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| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | |||||||||||||||||
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| Developer | Bethesda Game Studios | ||||||||||||||||
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| Publisher | Bethesda Softworks | ||||||||||||||||
| Director | Todd Howard | ||||||||||||||||
| Composer | Jeremy Soule | ||||||||||||||||
| Platform(s) | Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Release date | November 11, 2011 (original Windows, PS3, Xbox 360) | ||||||||||||||||
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the fifth main game in the The Elder Scrolls series, developed by Bethesda Softworks and first released on November 11, 2011. It takes place in the province of Skyrim, set 200 years after the events of the previous game, Oblivion. The player takes on the role of the Last Dragonborn, a mortal born with the soul of a dragon, and uses powerful magical abilities called Dragon Shouts to confront the return of the dragons. Skyrim is available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.
1 Story✎
Skyrim, the ancient homeland of the Nords, sits on the edge of disaster. After the death of High King Torygg, a civil war breaks out, dividing the province. The rebel Stormcloaks, led by Ulfric Stormcloak, want Skyrim to break away from the Empire, which has been in decline since the Oblivion Crisis. Loyalists, meanwhile, prefer the stability and protection the Empire provides.
At the same time, the Elder Scrolls—mysterious prophetic artifacts that the series is named after—foretell the return of the dragons and the rise of a mortal born with a dragon's soul. This figure, known as the Dovahkiin or "Dragonborn," is prophesied to have the power to defeat the world-devouring dragon Alduin and end his reign.
Along the way, the player is aided by the Blades, the last remnants of an ancient order of dragon-hunters, and learns the art of Dragon Shouts from the Greybeards, a revered group of monks. Working against the player are agents of the Thalmor, who pursue their own hidden goals.
2 Editions✎
Skyrim has been re-released several times over the years:
| Edition | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original | 2011.11.11 | The base game on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. |
| Legendary Edition | 2013.06.04 | Bundles the base game with all three major add-ons. |
| Special Edition | 2016.10.28 | Remastered version with an upgraded engine and improved visuals; includes the three major add-ons. |
| Switch / PlayStation VR | 2017.11.17 | Based on the Special Edition. |
| Skyrim VR (PC) | 2018.04.03 | Virtual reality release for PC. |
| Anniversary Edition | 2021.11.11 | A Special Edition bundle including all DLC and Creation Club content. |
3 Add-ons✎
Skyrim received three major downloadable add-ons:
- Dawnguard (2012) — focuses on the conflict between the vampire-hunting Dawnguard and the Volkihar vampires.
- Hearthfire (2012) — adds the ability to build and customize your own house.
- Dragonborn (2013) — takes the player to the island of Solstheim.
In addition, Creation Club offers smaller pieces of official downloadable content for the Special Edition, all of which are also included in the Anniversary Edition.
4 Gameplay✎
Skyrim is an open-world action role-playing game. Players create a character from one of several playable races and are free to explore the province, take on quests, and develop their character's skills through use rather than fixed class choices. Major gameplay systems include:
- Dragon Shouts — powerful spoken abilities learned from word walls scattered across the world.
- Skills — abilities such as combat, magic, smithing, and stealth that improve as the player uses them.
- Standing Stones — magical stones that grant lasting bonuses, similar to the birthsigns of earlier games.
- Factions — guilds and groups the player can join, each with its own questline.
- Crafting — systems for forging weapons and armor, brewing potions, and enchanting items.
The game world is filled with creatures, named characters, towns, and dungeons to discover, along with optional activities ranging from hunting to player housing.
5 Other wikis✎
- Bethesda director Todd Howard, interview with IGN, June 2023.