… Expand
  50. kiercarterlfc
    Mar 19, 2012
    9
    To good of a game deserves a solid 9 because the graphics are good game play is good slaying is good dying is not so good as you have to save your game quite often but all in all amazing
  51. OnAnarchy
    Mar 19, 2012
    9
    I can't bring myself to rate this less than a 9/10. I would like to, as there are many problems with the game, but in the end I got hundreds of hours of gameplay out of this game. You can't say that about many other games.

    I didn't like several things. Firstly, dungeon delving was fun for a while, but became boring and repetitive (although you'll keep doing it for other reasons).    I can't bring myself to rate this less than a 9/10. I would like to, as there are many problems with the game, but in the end I got hundreds of hours of gameplay out of this game. You can't say that about many other games.

    I didn't like several things. Firstly, dungeon delving was fun for a while, but became boring and repetitive (although you'll keep doing it for other reasons). Secondly, and probably most importantly, was interaction of story lines. It is feasible for you to become Harbinger of the Companions, Master of the Thieves Guild, Listener of the Dark Brotherhood, and Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold in one play-through. Due to differing ideologies, this shouldn't be possible. I believe you should be the arch-mage and one other leader at maximum to preserve story lines and conflicts. But that's just me.

    All in all, amazing game. Only a few things to change, but hey, who wouldn't?    … Expand
  52. stevev45
    Mar 19, 2012
    9
    A fantastic game. One criticism is that the game kind of peaks early in terms of balance as your character can quickly become superman. However, it is an incredible improvement over Oblivion. The leveling went from being an albatross in Oblivion, to a strong point in Skyrim. The world is fun to explore and there are plenty of nice things to spend money on. One other critisim is that itsA fantastic game. One criticism is that the game kind of peaks early in terms of balance as your character can quickly become superman. However, it is an incredible improvement over Oblivion. The leveling went from being an albatross in Oblivion, to a strong point in Skyrim. The world is fun to explore and there are plenty of nice things to spend money on. One other critisim is that its easy to forget you… Expand
  53. Me_Plow22
    Mar 19, 2012
    9
    great game spent 16 hours playing my first 1 and a half days.I can see how it would become boring for a elder scrolls veteren. But overall great game definitely one of the best game I've bought though well worth the money.
  54. Gryff33
    Mar 18, 2012
    10
    This is one of the best games I have ever played. Immersive and fun, with plenty of choices. You can be a werewolf, what more do I need to say? I have to guess that most of the people hating on this game are just trying to be different. Heck, I know some of them didn't even play through it significantly (by reading their reviews.) But I digress. This game is a lot of fun, and theThis is one of the best games I have ever played. Immersive and fun, with plenty of choices. You can be a werewolf, what more do I need to say? I have to guess that most of the people hating on this game are just trying to be different. Heck, I know some of them didn't even play through it significantly (by reading their reviews.) But I digress. This game is a lot of fun, and the trademark Bethesda bugs don't detract from the experience. It's simply amazing how much you can get out of this game. I got it for Christmas and I'm still nowhere done with everything I want to do in it.… Expand
  55. marclawrence66
    Mar 18, 2012
    10
    Skyrim was a game I couldn't wait to own. A departure from my staple diet of COD which has left me seeking a new experience & this certainly achieves that. I liked the freedom given to the gamer in Red Dead Redemption which was pure escapism and this does that even more so. Think World of Warcraft for grown ups!
    Skyrim is a beautifully crafted & textured game on so many levels. The    Skyrim was a game I couldn't wait to own. A departure from my staple diet of COD which has left me seeking a new experience & this certainly achieves that. I liked the freedom given to the gamer in Red Dead Redemption which was pure escapism and this does that even more so. Think World of Warcraft for grown ups!
    Skyrim is a beautifully crafted & textured game on so many levels. The intricacy & detail is nothing short of stunning. Little wonder you can immerse yourself for hours in its gorgeous world. From meadows with butterflies to snowy, blizzardy wastes. From castle to vampire's lair. Fabulous changing light & weather all add to the atmospherics here. A rich spectrum of creatures that will happily rip you limb from limb and a powerful array of weaponry & magic to learn & deploy at every opportunity.
    One of the strengths of the game is that it is very lateral & not so linear. Anywhere you can see, you can go. You are not tied to missions, you can roam freely (often at your peril) and it is this kind of exploration that keeps the game fresh and fascinating.
    I cannot really think of anything to criticise about Skyrim and you are guaranteed to have a blast. Ps. - the dragons are spectacular and at times appear out of nowhere to scare the hell out of you.
    Best played at night in the dark!    … Expand
  56. Machofella
    Mar 18, 2012
    10
    A massive game which promised so much and delivered so much more. Skyrim is simply beautiful in all its Nordic glory. The visuals are stunning and the world has been designed to the finest detail. The tale of Skyrim won't blow many players away, but it is stellar nonetheless and progresses with good direction. Combat is fun and exciting this time round. Chopping and hacking enemies hasA massive game which promised so much and delivered so much more. Skyrim is simply beautiful in all its Nordic glory. The visuals are stunning and the world has been designed to the finest detail. The tale of Skyrim won't blow many players away, but it is stellar nonetheless and progresses with good direction. Combat is fun and exciting this time round. Chopping and hacking enemies has rarely felt more satisfying. Aside from fighting, there are countless other tasks to do, such as crafting, mining, and foraging among many others. There is simply so much to do, and so much to see, in Skyrim.… Expand
  57. Olly_RPG
    Mar 13, 2012
    6
    A revelation to those who have never played an RPG before, boasting impressive graphics, a lavish soundtrack and one of the most costly and cinematic advertising campaigns yet for a game of the genre, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim struggles to satisfy experienced players used to more in depth roleplaying games, especially those who have enjoyed the previous Elder Scrolls titles.

    The    A revelation to those who have never played an RPG before, boasting impressive graphics, a lavish soundtrack and one of the most costly and cinematic advertising campaigns yet for a game of the genre, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim struggles to satisfy experienced players used to more in depth roleplaying games, especially those who have enjoyed the previous Elder Scrolls titles.

    The positive aspects of the game are immediately obvious, beginning with the graphics. Technically the game is impressive, boasting much improved textures over previous games, particularly on water, as well as huge draw distances and lighting. On the flipside however, the artistic design is incredibly bland, the game presenting a sea of muddy greens and greys. This seems to be a symptom of the current game climate, with developers afraid to venture into colourful environments in hope of pleasing the cash cow that is the CoD audience, so used to dark and dingy palettes. The hollowness of the art style is most exposed in the 60% of identical villages and character models. When compared with previous games Skyrim is extraordinarily samey, Oblivion boasted startlingly different cities and Morrowind used the fantastical Dunmer architecture, at its most impressive in the city of Vivec (that happens to dwarf any attempt made by Skyrim), the fifth title rests on the simple log shack in the woods, copied and pasted repeatedly, bar a handful of exceptions.

    It can be argued that when graphics are ignored, Skyrim presents one of the least believable worlds presented in a roleplaying game to date. Firstly, the games NPC's have extremely little to say, and all seem to say it in the same voice. The developers seemed to trade off the rich scripts of morrowind in exchange for a handful of words to be voice acted. As a downgrade from Oblivion, not even every NPC can be engaged with in dialogue, with the majority seemingly filling up the background to be killed by dragons at a random interlude. As a result, characters are not developed and dont hold any weight in the quests, the game lacks the Martin of Oblivion, a character to grow with and engage with. Similarly the towns and cities are very unfulfilling, with even the largest "metropolises" boasting four to six houses for NPCs to live in. This would be acceptable if Skyrim didnt completely rely on its quantity of content instead of its quality, but the game seemingly fails in both, boasting more quests and NPCs than previous games, when in fact it delivers less, as well as losing the sens eof a personal touch in its quality. True, the game features more rabbits and foxes than any other RPG, but the trade off is unacceptable.

    The questlines in Skyrim are among the weakest in an RPG that I have ever encountered, with extremely short guilds in comparison the its predecessors, as well as a main quest that delivers graphically, but with very little sense of satisfaction to be had from completing, not to mention the frustration of random dragon encounters. The Dark Brotherhood in particular pales in comparison to that of Oblivion. The majority of the other quests are simply killing bandits in caves, and while the deadric artifact quests are strong, with so few in comparison to so much filler, it hardly seems worthwhile. The game offers very little in terms of unique items and it also offers less armor than other RPGs, and this all culminates to a game that rewards bland questing with very little, and thus delivers a very weak character progression system, ultimately unerming the "role playing" factor. The withdrawal of a class system adds to this effect, and exposes the game as the most broad and borderline of RPGs, I would in fact argue that Skyrim is more of an action adventure or hack and slash, and unfortunately this brings us on to the combat, which has never been strong in Elder Scrolls games, but is now not even propped up with satisfying levelling and unique weaponry, where forging iron daggers over and over again can afford you the best equipment. The repeated hacking at enemies with no illusion of contact breaks the immersion, and while archery picks up, the slow down perks make the skill so embaressingly easy that any scope for being anything less than perfect at it is lost. The equipment in question also contains less depth than in other games, where the option to customise is lessened by having simply one suit, instead of all of the constituent parts that where once open to enchanting and renaming accordingly. The game then is weak, and has traded depth for graphics and thinly spread mechanics such as cooking. I haven't mentioned the game-braking bugs and glitches, but rest assured they are there. Experienced roleplayers will see through this game for what it is, and leave it to the thousands of 13 year olds who are on a break from CoD and FIFA. Play Oblivion/Morrowind instead.    … Expand
  58. HonestJoe
    Mar 12, 2012
    10
    This is without a doubt the best game released in 2011.

    A wonderfully immersive RPG experience; the likes of which have become increasingly rare in the generic, cookie-cutter gaming industry.
  59. whitespider999
    Mar 11, 2012
    10
    Skyrim is a flawed masterpiece - a game that stands above far more perfect games in it's ambition. Most games lose some of their shine as they hit the 3rd or 4th in the series. What makes skyrim an exception? Elder scrolls started with an ambition, and with each game they take one step closer toward it. To create an interesting 'world' that a player will want to explore every inch of. AndSkyrim is a flawed masterpiece - a game that stands above far more perfect games in it's ambition. Most games lose some of their shine as they hit the 3rd or 4th in the series. What makes skyrim an exception? Elder scrolls started with an ambition, and with each game they take one step closer toward it. To create an interesting 'world' that a player will want to explore every inch of. And betheda are world builders like literally no other company on the planet. In this specific case, evolving a single cause creates a progressively more awe inspiring outcome. Skyrim is filled with quality content. Sometimes a short cave, sometimes a 2 hour journey into the heart of a unexpected tale. You never know what will lie around the next corner. And unlike all the previous elder scrolls game, this content is now more varied, more interesting, and more attached to story. And while skyrim never reaches some of the peaks in oblivion, and some of the world building imagination of morrowind - the consistency of it's high quality content - dwarfs those two games combined. Skyrim is magical, it's exciting, it's sweeping, it's majestic, and sometimes it's mundane. It's a fantasy life. And it's got 500,000 game bugs. I play skyrim, with it's 500,000 game bugs, and I enjoy it immeasurably more than games that are flawless and clean, and bug free. Because those games don't feel like realizing a grand dream. They feel like games.… Expand
  60. vidyashhiy
    Mar 10, 2012
    10
    Excellent computer role-playing game which puts the player into fantasy world of Skyrim. You can explore it as you want, the main plot as old as the hills, but it doesn't ruin the whole game - it's only the fine addition to your character story. Fine graphics and controls, but user interface such as items and magic menu is too simplified in terms of design (IMHO). One of the best games in 2011y.
  61. targaflorio
    Mar 9, 2012
    10
    I have dropped 100+ hours into this and still am absolutely baffled by the amount of content Bethesda has managed to cram into Skyrim. Seems like I could play for another 100 hours and STILL discover new content. The world is that big and detailed. The richest, deepest, most epic experience in 30 years of gaming on Consoles and PCs. Skyrim deserves to be listed in that extremely smallI have dropped 100+ hours into this and still am absolutely baffled by the amount of content Bethesda has managed to cram into Skyrim. Seems like I could play for another 100 hours and STILL discover new content. The world is that big and detailed. The richest, deepest, most epic experience in 30 years of gaming on Consoles and PCs. Skyrim deserves to be listed in that extremely small group of games that sets the benchmark for years to come.… Expand
  62. archangel7
    Mar 9, 2012
    9
    Skyrim is an enjoyable experience from start to finish. The massive world that your character can explore is utterly amazing. The game offers an impressive variation of ways that you can customize your character. Making a lot of coin and leveling up can take a while though, and the human character models could have been worked on a little bit more. Side quests heavily dominate this gameSkyrim is an enjoyable experience from start to finish. The massive world that your character can explore is utterly amazing. The game offers an impressive variation of ways that you can customize your character. Making a lot of coin and leveling up can take a while though, and the human character models could have been worked on a little bit more. Side quests heavily dominate this game compared to the rather short main story. Overall Skyrim is well worth buying because it is a well crafted Lord of the Rings/ medieval times fantasy game experience.… Expand
  63. PP7Silenced
    Mar 9, 2012
    10
    I'm writing this review pretty late and you have probably made up your mind about the game so I will just share a spoiler free experience with you that convinced me that this game was well worth the money and definitly with my time.

    I'm a level 3 Nord and about 3 quests into the game when this happens. I walk into a village and a strange shadow passes over me. I look around and up    I'm writing this review pretty late and you have probably made up your mind about the game so I will just share a spoiler free experience with you that convinced me that this game was well worth the money and definitly with my time.

    I'm a level 3 Nord and about 3 quests into the game when this happens.

    I walk into a village and a strange shadow passes over me. I look around and up into the sky to see nothing. Then the village police draw there bows for no apparent reason. They run behind one of the houses and then you hear it. The dragon roars, and then it gets epic.
    I switch from my sword to my bow and sprint around the house to get my first glimpse of a dragon just toasting these villagers with his breath and I put two arrows in him. He then shoots up into the sky and circles around me.
    The villagers are in a panic and I find myself a soldier among soldiers protecting a town I'm only just discovering from a truly awe inspiring danger. Two minutes and 10 well placed arrows later the dragon plunges to the ground with a crash of dirt and rock and deteriorates in front of my eyes. And I feel like I could conquer the world.
    This wasn't scripted either. These things happen randomly and the number of dragons in the world is infinite.
    It will suck your life away as any Elder Scrolls game worth it's name will but the difference between Oblivion and this is huge. This is one of the best games I have ever played on the Xbox 360 and maybe ever. Check it out if you have the time.    … Expand
  64. Mustang678
    Mar 8, 2012
    5
    I bought the game when it came as did a lot of other people, and found it to be a disappointment. The world is a generic bleak, depressing fantasy setting which I'm growing increasingly tired of. Despite having an 'open world' it was really a chore to explore most of it and it became extremely repetitive and dull. I usually try to immerse myself in RPGs I play, but Skyrim really failed toI bought the game when it came as did a lot of other people, and found it to be a disappointment. The world is a generic bleak, depressing fantasy setting which I'm growing increasingly tired of. Despite having an 'open world' it was really a chore to explore most of it and it became extremely repetitive and dull. I usually try to immerse myself in RPGs I play, but Skyrim really failed to pull me in. The main quest was short and lacked any sort of tension. I even found the Dark Brotherhood quests lacking, these quests being a series highly praised in previous Elder Scrolls game. I found that all the races looked outright ugly or filthy in this installment, aside from the Imperial female. I can see what they were going for with the graphic design, but it really just made me want to leave Skyrim rather than do anything to save it. That aside, I did spend a full week playing a fun hack-n-slash action game as a 2-handed wielding twig. It was especially easy since every skill is a breeze to train (another letdown imo) and some of the scenery was downright beautiful. I enjoyed the music scores a lot, except for the main theme that they keep using everywhere. In the end I sold my copy to a friend of mine for a discounted price, and while I didn't seem to play the same immersive RPG everyone else seemed to play I still had fun playing it with a different perspective… Expand
  65. MaidenTexas84
    Mar 8, 2012
    10
    "Immersive" would be an understatement. I've been playing this game for about 100 hours with no end in sight. Skyrim is one of the most beautiful lands I've ever explored and it's filled with so many characters, enemies, dragons, caves and dungeons, etc. that it can seem overwhelming, but in a good way.
  66. GateTrain
    Mar 8, 2012
    10
    This game is a masterpiece. The environment lives and breathes and its so easy to get lost in it's beauty. From hardcore fans of the series to RPG lovers to the casual gamer; this game has something for everyone. Outstanding.
  67. ichigo2601
    Mar 8, 2012
    8
    all in all a great game to kill time on without realising it. it make you want to do one more quest which is awesome but also makes me late for things. whilst i like the world, characters, freedom, plot etc on thing bothers me. if i never made a character in skyrim nothing would ever get done in that world. and i mean nothing. dragons would never be killed, dragons would never get takenall in all a great game to kill time on without realising it. it make you want to do one more quest which is awesome but also makes me late for things. whilst i like the world, characters, freedom, plot etc on thing bothers me. if i never made a character in skyrim nothing would ever get done in that world. and i mean nothing. dragons would never be killed, dragons would never get taken out (unless they landed near a giant) and overall the whole world felt like it would come to a standstill. i'd like to see some people adventuring or close to my level instead of being able to kill everything without really doing a lot. whats taken me 100 hours in skyrim took me 200 in oblivion and oblivion kept me interested longer.… Expand
  68. scotius
    Mar 7, 2012
    10
    The black man is not your enemy. The Muslim is not your enemy. The Iranian is not your enemy. If the TV or movies tells you that someone is bad, think twice. Countries in 2010 that do not have a Jew controlled central bank were Sudan, Cuba, North Korea, Libya and Iran. Countries in 2012 that do not have a Jew controlled central bank are Sudan, Cuba, North Korea and Iran. Who is next? AllThe black man is not your enemy. The Muslim is not your enemy. The Iranian is not your enemy. If the TV or movies tells you that someone is bad, think twice. Countries in 2010 that do not have a Jew controlled central bank were Sudan, Cuba, North Korea, Libya and Iran. Countries in 2012 that do not have a Jew controlled central bank are Sudan, Cuba, North Korea and Iran. Who is next? All races must unite to pull the leech from our skin. Divided we will fall.… Expand
  69. mrcoolman
    Mar 7, 2012
    9
    Many people say that movie games arent very good but i think skyrim is a good game. you play as jason born and it takes place in sweden. in this game you don't have any guns like in movies, that is because guns are not allowed in swden so you have to use sword. your goal in the game is to kill all the elves and dragons so sweden is safe to live in again. this game was very thoughtMany people say that movie games arent very good but i think skyrim is a good game. you play as jason born and it takes place in sweden. in this game you don't have any guns like in movies, that is because guns are not allowed in swden so you have to use sword. your goal in the game is to kill all the elves and dragons so sweden is safe to live in again. this game was very thought provoking, because not all the elves are bad so you are like nazi only for elf people. Also there was bug where when you kill some elf he get up again even though he dead. This game had deep exploration on morality which i like, because you are kind of bad guy when you kill all evles. more games should have deep storyline like this. Very good game but maybe sweden people shoulnd buy because it illegal in sweden to kill swede people… Expand
  70. Upgrayedd69
    Mar 7, 2012
    7
    Definitely not as good as people say. It has frozen many times on me. I don't see how it is a "masterpiece". Felt just like Oblivion with better graphics. I think the hype was so high that people actually just started to believe it was as good as people were hoping.
  71. Josh_47ra
    Mar 6, 2012
    10
    I'll admit this game has problems, but they are so minor. I have put 180 hours into this game, gotten every achievement (cool, right?), and pretty much done every quest possible. First the problems: Some quests become un-completable because of glitches. Money is a little broken as in early is really rare and later you have nothing to spend it on. After the main Dragon quest is done theI'll admit this game has problems, but they are so minor. I have put 180 hours into this game, gotten every achievement (cool, right?), and pretty much done every quest possible. First the problems: Some quests become un-completable because of glitches. Money is a little broken as in early is really rare and later you have nothing to spend it on. After the main Dragon quest is done the game loses a lot of the epicness. Also the voice acting is a little to repetitive and there are problems with having companions, and the map screen sucks.

    Those may sound like a lot of nitpicks, and they are. The game is hard to put down. Its incredibly addicting, an awesome plot, and really fun quests. It's really really beautiful, the dragon fights are awesome, and the civil war has interesting political ramifications. I really have a lot of great things to say, but don't feel like typing it all. Definite must but.    … Expand
  72. InformedGamer
    Mar 6, 2012
    10
    WOW! This game rocks! I fell in love with Oblivion and Skyrim blows this away. When I first started playing bit I wasn't sure I would like it because of the stark landscape. Once I adjusted my XBOX settings to the xxy... etc. the graphics popped. The gameplay is top notch though! I am waiting for a Steam deal and I will buy it for my Alienware as well. I think you could play it 8 or 10WOW! This game rocks! I fell in love with Oblivion and Skyrim blows this away. When I first started playing bit I wasn't sure I would like it because of the stark landscape. Once I adjusted my XBOX settings to the xxy... etc. the graphics popped. The gameplay is top notch though! I am waiting for a Steam deal and I will buy it for my Alienware as well. I think you could play it 8 or 10 times with a new experience. Bethesda is one of the greatest game comnpanies of all time. I hope they never lose their identity or style. This is a must buy for any RPG fan.… Expand
  73. bubblegumNtaffy
    Mar 3, 2012
    9
    Bethesda keeps pumping out great games. They fix almost all justified criticism that is in their games and continue to improve on past games. The combat in this game is very similar to that of Oblivion, although it was less buggy. The NPC are much more fluid in combat in this game. The voice acting is much much better. (I'm sure you've all heard the arrow in the knee joke before). TheBethesda keeps pumping out great games. They fix almost all justified criticism that is in their games and continue to improve on past games. The combat in this game is very similar to that of Oblivion, although it was less buggy. The NPC are much more fluid in combat in this game. The voice acting is much much better. (I'm sure you've all heard the arrow in the knee joke before). The characters are interesting. Ulfric is one of the biggest bad***es i've had the pleasure of knowing in a video game. Although the story isn't the end all defacto, Elder Scroll games have never had to rely on a complete master peace in story telling, and that is a good thing in itself. The fact highlights how solid the core aspects of the game are. I wish it had a better story and was quite disappointed by Skyrim's, it still deserves a 10 for being fresh, but improving on the same formula that Bethesda costumers have come to love. But don't get me wrong, the story and the side quests, and major side quests are very good, just not artistically perfect… Expand
  74. mako_psy
    Mar 3, 2012
    6
    As entertaining as it is, Skyrim has to be one of the most overrated games to come out of 2011. It's nothing more than a Fallout game with pretty scenery, dragons and a little more depth within the game. Don't get me wrong - I had fun! However, to say it's "the best RPG ever" is an insult to the many good RPG's out there. It's got an absolutely fantastic soundtrack that compliments theAs entertaining as it is, Skyrim has to be one of the most overrated games to come out of 2011. It's nothing more than a Fallout game with pretty scenery, dragons and a little more depth within the game. Don't get me wrong - I had fun! However, to say it's "the best RPG ever" is an insult to the many good RPG's out there. It's got an absolutely fantastic soundtrack that compliments the exploration of the amazing world Bethesda created. Unfortunately, the game feels a little too similar to everything else that Bethesda churn out and the constant glitching-although fun-takes you out of the immersive experience. Deserving of a 6, but nothing more.… Expand
  75. KingGeorge
    Mar 3, 2012
    6
    This game offers a huge world with endless choice. The environment, the soundtrack and the depths of detail in the story are all to this game's credit. The gameplay, particularly the combat, is what lets this game down in my view; in terms of melee it is essentially hack n slash. For religious RPG fans this game will appeal but for the general gamer it may leave you feeling let down.
  76. Midge115
    Feb 29, 2012
    10
    How do you make the next biggest, most fantastic fantasy RPG world? You make another installment in The Elder Scrolls series. Skyrim is a great improvement from Oblivion and is on the same level of epicness as The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. It is a relatively large world that's so jam-packed with goodies that I'll still be finding new things in the game when I'm on my death bed. This isHow do you make the next biggest, most fantastic fantasy RPG world? You make another installment in The Elder Scrolls series. Skyrim is a great improvement from Oblivion and is on the same level of epicness as The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. It is a relatively large world that's so jam-packed with goodies that I'll still be finding new things in the game when I'm on my death bed. This is definitely the best game that has been made in the past few years.… Expand
  77. Kraizeeman
    Feb 27, 2012
    9
    From start to finish (which can take forever, depending on how you play) this game had me wrapped around it's fingers. From the music, to the ambient sounds, it was a well fleshed out world. The character creation was very much improved over it's predecessors. I cannot wait for the next one!!!
  78. Fascination80
    Feb 26, 2012
    9
    Full disclosure....I'm a huge Elder Scrolls fan so my review may be unintentionally biased. I'm also a big fan of open world RPGs. Again, Bethesda succeeded in making a great RPG. I like the combat, the graphics, the world, character customation, weapon and armor crafting, the dragons and most of the quests (yes, some are boring but most are fun).
    What I didn't like: I always play a    Full disclosure....I'm a huge Elder Scrolls fan so my review may be unintentionally biased. I'm also a big fan of open world RPGs. Again, Bethesda succeeded in making a great RPG. I like the combat, the graphics, the world, character customation, weapon and armor crafting, the dragons and most of the quests (yes, some are boring but most are fun).
    What I didn't like: I always play a stealthy character first play through because they are my favorite. So the Dark Brotherhood and the Theives Guild were always my favorite guilds. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the DB quests compared to the DB quests in Oblivion (the party treasure hunt DB quest was one of my faves!). Also, I missed some of the skills they removed from the game. But...I had a blast playing the game and will probably play it through many times with different characters. It has pretty a good replay ability.    … Expand
  79. iknowthisstuff
    Feb 25, 2012
    10
    Skyrim was a very delightful game to play. The possibilities are endless and as a result every character you make will be different. I found the main quests a little short and in effect made me feel that i didn't have much more to achieve. To be honest i found the guild quests much more fun and entertaining to complete, for example the thieves guild quest were amazing and the story had aSkyrim was a very delightful game to play. The possibilities are endless and as a result every character you make will be different. I found the main quests a little short and in effect made me feel that i didn't have much more to achieve. To be honest i found the guild quests much more fun and entertaining to complete, for example the thieves guild quest were amazing and the story had a brilliant ending as well as the mages academy quests. the scenery was beautiful but i expect nothing less from Bethesda as oblivion's landscape was equally as good. I like how most of the NPCs had there own little story to tell and often enough quests although after battling dragons it's kinda hard to have the motivation to find someones lost dog (i Don't care). at the end of the day i think everyone who has played Morrowind would agree that skyrim is the under dog. One word VIVEC… Expand
  80. RockShard
    Feb 24, 2012
    1
    I'm probably just a minor crowd here but it seems this and oblivion aren't the games for me.. I don't want a game where I can explore walking about and looking at the scenes. Those are good but not a main selling point for me. I'm tired of this game showing up when i try to find top 10 RPGs of 2011. I'm into RPGs for captivating stories.. games that fill me with a sense of purpose whenI'm probably just a minor crowd here but it seems this and oblivion aren't the games for me.. I don't want a game where I can explore walking about and looking at the scenes. Those are good but not a main selling point for me. I'm tired of this game showing up when i try to find top 10 RPGs of 2011. I'm into RPGs for captivating stories.. games that fill me with a sense of purpose when I get around a main turning point. I want to read a story book without having to open a book :). In this game the story seems to be in the background with other features shining in the foreground. That doesn't represent the Role Playing Game genre to me.. But.. from the ratings this game is generally getting, it seems I am a rare breed.… Expand
  81. Rexnos
    Feb 24, 2012
    10
    Probably the best game I've played in around a decade and a half of gaming. If you're looking for an incredibly immersive RPG experience, this is the way to go.
  82. herget
    Feb 23, 2012
    10
    fun. the game it self is very fun, but just shooting the **** with my buddies about the game is also so fun. i didnt like 3rd person mode in oblivion but i do like it in skyrim. nice graphics, people react to you running around in your underwear. this game at least for me, stay challengeing. i love pick pocketing people and stealing with out karma, and duel wielding/casting is really cool.fun. the game it self is very fun, but just shooting the **** with my buddies about the game is also so fun. i didnt like 3rd person mode in oblivion but i do like it in skyrim. nice graphics, people react to you running around in your underwear. this game at least for me, stay challengeing. i love pick pocketing people and stealing with out karma, and duel wielding/casting is really cool. addicting for sure. i kept telling my friends to buy this game if they wanted to keep busy during the winter b/c its so long. lots of replay here i gotta give it a 10/10… Expand
  83. Hobiologe
    Feb 22, 2012
    10
    Well, honestly speaking Skyrim is my first Elder Scrolls title and I'm just thrilled. Actually I have spent 80+hrs on that game and have the feeling I've just achieved 30% of all the quests and places visited. The atmosphere is awesome, the graphic is pretty good compared to this tremandouse world and content provided. It's just a masterpiece and everyone who is a bit interested intoWell, honestly speaking Skyrim is my first Elder Scrolls title and I'm just thrilled. Actually I have spent 80+hrs on that game and have the feeling I've just achieved 30% of all the quests and places visited. The atmosphere is awesome, the graphic is pretty good compared to this tremandouse world and content provided. It's just a masterpiece and everyone who is a bit interested into roll-playing games should give it a try. Nobody would regret it, despite the time you will lose because of can't stop playing that game. :)… Expand
  84. X11
    Feb 21, 2012
    10
    Do I even need to say anything about this game? No. Nope I don't think so. Attempting to put it into words would be foolish, foolish I say. Ehem. 10/10.
  85. RedHoplite
    Feb 21, 2012
    10
    it is by far the most accompished Rpg to date..
    with the system that generates unlimited side quests this is a trully never ending game with a gorgeous open world to explore..
    Game of the decade for me ;)
  86. valientthorr
    Feb 17, 2012
    10
    gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooodd lol
  87. MarioPlayer
    Feb 16, 2012
    10
    This game surpasses Oblivion in every possible way. More weapon, armor, and enemy types are included, the ability to create your own weapons and armor is awesome, and the land of Skyrim is huge and able to be explored thoroughly. If you're a fan of RPGs and have an Xbox 360, go buy this game. It's excellent.
  88. risk10
    Feb 16, 2012
    10
    This game has already been reviewed to death. It has gained all the plaudits and accolades it rightfully deserves, yet this game has moved me like no other, so I have joined Metacritic just to put my two cents worth!

    In short, it is the staggering depth, immersive environment and the ease in which you can interact with just about anything that sucks you in and holds you. It is a game I    This game has already been reviewed to death. It has gained all the plaudits and accolades it rightfully deserves, yet this game has moved me like no other, so I have joined Metacritic just to put my two cents worth!

    In short, it is the staggering depth, immersive environment and the ease in which you can interact with just about anything that sucks you in and holds you. It is a game I am literally scared of playing because it has that incredible ability to rip hours, if not days, of your life away. First, though, the caveats: In a game that is so incredibly ambitious, there are bound to be bug, issues, errors etc. This game is full of 'em. From the hagraven that fell out of the sky and landed dead at my feet when I exited a mineshaft, to the full blown lock-ups and death freezes when embarking on a quest, or simply looking around. I have experienced them; a lot. They are a minor annoyance at their least and down right frustrating at the worst. I can certainly understand some on here who have complained about the amount of bugs in this game. Traversing the land can become an arduous task for several reasons. Not least is at the beginning of your game (or even some way through), you may encounter highly levelled bad-asses that kill you in a swipe. Save, my friends, and save often to avoid the "oh crumbs, I just lost an hour of gameplay because I did not know giants got angry if you get too close and they thump you and send you millions of miles in the air to your death" syndrome. Secondly is the sometime frustrating way that you think you've found your way to your destination, but wait....sorry there is a small hump or rock in front of you that you cant climb over, so you have to back track for 10 minutes to find another way through! Horses...really what is the point of them? Sure you can fast travel whilst over-loaded, but I have, on a number of occasions, seen my horse bolt over to a bandit camp, try pitifully to stomp on them and promptly die within seconds. Same is true for that grizzly that just mauled me. Great way to spend 1000 hard earned Septims. Plus your followers cant ride and you cant use magic or weapons on horse-back! Pah!

    Voice acting: most of it sounds like it is phoned in and they recycle the same voice actors over and over and over. What is with Skyrim, did only five men and three women have kids and spawned out no more than about 10-12 different voices? C'mon, this is a big budget game, could have splashed out on some more voice actors (or maybe more talented ones who could put on more different voices).

    Finally, the menu navigation. It is a pain to say the least, that you have to pause the game, traverse the menus, pick the spell, weapon or shout you want, get back to the fight and repeat as necessary. I know there are hot keys, but way too few when so much is on offer. How about a quick access wheel system, like that which is employed in Mass Effect?

    Right, there is the winging through. If you are still with me, I am about to go into why I think this game deserves a 10.

    All those issues above not with-standing, this is an utterly massive game. You can go anywhere and do anything you want. There is so much variety, so many amazing places to see. People harp on about graphics. They are good, really good. The environments are so detailed, so many different dungeons and castles. The hold capitals feel big, feel like you are exploring a town and each with its unique issues, quests and culture. Love it!

    Dragon battles are epic. I really enjoy these and feel the fear when I am doing my best not to get fried or frozen. Dragons are well drawn and immensely powerful (as they level up with the player) beasts. These battles alone are worth the price of this game.

    Skilling and levelling are easy, common-sense and very well structured. This has been the point of contention for some, believing this represents a "dumbing down", but for me I love the simplicity and ease at which one can quickly get into a character, level the skills they want, when they want and how they want. It is truely a free-flowing system. Finally, questing, exploring and battling a variety of enemies is astounding. You can get joyfully side-tracked on your way to one quest only to end up doing three or four other quests. There is the civil war, a variety of factions, two colleges and other miscelanious adventures all to experience outside the main quest line. You can become a werewolf or vampire, each with its own advantages and foibles. It is truly remarkable what Bethesda have done here.

    Overall, yes there are issues, yes there are areas that could be improved, but the game sucks you in with its depth and immense nature. So many titles are linear, point and follow or point and shoot, some pretend to be sandbox, but are not. Skyrim is a free-flowing wondrous advertureland. Bethesda should be lauded for their efforts here as this really is the pinnacle of video-gaming.    … Expand
  89. Iamthecell
    Feb 16, 2012
    4
    Game looks good and plays awsome. The real killer is the amount of bugs in the game. They are everywhere and you will experience them no matter what. They have released a few patches but it has not helped at all. Go into this game very carefully. Dark Souls beat this game by a mile for GOTY.
  90. dupplawt
    Feb 14, 2012
    8
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a magical, overwhelmingly beautiful and engaging gaming experience with some beautiful graphics and a masterpiece soundtrack, let down by some frustrating glitches and bugs. A player can easily put 40+hours into exploration of the world without making much progress in the true 'story' which relates to the return of dragons to the province of Skyrim. There areThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a magical, overwhelmingly beautiful and engaging gaming experience with some beautiful graphics and a masterpiece soundtrack, let down by some frustrating glitches and bugs. A player can easily put 40+hours into exploration of the world without making much progress in the true 'story' which relates to the return of dragons to the province of Skyrim. There are numerous caves, bandit camps, towns and holds (the larger towns) to visit with an exhaustive array of quests to complete and plentiful loot to collect along the way. The levelling system is very well executed and encourages a player to concentrate on one part at a time - ie levelling up conjuration or heavy armour or smithing. Although I have yet to complete the story, I have travelled to every corner of Skyrim (and beyond...) and feel it is time to review. Whilst it will find a place in my heart to be one of my top 5 favourite games ever, there are some minor issues with bugs and glitches, although hopefully with time these will be ironed out. It should be noted that I had never played an Elder Scrolls game before Skyrim, but that didn't prevent me thoroughly enjoying almost every minute of it.… Expand
  91. fleche007
    Feb 13, 2012
    10
    Probably the best RPG I had play. I play twice, 658 hrs total. Maximum level : 81.5. It is a fantastic game, nothing really to say, I am sure you will enjoy it. Felicitations !
  92. Comyn
    Feb 13, 2012
    9
    in a world were sequals and **** remakes are the norm Bethesda does everything right to make their fans happy even if it took 5 years to make every game I would gladly welcome that if it meant they were as good as Skyrim and would have good worth while dlc with good add ons to the game. Only bad bits are a few glitches and bugs and it freezes occasionally but what do you expect by such ain a world were sequals and **** remakes are the norm Bethesda does everything right to make their fans happy even if it took 5 years to make every game I would gladly welcome that if it meant they were as good as Skyrim and would have good worth while dlc with good add ons to the game. Only bad bits are a few glitches and bugs and it freezes occasionally but what do you expect by such a huge world. I want to taste Bethesda.… Expand
  93. TheDeichmann
    Feb 13, 2012
    9
    This is a perfectly crafted RPG game. It has it's flaws, but that's just the way it is. I must say i was really happy about this game. But the crafting/blacksmithing system is a bit dissapointing. First things first; It is way too easy to boost your blacksmithing skill to 100 and then make the best gear. And when this gear is made, you have to reinforce it and enchant it, etc. And it's theThis is a perfectly crafted RPG game. It has it's flaws, but that's just the way it is. I must say i was really happy about this game. But the crafting/blacksmithing system is a bit dissapointing. First things first; It is way too easy to boost your blacksmithing skill to 100 and then make the best gear. And when this gear is made, you have to reinforce it and enchant it, etc. And it's the same thing over and over and it just isin't worth it sometimes.

    altho the fighting is crap, this game is a winner. The environment is beautifully crafted and the feeling it gives you is astonishing. Endless playtime will be spent on this game, buy it. It has everything a good RPG game deserves; Bosses, quests with variations and a wide variety of classes and skills.

    And this game still delivers the Bethesta feeling, which i think the players are really looking for.    … Expand
  94. sf2OOO
    Feb 11, 2012
    0
    Boring clunky combat. Dull depressing graphics and colours. Alot of the game is spent in menus. Gamebreaking bugs all over. Constant crashes. Boring/Repetitve quests. Dragons become very irritating as theres too many. NPCs have bad animations etc. The AI is absolutely terrible. No way to respec skills if mistakes are made or you change your play style. The only good thing aboiut this gameBoring clunky combat. Dull depressing graphics and colours. Alot of the game is spent in menus. Gamebreaking bugs all over. Constant crashes. Boring/Repetitve quests. Dragons become very irritating as theres too many. NPCs have bad animations etc. The AI is absolutely terrible. No way to respec skills if mistakes are made or you change your play style. The only good thing aboiut this game is the exploration but even that is ruined by the boring visuals. Avoid at least until its fixed. Much better RPGs around.… Expand
  95. MattMintage
    Feb 11, 2012
    9
    Skyrim has its bugs, as do many other games with such an open-ended space to control; but don't let the minor glitches or graphic fowl-ups disengage you. The Elder Scrolls V is what many people have called it, "one of the greatest games ever created", because it basically outdid its predecessor, Oblivion, by a long shot. 300+ hours of gameplay, quests after quests after quests to concur,Skyrim has its bugs, as do many other games with such an open-ended space to control; but don't let the minor glitches or graphic fowl-ups disengage you. The Elder Scrolls V is what many people have called it, "one of the greatest games ever created", because it basically outdid its predecessor, Oblivion, by a long shot. 300+ hours of gameplay, quests after quests after quests to concur, many dragons to slay, people to meet, and things to see; if you fail to see the epicness of this title I feel sorry for you. Consider it the "Return of the King" of the series. But one thing will always distract me, which is, how will the team behind it top this?… Expand
  96. MercilessMonkey
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    Easily one of the biggest games ever made, and also one of the best. For an open world RPG, Skyrim does exactly what it is supposed to do. The world is unrivalled, in terms of size and scenery. The game is absolutely gorgeous, I'm always wandering around just looking at things because they're so well done. It's also gigantic because at around 80 hours in I still haven't been to a few ofEasily one of the biggest games ever made, and also one of the best. For an open world RPG, Skyrim does exactly what it is supposed to do. The world is unrivalled, in terms of size and scenery. The game is absolutely gorgeous, I'm always wandering around just looking at things because they're so well done. It's also gigantic because at around 80 hours in I still haven't been to a few of the major towns or really started the main story. Tons of lore, history, and depth to the story and world. The gameplay is fast paced and fun, although it does get a bit easy once you max all your crafting skills. The only real problem is that as usual Bethesda released it fairly buggy, but I honestly think that's too be expected with a game of the magnitude and they're consistently fixing the bugs. I've only had one serious problem and it was fixed in the last patch. Not much else to say about it, I think I'll probably end up with a few hundred hours played over the next few years depending on the DLC, which is something which no other game will come close to rivalling, Oblivion excluded :P… Expand
  97. lancepaa
    Feb 10, 2012
    1
    Skyrim was fine. It was great. It was the best game I've played in years. And then I foolishly accepted this 1.4 update to my xbox360... and then the game went haywire. Now things are disappearing all over the place at random times including me. For example, I can hear my wife talking to me but I can't see her. And then she reappears. Sometimes the front door of my house is blackSkyrim was fine. It was great. It was the best game I've played in years. And then I foolishly accepted this 1.4 update to my xbox360... and then the game went haywire. Now things are disappearing all over the place at random times including me. For example, I can hear my wife talking to me but I can't see her. And then she reappears. Sometimes the front door of my house is black and I can't exit. Things will disappear as I'm looking at them. These are just the tip of the iceberg... Oh yeah, I'd say about 40% of the time when I go through a door and it normally auto-saves... it will just freeze and I have to hard boot the xbox. This kind of thing was happening a bit when I first got the game a couple of months ago but after a few updates things got better so I figured this update would continue in that direction. Boy, was I wrong !

    Until Bethesda fixes this (assuming they will) the game is basically ruined for me. :x Anybody else?    … Expand
  98. SmittShow
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    This was one of the best games I have every played in my life, and one of the few games I have purchased that was worth every penny. While there are a few small flaws in this game they hardly detract from the overall experience. Once in a while you will encounter a glitch which can be easily fixed by saving and reloading the game, and many times the glitches won't do anything except makeThis was one of the best games I have every played in my life, and one of the few games I have purchased that was worth every penny. While there are a few small flaws in this game they hardly detract from the overall experience. Once in a while you will encounter a glitch which can be easily fixed by saving and reloading the game, and many times the glitches won't do anything except make you laugh as how absurd they are. The graphics are pretty amazing considering the gaming systems are nearing the ends of their life cycles and if you download it on your system the wait times aren't bad at all. While there are some of the familiar "go here get x number of this" quests I found myself more often then not being drawn into the rich world the game developers have crafted. Throughout the game you will often find yourself at the top of a mountain looking around in awe at the landscape below you and at other times you will find yourself extremely amused at certain characters personalities and actions. The freedom this game offers the player is unparalleled by any game before it and it lets you play how you want to. If you are a fan of fantasy and of video games in general you will not be dissapointed. A couple of things I would suggest for future updates would be: able to fly a dragon, reset your talent tree, and I know it wont happen in Skyrim I would love to see the next game have some kind of online connectivity.… Expand
  99. ludd_gang
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    This game was made with obvious passion. I've never had so much fun sneaking and poking about a world. I don't think it would be possible to make the game better with the current technology.
  100. Archerofyail
    Feb 8, 2012
    9
    This game is amazing. There's no other way to say it. It really is, but there are glitches and stuff that is not there that brings it down. The minor glitches don't ruin the whole game and make it unplayable but, they do make the smaller things more tedious and annoying. You can approach combat from many different angles because of the wide array of skills to choose from. Play it, enjoyThis game is amazing. There's no other way to say it. It really is, but there are glitches and stuff that is not there that brings it down. The minor glitches don't ruin the whole game and make it unplayable but, they do make the smaller things more tedious and annoying. You can approach combat from many different angles because of the wide array of skills to choose from. Play it, enjoy it, but be warned because there are some bugs and other things that ruin the smaller things… Expand
Page:

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
2
#2 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2011
1
#1 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 89 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 89
  3. Negative: 0 out of 89
  1. Gamer.no
    Feb 6, 2012
    100
    This epic role-playing game might be Bethesda's best game yet, and offers an unique and spectacular world filled with fun. The freedom ensures a great experience for both the casual and hardcore gamer, as you're free to play the game how you like.
    Read full review
  2. GameFocus
    Dec 16, 2011
    97
    Skyrim is the largest, and most compelling work that I've had the opportunity to play this year. It's engaging, engrossing, and will take over your gaming life for many months to come. Not only is Skyrim among the best that 2011 has to offer, but for me, this is, without hesitation, the Game of the Year.
    Read full review
  3. Cynamite
    Dec 16, 2011
    90
    Quotation forthcoming.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »