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
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  1. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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!!!
  6. 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.
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. Inert_Static
    Jun 13, 2012
    10
    after playing morrowind and oblivion and feeling like it was not enough i was skeptical at skyrim till i played it at a friends house. I went over for just a little bit to see it and i ended up staying for hours. Everything that i did not like about Morrowind and oblivion they fixed. and the combat is sooo much better. Amazing game.
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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.
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. 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
  27. 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!
  28. 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
  29. 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.
  30. 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
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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

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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
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