Why Skyrim Remains a Beloved Yet Flawed RPG Classic

Skyrim: A Middling RPG with Immense Content

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, despite being described as a middling RPG, has managed to captivate players for years. With around 300 hours spent across three different platforms, the author illustrates the game's immense replayability. However, this vast content often feels mediocre, leading some to compare Skyrim to a buffet with a wide selection but no outstanding dishes. Unlike a fine dining experience like Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3), Skyrim offers quantity over quality.

The game's strength lies in its detailed, interactive, and believable world. Despite its mid-level RPG mechanics, the world-building in Skyrim is often praised. Players can immerse themselves in a richly crafted environment, making up for the lackluster RPG elements.

Comparisons with Other Elder Scrolls Titles

When comparing Skyrim to its predecessors, opinions vary. Some fans argue that Oblivion offered a better overall experience, but Skyrim's superior presentation and art direction contributed to its greater success. Morrowind, on the other hand, boasted superior writing but lacked the interactivity that Skyrim provides.

Skyrim is often seen as the pinnacle of sandbox RPGs. Players can ignore the main quest entirely and still find an abundance of activities to engage in. This open-world design and open character development were game changers at the time of Skyrim's release, influencing later games like Witcher 3 and BG3.

The Impact of Skyrim on Gaming

The impact of Skyrim on the gaming industry is undeniable. Its success has paved the way for future RPGs, setting a standard for open-world design and player freedom. The game's replayability added significant value to a single-player experience, allowing players to continuously find new ways to enjoy the game.

Skyrim appeals to a wide variety of players because nothing about it is amazing, but everything is good. This broad appeal has contributed to its lasting popularity, even if many acknowledge that Skyrim was great for its time but not necessarily great overall.

Criticisms and Concerns for the Future

Despite its success, Skyrim is not without its critics. Some fans find Skyrim lovers insufferable, pointing out the removal of fun systems and the dominance of stealth archery as a broken build. Concerns are raised that Elder Scrolls 6 might continue the trend set by Skyrim, potentially resulting in a bland experience.

Skyrim removed much of the original personality of the Elder Scrolls series, opting for a more generic fantasy style. The game doubled down on following Lord of the Rings (LOTR) fantasy styles rather than the unique style of earlier Elder Scrolls games. This shift in art direction, while successful, has left some fans longing for the distinctiveness of previous titles.

The Flaws in Skyrim's Mechanics

Beyond its artistic choices, Skyrim's gameplay mechanics have their own set of issues. The writing is often described as passable to terrible, and the combat can feel like ice skating. The perks in Skyrim are considered boring and unbalanced, failing to provide the depth and engagement that players might expect from an RPG.

Despite these flaws, Skyrim's success is largely attributed to its better presentation and art direction compared to earlier Elder Scrolls games. While the art direction is considered very standard for its setting, lacking uniqueness, it was effective enough to captivate a broad audience.

Final Thoughts

Skyrim remains a beloved yet flawed RPG classic. Its detailed world, immense content, and open-world design have left a lasting impact on the gaming industry. However, its middling RPG mechanics, generic fantasy style, and unbalanced gameplay elements highlight the areas where it falls short. As fans look forward to Elder Scrolls 6, they hope for a return to the unique style and depth that once defined the series while building on the successes of Skyrim.