The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2024)

This article is about the game. For the location, see Skyrim.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Developer(s)	Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher(s)	Bethesda Softworks
Engine	Creation Engine
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 PlayStation 4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch
Release date(s)	November 11, 2011 Microsoft Windows PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 October 28, 2016 PlayStation 4 Xbox One November 17, 2017 Nintendo Switch
Genre(s)	RPG
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	Mature
Media/distribution	DVD-ROM, Blu-ray, Download
Systemrequirements	Windows XP or newer (32- or 64-bit) CPU: Dual-Core 2.0 GHz RAM: 2048 MB Graphics: DirectX 9.0c compatible with 512 MB VRAM Diskspace: 7 GB

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.

Versions[ | ]

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR[ | ]

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[ | ]

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[ | ]

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]

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition[ | ]

The Skyrim Anniversary Edition was released on the tenth anniversary of the original game on November 11, 2021 for PC, PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. The news was announced during a live presentation at QuakeCon 2011.

The Anniversary Edition consists of:

• a new edition of the Skyrim Special Edition and
• an Anniversary Edition update.

In addition to the three official expansions Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn, the new edition includes another 48 mods currently available in the Creation Club, as well as 26 previously unreleased mods with new quests, dungeons, bosses, weapons, and spells created by both Bethesda and community developers.

Collector's Edition[ | ]

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.

Features[ | ]

• 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[ | ]

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[ | ]

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim received "universal acclaim" reviews on Metacritic and was tagged as a "must-play" game.

Videos[ | ]

References[ | ]