Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Skyrim is Amazing!
This is a must have game for any RPG gamer! As the sequel (sort of) to Oblivion, the standards are set pretty high, but Skyrim does not disappoint.
Graphically, Skyrim has an attention to detail that is simply stunning. If Oblivion was good, Skyrim is great. There is a grittiness to the characters and the world they inhabit that was missing from Oblivion. The details are just out of this world... or should I say accurately represent this world. Like the flowing water and the salmon jumping up stream. Simply incredible.
The possibilities are endless. This is a game where you can personalize your character to accurately represent whomever you desire (yourself or something completely other). You can do just about anything. In addition to quests and adventures, the developers at Bethesda even make it possible for you to pick up such mundane tasks as smithing which can help improve your weapons and armor.
Skyrim is a stand alone game. By that, I mean that you don't necessarily need to have played Oblivion to understand what is going on. There are elements in the back story that you might recognize, but if you are new to the series, jump right on in. Even the controls have changed enough since Oblivion that you would need to relearn the finer points such as how to navigate through the items menus.

There are only a few drawbacks to this game. The first is that my XBox has had some lag issues trying to keep up with the graphics. It's been a couple of hiccups in smoothness where it might freeze for a second or two. I've even had it freeze up completely once during a loading screen.
Second, I find the text size (everything from the menu to subtitles) to be a bit too small to comfortably read. Perhaps an HDTV or large screen TV would be better for this.

This is an amazing game and I give it a hearty thumbs up!

Let`s start off with the over the top comments first. It really is the best western RPG ever made. I say western because Japanese RPGs have a radically different sensibility and fighting style and this may not appeal to those fans but even Japanese gaming mag Famitsu rated Skyrim a 40 out of 40 - a first for a western game it that mag.

I am reviewing for the Xbox 360.

I played through the entire main quest and have completed many side missions along the way. The first thing you notice is that the graphics are supreme compared to previous RPGs. The open world is still here like it was in Oblivion and your character starts out as a prisoner like all previous Elder Scrolls games.

It is truly a majestic game with sweeping mountain ranges, rivers, waterfalls, loads of different plants and animals, NPCs that are actually reasonably intelligent and endless quests beyond the main. Of course the first time you encounter a dragon will be an unforgettable experience as well.

The menu and leveling system has been completely revamped and in my mind simplified and improved. Very intuitive and easy to use. You can dual wield weapons or magic or both if you choose.

I have not encountered any real lags although it can take a moment when you open the menu for the system to respond. There really is no limit to the degree to which you can explore and adventure which makes this game a phenomenal buy for the money.

Do I recommend the game? Heck yeah!! I believe even people who are not fans of RPGs will actually buy into this one. This game is how things should be done...the attention to detail throughout is spectacular and thoroughly enriches the experience.

When you do buy it make sure you take a few days off because you are not going to want to stop playing once you start. Truly an amazing feat.

I had purchased Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for my son. He is quite enthralled with the game. The platform was for XBox360. The www.amazon.ca pricing was very competitive with the brick and mortar stores that we searched out. With the free shipping that was included and taxes paid, Amazon beat out the brick and mortar stores.

The game graphics are phenomenal. The storyline keeps one entertained.