The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition brought to Xbox One a completely remastered version of Bethesda's legendary open-world RPG, enriched with improved graphics, new lighting, weather effects, and mod support directly on console. Playing as the Dovahkiin, the last living person able to absorb dragon souls, players set out into the sprawling fantasy world of Skyrim, where they can freely choose between the main storyline about the return of dragons and a vast number of side quests, faction questlines, and exploration of caves, cities, and mountains. The character progression system is based on skill use rather than traditional levels, so the hero develops exactly according to their playstyle, whether that's sword-and-shield combat, spellcasting, or stealthy sneaking.

On Xbox One the game ran at higher resolution and with a better frame rate than the original 2011 release, and mod support from Bethesda.net allowed console players for the first time to experience community-made modifications directly on their console. The atmosphere is completed by the iconic music of Jeremy Soule, whose choral themes and raw Nordic tones became synonymous with the entire series. Contemporary reception was enthusiastic, as Special Edition confirmed the timelessness of the original game and expanded its audience to a new generation of players. Even years later, Skyrim remains one of the most influential RPGs of all time, and its continual re-releases on new platforms only confirm how strongly it shaped the genre of open fantasy worlds.

Freedom of movement is heightened by the fact that almost any mountain can be climbed on foot, every village visited, and nearly every character exchanged a few words with, which at release gave a sense of a truly living world. Faction questlines, whether the Dark Brotherhood, the Companions, or the College of Winterhold, offer their own story arcs that the player can freely switch between depending on mood. On Xbox One, the Special Edition also served as console players' first full-fledged entry into the world of mods, from cosmetic tweaks to sprawling community-made quest packs, turning a single game into a practically endlessly expanding platform.

Why play it: Thanks to the freedom to climb practically any mountain and visit every village, interconnected faction questlines, and its role as console players' first full-fledged entry into the world of mods, Special Edition remains a nearly endlessly expanding platform.