Role-Playing Games · 2010s
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
A Nordic province as a fully open role-playing world: every peak climbable, every book readable, every quest discoverable by simply walking a direction. Its 'you're free from minute one' structure still feels unmatched.
| First released | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Bethesda Game Studios |
| Original platform | PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
Why it matters
It became the shorthand for the open-world RPG and one of the best-selling games ever made. Its modding community has kept it continuously alive far beyond any normal game's lifespan.
Play it today
The Anniversary Edition is sold on PC and current consoles; a decade of official and mod support continues.
Start here
Resist following quest markers straight away — walk from Riverwood toward any mountain and let the world interrupt you. On PC, the built-in mod support is safe to use even on a first playthrough.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elder_Scrolls_V:_Skyrim — release date, developer, sales and modding
- https://store.steampowered.com/app/72850/The_Elder_Scrolls_V_Skyrim/ — current PC edition
Sources for this page were checked 2026-09-21.