The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

This mf has probably become the quintessential build-your-own-game mod base. I don't think there is a single subgenre of rpg or sim (hell, video game) that I haven't seen Skyrim get modded into. The base game, with it's stunning map and blueballing lore implications, induces the fattest Stockholm Syndrome known to man in 90% of players, and the mods (made by fellow victims obviously) make it actually worth your time. Human ingenuity at its finest. If only the new "update" didn't fill me with disdain to the point I decided to cut this game out of my life entirely.

I mean, this thing gave us Enderal. That alone makes it worthy of praise.

#666 all time is todd howard the devil

I see so many people who don’t get the appeal of Elder Scrolls and other BGS titles. These games have lots of things worth criticizing, but there is one thing that virtually no other games offer. BGS titles, especially TES, are basically fantasy life sims. Yeah the writing is usually somewhat weak but the reason that doesn’t matter so much is because the real “story” in these games is the one you make up in your head for your character as you play.

Is that somewhat of a cop-out? Probably. Is that an excuse for BGS to never improve in the writing department? Definitely not. But I promise it’s integral to the experience for those who really truly love these games. The world building and design here is excellent, the soundtrack is brilliant, and the quest writing is just good enough to serve as a foundation for your character’s story.

This goes for other aspects of the game too, like the combat. It is obviously not great and pretty simple. However, it’s responsive and diverse, and it allows for a ton of variety in how you express your characters abilities as an extension of their story. Combined with a great skill progression system, it’s way better than it gets credit for.

In this regard, TES is a “roleplaying” experience in the truest sense and there are only a small handful of comparable games. There is also something to be said for how this design approach (if it is actually deliberate) lends itself to mods as a natural part of the game. This game is all about using your imagination to live a fantasy life in a fantasy world. If you’re not into it then there’s nothing wrong with that but it really is the main appeal and the reason why fans can be quick to dismiss valid criticism.

pretty fun 16 hours

Fallout 3 was better

idk why this entry was never as entertaining as oblivion

honestly a real cozy game

Good game but gets stupid easy once you max smithing and enchanting out. Even early game is piss easy unless you're playing on legendary, but that's only difficult because the enemies' HP is artificially pumped up to give the illusion that the game is "harder". Half the skill trees are fucking useless too (who the fuck actually uses perks on lockpicking??). But with that said, I still play this game annually. Looting, magic and exploring are too fun to pass up.