Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Ralof’s hair is as rigid and harsh as a piece of banana Laffy Taffy I once found under my couch, covered in dust. As we traveled on the cart toward our execution, this was the first thing I saw in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, and it did not create a good first impression.
The inconsistent graphical upgrade leaves Skyrim in an odd place, yet seeing lush vegetation carpeting the floors of dark fir woods and light bouncing off choppy seas on Lake Ilinalta would quickly make me homesick for this fictitious country I explored for months five years ago.
Without any new content or behind-the-scenes improvements to make it feel fresh for a returning adventurer, this version of the Nordic homeland looks better but is never quite good enough to pass for a modern game. The Dragonborn has returned, as prophesied by the prophets at Bethesda Game Studios, but this is not the Second Coming.
For the month of December, we’re spotlighting a selection of mods that bring a festive feel to this time of year. 🌲
Check out our list of holiday community mods for #Fallout4 and #Skyrim: https://t.co/AyaBzvziBy pic.twitter.com/dfGfmcw42P
— Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) December 2, 2022
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Special Edition of Skyrim faithfully recreates and enhances the original game, but it also leaves plenty of room for future expansion.
Because the PS3 version from 2011 had muddy graphics, load times so long that I could write and shoot off important emails before the next map appeared, and major frame rate issues that got worse as the size of your saves increased, I spent the vast majority of my time with the PS4 version of Skyrim Special Edition.
Any PS3 owner who played through that era will agree that this version is superior; loading screens during fast travel now disappear in the time it takes to recite the infamous line about taking an arrow to the knee, and despite my distaste for Ralof’s taffy hair, it has never looked better on consoles. Included as well are the major add-ons, Dawnguard, Heath fire, and Dragonborn, making this version 100% complete.
When It Comes to the Game’s Characters, the Special Edition Doesn’t Make Any Major Changes.
At first, I had a hard time accepting this fact; in my mind’s eye, the woods near Riften had always been vibrant and lush like this. (I’ve put in the bulk of my 400 or so hours with Skyrim on PC, where I, of course, loaded it up with visual mods.) However, the substantial modifications are readily apparent when compared side by side with the original form.
While I and many other gamers had hoped for major character model and animation overhauls in the Special Edition, we do get some minor but welcome improvements to the world’s occasionally significant elements. The moonlight streaming through the trees of the Falkreath forest was eerie and beautiful, but the volumetric lighting was the real show-stopper.
The new dynamic depth-of-field choices can also be used to subtly emphasize certain aspects of dialogue (and which the Special Edition introduces with over-the-top intensity in the opening dragon attack). Enhanced textures feature better detail across the board.
For the month of November, we’re highlighting Japan-based Modder Higeyosi.
From Japanese-infused culture mods to mascot head armor, Higeyosi has been modding Bethesda games since Oblivion. Check out his entire collection in our Featured Modder article: https://t.co/uj5FQibGOv pic.twitter.com/AS977oBaHO
— Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) November 29, 2022
Skyrim’s dreary color scheme was OK with me in 2011 because it fits the game’s northern setting and plot, but I have to admit that the increased draw distances and enhanced color saturation make the sun shine brighter and more vividly on sunny days in and around Whiterun.
Obviously, PC mods have allowed this sort of thing for years, but the improvements here finally give PlayStation and Xbox the Skyrim they deserve. They aren’t enough to make you want to buy it again just for the visuals, but they do make this the greatest console game to start with.
It’s unfortunate that Bethesda prioritized visual polish above improved performance while developing Skyrim for current-gen consoles. Despite being a remake of a previous-generation game, Special Edition’s frame rate remains very stable at 30 frames per second with rare dips.
The Simplest Enhancements Are Often the Most Useful.
The Special Edition’s biggest changes, though, are those that focus on the finer details, eliminating or reducing the various nitpicks that might make the game frustrating at times. In addition to the improved load times, the game also features a convenient new quicksave feature.
Hoping you can stay warm and cozy this holiday season! ❄️ pic.twitter.com/MhCpLUod8G
— The Elder Scrolls (@ElderScrolls) November 24, 2022
The combination of these factors has resulted in a more rapid progression of plot and action compared to the beginning of the decade. In addition, the Special Edition takes helpful inspiration from Fallout 4 and organizes save files by character, so you no longer have to go through them all to find the ones you need. The ability to auto-run across the tundra with a single swipe is just one example of how even the smallest of updates can have a huge impact on convenience.
The Result: The Judgment
If you’ve never played Skyrim before, the Special Edition is an experience you can’t pass up. There are still plenty of bugs, poor character models, and lackluster battle animations, but the setting is much more memorable thanks to enhanced lighting and effects.
skyrim special edition surpassed normal skyrim today pic.twitter.com/e6PNH4aMDF
— Christmas Spirit (@Jarl_Woozy) December 4, 2022
If you played Skyrim before and want to experience it again on a modern system, this may be for you, albeit the Xbox One version has better mod support and is therefore the better buy. However, if you’ve previously played all the downloadable stuff, the disc contains nothing new to urge you to return other than a spruced-up appearance.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Special Edition come with?
Remastered visuals and effects, volumetric god rays, dynamic depth of field, screen-space reflections, and other improvements are only some of the additional features included in the Special Edition expansion packs for the highly acclaimed game. With the release of Skyrim Special Edition, console players will finally have access to the game’s modding capabilities.
What is the difference between The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim special edition?
The Special Edition is a graphical update of the original game, incorporating features like volumetric god rays and substantially enhanced reflections thanks to a new and improved game engine.
Does The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim special edition include all DLC?
The downloadable content for Skyrim can be found in the Special Edition. Except for a few minor changes, it’s a perfect recreation of the original game: The game’s downloadable content (DLC) is fully integrated.
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