The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim released in 2011 to a sea of critical and commercial acclaim, quickly becoming one of the defining games on the PS3 and Xbox 360. It's an offering that boasts immense world-building and has the capacity for fun all over its sprawling map. Most other games that arrived all those years ago, even the beloved ones, are lost in time, with few people returning to the likes of Uncharted 3, Saints Row: The Third, or Dragon Age 2 in 2022. Meanwhile, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is finding new fans all the time, and existing players are still discovering new ways to have fun in the expansive map.
Starfield is the next project for developer Bethedsa, and while it will be a significant departure in setting from Skyrim, many fans are hoping that it takes cues from the Dragonborn's unforgettable journey. Time will tell if Starfield reaches the lofty heights of Bethesda's previous works, but it has a huge legacy to live up to. People are still playing Skyrim to this day for a number of different reasons, and though Fallout 4 released four years after it, Skyrim remains the gold standard of Bethesda's role-playing releases. With a new entry on the way, it seems The Elder Scrolls is more popular than ever.
Skyrim is Platform Agnostic
Bethesda may be wrapped up in the development for Starfield today, but since Skyrim released over a decade ago, it's been the subject of many remasters, rereleases, and platform changes. The game is available on so many devices and with anniversary and special editions aplenty that a massive amount of RPG fans have at least dipped their toe into its gigantic world. Availability is the best ability, and older games like Persona 4 Golden, The Last of Us, and Resident Evil 2 are finding new and renewed interest years after they initially launched on their respective platforms. Skyrim never really left, with such a significant presence on the game industry from the very start.
Open-world RPGs are becoming increasingly popular, and Skyrim's success is one of the reasons why. While titles like Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla may be the source of much chatter today, Bethesda's crowning achievement is still recommended by many when the desire is to experience an expansive and diverse landscape. Its sequel, The Elder Scrolls 6 is still far from its release, so fans are still discovering new ways to find enjoyment in its predecessor, and this has become simple because it's easy to find. From the heightened power of the PC to the portability of the Nintendo Switch, Skyrim feels at home on every platform it's currently on.
Skyrim's Quality Holds Up In 2022
Perhaps the most obvious reason why Skyrim is still popular in 2022 is its immense quality. Bethesda hit a home run with Skyrim in 2011 by crafting an experience that is draped in superb world-building, intriguing locations and memorable quests that each feel more satisfying than the last. It's a setting that players can be lost in for hours on end, and the way the land changes according to where the player goes is fantastic, even by today's lofty standards. From the gothic, snow-capped walls of the College of Winterhold to the humble settlement of Riverwood, it's a landscape that is fun to simply exist in.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt may be a more distinguishable setting and Horizon Zero Dawn may provide a more involved and engaging combat system, but Skyrim excels in its ability to make a world that feels lived in and history-draped. The civil war between the Stormcloaks and Imperials sets the scene of a warring nation, and even if the player spends their time taking on side activities or achieving nothing while roaming the land, it's easy for anyone assuming the role of the Dragonborn to feel like they're making an impact on the world. It may not be as pretty as some of its newer RPG counterparts, and some of its weaknesses like combat are more obvious now than they were over a decade ago, but Skyrim's quality still holds up, even in 2022.
Skyrim is a Modder's Paradise
Despite Bethesda working hard to make Skyrim as accessible, visually pleasing, and enjoyable as possible, players often find new ways to make their own fun. Mods are not only welcomed, but encouraged, and there are so many customizable options that can make the gorgeous setting even prettier or more amusing. From something as pressing as adding a multiplayer to the amusing addition of a hot dog stand to Solitude, Skyrim can be adapted to suit the player's needs.
Because of this, no two playthroughs of the game are the same. Not only are there a vast number of quests to undertake for the Thieves' Guild or the Dark Brotherhood, but there are endless options as to how the task will be completed, as well as options for adjusting the overall Skyrim experience. In many ways, Skyrim is limited only by the imagination of its audience, and that only heightens the game's already immense replayability.
Bethesda's Crowning Achievement is More Popular Than Ever
Skyrim is still popular in 2022 for so many reasons, and continues to entertain gamers of all different backgrounds and preferences. Be it admiring the gorgeous scenery or taking advantage of its liberal approach to mods, players are continuing to find new ways to enjoy the experience. Its quality is evident, and it remains the bar which Starfield has to leap over if it wants to take the mantle of Bethesda's best work.
Unlike a handful of other games that released at the same time, The Elder Scrolls 5 has immense longevity, which is worthy of much praise. Games are more diverse and, in many ways, better than ever, so it stands testament that a piece of media from eleven years ago is still so fun. If Starfield disappoints, fans will still have the magic of Skyrim to fall back on.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is available for PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.