The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a huge, sprawling role playing game and a fantastic experience - certainly one of the best games of the year.

In fact, the only major problem with Skyrim is the amount of time you have to invest! This is an absolutely massive game, even by developer Bethesda's standards: the world of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is genuinely one you can get lost in.

Getting started

As is tradition, you begin by creating your character, choosing sex race and more, and then it's off to adventure! The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim begins in dramatic style, with the first appearance of a dragon. You play a 'Dragonborn', meaning you can speak the language of Dragons, and you'll certainly be meeting them again during your journey.

Skyrim

The impressive and beautiful world of Skyrim is set in the north of the Elder Scrolls world, and is mountainous and icy cold. The land is suffering civil war as well as the prophesised return of the race of dragons, and it's this complex situation that you find yourself in.

Role Playing

The gameplay revolves around exploration, talking to NPCs (non player characters), completing quests and developing the skills of your character. There is a main quest, but it is the many equally involving side quests that make The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim such a huge experience.

Graphics and Sound

A common criticism of Bethesda games has been the unconvincing faces of NPCs and shaky voice acting. Luckily, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim mostly fixes this, making it much easier to get stuck into the atmosphere. In general, the graphics are really impressive, especially the land of Skyrim itself, with its mountains and views. The soundtrack works really well to add tension or emotion where necessary.