An unrivalled but unrefined adventure that improves on the last instalments flaws while adding some strange new ones.
The game makes a huge misstep in its combat mechanics. While they have added a weightier feel to encounters making for more satisfying clash of swords, it's still a relatively floaty affair. By far the biggest omission is the ill thought out 'favourites system' which stacks every single spell, item, scroll, potion and piece of equipment under one alphabetical list, and the sticky keys given to the already poorly mapped controls are needlessly limited. For a game with such huge variety of content it's a mystery as to why something so fundamental would be so ill thought out and unfinished.
Selecting from the list pauses combat while you scroll through looking for your desired spell or weapon. Switching back and forth between your sword, shield or spell is a constant bother and could have been much better designed. It's a definite point of contention during battles.
The main story is more fun this time around but as with Oblivion the best stories are those you encounter along your journey. The emphasis on dragons and the constant threat of their presents is a fun inclusion that adds an extra layer of depth to the world.
Skyrim is a definitely an improvement for the series, but it still feels like a case of two steps forward one step needlessly back. Still this is the best experience of its kind and one that will create enough memorable moments to make the investment well worth some minor frustration.
7/10
Release date: 2011