INTRODUCTION
Welcome, adventurer! Ever fantasized about slaying dragons, displaying immense bravery in fighting off trolls, or just living a peaceful life as a simple blacksmith in a fantasy world? If so, you’ve found the right place. Say hello to Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, one of the most popular, beloved, and expansive games in recent memory. This game is a gateway to endless possibilities and memorable journeys, with endless stories to be told. Does it sound exciting? That’s because it is! While the world of Skyrim can seem daunting and complicated for newcomers, fear not! This is your beginner-friendly guide to exploring the Nord homeland.
WHAT IS ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM?
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, often referred to simply as Skyrim, is a role-playing game (RPG) developed by Bethesda Game Studios. It’s the fifth installment in the Elder Scrolls series, following Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Released in 2011, Skyrim sets you in the rugged, stunning, and often quite hostile province of Skyrim on the continent of Tamriel. Within this mythical world, you are the Dragonborn, a bane to dragons and the prophecy’s chosen one. Here, you can choose to follow the main storyline or embark on side quests, join guilds, explore dungeons, craft weapons, trade in cities, interact with non-playable characters (NPCs), and so much more. Its vast open-world design, filled with sprawling forests, towering mountains, and bustling cities, has won accolades from players and critics alike.
HOW IT WORKS OR HOW TO GET STARTED
Starting off in Skyrim is a straightforward yet remarkable experience. You begin the game as a prisoner (a tradition in Elder Scrolls games). After a series of events, you escape, and the world of Skyrim is at your feet. You can customize your character’s race, gender, and appearance. In terms of races, they range from humans (Nords, Bretons, Imperials, Redguards), to elves (High, Wood, Dark, and Orcs), and even anthropomorphic reptiles (Argonians) and felines (Khajiit). Each race has distinct abilities and powers, so choose one according to your envisaged playstyle.
As you progress, you can train various skills in categories like magic, combat, and stealth. Performing specific tasks improves these skills which, in turn, contribute to your overall level. Whenever you level up, you may improve your health, magic, or stamina and learn new abilities called Perks.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
To dive into Skyrim, all you need is a copy of the game. You can play it on various platforms, including PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox 360/Xbox One. For PC, it’s recommended to have at least 2GB of RAM, a DirectX 9.0c compatible Nvidia or AMD ATI video card, and DirectX compatible sound card.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Save Often: Skyrim can be unforgiving. Save often, especially before entering new areas or initiating combat.
2. Explore: Feel free to ignore the main quest and explore the vast world at your own pace.
3. Learn to Craft: Crafting can provide you with powerful weapons, potions, and armor.
4. Train Your Skills: Don’t ignore any skills, even if they don’t suit your current playstyle. You never know when they might come in handy.
5. Mix and Match: Combine skills and abilities for powerful effects. For example, you could sneak up on enemies as a stealthy rogue and eliminate them with devastating mage spells.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Online sources like IGN and GameSpot provide comprehensive walkthroughs and guides for quests. The Elder Scrolls fandom is an amazing resource for lore, characters, locations, and much more. YouTube channels like FudgeMuppet and ESO are great for tips, lore, and build guides. Join the r/skyrim subreddit for discussions, memes, and beautiful in-game screenshots.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. Dragonborn: The player character, capable of using powerful shouts.
2. Shouts: Dragon language that can produce magical effects.
3. NPCs: Non-playable characters, inhabitants of the game world.
4. Guilds: Associations like Thieves Guild or College of Winterhold where you can take extra quests.
5. Fast Travel: You can instantly travel to any location you’ve visited before.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to conquer Skyrim, it’s time to start your own adventure. Even if it feels overwhelming, remember, the best part about Skyrim is the freedom it offers. You dictate the pace. Jump into Skyrim with a spirit of exploration and create a unique story of your own. Brendan Graeber from IGN commented aptly about Skyrim, “it’s the kind of game you could put 100+ hours into and still have something to do.” So go forth bravely, Dragonborn, for the world of Tamriel awaits you!
