Why Are We All Still Playing Skyrim Ten Years Later?
A decade after it first launched, millions of people are still playing, discussing, writing articles, and making videos about Bethesda's unstoppable fantasy RPG. There's something about Skyrim that keeps people coming back year after year, and it's made an impact on pop culture that most games could only dream of. Even if someone doesn't care about video games, they probably at least vaguely know what Skyrim is—along with Super Mario, Tetris, and World of Warcraft. But why? What is it that makes this game so damn powerful?
Skyrim's freedom is exhilarating—even when you've played it for 200 hours and have explored every inch of the map. Starting a new character, stepping out of that cave, and seeing the whole world stretching out before you is about as exciting as RPGs get. You can go anywhere, do anything, be anyone, and that is an intoxicating prospect. This, I think, is the secret to the game's ridiculous replayability. Between this liberating freedom and the dynamic, unpredictable nature of the world, no two playthroughs are ever the same.
Related: There's Always A New Way To Play Skyrim
Another reason Skyrim is so replayable is the simulation underpinning everything. While most RPGs are basically one kind of game, Skyrim is many games. You can play and enjoy it without doing quests, pursuing the story, or even swinging your sword. If you want to just wander, fish, chop wood, and hike through the wilderness, you can. It can be a survival game or a hunting sim. You can spend your time building and decorating houses. Pursue a romance. Hire people to fight for you. The breadth of the thing is wild.
When you play Skyrim, you never know what's going to happen. A peaceful hike can suddenly turn into a chaotic battle against
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