Elder Scrolls 5 Skyrim: KB reviews

The Elder Scrolls games have always been about freedom. Few Role Playing Games outside of these allow a complete feeling of freedom rarely found in video games. Do I want to be a murderous thief - Killing anyone who gets in my way? Will I stick to a path of a stoic hero? Avoiding temptations and pursuing honorable choices. Luckily Bethesda leave this choice up to us and allows all aspects of the game to remain available regardless of which way we decide to pursue our fame.

Elder Scrolls games as stated before are all about freedom, but does not only include moral decisions. Class choices have always been a large part of the Elder Scrolls series, Whether you want to be a spell-wielding mage, A heavy armor wearing warrior, or a stealthy assassin. Skyrim allows you to mix and match your favorite skills and create your own completely unique hero. The combinations are endless allowing the player's imagination to flourish, the sign of a truly great game experience.

Like in Fallout: New Vegas, the hero will have many opprotunities to have companion characters follow and adventure with them through the depths of countless Skyrim dungeons. A major challenge in any Bethesda game has been the weight capacity stat used by the game to limit the amount of loot your hero can carry. As soon as you've reached the end of an hour long dungeon and located the legendary weapon you have always wanted it is inevitable that you will be over capacity, which makes running or fast travelling back to a nearby city an impossibility. Now thanks to the companion system give your extra loot to your fellow adventurer and take it back once you are at the shop to unload it and make more valuable gold. As great as the companion system is to have included, there are problems with the system as well. If you decide to purchase a horse to make long journeys shorter, don't expect your companion to keep up. As soon as you reach your destination be ready for a long wait for your cohort to catch up to you so they can fight by your side. Also the AI sometimes has problems navigating around obstacles to stay at your side, will quickly fall behind if you are moving at a quick pace through caverns or dungeons, and will usually fall in combat long before they should, simply because they pick the wrong weapons for a certain situation. A rare miss by Skyrim.

A better looking game will be hard to find even in upcoming years. As good as this game is in its combat, story-telling, and freedom of choice, none of these factors compare to the sheer beauty of the landscapes of Skyrim. From the high mountain peaks covered in snow to the lush evergreen forests to the lively rivers cutting through deep valleys, every inch of the world of Skyrim is detailed and beautiful. Its amazing what is graphically possible these days and Bethesda has pushed it to the absolute limits.

Feeling a little unprotected in your next quest or having trouble taking down a dragon? In Skyrim your character can become a master enchanter, Alchemist, or even blacksmith. Whether its light, heavy armor, or a better weapon needed the new blacksmithing system is intuitive and rewarding. Being able to craft your own armors can help in more difficult situations and gives a more rewarding connection to your character as you improve your own gear. A great addition to the series.

Overall Bethesda's lastest installment in the Elder Scrolls series is a welcome addition and is an improvement in almost all aspects. As with any game, some flaws inevitably exist, but with so much right with Skyrim, its so easy to ignore the few faults. Beautiful environments combined with compelling story telling and a freedom rarely encountered in an RPG make this game a must buy for anyone who gets enjoyment from a well put together gaming experience.