The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

 Xbox One
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 412 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 321 out of 412
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 412
  3. Negative: 55 out of 412
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. HenrySykes
    Oct 9, 2017
    9
    It’s now five years since Skyrim first took over everyone’s lives, with players happily spending hundreds of hours exploring what is one of the finest open world environments ever created. Skyrim consists of thousands of missions, keeping your mind company for many hours. From joining the dark brother hood and becoming a blood thirsty assassin to buying a house in a nice village. The gameIt’s now five years since Skyrim first took over everyone’s lives, with players happily spending hundreds of hours exploring what is one of the finest open world environments ever created. Skyrim consists of thousands of missions, keeping your mind company for many hours. From joining the dark brother hood and becoming a blood thirsty assassin to buying a house in a nice village. The game contains hundreds of devastating dragons and bandit camps that can be killed and looted.
    As the game starts, your character – who can be customized from any number of humanoid races. The ability to contain resources to craft your own weapons and armor is amazing and unique. Skyrim is the most enjoyable thrilling game out there to this day. The game also consists on hundreds of skill level ups which drives you to be the best out there. You don't assign major and minor skills at all, but instead pick one of ten races, each with a specific bonus. High Elves can once a day regenerate magicka quickly, Orcs can enter a berserk rage for more effective close-range combat. These abilities are best paired with certain character builds – the High Elf regeneration is useful for a magic user – but don't represent a rigid class choice. Major decisions don't need to be made until you're already out in the world and can try out magic.
    The truly inspiring thing about Skyrim is the fact that you start as a useless peasant who is about to have their head chopped off. However the menacing dragon jolts the axe and your life is saved. However when the game is completed you are a rich player with a lot of power. This is truly inspiring and definitely a very addicting game, and on top of the huge story line the game is also jam packed with interesting side quests which lasts for many hours.
    Your character is very unique, you can change almost everything. You will also have tons of personal skills. For example lock picking, charisma, magic etc. You have to decide what skill tree you want to invest in. This makes the game feel unique in a way that nobody has the same person as you and every character is different in its own way. The game also allows you to roam the beautiful woods and pretty towns. The best way to travel is by horse. They run like the wind and look elegant and beautiful but they come with a large price. Money is also a large aspect of the game. Having money means you have better and larger things making the game easier and more enjoyable to play. The game is truly inspiring and definitely is worth every penny you pay.    … Expand
  2. Jspotter89
    Dec 2, 2016
    10
    There's not really much more that needs to be said. Skyrim is one of the best games ever made, so they could update it for every console that is ever made and I'd probably buy it.

    Is it fundamentally different from the 2011 last-gen version? No. It has mod support and upgraded visuals, but there's nothing here that anyone who's put 200+ hours into it would see as game-changing. I assume    There's not really much more that needs to be said. Skyrim is one of the best games ever made, so they could update it for every console that is ever made and I'd probably buy it.

    Is it fundamentally different from the 2011 last-gen version? No. It has mod support and upgraded visuals, but there's nothing here that anyone who's put 200+ hours into it would see as game-changing. I assume this is where all the low ratings are coming from, as if Bethesda releasing a next-gen port with few changes is compelling any of the naysayers to put down the price point they are charging.

    But it still has one of the most detailed and lovingly crafted game worlds of all time, an amount of quests and goals that is nothing short of staggering, and a testament to what a studio at the top of it's game can put together when they're firing on all cylinders.

    If nothing else, it makes the wait for TES VI bearable.    … Expand
  3. PDNexus
    Nov 21, 2016
    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 definitely 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 definitely 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.

    Skyrim is a game that will suck your life away as any Elder Scrolls game worth it's name will do. The difference between Oblivion and this is huge. Easily one of the best games I have ever played, maybe ever. Check it out if you have the time.    … Expand
  4. jsharbour
    Feb 17, 2017
    10
    I rarely give out 5-star or 10-point (100%) ratings on movies and games since there's always something wrong with even the most masterful work of art. But in the case of Skyrim, I can't bring myself to take off any points for any flaws in the game. I first played it in 2012 on the Xbox 360, with the expansions, and it absorbed all of my free time for several months. Easily 150 hours intoI rarely give out 5-star or 10-point (100%) ratings on movies and games since there's always something wrong with even the most masterful work of art. But in the case of Skyrim, I can't bring myself to take off any points for any flaws in the game. I first played it in 2012 on the Xbox 360, with the expansions, and it absorbed all of my free time for several months. Easily 150 hours into it. Then I bought the PC Legendary edition and did the same thing again in 2014 (and another 100 hours)! You'd think I would have had enough by now, and I thought I had enjoyed this game as much as I needed to. Yet, I found myself buying Skyrim for Xbox One, despite getting the Special Edition upgrade for free in my Steam account. (I'm a sucker for console games). Played it all the way through again, with all expacs, and loved every minute of it. I can only hope Bethesda puts as much TLC into TES 6.

    No, I'm not a fanboy, I'm a fanman.    … Expand
  5. King7637
    Jun 27, 2020
    10
    One of the better games I ever played. It is a must play to all fans of the RPG genre.
  6. Skyplayer1507
    Sep 3, 2021
    10
    masterpiece................................................................
  7. Watson0l0
    Dec 27, 2021
    10
    The best game of any year, not even of all RPG) Todd Howard will sooner or later come to everyone with the words "buy skyrim"
  8. x6po6go6x
    Oct 28, 2016
    10
    This is the best "console" version of one of the greatest open world RPG's ever. What else needs to be said? It's an amazing game with an insane amount of content. And now console users are gaining access to mods as well. This is imo, an important step in console gaming. As a PC user I would like to apologize for all of the jaded "Supreme master race" PC users who are gonna talk crap.This is the best "console" version of one of the greatest open world RPG's ever. What else needs to be said? It's an amazing game with an insane amount of content. And now console users are gaining access to mods as well. This is imo, an important step in console gaming. As a PC user I would like to apologize for all of the jaded "Supreme master race" PC users who are gonna talk crap. We've been playing modded Skyrim for years and while it's true that the Special Edition doesn't offer anything new to PC users, it's free for anyone who already owns the content included in this version of the game. So there is absolutely no reason for PC users to be spreading any negativity about this remaster. For console users this is an amazing value and certainly worth it.… Expand
  9. GamingNinja
    Nov 7, 2016
    9
    Had to come back and rewrite my review, as more mods have come available this experience has become incredible, My thanks goes out to all modders for making this experience so great. For players wanting to jump back to skyrim or new players I would totally recommend getting it. But only for PC and xbox one. don't buy this for ps4.. No support whatsoever imo.. My last review complaintsHad to come back and rewrite my review, as more mods have come available this experience has become incredible, My thanks goes out to all modders for making this experience so great. For players wanting to jump back to skyrim or new players I would totally recommend getting it. But only for PC and xbox one. don't buy this for ps4.. No support whatsoever imo.. My last review complaints were how little bethesda improved the base game as it was almost basically a port of the 2011 pc version & a new few shaders. But now with the great visual and gameplay mods available this is really starting to feel worth the purchase.… Expand
  10. TheSquirrel
    Oct 29, 2016
    8
    For those who have not played this game before or have never experienced the DLC packages, this game is a 10. For those already familiar with the content, having sunk hundreds of hour into the title, the price will seem ridiculous for something you already own. The upgrades to the environments are immediately noticeable and will cause some moments of just stopping and staring,For those who have not played this game before or have never experienced the DLC packages, this game is a 10. For those already familiar with the content, having sunk hundreds of hour into the title, the price will seem ridiculous for something you already own. The upgrades to the environments are immediately noticeable and will cause some moments of just stopping and staring, particularly at the new lighting effects. The game also runs extremely smoothly and isn't the stuttering glitch fest of the previous console.
    For a complete review see my write-up on the original release. If you are new to the game, grab it now and play it as the beautiful complete game it has become. If you are a Skyrim nerd already, pick it up anyway because it is still one the best titles out there.    … Expand
  11. CordingDesert95
    Nov 13, 2019
    10
    What can I say besides buy the game right now. Even without mods I got thousands of hours of enjoyment out of this game. Just because Bethesda is becoming a steaming hot pile of garbage doesn't mean this game is worse because of that. It has so much do to and you will not regret buying it.
  12. reverentlion
    Oct 30, 2016
    10
    what can I say, the negative reviews are utterly stupid. the game has MODS!!! did you hear me it actually has MODS!! do you know what a big deal this is??? its HUGE!!! the graphics on the se are much sharper draw distance is vastly improved, aliasing is excellent, framerate is fabulous even in markarth, new effects like god rays foliage water look wonderful. it makes the game amazing towhat can I say, the negative reviews are utterly stupid. the game has MODS!!! did you hear me it actually has MODS!! do you know what a big deal this is??? its HUGE!!! the graphics on the se are much sharper draw distance is vastly improved, aliasing is excellent, framerate is fabulous even in markarth, new effects like god rays foliage water look wonderful. it makes the game amazing to play......don't call the company greedy....theyre giving it the pc gamers for free if they had the orig. they make the mods. remember you don't HAVE to buy it, but if you do , try forgotten city mod its outstanding!!!!!!… Expand
  13. PaulDubya
    Oct 30, 2016
    10
    I'm from the UK and this game is around £30-£35 here(I paid just under £31 using flubit) which is cheaper than most brand new games. US gamers being charged $60 = to about £45 I can agree is too much for this remaster but as its cheaper here in the UK I have no qualms giving this game a 10. The graphical upgrade is impressive(just go watch watch some lets plays on youtube to see it inI'm from the UK and this game is around £30-£35 here(I paid just under £31 using flubit) which is cheaper than most brand new games. US gamers being charged $60 = to about £45 I can agree is too much for this remaster but as its cheaper here in the UK I have no qualms giving this game a 10. The graphical upgrade is impressive(just go watch watch some lets plays on youtube to see it in action, screenshots don't do it justice) especially all the outdoor locations. You get so much game for your money and could easily spend 200+ hours in Skyrim and still not have even touched any of the DLC which comes with the special edition(plus mods will extend the life of the game even further). Just make sure you either start as an archer/thief build or a mage as those are the most fun classes to play as. The biggest downside to this game is that the combat for normal weapons like swords, axes and maces etc is very stiff and awkward and not very satisfying but if you limit that type of combat to a minimum by playing as a mage or thief then the combat is great fun. Never gets old headshotting mobs from stealth with a bow and arrow and watching them topple over like chopped tree.........TIMBER! Quests galore, seemingly endless amounts of recipes to create anything you could need, blacksmithing, enchanting weapons and armor with magical effects, alchemy to create potions, guilds to join, property to buy, get married and have kids if that's your thing and build your own homestead from scratch, grow crops, keep animals and probably so much more that I have forgotten to include. If you didn't play it first time around and you like RPG's this is a must buy. If you did play it before then you already know if you like it or not and so it's up to you to decide whether to re-buy this remaster. A 10 from me as even with its faults its still one of the very best games I have ever played.… Expand
  14. jeffo2448
    Nov 16, 2016
    9
    This is my first Skyrim game and I'm blown away. In matter of fact, it's my first Elder Scrolls game I've played. The amount of detail and amount of things to do are seemingly endless. I'm thoroughly enjoying my first play through. I can understand the frustration from previous owners, but like I said, this is my first time purchasing and playing Skyrim.
  15. makixnishikino
    Aug 21, 2019
    10
    best game ever you can play its almost endless so many qwests end its so lovely
  16. Krizix
    Feb 19, 2020
    8
    This game deserves more but the achievements are locked when you enhance your game with mods even if you don't chest. I envy PC players here.

    But damn, since its 1st release this RPG is a masterpiece and not a random filling of quests.
  17. RRrpgManiax
    Mar 1, 2022
    10
    The Elder Scrolls is one of the premier RPG series around the globe. Skyrim, much like its predecessors does not disappoint. The game has phenomenal lore, worldbuilding, characters, and oozes charm and freedom. The roleplaying options are vast and immersive. Do you want to be a stealthy rogue who betrays and skulks about? Do you want to be a righteous Paladin dedicated to law and order? DoThe Elder Scrolls is one of the premier RPG series around the globe. Skyrim, much like its predecessors does not disappoint. The game has phenomenal lore, worldbuilding, characters, and oozes charm and freedom. The roleplaying options are vast and immersive. Do you want to be a stealthy rogue who betrays and skulks about? Do you want to be a righteous Paladin dedicated to law and order? Do you want to be the evil necromancer and summon the undead to do your bidding? Or do you want to steal bread and eat it in your house alone with your Argonian wife? Well those are all valid and viable options for one to partake in. This game is simply put an astounding work of art and everyone owes it to themself to give this game a gander.… Expand
  18. Thegamedev
    Sep 1, 2023
    10
    The best game to ever come out no questions asked the story amazing the gameplay amazing the characters amazing the word amazing music amazing this is the game u want to play
  19. Sunscour
    Nov 26, 2016
    10
    Having a grand time, installed some MOD"s just to see how it works. MOD's were very easy to install and uninstall. If you like fantasy settings, this game is for you. Comes with all of the DLC.
  20. sbraughton
    Nov 17, 2017
    9
    11/11/11! ESV: Skyrim was and still is one of the best open-world RPGs ever made. Though it's 6 years old now, the re-release for current consoles was welcome. After spending 100's of hours in Skyrim on the X360, I dove back in with the Special Edition on XB1 with some enhanced visuals, better load times, and some DLC content I may have missed back then - plus the game mods that can11/11/11! ESV: Skyrim was and still is one of the best open-world RPGs ever made. Though it's 6 years old now, the re-release for current consoles was welcome. After spending 100's of hours in Skyrim on the X360, I dove back in with the Special Edition on XB1 with some enhanced visuals, better load times, and some DLC content I may have missed back then - plus the game mods that can completely redefine the game. I'll be diving in yet again when I have my X1X hooked up to a 4K HDR screen ... very soon I hope.… Expand
  21. GamingPoptartTV
    Dec 26, 2016
    10
    I really dont know what to say when it comes to Skyrim Special Edition. Literally its Skyrim with Mods.... That may not be very informative but its true. You have the amazingly fun gameplay of Elder Scrolls and great story with 200+ granted hours.

    Now new comers to the Elder Scrolls Universe, hell even vets of Elder Scrolls V now get to have the experience of mods. Even though they    I really dont know what to say when it comes to Skyrim Special Edition. Literally its Skyrim with Mods.... That may not be very informative but its true. You have the amazingly fun gameplay of Elder Scrolls and great story with 200+ granted hours.

    Now new comers to the Elder Scrolls Universe, hell even vets of Elder Scrolls V now get to have the experience of mods. Even though they where available for PC some are pure console players who never got to feel the communities imagination with 1000s of hours of fan made content. Hell you even get all the past DLC for free. This game is a 10/10 and is a must buy.    … Expand
  22. TheUncannyOne
    Nov 1, 2016
    9
    I paid about £37 for this game in Argos UK and the amount of people complaining about this being a lazy port is pretty hilarious. You expected more than advertised? You get mods on Xbox to fix and add anything imaginable and the game still stands as a fantastic game even five years on. It looks phenomenal when you're outdoors and it looks okay when indoors and this is a far superior RPG toI paid about £37 for this game in Argos UK and the amount of people complaining about this being a lazy port is pretty hilarious. You expected more than advertised? You get mods on Xbox to fix and add anything imaginable and the game still stands as a fantastic game even five years on. It looks phenomenal when you're outdoors and it looks okay when indoors and this is a far superior RPG to the likes of TW3. Worth it for me considering my last experience with this game was the PS3 version at 480p.… Expand
  23. JacksonAkson
    Apr 1, 2017
    9
    This is a tough one to review because I am not sure if I am reviewing Skyrim or the fact that I payed $60 for a prettier Skyrim.

    First I would say if you have not yet played Skyrim, and enjoy open world RPG's, buy it. It is one of the best games ever made, in my opinion. Looking at it the other way, it is nothing more than a beautified version of the original Skyrim. It contains    This is a tough one to review because I am not sure if I am reviewing Skyrim or the fact that I payed $60 for a prettier Skyrim.

    First I would say if you have not yet played Skyrim, and enjoy open world RPG's, buy it. It is one of the best games ever made, in my opinion.

    Looking at it the other way, it is nothing more than a beautified version of the original Skyrim. It contains all the same bugs & glitches (unbelievable Bathesda didn't fix any of it) but it also maintains the bugs that can be used in your favor (fortify restoration loop, for one). In some ways I find this infuriating, but there is a silver lining for the Xbox one users - mods are available, and there are a lot of them.

    One mod is a giant 'patch' that fixes all known bugs that I am aware of. Some clean up annoyances, such as mission critical characters getting killed, thus locking your quest and others are just plain fun. The Sofie mod was classic, and why not make the women hotter and put them in lingerie? A nice change of plays from the old grey land of Tamriel.    … Expand
  24. dogma420
    Sep 25, 2017
    9
    Back on the Xbox 360 I played Skyrim and all its dlcs quite a bit, at least 200 hours...

    so I hopped on the XB1 version when it was offered for $20 with all dlcs. $20!!! It would not be worth reviewing if it was more, but it was only $20 so there! Skyrim is a great game, is 1500 or so gamerscore just waiting for you to add to, and once you're done with those achievements, lots    Back on the Xbox 360 I played Skyrim and all its dlcs quite a bit, at least 200 hours...

    so I hopped on the XB1 version when it was offered for $20 with all dlcs.

    $20!!!

    It would not be worth reviewing if it was more, but it was only $20 so there!

    Skyrim is a great game, is 1500 or so gamerscore just waiting for you to add to, and once you're done with those achievements, lots of mods available, similiar to FO4.

    Well worth $20.

    Another $60 + dlcs? no, not at all.

    But for $20? YES.    … Expand
  25. BigEvilSquirrel
    Aug 12, 2018
    10
    5 out of 5.
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is open and expansive, giving you the tools to truly play the way you want. The variety of quest lines will keep you busy for quite some time. Leveling doesn’t penalize you as previous entries in the series, and that is a welcome change. Combat is excellent. The stories are great with some hard decisions as to which side to take, while making you    5 out of 5.
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is open and expansive, giving you the tools to truly play the way you want. The variety of quest lines will keep you busy for quite some time. Leveling doesn’t penalize you as previous entries in the series, and that is a welcome change. Combat is excellent. The stories are great with some hard decisions as to which side to take, while making you feel uneasy either way. The world is vast, you will be hard pressed to run out of things to do. If you’ve played a Bethesda game, you know what to expect, and this game is their masterpiece.    … Expand
  26. Jestzer
    Mar 14, 2017
    9
    Put simply: This is the way Skyrim should have been released back in 2011, for consoles, at least. The loading screens aren't horrendously long, a lot of the game-breaking bugs have been squished, all DLC is available, and you can install mods at your pleasure.
  27. GutairHeroGod
    Dec 6, 2016
    9
    This game may just basically be a re-skin of the original, but what were you expecting when you bought it? When I first popped this sucker in my Xbox I immediately noticed the cosmetic changes. Lighting dynamics and better textures, though relatively minor changes, impact the game more that I previously thought they would. I found myself immersed in the story and the lore yet again, andThis game may just basically be a re-skin of the original, but what were you expecting when you bought it? When I first popped this sucker in my Xbox I immediately noticed the cosmetic changes. Lighting dynamics and better textures, though relatively minor changes, impact the game more that I previously thought they would. I found myself immersed in the story and the lore yet again, and after lack of playing this title in a while it felt almost like the first time I had played the game. Many missions were lost in memory and it felt good to replay all the quest lines that made this game as fun as it was. Plus all of the original DLC come with the game pre-installed. I had never played the DLC so the game was enhanced even further. I recommend this game to anyone who adored the original and especially to those who have not experienced the downloadable content.… Expand
  28. Batman29
    Apr 19, 2017
    10
    This game keeps better and better the longer you play it you are hooked in it. I put never gets old cause there is so much stuff to do. PACKED WITH CONTENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  29. CenkAlp
    Jan 2, 2018
    8
    Hikaye = 7
    Oynanış = 6
    Grafikler = 7
    Sesler = 8
    Keyif = 8
    Atmosfer = 9
    Süre = 8
  30. MarvelJoe
    Nov 5, 2018
    10
    This game is really top notch. I started playing non-stop and I have to say this is the best RPG on top. I'm planning to do Oblivion if I get the chance, but for now, Skyrim is A+ in my book.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best Xbox One Game of 2016
19
#19 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2016
25
#25 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. GameCritics
    Dec 30, 2016
    55
    Sure, it’s still awesome in scope and there’s a ton of content in the package, but it only offers minimal visual improvements, dated gameplay, and inexplicable legacy bugs. Unless someone defines their RPG experience by sun rays and water effects, this reissue just doesn’t represent a notable improvement over the original. Still, for those who aren’t yet Dragonborn, this is the best way to become so.
    Read full review
  2. The Digital Fix
    Dec 21, 2016
    90
    If you've never set foot in the world of Skyrim then now's the time to get your feet wet. Still one of the best RPGs to date and that's not just nostalgia talking.
    Read full review
  3. DarkStation
    Nov 30, 2016
    90
    With dragons to fight, weapons to craft, a home to make, and children to adopt, Skyrim: Special Edition represents the better gaming experiences I’ve had from Bethesda. Their fantasy games are more visually and narratively interesting to me instead of the the cynicism and nihilism that lives in the Fallout series. And because of its wintery locale, Skyrim is a really cozy game to play on a cold, rainy day. Unless you’re still playing it, picking up Skyrim: Special Edition is a good enough excuse to enjoy the video game equivalent of comfort food.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »