The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition Reviews

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.5 / 10.0
Dec 22, 2017

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a classic and deserves to be played by all because it mixes magnificent RPG elements with a wonderful adventure in a sensational open world and an even better story.

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Rae Grimm
Top Critic
85 / 100
Nov 17, 2017

Skyrim is still an awesome, gigantic RPG, but it can not hide its age on Nintendo Switch.

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9.7 / 10.0
Nov 17, 2017

As with my review of DOOM before it you'll notice that to this point I haven't brought up the Switch itself in regards to the game and that's for good reason...

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Nov 16, 2017

Like a fine wine, Skyrim is a game that has improved with age. I had mixed feelings about the Nintendo Switch version prior to playing, knowing what issues I faced in the PS3 version and wondering how it would perform on the Nintendo Switch. However, I had nothing to worry about - the game is fantastic on the Nintendo Switch and is a fantastic way to experience Bethesda's open-world wonder. If you haven't played this before, you are in for a treat! If you have, you're in for a pleasant surprise and returning to this world is a welcome trip down memory lane!

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Cubed3
Top Critic
8 / 10
Jan 3, 2017

Although this is a forgiving stance, there's just so much more that captivates: from the intense battles, and slaying of dragons, to the gradual sense of empowerment as the player's character grows and develops, distinguishing powers and abilities. There are so many hidden secrets in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, so many facets to unearth, and choices within those to fraternise over, it's hard not to be sucked in by its charm and intrigue. So long as it's appreciated for what it is, a revisiting of a classic that influenced practically all open-world RPGs that came after it, Skyrim Special Edition is a very stellar package which holds up very well indeed, despite it's issues, against more recent competition. If you've never played it, now is the perfect time, and with the advent of the Playkey service, it opens up the game to a much wider audience.

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9 / 10.0
Dec 20, 2016

If you've never set foot in the world of Skyrim then now's the time to get your feet wet. Still one of the best RPGs to date and that's not just nostalgia talking.

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PCMag
Top Critic
Dec 16, 2016

Skyrim is still a rock-solid RPG that's worth purchasing if you missed vanilla Skyrim. That said, if you already own and mod the original game, Skyrim Special Edition has nothing fresh to offer.

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8.5 / 10.0
Dec 14, 2016

In 2011, Skyrim is rightly considered to be one of the greatest RPG’s of all-time and now in 2016 with its Special Edition remaster, it still stands loud and proud as one of the best on the market.

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4 / 5.0
Dec 10, 2016

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is a faithful rendition of the original, perhaps too faithful, with visual improvements and mod support right off the bat for consoles. The lack of major new content and gameplay changes means folks who have burnt out while extensively playing the original likely won’t have reason to revisit this region of Tamriel. If you’ve never played the game before, however, it presents a great opportunity to experience one of the best RPGs to date.

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Recommended
Nov 29, 2016

It's still a fantastic game, even though it is showing signs of ageing, it is a classic and people will probably still be talking about it years later.

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8 / 10.0
Nov 29, 2016

I have to be honest, for a first play through, I didn’t expect to clock the 80+ hours in the game, I haven’t been this invested in a game for a long time, and it has been such a nice change of pace to be engrossed in just one game and play through it. However saying that, there is no excuse for the glitches and problems that are in the game. Skyrim gets an 8/10.

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7 / 10.0
Nov 26, 2016

I am torn. A part of me is enjoying reliving through Skyrim and making different choices this time around. However every time I bump into an old bug or the game crashes on me, I sigh and the whole thing seems a lot cheaper. Why are all the listed changes to the game cosmetic improvements to lighting? It leaves a slight taste of making a quick buck while everyone waits for Elder Scrolls VI.

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82%
Nov 24, 2016

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition offers wonderful escapism and plenty of bang for your buck—provided you've never played it before.

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Nov 16, 2016

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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Nov 15, 2016

Did Skyrim need a remaster? Probably not. Are we all going to buy it anyway? Probably.

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8.5 / 10.0
Nov 14, 2016

If you haven't touched Skyrim for a long time, or perhaps, somehow came in late and never played it before, then Skyrim Special Edition is an absolute treat.

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Nov 13, 2016

Overall, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is just as enjoyable an experience as it was five years ago, however, it hasn’t received a full touch up for current generation consoles.

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Nov 12, 2016

Fundamentally, stepping back into Skyrim is like revisiting one of your favorite places as a child. Everything is like you remembered it, except it's been redecorated and modernized.

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Simon Brown
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Nov 11, 2016

Skyrim is still a great place to get lost in and the visual upgrade is welcome. It perhaps doesn’t go as far as it should and it’s a shame no other aspect of the game got looked at but it’s still well worth your time.

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8 / 10
Nov 11, 2016

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is a well rounded package that offers improved visuals and mod support on consoles. While the game's combat mechanics could have been retouched to better fit the current generation, the exploration and freedom of choice being offered is still unmatched and the mod support adds much to its replay value.

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