The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose. Play any type of character you can imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.
What it feels like
The game plays its fantasy stakes and player agency sincerely without irony. Defeating dragons and civil enemies offers a swelling sense of hard-won victory. Dragon lore and half-glimpsed mythic secrets pull the player forward.
What it's about
An epic secondary world of magic, dragons, and mythic conflict is the core setting. A grounded medieval world of castles, feudalism, and knights anchors the setting. Defeating Alduin and saving the world resembles a classic hero's journey.
How it plays
Deep combinations of skills, perks, spells, and gear enable theorycrafted builds and playstyles. Interlocking systemic rules permit many valid, player-authored solutions to problems. Close-quarters sword, axe, and unarmed combat is a core interaction.
How it looks and sounds
A sweeping symphonic score by Jeremy Soule drives the epic fantasy atmosphere. First-person perspective is the default and primary camera mode. Major characters and dialogue are fully voiced, though not every NPC has unique voice acting.
How it's structured
A complete virtual world open for exploration in any order is the foundational design; this is a canonical open-world experience. Player freedom to set their own goals and play any character type is explicitly central to the design philosophy. Designed for dozens to hundreds of hours of play with extensive content, leveling, and discovery.
Kindred games
Shares Open World, High Fantasy, Seamless World, Handcrafted World.
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Both lean into Open World, High Fantasy, Single-Player, Melee Combat.
Shares Open World, Melee Combat, Handcrafted World, Seamless World.
Both lean into Open World, Melee Combat, Single-Player, Handcrafted World.
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