The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim + Premium Map! reviews

So many hours spent on this game and I regret none of it.

I spent hours just running around the landscapes, exploring crypts, lakes, mountain sides, hunting deer, giants, nirnroot and the occasional wayward traveler. The game was even more gorgeous at night, with the auroras lighting up the sky and the two moons making it all the more alien.

There are so many ways to play; in my first play through I remained completely neutral in the civil war before finishing the main quest. With my next character, I sided with the Empire, which change a few portions of the main quest to reflect that decision.

You can choose to be a ninja in the dark, sniping your enemies from afar, or a juggernaut who simply beats everything to death with a sledge hammer, or a mage who kills it with fire. Or you can be all of those and do whatever picks your fancy on that day.

But the bugs. Oh dear, the bugs. They were everywhere; some where amusing such as the flying mammoths and lock-limbed dragons while others prevented you from finishing quests, such as one that stuffs up a objective, so I cannot complete the College quests due to glitches. If you don't have LIVE, like me, then you are plum out of luck.

The main side quests…while fun, did leave a lot to be desired, especially the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild. I loved how sneaky and ninja you were in Oblivion with the Brotherhood, such as poisoning the bandit Chief without getting seen meant long minutes of skulking in shadows and sneaking past guards, while in Skyrim it was moreso just crashing in there and killing everything, making it seem more cutthroat and brutish, not at all like an assassin. I couldn't really take the Thieves Guild seriously either, as they all seemed to be kissing Marven's backside throughout the game, causing me to try and shoot her in the face in rage after I got fed up with it. However, she was an essential NPC, and even after I became Guild Master I couldn't kill the self-righteous witch. :| (Though it was hilarious when she threatened to sic the Brotherhood on me, when I was the Listener)

I also found was that no one really cared about your race; even if you were Argonian or a Khajiit (which are banned from entering cities) you could just walk right in and become a Thane. Even being a High Elf had no real impact, apart from the occasion NPC remarking it in passing.

While those three aspects (the first especially) REALLY ruined some of my gaming experience, they didn't destroy the whole game, as the enhanced graphics, beauty, fun and replay-ableness of Skyrim made up for that fact.

It's not perfect, but then what is- You'll spend many hours on this game.

I have only managed to play for a about ten hours so far but this game is just epic. Its the attention to detail that makes the difference. Leveling is fun but does not matter because by level 4 you are carving upo dragons, not sewer rats. This game rocks

As a game this is what was expected from the Oblivion series. Very hard to stop and even harder finish with all the side missions. Great plot as always and a wide selection of paths to choose from. Be a Smith or a Bard instead of a Warrior or a Mage. Plenty of options, so take your time for you cannot rush to finish an infinite game. :)

If you haven't already got Skyrim, then you're certainly missing out on one of the biggest releases of 2011. There's been a lot of great games that's come out this year, but Skyrim has topped them all off.

With its stunning graphics, beautiful vistas, hard-to-top physics, and an amazing soundtrack, (the music in this game is by far the game with the best music. Ever) you will pick up the controller and feel as though you're one with the game and you cannot stop playing, no matter how much you tell yourself to. Although, I don't see why anyone would want to stop playing this game!

After the Oblivion Crisis, Skyrim sets you in a game in the middle of a giant war between Ulfric Stormclock and the Imperials. There is so many things to do in this game and you have no idea where to start first. Whatever you do affects the game, too.

This game is the most diverse game I've ever played and is a revolutionising game. If you haven't got it already–get it as you will not regret it.

It's everything the hype says it is. The game has dragons, an open world, and allows you to tell your own stories based on where you are and how you interact with the world.

Compared to Fallout 3, the last Bethesda game I played, this is surprisingly bug-free: I've not encountered anything that breaks the game, just a few minor glitches.

Balance is not perfect, some builds of your character will be more forgiving than others, but the game is survivable if you're patient with yourself and embrace the spirit of the game (exploration, experimentation).

Not a five-star game though because the Xbox 360 controls leave a lot to be desired – whilst the basics of navigation seem fine, the combat system (especially how hot keys work) is horrifically broken and slows down combat when you get more abilities and options. The interface could have used a bit more of a practiced design approach.

Otherwise the game's superb :)

I only just pulled myself away from my XBox and Skyrim, which I have been playing non-stop since it arrived this morning. It was a hard thing to do, but I didn't want to play it all at once. Skyrim is easily one of my favourite games of all time. It eclipses Oblivion in every single aspect. So, if you like open world RPGs and don't own The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, do yourself a favour. And buy it. Now.

it has now been sort of fixed well im not complaining

I'd love to write a review about this game! But I haven't received it yet. From everything I hear from other people it's a 5/5 game, I can't wait to play it, it just has to come in the mail first..........

Mean new tools.

The game is rather vast! Best single player RPG i've played. Looks amazing, story isn't too bad either!

One of the best i have played, great atmosphere to one of the worlds greatest open world rpgs. The dragons are breath taking being able to dive and stuff.

But like most games Skyrim is full of glitches mostly for ps3 seeing as its only using half the ram thats needed but either way i give it a 5

I've racked up well over 500 hours of gameplay on Skyrim over 7 different characters and I still cannot stop playing! The graphics make Oblivion look like it was made on Nintendo 64, the gameplay and combat is so intense and immersive that you'll find yourself cursing the descendants of your foes. And when that dragon comes crashing down behind you out of nowhere and starts torching a village- You WILL need a clean pair of undies. I don't just recommend this game, I put to you this point: It WILL change your life.

Skyrim in my opinion is the best rpg ever made.. So far!( Til the next elder scrolls! ) it has amazing graphics, realistic and very addictive gameplay and the most intense battles with the most realistic looking amazing creatures! ( Dragons! and giants being my favourite ) Skyrim elder scrolls V is definately a must have game!! And worth buying as it is a massive game and is packed with features and quests! This and MW3 are my two top games of the year 2011.

I love this game, it is full of new things to do. I have never really liked rpgs but I loved this one. Highly recommended.

Exploring hasn't been any more evolving and ever changing than this game. There has been huge depth and thought put into the playability of this game. It's great to see an offline game come out with a lot of dirrection to expand your character. Haven't found any need to get bored.

Good to see more offline games to comeout like this.

Just… slow clap… Stands clapping increases in speed

Not happy about the extra charge for a folded paper map that should come as standard. Looking forward to the game though. :-)

This is the best Game I have ever played! It is the best Game You will ever play! It will absorb hours from your day, and days from your life. But is absolutly worth it.

The Elder Scrolls V is more of a world with a story than a story in a world. Its a game world that you will want to explore… explore some more and then once you feel you have explored enough, go buy a house and then explore some more.

The game features a great sandbox type world, heaps of ways to play, a good story and allot of those moments that make you want to come back. Good re-playability due to the range of combat options and you never quite know exactly what your actions will lead to in the world.

A great game if you feel like scrapping for treasure!

It does justice to both Morrowind and Oblivion, It is a great RPG with epic value for money. If you are going to buy a game for a lonely Xbox Make it this one.

After playing oblivion and fallout 3, you'd be silly to miss out on undertaking another adventure from the people at bethesda. Absolutely worth preodering

The Elder scrolls has lived up to its name again with over 300 plus hrs of game play you are in for one time as you travel through out Skyrim destroying Dragons. Be a warrior or Mage or be both as you level up see how powerful you can become as you choose youre destiny.

An awesome story line packed with lots of quests and heaps of side quests if you dont want to finish the story quickly.Lots of different ways to play the game, and lots of different skills to level up. A great game!

I am absoulutely flaborgasted at how good this game is. I've spent aout 2 weeks straight playing it and I can still keep going theres so much to do all the time and so many amazing weapons, landscapes, spells, etc. I vote game of the year

If you're a fan of any of the elder scrolls games, or other games like them, then the chances are that you'll love Skyrim.

The gameplay has been improved in all the right places, maximizing enjoyment for all types of gamers, but especially for those who have played previous elder scrolls games. The depth and scope of the game is huge, but you can explore that as much as you want, depending on what you want to get out of the game.

The changes in combat are particularly badass – the ability to duel wield swords and spells (or mix it up with different combinations) is just spectacular.

Visually Skyrim is stunning – this applies to the landscape, skills menu and player effects – experiment with going into third person view while casting spells to see some epic graphics.

And as for the dragons… Everything I wanted and more.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have! (and it's size means I can enjoy it for a long time to come)

You'll spend well over a 100 hours on the game with its awesome graphic and huge maps the kinks have been worked out of the fighting system and eventhough there are a few glitches here and there none of them are game ending probably gonna be game of the year.

Has been the ending point of my social life, but well worth it! If you loved any of the past Elder Scrolls games, this is DEFINITELY the game for you! The graphics are amazing, and the storyline both main and side missions keep you hooked for hours on end. It was hard to drag myself away from it long enough to write this actually XD

I should clarify here, Skyrim, is easily the best RPG game I have ever had the pleasure of playing.

Great open world with insane detail, amazing customisation of character, fluid and fun gameplay with a huge range of ways to play through the game.

The one and only downside of this game is… I can't put the controller down!! :D

This is simply an epic and engrossing masterpiece. I have already spent about 25 hours on the game and I have yet to even start any of the main story quests.

If you are looking for value of money, then you cannot beat this title. I'm going back to play some more now :)

I think skyrim is the best game I have ever purchased off mightyape and the best over all, its stunning game engine and graphics makes un-ending fun. U hav a break and come bak and it still feels like you havnt played it yet, SO EPIC!!!

Brilliant game play, stunning graphics, absolutely love it. Probably game of the year this one

Best Bethesda game so far

I have been anxious to play this game since the first time I heard that it will come out I dont think bethesda has made a better game. And thanks to Mighty Ape for getting it to me on the release date !!! sweet!!!

This is the best RPG game ever made!

I am an old fan from back in the early 80's I have played Arena Daggerfall Morrowwind Oblivion and now Skyrim. Bethesda had a lot to live upto and to be honest wasn't sure if they could live upto the hype but Skyrim not only did everything they said but it was just soo much better than expected freeroam is standard for elder scrolls and there is soo much to explore everyone is going wow dragons but that is only one part of the game every quest is well thought out and individually designed not just hack and slash but you have to think and strategise the graphics is mind blowing no idea how they managed to squeeze it all into 1 disc but they managed so no changing of discs which I feared the NPC are realistic with daily routines the lockpicking much more realistic they amount of choice is just mind blowing If you only buy 1 game get Skyrim NOW!!!

And its not like it's just “better” than other games – it positively wipes the floor with pretty much anything else you care to name.

Have clocked up more than 40 hours and still I encounter many events, locales, quests etc in the game that just leave me agog, in disbelief that game design can be this freaking EPIC.

Can't say anything about this that hasn't been said already by other reviewers, but in case you're wondering, yes, it is the best game you'll ever play. It makes me shake my head in wonderment that people could be playing anything else right now…

And that Jeremy Soule soundtrack!

The game is frightfully amazing and went above and beyond all expectations (which were set really high). Skyrim offers limitless game play that will make 1 hour turn into 10 as you battle your way through the harsh, snowy Nordic province.

The game offers choices to the player like never before and engages you in an explosive story which you won't want to end.

I give this game 10 stars out of 5 and fully recommend you buy it along with the game guide as the two go “hand in hand”

That's how long it took me to finish a single quest line(The mage one) on the easiest difficulty. There are the warriors, the thieves, the assassins and the dark brotherhood. The guilds are only a small part of Skyrim, a small part that takes a very fun 40 hours to complete. If you are looking for value, go no further than the Elder Scrolls V.

Beautiful to look at, tons of options, and quite a bit of fun to play. A good buy.

This is an amazing game the english language does not have words to describe it an abslolute must buy for RPG fans especially if you love bethesda's previous works,thanks to Mighty Apes great service it arrived this morning,i've only stopped playing to eat and write this.Easily going to win GOTY i reckon.