The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim review

Despite everyone telling me how great Oblivion is I just didn’t get it. Not being a massive fan of fantasy video games the story didn’t really grip me, however I did really enjoy Fallout 3 and it was in this sci-fi setting I learned how to play a sprawling RPG that feels like you’re finding your own adventure. Skyrim is the true successor to Oblivion and because I now understand how to play this type of game I’m actually really getting into the fantasy and finding my feet.

You play the game as one of many races and classes you can choose at the beginning of the game who soon discovers he’s a Dragonborn - someone who has the ability to absorb the souls of dragons and harness their powers. Those dragons are also springing up all over the land of Skyrim so it’s a good job you’ve got the power to kill them as well and make sure they stay dead.

Throughout this massive adventure you’ll spend a lot of time wandering the lands to find new areas, talking to townsfolk to help them complete objectives and of course trading items and being given rewards for your efforts. The world is truly massive and you’ll be exploring swamps, snowy mountains, dungeons and forests, each with their own dangers and discoveries.

Combat is mostly melee unless you’re using a bow or magic and this presents its own problems. Although the game misses out on the futuristic V.A.T.S. system of Fallout 3, at least it does a better job of combat even though it can still feel a bit like you’re just swinging your sword or club around wildly. You can equip all sorts of armour, rings and robes to give you extra powers and also enchant weapons with extra magical abilities such as dealing out poison, fire or ice damage.

It’s good to see they’ve also updated the graphics somewhat. The environments are absolutely gorgeous, especially during dusk or dawn - it’s a pity characters still move a bit wooden still and facial textures are a bit of a mixed bag as well but to be honest, you’ll be so wrapped up in your quests these are minor things that won’t bother you at all once you’re up to speed with everything. The dragons themselves are also immense and feel really powerful when you encounter them.

I’ve been playing the game for hours and still probably haven’t even scratched the surface. Be warned though ,there are plenty of bugs being spotted by gamers every day including instances of NPCs not activating the next part of your quest, dragons flying backwards and falling through the floor of the world. Bethesda do assure us though that they will keep patching until it’s perfect. However, if you’re looking for a game to get lost in this Christmas instead of talking to your relatives then this could be the one for you. It gets a dragon-slaying 9 out of 10.

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