The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition for PlayStation 4

Man, if you’re looking for a game to get lost in for months, this one’s got you covered. I picked it up on a whim during a PS Plus deal and ended up logging over 150 hours - not because I needed to, but because I kept finding new things to do. It’s not just the original Skyrim, which was already solid, but the Anniversary Edition throws in everything from the Special Edition and some Creation Club stuff. Like, there are new quests, new dungeons, even new bosses. I remember stumbling into a secret cave outside of Whiterun and being handed a quest that felt like it belonged in a full expansion. Pretty wild.

The good stuff

That moment when you first walk into Solitude’s throne room with the new lighting and textures? Yeah, it hits different. The visuals are crisp without being jarring - the snow looks real, the stone feels weathered. And the voice acting? Some lines are still cringey, but most of it holds up. I was genuinely surprised how much effort went into the little details - like how the wind ruffles your cloak as you sprint through a forest. Also, the game runs smoother than I expected on PS4. No frame drops during big battles or fast travel. And the sheer amount of stuff? There’s a modded feel to it, even though it’s all built-in. New armor sets, spells, even a boss fight with a giant spider in a forgotten ruin. It’s not just nostalgia - it’s a full package.

The not-so-good

But let’s be honest - the combat still feels clunky at times. You can’t dodge, so you either tank damage or spam blocks. It gets old fast if you’re not careful. And while the story is great, some side quests are just “go kill X, return with Y.” Not exactly groundbreaking. Also, if you’ve played the PC version, you’ll notice some graphical quirks - texture pop-in here and there, especially in mountain areas. Nothing game-breaking, but it’s noticeable. And yeah, it’s a big download - about 60 GB. So make sure you’ve got space. If you’re on a tight storage budget, think twice.

Bottom line

If you’re on PS4 and haven’t played Skyrim before, this is the way to go. It’s the complete package with no extra downloads needed. And if you’ve played it before, the Anniversary Edition gives you enough fresh content to make it feel new again. Worth every gigabyte. Just don’t expect flawless mechanics. But hey, it’s still the best open-world RPG I’ve played on console. Definitely recommend it.