Skyrim: Dragonborn
Producer: Bethesda Softworks
Release Date: 21/4/2012 (Xbox), 02/5/2013 (PS3, PC)
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Rating: Mature
Genre: RPG
Another Dragonborn
Written by Josh Schilling
If you have not played Skyrim, please do so, as it’s one of the greatest console games ever created, but if you have played this game and enjoyed the open-world fantasy experience, then the newest expansion Dragonborn will be a more than welcome addition. Dragonborn adds the new island of Solstheim to the explorable world, about a sixth of the size of the Skyrim territory. Solstheim was previously seen in an expansion of Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and if you’ve played that edition of the Elder Scrolls tale, you will probably recognize the music as you explore the new territory in its contemporary setting. The topography of Solstheim isn’t as varied or interesting as the main continent, in fact it seems like there are only two sections. In the south it is ashy and desolate, and in the north it is all mountains and snow, but this seems realistic given that you’re in a smaller section of the overall world. There is a place, however, that you travel to during your adventure that stands out among all of the areas I have explored throughout the entire game.
During the main adventure, you cross paths with the betentacled, god-like Daedric Prince named Hermaeus Mora, and you get to travel to his realm of Apocrypha. With its twisting halls, Lovecraftian creatures, and buildings made of ancient tomes, it is a unique experience to traverse these halls and discover its secrets. Your character is of course THE Dragonborn, but it turns out there is another, more sinister, Dragonborn that has his thumb pressed squarely on the people of Solstheim. Your job, of course, is to remove this menace and take your place as the one and only. This game also offers some tantalizing additions and perks to enhance your overall Skyrim experience. You may now force wandering dragons to be your allies and even hop on their backs for a ride into the air. This seems great in theory, but you don’t get to control the dragon except directing him to attack ground targets in the area you’re forced to fly. One great additional perk is the ability to reshuffle your skill points into whatever new skill you choose. Did you spend precious skill points on the Light Armor skill before you discovered that badass suit of heavy armor that you don’t want to get rid of? No problem! Just spend a dragon soul and switch them around as you see fit. Another neat addition is the Ebony Warrior. This uber-powerful, but uber-bored knight finds your character once he/she reaches level 80, and offers up a duel for the ages.
It’s been over a year since the original release of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and playing Dragonborn was like coming home. It was fun to relearn and rediscover all of the things that made me love the game in the first place, even though it took me a while to find all of my stuff that I had “organized” in my house. I am still in awe at the work and imagination that went in to the creation of this world, and to be able to keep a single-player game this fresh for so long is a testament to Bethesda Softworks and the respect they have for the gamers who continue to play their games.