Skyrim (Xbox 360)

Fallout 3 with dragons.

It sums the game up perfectly and would help entice even more gamers into the splendour of Skyrim.

The similarities between Bethesda's Fallout franchise and their latest game in the Elder Scrolls series are plentiful.

The combat system might not be the same but the ability to wander freely around vast, immersive landscapes encountering an array of weird and wonderful people and creatures is very similar.

As with Fallout 3 there is a core narrative throughout the game but the real wonder is lurching from one objective into a series of branching out missions.

There are always things to discover, places to visit and unexpected twists waiting for you.

Skyrim is a vast world, full of magic, mystique, companionship and brutality. As much as this is a fantasy adventure game it is also far more.

The makers revel in dropping you firmly in a world you know little of and the intention is to make you feel like you almost do actually have a whole world to discover.

Stumbling upon little villages and their communities is equally as enjoyable as fighting dragons and the like.

There are tanneries and ironmongers that you can visit to upgrade weapons and make goods and as you progress this becomes an important aspect of getting the most out of the game.

Role-play games over the years have been a mixed bag with games like Fable and Elder Scrolls really setting the benchmark, this though can lay claim to being the best.

I loved the Viking aspect of it all, wandering around in snowy Narnia-esque forests carrying huge iron swords and big metal shields is strangely captivating.

The combat aspect is at times cumbersome, but in a very good way, and then the magical elements throw in a whole other level of enjoyment and mastery.

The game will appeal to the more casual RPG gamer and the hardcore enthusiast alike, there is more accessibility and depth to cater for all.

As ever the emphasis is on the choices you make, you control your own fate and key decisions have an effect.

For example I encountered a loony old pensioner with an allotment, she was very friendly but her house was full of swag. I stupidly tried to pilfer a few precious stones and as a result she unleashed a bunch of blue lightning at me.


Personally I think the game is a triumph for the genre, aside from the grandiose nature, the excellent characters and narrative the game really succeeds in its beauty.

The landscapes are lush, the settings are perfect and you will walk round the game feeling like you really are exploring.

In short it sucks you in; such is the realism of the environments. The soundtrack to the game is also a real joy, haunting classical scores providing the perfect backdrop to a perfect RPG game.

Gaming doesn't get much better.

Score 5/5