When you’re not shouting ungodly amounts of cheese wheels, decapitating each and every female passerby in a sick, twisted fantasy, or sneering at the sight of a misdirected arrow shot, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an innocent puppy full of wonder beyond your imagination, just begging to be embraced. And how could you deny that? Thieves, Barbarians, Magi, and of course, dragons await you at every step on the frigid grounds of Skyrim. Then you finish the main quest.
Isn’t it something truly extraordinary that a game like Skyrim that switches its focus from streamline to freedom exists? Almost mischievously it plays on our attention span with a jolt of curiosity here and a jolt of curiosity there, or rather an undiscovered cavern here and an ancient Dwarven mine there. It’s tough but Skyrim’s only rule, or suggestion because it’s so kind like that, is to let go, only then will the journey become that much more meaningful and spontaneous. When you do force yourself to release and thrive, Skyrim isn’t about playing, it’s about living. Do yourself a favor and don’t waste your time trying to name a game of equal stature that was available this year.
Take a moment, if you will, to listen to that boisterous main theme again. Chant with me into a crescendo, an explosion of might. Grab your sword, your staff, your bow, your dagger, your bucket, and give me a “FUS RO DAH!”, friend.
*Images courtesy of Duncan Harris (Dead End Thrills), you can find more of his work here.
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