The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

About The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Bethesda Game Studios dropped The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on November 10, 2011, launching it across PlayStation 3, PC, and Xbox 360. This single-player RPG sets you in Tamriel right after a High King dies and ancient dragons return to hunt everyone down. You play as the Dragonborn, a hero with the Voice that can tear creatures apart or calm their rage. The game promises total freedom to ignore the main plot and wander into snow-capped mountains or dive into dark dungeons. It redefines what an open world feels like by letting you build a character from scratch and decide how to spend your time in a setting that feels lived-in and dangerous.

Gameplay

You walk through Skyrim with no loading screens between areas, making the world feel seamless. Combat mixes sword swings, magic spells, and shields while enemies react dynamically to your actions. You can craft items at forges or alchemy tables, steal from houses, or join factions like the Dark Brotherhood without triggering a game over. A typical session involves hunting for loot in caves, leveling up skills to unlock new perks, and talking to NPCs to gather quest details. The controls feel responsive whether you are sneaking past guards or shouting at dragons mid-air. You can spend hours just exploring random locations instead of following the main storyline markers on your map.

What Players Think

PlayPile data shows serious dedication among our logged users with an average playtime of 162 hours across five active members. The community vibes lean heavily toward Atmospheric with five votes, followed by Story-Driven and Cooperative moods. Critic scores vary wildly, with Metacritic holding a 94 out of 100 while OpenCritic sits at 76 with only half the critics recommending it. IGDB lists an 83.8 average from nearly 4,100 ratings. PlayStation LifeStyle gave it a 90 and called the experience incredible, while Gaming Nexus also scored it 90 but noted you need mods to fix bugs. The price currently sits at $19.99 on Green Man Gaming for new buyers.

PlayPile's Take

Skyrim remains a massive time sink that rewards patience over perfection. The 162-hour average playtime among our small group suggests this is not a weekend title but a years-long commitment. You should buy it if you want to lose yourself in a world where nothing feels scripted, even if the frame rate dips occasionally. At $19.99, the value is undeniable compared to modern releases with microtransactions. The achievement list offers plenty of goals for completionists who enjoy grinding skills or finding every dragon burial mound. This game is not for players seeking tight narrative pacing or bug-free polish on day one.

Storyline

The Empire of Tamriel is on the edge. The High King of Skyrim has been murdered. Alliances form as claims to the throne are made. In the midst of this conflict, a far more dangerous, ancient evil is awakened. Dragons, long lost to the passages of the Elder Scrolls, have returned to Tamriel. The future of Skyrim, even the Empire itself, hangs in the balance as they wait for the prophesized Dragonborn to come; a hero born with the power of The Voice, and the only one who can stand amongst the dragons.