The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
" Immersive open-world VR RPG with vast mods and epic adventure but buggy and clunky controls "
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR Review
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR offers a unique VR experience by bringing the classic Skyrim world into virtual reality. Players appreciate the game's immersive qualities and the depth of content from the original game and its DLCs. However, the VR port is often criticized for feeling dated and clunky, with many bugs and issues that hinder the experience. Modding is frequently mentioned as essential to unlock the game's full potential and improve gameplay, graphics, and controls, though modding can be complex and frustrating for some.
Performance demands are high, requiring a powerful PC for smooth play, especially when modded. The game struggles with VR-specific design elements, such as limited hand interactions and awkward controls. Despite these flaws, dedicated fans find it rewarding, particularly with community mods enhancing immersion and mechanics. The overall sentiment is that Skyrim VR is a strong but imperfect VR adaptation that shines best when heavily modded and played on capable hardware.
Highlights
Players praise the immersive VR experience that transforms Skyrim into a fresh adventure. The depth of the original storyline and vast open world remain engaging in VR.
Mod support is a major highlight, with many mods significantly improving gameplay mechanics, graphics, and immersion. Combat styles like sword and shield and archery feel notably immersive. The game offers a large, rich world with endless exploration possibilities, and the VR implementation of spells and combat is often described as fun and rewarding.
Criticisms
The port is frequently described as "half-baked" with many bugs and technical issues that impact playability, including crashes and UI problems. The base VR experience without mods is considered subpar, with clunky controls, poor optimization, and limited VR-specific interactions.
Modding, while improving the game, is complicated and can be a barrier for many players. The game demands a high-end PC, and the VR headset comfort and control schemes cause physical discomfort for some. Additionally, the lack of official VR enhancements and poor out-of-the-box polish lead to disappointment among players expecting a fully realized VR game.
Pros
- • Immersive VR world that transforms Skyrim into a fresh adventure experience.
- • Extensive mod support greatly enhances gameplay, graphics, and immersion.
- • Rich storyline and vast open world remain engaging in VR format.
- • Combat mechanics like sword and shield and archery feel immersive and fun.
- • Community mods add significant VR-specific improvements and quality-of-life features.
- • Ability to explore a massive fantasy world with endless exploration potential.
- • VR spellcasting and hand interactions provide unique gameplay moments.
Cons
- • The VR port is buggy and often crashes, impacting playability.
- • Clunky controls and poor optimization reduce immersion and comfort.
- • Modding is essential but complicated and frustrating for many players.
- • High PC requirements limit accessibility to smooth, modded gameplay.
- • Limited VR-specific design leads to awkward hand interactions and UI.
- • Physical discomfort reported from headset weight and control schemes.
- • Lack of official VR enhancements or new content disappoints players.
Rating Criteria
A true, full-length open-world game for VR has arrived from Bethesda Game Studios. Skyrim VR reimagines the complete epic fantasy masterpiece with an unparalleled sense of scale, depth, and immersion. Skyrim VR also includes all official add-ons.
