Have You Played... The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?

Another winter, another new Skyrim save file. You may be asking why I own this particular game on multiple different platforms, and sometimes more than once on one platform (looking at you Special Edition). You may think it’s because I like to create a different character build each time, a wise mage, a heavy melee warrior, or a stealthy archer. You may think it’s because I want to change whose side I’m on, the Stormcloaks or the Imperials. You may even think it’s because I really want to give playing as a Khajiit another go because they just look so damn cute, but are so horribly bullied it actually affects my real-life anxiety. If you’re thinking it’s because of any of these. You’re wrong.

It's because of the winter, and Skyrim is kinda snowy, all right? It makes me feel all Christmassy inside, and as a not-quite-but-nearly-Christmas-hater, this is almost my favourite thing to do at that time of year. I just love Skyrim. Not for its graphics, or its voice acting, or anything I usually deem important, but because it’s an escape. The world of Skyrim is vast, open, and homely.

I think this is helped by the character I make. Every time I start a new save file I create pretty much a clone of whoever came before them. Bosmer? Check. Archer? Check. Joins the Dark Brotherhood? Check. What about the Thieves Guild? Check. I hate myself for being so predictable. Too myself. Even when I gave The Elder Scrolls Online a go, I still created basically the same person. Didn’t get on with it as well as Skyrim though, I prefer being a lone wanderer and exploring everything at my own pace, rather than feeling embarrassed of my low level compared to all of these veterans running around with cool equipment.

I’m assuming most of you have played Skyrim, and I assume most don’t rate it as highly as I do, but for me it’s a warm hug, in a cold wintry setting, with dragons all around. It just makes me feel comfortable and happy. Cosying up in front of a fire with a mug of hot (vegan) chocolate and extra (vegan) marshmallows, a blanket, your dog, and booting up Skyrim gives me such a lovely warm glow inside. It’s one of the only reasons I look forward to Christmas.