A true masterpiece of fantasy gaming - a living, breathing world to explore and loot!
Thus far I've invested around 30 hours into the game and am far from disappointed. I tried the previous Oblivion but as an aesthetic gamer I was put off by the low-level graphics and vast expanses of nothingness. Skyrim is a different beast entirely - the combat is responsive with each slice actually hitting opponents and shield blocks actually blocking - unlike rival RPGs that have you standing smacking each other till one dies. The graphics engine has been overhauled and includes everything from wide grassy vistas to snow engulfed mountains. The map is huge and unlike predecessors actually contains lots to do - never are you sitting with fewer than about 20 quests to complete at a time. Just wandering the wilderness will turn up hundreds (thousands?) of opportunities to refine your character and mould them into what you desire.
My only quibbles with the game are simple and don't detract from the overall game - things such as clipping and graphical glitches, companions being completely moronic, and some jerky NPC movements breaking the atmosphere temporarily - but it's quick to throw amazing things at you that render these mere irritations rather than issues.
A definite recommendation whether you're new to the fantasy RPG genre or a tried and tested geek. I was waiting to pick up a copy of Two Worlds 2 and the new Assassins Creed but they're on the backburner till I squeeze everything from the 100 hours of gameplay contained in this epic.
Already eagerly anticipating the DLC, avid gamer I am - I just hope it's better than previous DLCs such as the rather underwhelming Horse Armour DLC released in previous efforts!