If there is a game that has made a difference since it was released, it’s Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The fifth installment of the Elder Scrolls saga was launched more than ten years ago and there are still tons of content being released for the original game so players can enjoy it. These kinds of games don’t age.

You can play it on most consoles like the Nintendo Switch, the Xbox Series One, Playstation 3, Playstation 5, or PC,  and be sure that this decade-old game still has surprises for you.

So, if you’re looking to buy an Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim edition, but you don’t know whether to get the Anniversary Edition or the Special Edition, this article is for you. We will explain the differences compared to the original Skyrim so you can know which one is for you.

What Is Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a role-playing game centered in an open world filled with action. It was developed by Bethesda Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks, with a release dating back to 2011. It’s the most interesting game from the Elder Scrolls saga while we are waiting for Elder Scrolls VI to come out.

Developers also created all the new content and added it to different editions to create a next-gen upgrade.

Storyline

The story is centered on the Dovahkiin (Dragonborn), the only person capable of defeating dragons invading the realm of Skyrim. You will have to follow the guidance of the Greybeards, who know everything related to you thanks to the knowledge of previous mentors.

According to the story writer, the tale is told 200 years after the Oblivion events. And as such, everything has changed. Progress through the story, find lost caves and unlock professions such as alchemy. Travel across the region and form a team with a few trusted partners to help you on your journey.

Gameplay

The gameplay is centered on missions and making your character level up and improving his skills and features. You can create your character the way you want and learn the skill or professions of your choice. Use magic, bows, swords, axes, and more, all according to your playstyle.

Play in an incredible and vast open world that shows an example of incredible diversity. You can travel to every point on the map you want if you discover it.

Complete quests (main and secondary), use weapons and armor, create new items, learn spells, and gather food and other resources. You can even choose to go down the wrong path, become a vampire, and slaughter everyone in your path.

Make the choice that works on your behalf.

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Editions Comparison

As you already know, there are different Skyrim versions. Below we will explain the best editions you should get and what you get with them.

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is the latest version of Bethesda's base game. This is the Special Edition but with extra content you have never seen before.

This anniversary upgrade will make you spend hours gaming, whether you are a PC or console player. 

Graphics and Sound

The Anniversary Edition of Skyrim doesn’t focus on graphics. This is because there are Bethesda-approved mods that you can use to improve textures and more.

When it comes to sound, you won’t hear any difference compared to any edition of the game. It’s still the same incredible soundtrack with immersive sensations.

Better Combats

Even though the combat mechanics remain the same, there are still improvements in weapons and spells in the new edition. The first thing to notice is that there is Necromancer’s Grimoire. This means that you can resurrect creatures and enemies or allies and use them to fight other foes.

You also have new weapons (like the Goldbrand) and spells that you can master while roaming the lands of Skyrim. Of course, there is an additional challenge to get them. You will have to meet new quests and other requirements to unlock this new weaponry.

New Quests, Stories, and Extras

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition gives special attention to stories and quests. That said, you can enjoy new quests and events that you can do even without an internet connection. 

There is a lot of content created by the modding community and added to the DLC package that you get in the Anniversary Edition.

The most important things you will love from the Anniversary Edition are:

• Rare Curios DLC: Also known as Rare Curious DLC. Adds ingredients and recipes from Morrowind, Oblivion, and Shivering Isles.
• The survival mode: It lets you play Skyrim as a real survival. This is a new mechanic that changes the game completely. Go to sleep, stay alive and keep upgrading your character. 
• Necromancer Quest: To fully unlock the Necromancer’s abilities. The missions involve ghosts and zombies.
• Tons of armors and spells: Search the Arms of Chaos, the Bow of Shadows, and more weapons. But beware, you may find puzzles in the process that will blow your mind.
• New Creation Club Content: Bethesda's Creation Club allows players and other future brands to create mods with incredible mechanics. For example, the fishing mod or the Saints & Seducers side story.
• The Cause Mission: The Mythic Dawn from Oblivion is back. They’re trying to open the gates once more and trying to repeat what happened 200 years ago. It’s your duty to stop them.

There is more content that opens doors to places that haven’t been explored in this new version of the game. They will have increased difficulty, but the rewards are tremendous.

The Anniversary Edition also includes the three DLCs, which are:

• Dawnguard.
• Hearthfire.
• Dragonborn.

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is a remastered version of the game that came out in 2016. This edition was released for all platforms such as Playstation, Xbox Series X, PC, etc.

Below you can see the improvements Bethesda has made for the Special Edition.

Graphical Improvements

The first improvement was made in the graphical aspects. Special edition owners will enjoy official mods that enhance graphics. For example:

• Remastered arts and effects.
• Volumetric lighting.
• Dynamic depth of field.
• Screen-space reflections.
• New snow and water shaders.

With these upgrades, it is clear that you are going to play a completely different game. And this is the reason why the Anniversary Edition doesn’t bring new graphical upgrades.

Mods Availability

Gamers can access the Creation club and use the mods posted there for free or when they purchase one mod. They can also be part of the club and create their mods without expecting copyright issues.

This is because all mods in the Club are approved by Bethesda. They do reviews and expect that creators comply with their guidelines before submitting a mod for the fans.

Free Update

Players that have Skyrim Special Edition have a free update available. It includes 4 of the best content from the Creation Club, namely:

• Saints & Seducers.
• Rare Curious.
• Survival Mode.
• Fishing Mode.

There is a bunch of good stuff and elements that you can finally access with the digital edition. And in case you want to change the Special Edition for the Anniversary Edition, you only need to pay a small difference. This will save you money from buying the completely new version.

Which Edition Should You Buy?

If there is a single issue here, it is to know which edition you should get. Because you see, one of them may have features you’re interested in that the other doesn’t have. The good news is that we can suggest which version you should get according to your game style.

If you like to have several new armors, strange locations, new quests, professions, and enjoy extra side missions to customize characters, you should go for the Anniversary Edition. This includes the entirety of mods you can get and future modifications supported in the Creations Club.

However, if you don’t need to have all the special content, but you do want some graphical improvements and essencial mods, you can go for the Special Edition. You still can to find other modifications from the community, but you may need to pay for them.

Doesn’t matter which collection you choose, they will give you everything you want for Skyrim. Beware that you will need to know your PC has the minimum requirements to run the game, otherwise you may get low FPS and this will hurt your experience. If you have a console, you can rest assured it will run.

On the other hand, if you want to experience a slightly different version without all the trouble of the extra content, go to the Special Edition. You don't have to worry about getting the complete set of content in the Anniversary because the best mods will be added for free to your edition.

No matter what you want to decide, both of them are great deals to re-discover what Skyrim can do. If you have already played the base game, you sure will enjoy this. And if you haven’t played it, then a world with notably packed new features awaits you.

Go to our website and get Skyrim Special Edition or Skyrim Anniversary Edition at the best prices. Subscribe to our newsletter and be part of our audience to get new generation gaming tips and gaming-related topics.