One of the growing trends this console generation has been HD remasters. With the rising cost of AAA game development, HD remasters are a low-risk, low-cost way for publishers to pad their coffer while potentially introducing a new generation of players to existing IPs. Bethesda Softworks is no stranger to this movement, having previously released Dishonored Definitive Edition. When Bethesda announced at E3 this past summer that Skyrim – the fifth installment in the Elder Scrolls series – was getting the HD treatment, it immediately became one of the most anticipated remasters to date. Now that it's available, is this enhanced version of Skyrim as special as its name implies?
If you're heading into Skyrim Special Edition expecting a complete overhaul, you're likely to be disappointed. The core content of the game is unchanged and while the visual improvements are noticeable, some untouched elements of this five-year-old game stick out even more now; in particular the rough character models, stiff animations and archaic combat. Among the graphical enhancements are volumetric lighting, dynamic depth of field, screen-space reflections, new water and snow shaders, higher resolution art and effects, and more. In layman's terms, Skyrim is much brighter and more colorful, it's environments more lush and detailed, and it's world that much more immersive. The Special Edition also sees a boost in performance across all platforms with shorter load times, a longer draw distance, and generally smoother gameplay. In the same breath, I've experienced several audio glitches, disappearing NPCs and other bugs not present in the original game; issues that Bethesda is currently addressing.
Perhaps more significant than remastered visuals, Skyrim Special Edition adds mod support to consoles for the first time; user-created content in the form of graphic upgrades, new quests, environments, characters, dialogue, armor, weapons, spells, perks, creatures – you name it – that can greatly expand and improve the overall experience. It wasn't until the last minute that Sony allowed mod support in the PS4 version, and even now restrictions remain in place. On PS4, only mods that use existing game assets are allowed. Furthermore, PS4 users can only load up to 1GB worth of mods, which may present an issue down the road considering the Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch – an essential bugfixing mod – weighs in at just over 500MB already. By comparison, Xbox One users have less space restriction (up to 5GB) and no content restrictions, resulting in a much larger selection of mods on what is hands-down the console version of choice.
When Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was first unveiled on Nintendo Switch it was nothing short of a shock. Bethesda was a stranger to Nintendo platforms and seeing what is arguably its biggest title grace. Description The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition is a reworked version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.It includes the main game as well as the add-ons (Dawnguard, Dragonborn and Hearthfire), updated graphics, and mod support for the console versions.These mods allow for new quests, environments, characters, dialogue, armor, weapons and more. Explore an even bigger world in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition. Maps just got even bigger, remastered art and dynamic depth of field let you enjoy incredible detail, and new characters and dialog ensure that nothing is ever the same. Read on for our review of Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition. Available on Xbox One, PS4 I don't want to be accused of damning with faint praise, so let's make one thing clear from the off.
The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim 2016 Review
Mod support is nothing new to PC users, and so for them the value of Skyrim Special Edition gets as murky as the swamps of Morthal. Unless you never played with the official high-res texture add-on, there simply isn't enough incentive to pay full price again for a slight increase in performance. If you owned the original Skyrim and each of the three major add-ons (Hearthfire, Dawnguard and Dragonborn) prior to the launch of Skyrim Special Edition, congratulations, you can upgrade for free. For everyone else that has been playing and modding Skyrim on PC for the past five years but who didn't meet the launch criteria, as you were.
With a fresh coat of paint and the introduction of mod support, Skyrim Special Edition is clearly aimed at, and a better value for console owners; especially on Xbox One. Even if you've already spent hundreds of hours wandering Skyrim's countryside, the mods available at launch provide new ways to play, new loot to acquire, new locations to explore, and much more. Skyrim Special Edition is the best version of one of the all-time great fantasy role-playing games, even if it has begun to show its age.
80%Reviewed By: Stephen Riach
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Rating: 80%
——————————————————————————–
This review is based on a digital copy of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition for the Xbox One provided by Bethesda Softworks.
This article is about the game. For the location, see Skyrim. |
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | |
---|---|
Bethesda Game Studios | |
Publisher(s) | Bethesda Softworks |
Creation Engine | |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 PlayStation 4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch |
November 11, 2011
October 28, 2016
November 17, 2017
| |
Genre(s) | RPG |
Single-player | |
Rating(s) | Mature |
DVD-ROM, Blu-ray, Download | |
System requirements | Windows XP or newer (32- or 64-bit) CPU: Dual-Core 2.0 GHz |
The very first Elder Scrolls game, The Elder Scrolls: Arena, came out for PC in 1994. There have been 14 releases under the Elder Scrolls moniker since then, including expansions and add-ons. Skyrim is the latest Elder Scrolls core game released since 2006.
Set in the eponymous province of Skyrim, the story follows the tale of the Dragonborn as they help solve the riddle of the sudden return of dragons and ultimately help decide the winners in the Civil War.
- 1Versions
If you're heading into Skyrim Special Edition expecting a complete overhaul, you're likely to be disappointed. The core content of the game is unchanged and while the visual improvements are noticeable, some untouched elements of this five-year-old game stick out even more now; in particular the rough character models, stiff animations and archaic combat. Among the graphical enhancements are volumetric lighting, dynamic depth of field, screen-space reflections, new water and snow shaders, higher resolution art and effects, and more. In layman's terms, Skyrim is much brighter and more colorful, it's environments more lush and detailed, and it's world that much more immersive. The Special Edition also sees a boost in performance across all platforms with shorter load times, a longer draw distance, and generally smoother gameplay. In the same breath, I've experienced several audio glitches, disappearing NPCs and other bugs not present in the original game; issues that Bethesda is currently addressing.
Perhaps more significant than remastered visuals, Skyrim Special Edition adds mod support to consoles for the first time; user-created content in the form of graphic upgrades, new quests, environments, characters, dialogue, armor, weapons, spells, perks, creatures – you name it – that can greatly expand and improve the overall experience. It wasn't until the last minute that Sony allowed mod support in the PS4 version, and even now restrictions remain in place. On PS4, only mods that use existing game assets are allowed. Furthermore, PS4 users can only load up to 1GB worth of mods, which may present an issue down the road considering the Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch – an essential bugfixing mod – weighs in at just over 500MB already. By comparison, Xbox One users have less space restriction (up to 5GB) and no content restrictions, resulting in a much larger selection of mods on what is hands-down the console version of choice.
When Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was first unveiled on Nintendo Switch it was nothing short of a shock. Bethesda was a stranger to Nintendo platforms and seeing what is arguably its biggest title grace. Description The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition is a reworked version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.It includes the main game as well as the add-ons (Dawnguard, Dragonborn and Hearthfire), updated graphics, and mod support for the console versions.These mods allow for new quests, environments, characters, dialogue, armor, weapons and more. Explore an even bigger world in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition. Maps just got even bigger, remastered art and dynamic depth of field let you enjoy incredible detail, and new characters and dialog ensure that nothing is ever the same. Read on for our review of Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition. Available on Xbox One, PS4 I don't want to be accused of damning with faint praise, so let's make one thing clear from the off.
The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim 2016 Review
Mod support is nothing new to PC users, and so for them the value of Skyrim Special Edition gets as murky as the swamps of Morthal. Unless you never played with the official high-res texture add-on, there simply isn't enough incentive to pay full price again for a slight increase in performance. If you owned the original Skyrim and each of the three major add-ons (Hearthfire, Dawnguard and Dragonborn) prior to the launch of Skyrim Special Edition, congratulations, you can upgrade for free. For everyone else that has been playing and modding Skyrim on PC for the past five years but who didn't meet the launch criteria, as you were.
With a fresh coat of paint and the introduction of mod support, Skyrim Special Edition is clearly aimed at, and a better value for console owners; especially on Xbox One. Even if you've already spent hundreds of hours wandering Skyrim's countryside, the mods available at launch provide new ways to play, new loot to acquire, new locations to explore, and much more. Skyrim Special Edition is the best version of one of the all-time great fantasy role-playing games, even if it has begun to show its age.
80%Reviewed By: Stephen Riach
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Rating: 80%
——————————————————————————–
This review is based on a digital copy of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition for the Xbox One provided by Bethesda Softworks.
This article is about the game. For the location, see Skyrim. |
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | |
---|---|
Bethesda Game Studios | |
Publisher(s) | Bethesda Softworks |
Creation Engine | |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 PlayStation 4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch |
November 11, 2011
October 28, 2016
November 17, 2017
| |
Genre(s) | RPG |
Single-player | |
Rating(s) | Mature |
DVD-ROM, Blu-ray, Download | |
System requirements | Windows XP or newer (32- or 64-bit) CPU: Dual-Core 2.0 GHz |
The very first Elder Scrolls game, The Elder Scrolls: Arena, came out for PC in 1994. There have been 14 releases under the Elder Scrolls moniker since then, including expansions and add-ons. Skyrim is the latest Elder Scrolls core game released since 2006.
Set in the eponymous province of Skyrim, the story follows the tale of the Dragonborn as they help solve the riddle of the sudden return of dragons and ultimately help decide the winners in the Civil War.
- 1Versions
Versions[edit | edit source]
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR[edit | edit source]
A true, full-length open-world game for VR has arrived from award-winning developers, Bethesda Game Studios. Skyrim VR reimagines the complete epic fantasy masterpiece with an unparalleled sense of scale, depth, and immersion. From battling ancient dragons to exploring rugged mountains and more, Skyrim VR brings to life a complete open world for you to experience any way you choose. Skyrim VR includes the critically-acclaimed core game and official add-ons – Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn.[1]
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for Nintendo Switch[edit | edit source]
Winner of more than 200 Game of the Year Awards, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the epic fantasy from Bethesda Game Studios, arrives for the Nintendo Switch. The legendary open-world adventure where you can be anyone and do anything, now can go anywhere – at home on your TV or on the go. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for the Nintendo Switch includes all-new gameplay features like motion controls for combat and lockpicking, outfits and gear from The Legend of Zelda, plus additional loot unlocked from compatible The Legend of Zelda Amiibos. Take down enemies with the Master Sword, protect yourself with the Hylian Shield or look heroic in the Champion's Tunic. Skyrim also includes all official add-ons – Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn.[1]
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition[edit | edit source]
Skyrim Special Edition brings the epic fantasy to life in stunning detail. The Special Edition includes the critically acclaimed game and add-ons with all-new features like remastered art and effects, volumetric god rays, dynamic depth of field, screen-space reflections, and more. Skyrim Special Edition also brings the power of mods to the PC, Xbox One and Playstation 4. [1]
Collector's Edition[edit | edit source]
The limited issue Collector's edition includes:
- Alduin Statue. Created in conjunction with the IP Factory, this collector's only statue stands 12' tall and is made of high quality PVC. Modeled from actual in-game 3D digital files, it showcases Alduin, the World Eater.
- The Art of Skyrim' Official Art Book. Featuring over 200 pages of striking, full-color illustrations, sketches and models, this stunning 9 3/8' x 12 1/8' coffee table book showcases the characters, creatures, environments, and weaponry of Skyrim.
- The Making of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim' DVD. This documentary DVD contains exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage, including interviews with the Bethesda Game Studios team.
Standard Editions[edit | edit source]
| Collector's Editions[edit | edit source]
|
The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim 2016 Download
Features[edit | edit source]
- Acrobatics and Athletics skills have been removed from Skyrim, instead there is a sprint button.
- Boats are scenery items only and cannot be operated. Most can be boarded, and one is used to reach Japhet's Folly, but the travel is done offscreen.
- Mounts include horses.
- Dragons cannot be mounted even if mounts make it into the game (one dragon, Odahviing, is mounted but only once, to reach Skuldafn and there is no cutscene, just a cut). Dragons think on their own so they attack dynamically based on how the player reacts. They cannot fly if severely injured. There are unlimited dragons.
- Kill dragons, absorb their essence, and then learn dragon shouts on word walls (stone slabs) located in deep caverns. Use the dragon shouts to perform special abilities such as slow time or just shout a force-wave at your opponent.
- The Skyrim map is roughly the same size as Oblivion.
- 120+ dungeons..
- 6 to 8 different environment types. No seasons but there is a weather system. 'As far as variation of environments, the one you saw was like our pine forest and our mountains. We have a big grassy tundra, we have a fall forest, we have a volcanic tundra, we have a big glacial area to the north, it's really icy.'
- 5 major cities and 7 to 9 small towns.
- Players may be able to affect the economies of the cities. 'We have mines and smelters for iron that affects weapons, then we have farms that affect food and ingredients that affect alchemy. We have all that working but we haven't found the gameplay sweet spot.'
- 'In Oblivion you have your eight attributes and 21 skills. Now you have 18 skills and three attributes.'
- The map is 3D, but you can't make notes on it.
- Some dragons are friendly, at least to the point of holding conversations with the player.
- Some level of economic simulation is in, with the prices of goods reflecting the state of the world.
- Blowing wind will whip up the surface of bodies of water.
- Lockpicking: still a minigame.
- Players can buy houses again.
- Children will appear in some form in-game.
- 60,000 lines of recorded dialog.
- Guards will not be omnipotent and not know exactly where you are. Instead, they'll behave more realistically and guards in another area won't know about your crimes.
- 13 types of ore for crafting.
- Ability to take a carriage from one city to another without having explored it first.
Platforms[edit | edit source]
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is available for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 in both the standard edition as well as the collector's edition. The standard edition is also available for download through the Steam Store. The standard edition was released with all three DLC sets included in the Nintendo Switch version.
Reception[edit | edit source]
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim received 'universal acclaim' reviews on Metacritic and was tagged as a 'must-play' game. It also received high aggregate scores (playscore) on whatoplay.com, a video game aggregator website which combines critic ratings and gamer ratings.
Standard Edition | |||
---|---|---|---|
Metacritic | PC: 94/100 | PS3: 92/100 | X360: 96/100 |
Whatoplay | PC: 9.23/10 | PS3: 8.80/10 | X360: 9.11/10 |
Special Edition | |||
Metacritic | PC: 74/100 | PS4: 81/100 | XONE: 82/100 |
Whatoplay | PC: 8.47/10 | PS4: 8.77/10 | XONE: 8.50/10 |
VR Edition | |||
Metacritic | PC: 81/100 | PS4: 77/100 | |
Whatoplay | PC: N/A | PS4: 8.36/10 | |
Nintendo Switch version | |||
Metacritic | 84/100 | Whatoplay | 8.70/10 |