Elder Scrolls V Skyrim : Review ( Xbox 360 )

Since the mid 90s, when the first elder scrolls game ( Elder Scrolls:arena ) came out, the elder scrolls series has been known for offering the player with massive and interesting worlds filled with worthwhile things to do. The elder scrolls games are also known for the freedom they offer to the player. The player can ignore the main quest indefinitely and explore the world at will.The new iteration in the series is, you'll be glad to know,the best one so far.
The Sixth game in the franchise is set in the province of Skyrim,home to the Nords. Skyrim is host to a civil war at the time with the empire fighting with the rebels who call themselves Stormcloaks. And also something is causing the resurrection of dragons all over Skyrim. The ( entirely customisable ) protagonist is discovered to be Dragonborn, the only one who can put an end to the dragons.
The main story is well and good but it's some of the side quests which can define the pinnacle of your experience with Skyrim because of their random nature and often deep story.
Coming to the visuals the game also looks great. Even though some of the textures are rough but you'll easily ignore them because of how the game world looks as a whole. Skyrim's snowcapped mountains feel grand and beautiful,it's pastures are refreshing to look at, it's rivers greatly add to the beauty and it's towns feel alive with a personality of their own. Character models are also an improvement over the previous games but still are far from perfect. There are some bugs but only a few of them are annoying while the rest feel rather amusing. All in all Skyrim looks great and feels very much alive with NPCs going on with their lives and often having interesting quests to give.
Coming to how the game plays one can easily see the improvements Skyrim has made over its predecessors. Skyrim introduces dual wielding in both melee weapons as well as magic. Dual wielding proves to be not only a gimmick but also adds another layer of depth to the game. The dragon fights feel exhilarating and thrilling because of their surprising nature. Other than that the new additions to the combat include the spurting out of blood when an enemy is hit by an arrow or a melee weapon. Skyrim also introduces executions which are randomly triggered on the last enemy in the area if you are using melee weapons. The execution is basically an animation shows the protagonist killing the enemy in a brutal fashion. Although you have no control over them executions are satisfying and make combat more entertaining. These little but important improvements make Skyrim's combat more entertaining although it still really is far from perfect if compared to other RPGs. The inventory system is certainly better than Oblivion's but can feel clunky at times.
Levelling up in Skyrim is also hugely different from other elder scrolls games. Instead of categories like Bare handed all the stats have been simplified and divided into fewer categories, one handed and block to name a few. This time there is no "class" system instead the character can be independently developed but its also to be noted that races do offer certain benefits and the player should choose wisely. This time levelling up also doesn't require sleeping as the player can level up on the spot.Unlike previous games levelling up in Skyrim grants the player the ability to increase his health,stamina or mana and a perk point which is used to purchase abilities like a shield bash.
The Verdict
Skyrim offers a truly unique world filled with lovely characters and great sights. You will love it if you like RPGs and fantasy. Even if you don't and you just want a game that can keep you invested for hundreds of hours and yet still feel fresh you'll definitely like Skyrim. However if you are the kind of gamer who doesn't have much free time on his hands I'd suggest that you don't get Skyrim as it could have a negative effect in your routine and you might not be able to get the most out of it.