Skyrim is a game that’s been in our hearts since any of us can remember (okay, since 2011, but it feels like forever). It’s well-loved and for excellent reason. Sprawling, in-depth, charmingly buggy at points… what an undertaking this game is, and any gamer worth their salt has played it or at least heard about it… but what’s really keeping us all here in 2024? Why are we still falling in love with this game again and again?
Well, to be blunt about it: new content. We’re not talking about the things Bethesda releases (though that’s definitely a factor!), but the fan-made beauties that refresh the classic experience and let us enjoy it anew in a whole range of different ways. Mostly, that comes in the form of mods.
Some of these mods are phenomenally detailed, with lines of actual voice-acted original dialogue to create new characters, over-powered weapons, crazy sidekicks, and just plain silliness. A lot are more “flash in the pan” approaches - fun temporarily, but not really game-changing enough to be memorable… but oh, there are certainly some that stand out as prize-worthy! So, what should you be checking out?
Skyrim 202X
One of the things that lets Skyrim down in the modern world? The graphics. Yes, they’re not actually changing the gameplay… but in the world of HD, 4K, and gloriously beautiful landscapes such as those created by Square Enix for their Final Fantasy games, it does look a little out of place.
Say goodbye to that with Skyrim 202X, one of the most downloaded mods out there for the Special Edition… and one that brings high-resolution textures to tons of elements within the game, revamping it and making it even better than the Special Edition achieved. Want pretty cities, armor, dungeons, and more while you trek about fighting dragons? This is your friend.
Gambler’s Paradise SSE
You can do almost anything you want in the world of the Elder Scrolls… but weirdly, you can’t gamble! There are no options for sitting down and tossing the cards about or trying your luck with the dice. That’s a bit surprising when you consider the setting and the richness that went into the game. It feels like a hole that got missed when they were weaving the glorious tapestry - fortunately, though, a brave and dedicated fan has stepped up with Gambler’s Paradise SSE.
And it’s good! Pop over to Pirate’s Grotto and try your hand at a bunch of different options, like roulette, craps, blackjack - and even the opportunity to gamble against your bounty to either clear it or double it. That’s a pretty nice addition. It doesn’t have everything, though, with some of the more engaging games like poker and baccarat missing… so if you’re a fan of one of those and blackjack doesn’t quite cut it for you, you’ll probably have to look outside of Skyrim to scratch the itch.
Of course, there are tons of options beyond this game if you do want to plunge into one of these. You’ve got casinos aplenty offering all sorts of games and even different payment methods. You can play bitcoin baccarat online in many different areas, testing your luck, trying out your skill, and having fun with the cards. Many platforms also offer live dealer baccarat, bringing the authentic casino experience directly to your screen. This immersive baccarat format allows you to interact with professional dealers and other players in real-time, replicating the social aspect of land-based casinos.
There are many advantages to playing baccarat and other casino games online, especially if you’re keen to get into the world of cryptocurrency, which also conveniently bumps up your online security by storing records of all transactions on a digital ledger that is virtually unhackable. Not bad… and when you’ve finished, you can jump straight back into Skyrim fun!
Immersive Armors
Bored of the standard Elven boots, hide helmets, cultist masks, steel plate - okay, so there are already many, many types of armor in the base game, but even so, when you’ve played through enough times, they do start to get boring, and experienced gamers itch for something more. Enter the Immersive Armors mod, which is intended for the base version of Skyrim and totally alters the armor system by bringing a plethora of new sets to the world (and they’re very beautifully made, we might add).
Deck your character out with eye patches and earrings, even capes, plus tons of other kinds of armor. Everything can be found, but it can also be crafted, bringing new activities, incentives for different resources, and, put simply, a lot more fun! This mod is especially great for those who care about the visuals and want to make their character’s look as customizable as possible.
RaceMenu
On the theme of customization… have you ever felt that initial character-building menu was too restrictive? Well, at first, it might seem the opposite, but when you’re honing the ultimate character, a little bit more choice is nice, and RaceMenu is here for you. It totally revamps the facial features and makes them look better, and it also adds fun things like body paints. Forget “dirt” and “dirt color” - we just went to another level.