The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

A wonderful recreation of Skyrim, which remains - despite rough edges and badly-aged elements - one of the greatest RPGs ever made.

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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on Nintendo Switch brings the epic open-world adventure of becoming anyone and doing anything to a portable experience. Exclusive features include motion control combat and lockpicking, as well as Zelda-themed gear. As Dragonborn, battle ancient dragons, explore diverse landscapes, and shape your destiny in a world shaped by your choices. Ancient evil awakens, and your actions will determine Skyrim's fate.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 104,977 reviews

story2,719 positive mentions

stability1,722 negative mentions

story
8,156 mentions
33 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story in "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" is a mix of engaging main quests and a plethora of side quests that often overshadow the primary narrative. While the main storyline, centered around the dragonborn's quest to defeat Alduin, is considered somewhat simplistic and linear, many players find the side quests and faction storylines—such as those involving the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild—far more compelling and richly developed. Despite its age, the game remains captivating due to its vast open world, rich lore, and the endless possibilities for exploration and character development, enhanced further by a vibrant modding community. However, technical issues, including bugs and quest glitches, can detract from the overall experience.
- “The elder scrolls V: Skyrim impresses with its massive number of quests and branching storylines, a remarkable achievement by the developers.”
- “The game's storytelling is masterful, pulling me into the lives of its characters, making me care about their fates as if they were my own comrades in arms.”
- “The main quest has one of the worst final boss fights in the series.”
- “The main storyline, revolving around the return of dragons, is epic and filled with twists, but it’s the myriad side quests and faction stories—such as the Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, and Companions—that truly shine.”
- “The main story is boring and never feels like there are any stakes, with the antagonist being able to be killed by an iron dagger.”
graphics
3,453 mentions
38 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Skyrim" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the game was visually impressive at its 2011 release, it now shows its age compared to modern titles. The Special Edition offers some graphical enhancements, such as improved lighting and textures, but many players feel that significant improvements can only be achieved through mods. Overall, while the graphics may not meet contemporary standards, they are still considered decent, especially when enhanced with community-created mods.
- “From the moment you step into the frozen landscape of Skyrim, you’re greeted by breathtaking visuals and a sense of scale that is truly awe-inspiring.”
- “The stunning graphics (for its age) and rich lore make it easy to get lost in the beautiful landscapes of Skyrim.”
- “With its stunning graphics, comprehensive content, and mod support, this edition invites both new players and long-time fans to dive back into the rich and expansive world of Tamriel.”
- “Dated graphics don't bother me much, I'm literally playing the original 2000 release of Deus Ex and 1997 Thief, but the art style here is just generic and kind of bad.”
- “But in 2024 it's really outdated with old mechanics and visuals.”
- “The graphics are absolutely terrible, even for 2011's standards; the story is a bit lacking, and the combat sucks.”
gameplay
2,566 mentions
33 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Skyrim" is characterized by its expansive open-world design, allowing for a multitude of playstyles and character builds, which many players find engaging and immersive. While the core mechanics and combat can feel outdated and simplistic compared to modern RPGs, the game's extensive modding community significantly enhances the experience, offering countless modifications that improve graphics, gameplay mechanics, and add new content. Despite its bugs and repetitive elements, "Skyrim" remains a beloved title, providing hundreds of hours of gameplay and exploration.
- “Mods allow for endless customization—whether it’s gameplay tweaks, stunning visual upgrades, or entire new questlines, there’s always something fresh to explore.”
- “The gameplay is also incredibly engaging, with a complex character development system that allows players to craft their own unique characters.”
- “The gameplay, the combat, the quests.”
- “But in 2024 it's really outdated with old mechanics and visuals.”
- “The gameplay just wasn't satisfying and felt shallow to play.”
- “The combat is horrible and is comparable to pixelated games made in the 1960s; in fact, they are probably more engaging than Skyrim's gameplay; it's absolute garbage.”
stability
1,784 mentions
3 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The stability of Skyrim remains a significant concern among players, with many citing persistent bugs, glitches, and quest progression issues that detract from the overall experience. While some players find the glitches amusing and part of the game's charm, others express frustration over game-breaking bugs that require frequent troubleshooting or the use of mods to enhance stability. Overall, the game is characterized as a "buggy mess," yet many still appreciate its depth and replayability, often attributing their enjoyment to the vibrant modding community that helps mitigate these issues.
- “This game is a masterpiece, no glitches and completely balanced!”
- “A stable game, as we all know, no bugs, no crashes, no freezes.”
- “Completely bug free and flawless.”
- “However, with such a large amount of content, technical issues arise: bugs, glitches, and quest progression problems.”
- “Bethesda seems to have decided it can get away with lazy writing, poor game animations, and near-constant glitches; because of this, I no longer look forward to Bethesda releases, nor will I purchase them.”
- “The game is incredibly buggy, and even after 13 years, it still feels like a buggy mess.”
music
939 mentions
53 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in Skyrim, composed by Jeremy Soule, is widely praised as one of the best soundtracks in gaming history, enhancing the immersive experience with its hauntingly beautiful melodies and atmospheric scores. Players often highlight how the music complements various gameplay moments, from serene exploration to intense battles, creating a nostalgic and emotionally resonant backdrop. Despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness in combat tracks, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly elevates the game's appeal and remains memorable long after playing.
- “The music, the storytelling, the atmosphere (OMG the music!) - it all comes together to create something special.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack complements the atmosphere perfectly, enhancing the sense of immersion and adventure.”
- “The soundtrack is some of the best in gaming, elevating everything you do and pulling you in, with tracks lingering in your soul long after you've finished playing.”
- “The only thing I don't like is the lack of enemies and events while traveling; the music gets old (like 5 of the same track).”
- “The sense of wonder and discovery initially emanated from the music fades quickly when what you keep doing is going in murky caves and hearing the same track again and again.”
- “There has to be around 2-3 songs used for combat and it became tiresome hearing the same reused song in the same reused fight - you will experience this hundreds and hundreds of times.”
replayability
923 mentions
52 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The replayability of Skyrim is widely regarded as exceptional, with many players noting its near-infinite potential due to a robust modding community that continually introduces new content and gameplay variations. While some reviews mention limited replayability in the base game, the ability to experiment with different character builds, quests, and self-imposed challenges significantly enhances the experience. Overall, Skyrim remains a timeless classic that offers countless hours of engaging gameplay, making it one of the most replayable games in history.
- “With its stunning visuals, rich lore, immersive world, and endless replayability, it's no wonder that Skyrim continues to captivate players around the world more than a decade after its initial release.”
- “The active modding community ensures the game has endless replayability, allowing players to tailor their experience in countless ways.”
- “Skyrim is easily the most replayable game I have ever played, with hundreds of hours of content and infinite replayability, especially with the vibrant, highly talented modding community.”
- “Not much replayability, I'm afraid, except for trying new builds and seeing very minor different outcomes in some side quests.”
- “Totally has no replay value whatsoever.”
- “This game has been consistently replayable for years.”
humor
637 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in Skyrim is a defining feature, with players frequently highlighting the game's numerous hilarious glitches and bugs that often lead to absurd situations, such as flying enemies and unexpected NPC behaviors. Many reviews express that these quirks enhance the overall experience, making the game not only entertaining but also a source of laughter, with memorable moments stemming from both intentional humor and the game's inherent jankiness. Overall, the combination of comedic dialogue, quirky character interactions, and the infamous "arrow to the knee" meme contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere that keeps players engaged and amused.
- “The actual 'game' lies within all of the possible interactions, exploits or not, and the utterly hilarious scenarios that will be created as a result, and will further demand the player to accept the situation and deal with it.”
- “Oh yes, Skyrim is infamous for its hilarious bugs and glitches, from NPCs suddenly deciding to take a swim in mid-air to horses moonwalking across the landscape like they're auditioning for a music video.”
- “If you can look past all the funny looking faces and occasional, glitchy effects then you'll get a kick out of this.”
- “They were not funny, so I started as a two-hand heavy hitter.”
- “Reason 2: it's not funny like Oblivion.”
- “Not funny enough 0/10.”
grinding
319 mentions
1 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
62 % negative mentions
The aspect of "grinding" in the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, with many players noting that it can feel like a never-ending cycle of repetitive tasks. While some enjoy the grind for leveling up and crafting, others find it frustrating and monotonous, often requiring significant time investment to progress. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable grinding experiences alongside moments of tedium, making it a polarizing feature for players.
- “Best game of all time, I dare anybody to make a game with as much diversity in play style while feeling not grindy at all. I don't think anyone will ever best this game without using it as a blueprint.”
- “It's not very grindy - I appreciate the flow.”
- “Being able to just make something you are qualified to craft makes it so much more rewarding and not grindy.”
- “Only difference is really grinding out larger numbers, which puts you in a single-player MMO-esque skinner box consisting of you doing the same old repetitive activities time and time again until you've simply had enough.”
- “The worst part of the game, in my opinion, is the skill/levelling system, which only becomes worse as the game goes on and you have less and less to do, which leads to boring, tedious grinding and using techniques to abuse the way certain skills progress.”
- “The game has so much to offer it feels like a never-ending cycle of grinding, fighting, looting, and so on.”
optimization
268 mentions
25 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The optimization of Skyrim, particularly in its Special Edition, has received mixed reviews. Many players appreciate the significant performance improvements, smoother gameplay, and enhanced graphics compared to the original version, especially on modern systems. However, some users report ongoing performance issues, particularly when modding, and express frustration with the game's stability and optimization for lower-end hardware. Overall, while the Special Edition is generally seen as better optimized than its predecessor, it still has room for improvement, especially in modding scenarios.
- “The special edition runs on the creation engine, which offers better stability and optimization.”
- “The elder scrolls v: skyrim special edition revitalizes a beloved classic with stunning visual enhancements and smooth performance.”
- “The special edition of skyrim brings notable improvements in stability and performance compared to the original release.”
- “Unfortunately, Skyrim has serious performance issues and bugs that require you to sink hours into mods, unofficial fixes, and graphical settings.”
- “Graphics and performance: 5 1/2 years later this game is an unoptimized mess, graphically there are little changes, and yet it runs way worse.”
- “I hate to say this, but this game is still poorly optimized and not using the available RAM that I have and just crashing.”
atmosphere
262 mentions
61 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Skyrim is widely praised for its breathtaking landscapes, immersive sound design, and captivating music, which together create a rich and engaging world. Players appreciate the distinctiveness of each location while enjoying a cohesive overall ambiance that enhances exploration and storytelling. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the game's atmospheric qualities remain a significant draw, making it a beloved classic in the RPG genre.
- “The atmosphere of the game is fantastic, the soundtrack is legendary and with a few visual mods this game looks incredible.”
- “Each town and city is bustling with life, filled with NPCs going about their daily routines, and the ambient sounds—crickets chirping at night, the distant howl of wolves—create an immersive atmosphere that draws you deeper into the game.”
- “From the moment you step into the world of Skyrim, you are greeted with breathtaking landscapes, from the snow-capped peaks of the Throat of the World to the dense, atmospheric forests of Falkreath.”
- “Every 'dungeon' is so brightly lit it fails to give the atmosphere of actually being in a dungeon.”
- “Despite its age, Skyrim's atmosphere is captivating.”
- “I love this game despite its shortcomings compared to Morrowind and Oblivion because of its atmosphere and accessibility.”
monetization
180 mentions
5 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
64 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism from users, who describe it as a blatant cash grab, particularly due to the introduction of microtransactions and the Creation Club, which charges for mods that were previously free. Many players feel that these monetization strategies not only disrupt the modding community but also degrade the overall gaming experience by forcing unnecessary updates that break existing mods. Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, with calls for players to avoid purchasing the game due to its exploitative monetization practices.
- “The monetization of the mods that users made and that were later 'refined' by Bethesda is insulting.”
- “I can understand it in the free-to-play model, but it leaves a 'sour taste in my mouth' to have to pay for a game and still be hounded for more money via microtransactions.”
- “Adding microtransactions when you're a single-player developer is unacceptable and it should not be supported!”
- “I have put hundreds of hours into this game and the fact they charge you for the release, then charge you again for microtransactions which are supposed to be what the 'special edition' is supposed to be for is absolute bullshit.”
- “There was literally no reason to update this game other than money; they broke mods to add more microtransactions instead of fixing their newest game.”
- “The paid mods are an absolute cash grab and this game has been made on every platform known to man just to farm this game.”
emotional
122 mentions
96 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to provide comfort and connection, often serving as a source of support during difficult times. Players express deep emotional investment in the well-developed characters and their stories, with many recounting moments that elicited tears or nostalgia. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in the main storyline, the game's immersive world and side quests offer rich emotional experiences that resonate with players long after they finish.
- “It helped me with trauma and made me feel welcome in times of loneliness.”
- “The writing is sharp, and the characters are well-developed, often leaving me emotionally invested in their fates.”
- “Skyrim has been a sort of emotional support game for me as it helps me escape and get my thoughts together.”
- “The gameplay is shallow and uninteresting; there are few RPG mechanics at play here, and the game has the audacity to also have a really boring story too!”
- “Incredibly boring storyline; I wasn't a fan of it one bit. Maybe it's because I played the game 5+ years after its initial release, but it just felt the same throughout my whole whopping 9.7 hours played.”
- “The VR version at least makes combat fun, but otherwise it's a slow, clunky mess with a boring story.”
character development
65 mentions
46 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Character development in "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" is widely praised for its depth and flexibility, allowing players to shape their characters through a variety of skills and choices that impact both personal growth and the game world. The open-ended nature of the game, combined with engaging faction quests and a rich narrative, provides a unique experience in each playthrough, although some critiques mention inconsistencies in quest quality and character design. Overall, the game is celebrated for its immersive storytelling and the vast possibilities it offers for character customization and development.
- “The elder scrolls v: skyrim is a monumental achievement in the world of open-world RPGs, seamlessly blending vast exploration, intricate storytelling, and rich character development into an unforgettable experience.”
- “The breadth and depth of character development is amazing, as is the size and scope of the world.”
- “The character development system is both deep and rewarding.”
- “And as ever, lack of overall player character development, poorly written quest lines, dumb forced decisions, sloppy quality control, and general lack of immersion.”
- “Quest gathering and their completion is seamless and organic with a straightforward character development that requires little to no attention and prior knowledge of the player.”
- “Things I don't like about the game are mostly based on in-game character development.”