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The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, released in 2011, has been a staple of the RPG genre and a veritable example of something greater than the sum of its parts. While one might argue nigh endlessly on which Elder Scrolls game has the better faction storylines, or which game has the better atmosphere, the better cities, the better soundtrack – there is just something so intangible, yet so ever-present in Skyrim's DNA that allows players to spend countless hours in the land of the Nords, crafting an adventure entirely of their choosing.
It is a well-executed sandbox game, supported by a mountain of fan-made content in a modding scene unmatched in its passion, ambition, and sheer size. Between mods that range from simple fluff like armor recolors, to recreating previous Elder Scrolls titles like Daggerfall – it is assumed, and even expected, that a player will further customize and modify their gameplay experience to best suit their needs or whims. With all these factors taken into consideration, it comes as little surprise that in a recent study conducted on the mental wellness video games can provide, Skyrim came out on top.
The study was conducted by FandomSpot as part of their ongoing series on how the modern media that people consume affects their mental health and wellbeing, with previous studies on the subject concluding that 79% of gamers see gaming as a source of stress relief and relaxation. To set the stage for the study, a survey was conducted where players were asked to pick video games that put them in a state of mindfulness and flow – of being in the zone.
The next stage involved choosing a hundred participants covering a wide array of demographics. From different backgrounds and locations, to ages and sexual orientations, they were instructed to play the games that surveyed most favorably in limited two-hour stints, alone, using consoles and peripherals of their choice – albeit with the addition of a simple heart-rate monitor. The participants were asked to record any mood shifts, stress levels, and emotions they felt before, during, and after their gaming session had concluded, as well as to list the specific factors that may have contributed to their mindfulness.
At the end of this study, a list of top 10 games that most easily helped players reach a state of flow began to emerge, with Skyrim (#1) at the very top, alongside games such as Tetris (#3), The Witcher 3 (#4), Minecraft (#5), and No Man's Sky (#6). The stated reasons for Skyrim ranking so highly included repetitive combat mechanics, the outdoor scenery, as well as its gameplay loop allowing small victories such as gathering crafting materials along the way to larger goals.
Though it's far from the most complex RPG, or the most innovative, there is something so cozy, approachable, and unquestionably timeless about Skyrim's simplicity that pulls a player in, and helps them forget the troubles of their day. With a strong foundation such as that, supplemented by a fierce modding community, the replayability of Skyrim has kept it in the spotlight far longer than most single-player RPGs have ever been.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Series X|S.
Source: FandomSpot