The release ofSkyrimback in 2011 feels like an age ago, because, let’s face it, it was. In terms of the overall gaming industry, 13 years (and a bit) is basically an epoch. Since the launch ofThe Elder Scrolls 5all those moons ago, a lot has happened.
The US has had three presidents (four if you count the current returning one), the UK has had six leaders take up the mantel of Prime Minster, and Marvel has released about 30 films in its MCU money printing franchise. Also,Skyrimhas been launched and relaunched many times, depending on if you count each individual console port.
What I’m saying is it’s been a long time since Bethesda unveiled its critically acclaimed and epic RPG unto the world. So the question is: should you still play it now that we’re almost a decade and half into its release?
At this point, so many people will have already experienced the game that it feels moot to even ask. However, for those who haven’t played it,isSkyrimworth picking up in 2025?And if so, which version is the best to go for?
Skyrim’s enduring legacy
The most recent figures I can find show thatSkyrimhas sold more than 60 million copiessince it released. That’s a long way off from the likes ofGTA 5andMinecraft, admittedly, but it still features on lists of thebest-selling video games of all time.
This is in spite of it being a rather dated RPG these days. Sure, when it first came out, the visuals were jaw-dropping. To some extent, this is still the case, but it certainly pales in comparison to more modern releases, such asCyberpunk 2077orIndiana Jones and the Great Circle.
But Bethesda has done more than its fair share to keepTES5in the limelight by releasing newer versions of it over the years. Money for old rope? Absolutely, but it seems to have worked a charm. Despite the game’s many, many flaws,Skyrim(even in 2025) is consistently pulling in players. TheReddit sub r/Skyrimcurrently has about 2.3 million users. Interpret that how you will.
However, despite typically being held aloft asone of the greatest role-playing gamesof all time, the game wouldn’t be anything if all it had for it was the vanilla experience.
Skyrim is a modder’s paradise
If you’ve come across any article on this site in the last two years or so that talks aboutthe manySkyrimmodsthat are out there, chances are it’s been written by me. That’s not to say I’m some sort ofTES5modding sommelier. I don’t install all the ones I talk about. However, I am fascinated by what’s out there.
The fact that people are still creating their own custom content for the game is testament to its longevity. The base version ofSkyrimis pretty vast as it is. Maybe not as huge in terms of map size when compared to the likes ofNo Man’s Skyor the aforementionedMinecraft, but Bethesda is typically known for making pretty expansive open-world titles.
Having said that, it’s still a finite experience with a story that eventually concludes. Not so with mods, which can range from the outright silly to adding in new companions to tackling some of the more egregious issues with the game head on. Some mods even go on to become independent releases in their own right. See:The Forgotten City.
So, which version of Skyrim should you play in 2025?
Now, I’m not going to go over the differences between the various upgrades and newer versions ofSkyrim. In basic terms, you’re able to either get the vanilla release that came out in 2011, the Legendary Edition, which launched in 2013, the remastered Special Edition, which we got in 2016, or the Anniversary Edition that dropped in 2021 to celebrate the game’s tenth anniversary. There’s also the VR port from 2017.
It can be tough to decide between all these. However, whichever you go for, you’ll be getting the same game with the same story. But, suffice it to say, most would agree that it’s probably not worth going for the vanilla retail release. You can, no doubt, pick up a copy from a second-hand place for very cheap, so if you just want to playSkyrimwith no added benefits, go for your life.
Having said that, many recommend the Anniversary Edition for two reasons:
It being the most recent version ofSkyrim, it is a bit pricier than the ones that preceded it. However, I have noticed – especially on Steam – it often goes on sale. The last discount I saw on PC had the price slashed by 90%. If you want the Anniversary Edition, but don’t want to pay full price, wait until it gets discounted. That’s the long and the short of it, really.
