The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim review

Skyrim earns its place as the open world that never quite ends. The Steam listing for Skyrim Special Edition says it includes the original game and its add-ons, with remastered art and effects, volumetric god rays, dynamic depth of field and screen-space reflections. It also brings Bethesda Game Studios Creations, which add quests, environments, characters, dialogue, armor and weapons. Bethesda says the game won more than 200 Game of the Year awards. Steam lists save anytime, Steam Cloud and Remote Play on phone and tablet, and the price is $39.99. It ranks seventh because the combat and visuals feel older than the newer games here, and Steam's store data shows a Metascore of 74 for this edition. For players who want to pick a direction, join a guild and keep adding content for years, it is still a strong buy.

Who it is for

Players who want a classic sandbox RPG they can reshape with new quests and gear from Bethesda's Creations.

Price

$39.99 one-time purchase on Steam (US store).

add-ons with all-new features. $39.99 Buy on Steam
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Special Edition includes the game and its add-ons
• Remastered art and effects, volumetric god rays and screen-space reflections
• Bethesda Game Studios Creations for new quests, armor and weapons
• Save anytime and Steam Cloud
• Remote Play on phone and tablet

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Bethesda says it won more than 200 Game of the Year awards
• Strength: Creations add new quests, characters and environments
• Strength: $39.99 includes the add-ons
• Weakness: Steam's store data shows a Metascore of 74 for this edition
• Weakness: Visuals and combat are older than most picks here
• Weakness: Only partial controller support listed on Steam

Key facts

• Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
• Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
• Released on Steam: October 27, 2016
• Awards (vendor claim): More than 200 Game of the Year awards
• Steam price: $39.99

Where it ranks

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is No. 7 in our Best Open-World Games verdict and No. 3 in Best Xbox 360 Games of All Time.