Reviews November 17, 2011
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Reviewed by: Bryant Crawley
System: Xbox 360 (Also on PS3, PC)
Genre: Action RPG
Rated: M
Players: 1
Cost: $59.99
Release Date: 11/11/2011
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the sequel to Bethesda's much-loved and multi-award winning role-playing game Oblivion, a title that caused jaws to drop, social lives to vanish and daylight to disappear for millions of gamers. Featuring one of the most sizeable, stunning and ambitious worlds ever created, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was epic in every sense of the word; a true defining moment for both the video game medium and fantasy genre. Five years later, with outdoor activities back on the agenda, color returning to cheeks and fractured relationships with loved ones finally on the mend, we're invited to do it all over again in a sequel that's bigger, better and more beautiful than before. Welcome to Skyrim! Be prepared to give your life away, because Skyrim is going to take it!
One of the game's biggest strengths is the sense of discovery that comes with every forward step, encounter, conversation and quest. It's in this spirit that we’re not going to spoil too much information about the plot and the title's excellent opening scenes. Needless to say, the introduction sees players flip between the frying pan and fire, and it's not long before your in-game character embarks on a quest spanning the entire length of Skyrim. The story is told almost exclusively through interactions with other characters. Whether its mobs at public executions, wise men in the farthest reaches of the world, or drunks begging in the street, conversation is key to discovering the ins and outs of this stunning Nordic realm. Despite a few issues with characters speaking over the top of each other, conversations flow far better than before, and the irritating conversational camera zoom is thankfully a thing of the past.
With ancient beasts and enemies on the loose, not to mention a tense and bloody political climate, this is a world well worth discovering. The overall story, sub-stories and snippets are highly entertaining, albeit slightly conventional. Reading the tomes of historical and fictional literature further increases immersion, and it's nice to see one or two volumes dedicated to the Oblivion crisis. Put simply, Skyrim is a visual masterpiece. We're not sure how they've managed to squeeze it all in - especially without the constant loading times that plagued its predecessor - but Bethesda has crafted something truly special.
In terms of gameplay, Skyrim's intuitive action will feel familiar to longtime fans, and shouldn't prove problematic for newcomers. Weapons, shields and spells are assigned to the trigger buttons, with experience gained every time players perform a particular action. Use two-handed swords, for example, and players will be able to unlock additional double-handed melee damage from the corresponding skill tree as well as leveling up their magic, health or stamina, of course. Skill points can be earned with increased haste by visiting Guardian Stones and praying to the relevant God. This allows players to backtrack somewhat and explore all branches of combat, especially handy for indecisive types, or when faced with a troublesome mission requiring a change of tact. The ability to quickly change weapons and spells and use items with the D-Pad is another handy feature, ensuring that mages, warriors and beasts can be dealt with efficiently and without trawling through countless menu screens. Dragon Shouts also make their debut, allowing players to learn skills and powers associated with the scaly beasts of the sky. Whether intentional or not, we found that Shouts better enabled us to deal with, or escape from, groups of enemies, something that was extremely tricky in the last game. They're also used to solve puzzles in the game's multiple dungeons.
An early power grants the user the ability to push back and knock down groups of enemies (a bit like Force Push from Star Wars), which levels the playing field when surrounded by four guards armed to the teeth. Dragon Dash, meanwhile, enabled us to quickly advance through a set of gates on a timer deep underground. Shouts exist separately from magic, but have their own recharge time, ensuring they can't be used cheaply and continuously. To be honest, we're only really scratching the surface of what's involved in Skyrim. Characters can be extensively customized, guilds, armies and organizations are constantly recruiting, and missions yield different results depending on choices made and methods used, while random encounters with troubled souls are never more than a stone's throw away. Skyrim is chock-full of surprises, teeming with depth and absolutely brimming with replayability.
Unfortunately, in a game as huge as Skyrim there are bound to be a few glitches, and predictably, frame-rate issues and stray lighting/shadow effects crop up from time to time. Artificial intelligence is also a little hit-and-miss, with sidekicks and compatriots occasionally getting lost or alerting enemies at times when you'd prefer to hang back. The map can also be difficult to decipher, especially when trying to figure out the quickest route (or sometimes the only route) to a township beyond or at the top of a mountain. Other issues are really a matter of patience and preference. Skyrim is best played at a slow pace, with exploration - or at least the desire to explore - a big factor in levels of enjoyment. Presumably, not everybody will have the desire to spend an hour traveling to new locations, which, despite fast travel, is essential for unlocking places on the map. Constant looting can also become a pain, with very few enemies offering anything of use or value except maybe a bit of gold after the first few dungeons. Dungeons, too, are a little bit boring and sometimes have a tendency to drag.
Minor issues aside, Skyrim is hotter than a dragon's backside after three courses at Jurassic Park, and if you're the sort of person who favors armor over T-shirts or prefers a goblet to a pint of Stella, chances are this is the game for you. Likewise, if a deep combat system, an engaging plot, a wonderful cast of characters and a stunning, open-ended game world sounds like something you might be interested in, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim should be at the top of your list.
Gameplay: 9
The combat is much improved over the last title. Hand to hand is much better served in Skyrim then in Oblivion.
Graphics: 9
Besides a few minor hiccups the game is just stunning!
Sound: 10
The soundtrack, voice acting, etc. is just perfectly done. One of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard.
What’s New: 7
The Dragon shouts seem silly but it is a welcome addition to the series that adds a little bit extra.
Replay Value: 10
Nothing will compare to the replay value of this game. Nothing!
Final Score:
9