I have long wanted to write a review for Skyrim, but I never knew where to start due to the sheer magnitude of the game. If you don't feel like reading the whole review and want a summary, here it is: buy this game. In an industry full of cash grabbing and nickel-and-diming customers, it's refreshing to see a game like Skyrim offer so much for so little. The passion and heart that Bethesda put into this game are so evident every minute I spend in the rich world of Skyrim. My only complaint about this game is that every time I play another game, I hear a voice in the back of my head saying "you could be playing Skyrim right now." I'm serious.



Story: It's well known that Skyrim does not have an engrossing story like other games of its genre such as the Witcher 3. However, the reason for this is that the nonlinearity of Skyrim's storyline means that an engrossing and detailed story is impossible. In this world, you really can be whomever you want to. An example of this is when you first encounter the Dark Brotherhood, a guild of assassins. You can join them if you like, which pretty much everyone does, or kill their leader, report to the imperial general, and infiltrate their lair and kill every Dark Brotherhood member. The fact that the developers put this alternate mission into the game despite knowing that virtually nobody would actually play it tells you all you need to know about the people making this game. While the story isn't deep, it certainly is engrossing. It is as long as you want it to be with a seemingly infinite amount of side quests and activities.



Skills: Since it is a game built to be different for each person, you can play the game in any way you want. There are many skills to hone: smithing exotic weapons, enchanting them with souls, brewing deadly poisons, picking any lock, sneaking, pickpocketing, archery, destruction magic, restoration magic, light and heavy armors, one and two handed weapons, and the art of speech are all skills with their own perks. While the prospect of learning the benefits of so many different skills and which ones to invest in may seem daunting, the game eases you into it perfectly and doesn't tell you to pick a class and commit to it throughout the game. I tried playing as a mage, heavy warrior, light warrior, and eventually settled on an archer. I have even heard of some people playing as pacifists. The game lets you pick your own fighting style and never punishes you for changing it.



World: The world of Skyrim is vast and beautiful. With over 300 separate locations in Skyrim and the vast Island of Solsthiem to the north, you can spend hours just exploring the land on horseback. I know I did. There are also many dungeons to explore, each one unique and filled with treasure. There are literally hundreds of special weapons and artifacts to find and collect and craft. The world of this game is truly immersive, with breathtaking landscapes and a plethora of different enemies to kill. Be warned: once you enter Skyrim, you may find it hard to leave.



I could go on for pages about this game and I'm sure I left something out. But basically, Skyrim is more than just a game: it is a feat. It is the yardstick by which I measure all other RPG games I play. It is one of those games that will be remembered 50 years from now and will still feature on top 10 lists. Yes. it's that good.