Elden Ring V. Skyrim: Which Is Better? [Detailed Comparison]

The Elden Ring’s release as an open-world RPG has bought up one of the monoliths of the past. That is The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. Skyrim has been known as one of the best open-world RPGs of its time. Although it is more than a decade old, Skyrim still holds onto its status as a die-hard classic. That is why many players still have Elden Ring Vs. Skyrim comparisons, where they differentiate aspects of both games, including their core aspects such as map sizes.

Elden Ring and Skyrim have a lot of differences. To give an idea, here is a brief comparison of them.

New Updates

• Skyrim is an 11+ years old game, so it does not get any major updates.
• It gets some minor updates that are mostly bug fixes.
• But that means that it is a well-balanced game.

On the other hand, Elden Ring looks quite promising when it comes to updates.

• Elden Ring, on the other hand, was released last year in February 2022, meaning many major updates are possible.
• It receives major updates that tweak a lot of items, weapons, etc., to change the experience for the players.
• There are a few broken weapons that allow players to have a rather easy time in Elden Ring.

Skyrim is an 11-year-old game, but time has passed for Skyrim, and it usually gets updates to fix a few bugs here and there. Elden Ring has just entered the scenes, and it is bound to get regular updates that change some major aspects of it. Elden Ring takes the win when it comes to updates.

DLCs

• Skyrim has had a total of three DLCs since its release.
• As the age of Skyrim has almost ended, players should not expect to see any more DLCs.
• The DLCs add more content to Skyrim, allowing for a new and ‘updated’ experience for the players.
• Players get to see more detailed followers, House building options, and a completely new region thanks to these DLCs.
• All DLCs are available in the Skyrim Special Edition.

As for Elden Ring’s DLCs, there is a lot of hope.

• Elden Ring is a rather new release, so there aren’t any DLCs released.
• But that doesn’t mean that the developers have no such plans.
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is the first DLC announced with much promise ahead.
• We’re hopeful that it will bring much more content for the players.

Skyrim has had more than 11 years to work on its DLCs. That allows it to release three expansions. As Elden Ring has been out for one year, it has not yet received any DLCs. But, due to the already available DLCs and how they improved the gameplay, Skyrim is the winner.

Map

• Skyrim’s map covers 15 square miles, but it often feels empty and static, despite an ongoing Civil War. Players can explore freely from the start.
• Elden Ring features a significantly larger map, spanning 30.5 square miles, densely populated with various creatures and enemies. The map is gradually revealed through collected Map Fragments, and players can’t access other regions until defeating their respective bosses.

In summary, while Skyrim’s map impressed at its release, Elden Ring’s expansive and immersive world has raised the bar in the comparison of map sizes between the two games.

Lore

• Skyrim is part of “The Elder Scrolls” series, offering a rich and well-thought-out lore that has evolved over decades across nine diverse provinces in the fictional world of Tamriel.
• Elden Ring, on the other hand, is a standalone game and lacks the extensive lore development seen in Skyrim. It also suffers from gaps in its lore that can leave players confused, despite the involvement of acclaimed writer G.R.R. Martin.

Elden Ring can’t beat the well-developed lore of Skyrim. Skyrim had more than two decades to develop its lore as it is a part of The Elder Scrolls series. That allows Skyrim to take a win in the Lore department.

Worldbuilding

• Known for its captivating and well-established world, enriched with lore.
• Features diverse points of interest and locations to explore.
• Each city is unique, with its own distinct NPCs and side quests.

Although Elden Ring is a new release, it shows promise.

• Utilizes a modern and advanced engine to create visually stunning and detailed worlds.
• Offers a richly developed world with intricate lore and characters.
• While the number of structures and NPCs may be limited, they are crafted with meticulous detail.

The World of Skyrim is complete in every aspect. But when you talk about Elden Ring, there is much more to offer. The new engine allows it to have better overall graphics. When making an Elden Ring Vs. Skyrim comparison, the new and much more advanced World of Elden Ring lets it get its win here.

Exploration

• Offers a beautiful and immersive open world that is enjoyable to explore.
• Exploration in Skyrim is often peaceful, with fewer random enemy encounters.
• Features various intriguing and well-marked locations that encourage curiosity.

As for Elden Ring, the exploration part is a hassle of its own.

• Boasts modern graphics that provide stunning visuals for exploration.
• Players may encounter enemies during exploration, adding an element of danger.
• Features interesting and diverse landscapes and locations.
• Lacks markers for important locations, relying on players’ exploration and the map.

If you want peaceful exploration, then Skyrim is the one for you. But in Elden Ring, a lot of the time, you might get attacked by different creatures. These creatures can kill you easily if you aren’t careful. Because of the rather peaceful experience, Skyrim is the winner.

Mods

• Skyrim has had a thriving modding community for over a decade, resulting in thousands of available mods.
• Modders have had ample time to create various types of mods, from graphics enhancements to additional content, quests, and quality-of-life improvements.
• The modding community continues to produce and update mods regularly, enriching the game’s experience.

Although a new game, Elden Ring still has enough to show in Mods.

• Elden Ring is a relatively new game, so its modding community is still in its early stages.
• Despite being a newer release, some mods for Elden Ring have been created, offering enhancements, gameplay improvements, and added flavor.
• As Elden Ring continues to age, its modding community is expected to grow, and more mods are likely to become available.

The long years of dominance of Skyrim in Mods have helped it become one of the most modded games. These mods add extra flavor to Skyrim or enhance its already superb gameplay. In Elden Ring Vs Skyrim comparison, Elden Ring isn’t far behind, but here Skyrim takes a clear win.

Character Choice

• Skyrim has a wide range of races available for the players to play as.
• There are a total of 10 playable races in Skyrim.
• Each of these races has different passive abilities, giving players different role-playing options.
• They can play as a sneaky archer, or as a barbarian warrior, or as a mage.

Whereas in Elden Ring, here is what you get to see.

• Elden Ring has a few different playstyles for players.
• These are the same race with different stats to try out different builds.
• If players grind enough, there is no difference later in Elden Ring as they all become the same (unless players have something specific in their minds).
• What Starting Class you choose will determine your gameplay style.

What character you choose in Skyrim will have consequences. That helps a lot when a player is trying to role-play. But you don’t get to see that in Elden Ring. Although there are different builds, players can interchange once they get high enough levels. That’s why Skyrim is the winner for Character choices.

Leveling Up

Here is how the Leveling Up system in Skyrim works.

• In Skyrim, players level up by improving any of the eighteen skills.
• Skill improvement occurs as players use these skills during gameplay.
• Once a certain number of skills have leveled up, the player’s overall level increases.
• Leveling up in Skyrim is mostly passive, allowing players to focus on other aspects of the game.

Elden Ring takes its inspiration from its sister games.

• In Elden Ring, players level up by spending runes at the Site of Grace.
• As there is no save or quick save option, if the Tarnished dies, they lose all their runes unless they go to the area where they died and recover them.
• The Runes consumption for leveling up increases with each level.
• Players will have to focus on their runes and ensure that they have enough so they can level up.

Skyrim’s Leveling Up system is easier for players to handle. But, in Elden Ring, players have to spend their Runes to level them up. And keeping a check on Runes can get a little tedious. For that reason and many more, Skyrim’s leveling-up system takes the win here.

Character designs

• Features character designs that were groundbreaking when the game was released over a decade ago.
• The character models may now appear outdated in terms of graphical fidelity.
• However, the game still offers a diverse range of character designs, and each NPC feels unique.
• Players can interact with and have dialogue with a wide variety of characters.

Elden Ring uses its latest engine to give the players some phenomenal designs.

• Utilizes a modern engine to deliver stunning character designs with improved graphical fidelity.
• Characters in Elden Ring benefit from more advanced technology and design techniques.
• Each character in Elden Ring boasts a unique and visually striking design.
• While Elden Ring may not offer the same level of interaction with NPCs as Skyrim, its character designs are extraordinary.

Skyrim had some phenomenal character designs, but its engine and designs are outdated by now. And as Elden Ring uses its latest engine, it easily takes the win here when you do an Elden Ring Vs. Skyrim comparison.

Dialogue And Interaction

• Offers a rich and extensive dialogue system with hundreds of NPCs.
• Each NPC has unique dialogue and voice acting, contributing to immersive storytelling.
• Players have multiple dialogue options with consequences based on their choices.
• Dialogues play a significant role in understanding the game’s world-building and lore.
• Dialogue choices can impact a player’s standing with various factions.

Like the Dark Souls, there are no such dialogues in Elden Ring.

• Features NPCs but places less emphasis on extensive dialogues.
• Interactions with characters often involve limited choices, such as simple yes or no responses.
• Dialogues provide some insights into the game world but lack the depth and detail seen in Skyrim.
• Dialogues have minimal influence on the progression of the Elden Ring storyline.

Skyrim helps its players learn about it with the help of different NPCs. These NPCs help understand what the player has to do and about the lore. But in Elden Ring, the players can go about without having to talk with most of the NPCs. So, for dialogues, Skyrim takes the win here.

Role Playing

• Skyrim allows the players to play different types of character builds.
• They have the character of Elf, Orc, Nord, Redgaurd, and many more.
• That gives the players Role Playing possibility in Skyrim.
• Players can have a wife and then live in a house as a merchant.
• They can play as Warriors that are on their way to help everyone.
• Or you can Role Play as an emperor, thanks to mods.

Elden Ring falls behind in Role Playing.

• In Elden Ring, the players have no such options.
• They can only play as the Tarnished on their way to becoming the Elden Lord.
• Although players can be harsh on certain NPCs, it isn’t as diverse as Skyrim.

In Elden Ring Vs. Skyrim comparison, remember that Role Playing is possible if players can have dialogues with NPCs as you can interact with them and continue with your roleplay. There are no dialogue options in Elden Ring; the roleplaying becomes harder. The hundreds upon hundreds of possibilities of Roleplaying are why Skyrim is better.

Quests

• Offers hundreds of side quests with diverse stories and objectives.
• Side quests play a significant role in keeping the game engaging and providing additional content.
• Some quests may become repetitive, but there is always something to do.
• Provides quest markers and a journal system to help players track and complete quests efficiently.

As for Elden Ring, I was somewhat disappointed when I looked at it after checking out Skyrim.

• Doesn’t emphasize side quests as prominently as Skyrim.
• Features different NPCs for each quest, but they may not have as much depth as Skyrim’s quests.
• Relies less on side quests and offers fewer of them.
• Lacks quest markers and a tracking system, requiring players to find and understand quest objectives themselves.

In quests, Skyrim takes the clear winner thanks to its immersive side quests. Players won’t have to fry their brains to remember what they had to do. However, that doesn’t mean that Elden Ring is bad in its methods. The mystery in Elden Ring is what makes it interesting.

Difficulty

• Offers various difficulty levels, allowing players to choose their preferred level of challenge.
• Even on the highest difficulty setting (Legendary), it is still manageable for most players.
• Provides more guidance and assistance to players, making it accessible for a wide range of gamers.
• High-level enemies or bosses can still pose a challenge, but overall, it’s more forgiving and approachable.

Considered to be one of the hardest games, here is how difficult it is in Elden Ring.

• Has a single, unchangeable difficulty setting that is generally considered challenging.
• Even experienced players of “souls-like” games may find Elden Ring to be difficult.
• Requires players to explore and discover everything on their own, leading to a more challenging experience.
• Even regular enemies can be formidable opponents, demanding careful attention and skill.

In terms of difficulty, Skyrim offers a more accessible and adjustable experience, making it suitable for both casual and experienced gamers. Elden Ring, on the other hand, is known for its challenging nature and lack of difficulty options, catering more to hardcore players who enjoy a tough gaming experience. The choice between the two depends on the player’s preference for difficulty.

Combat System

• Features a relatively easy combat system.
• Combat involves clicking on the attack button and rushing into enemies.
• Lacks significant punishment for missing attacks or combos.
• Offers a variety of weapons primarily differentiated by enchantments.
• Allows players to craft weapons and add enchantments.
• Doesn’t require frequent dodging of opponent’s attacks.

Elden Ring’s Combat is what makes it unique among all RPG games.

• Emphasizes a unique and challenging combat system.
• Combat requires precise timing of attacks and readiness to parry or roll to avoid enemy attacks.
• Punishes players for missing attacks or combos.
• Offers a wide range of weapons, each with unique abilities.
• Allows weapons to be upgraded and enhanced using Ashes of War.
• Rolling or dodging attacks is a crucial aspect of Elden Ring’s combat system.

Elden Ring’s combat system is distinct, challenging, and requires precise timing and skill from players, making it a unique and immersive experience compared to Skyrim’s relatively simpler combat mechanics.

Magic in combat

• Offers a variety of magic spells but lacks combat smoothness.
• Provides three types of magic damage spells.
• Allows players to summon creatures like Dremora and the undead.
• Features staves with limited special effects.
• Mage robes primarily enhance Magicka.

Elden Ring’s developers had the experience from Dark Souls. Let’s check how it helped Elden Ring in Magic in Combat.

• Implements magic more seamlessly into combat.
• Offers a wide range of offensive spells, including Magic Swords, Meteorites, Lightning Strikes, and Fire Balls.
• Allows players to summon various spirits to assist in combat.
• Provides extensive magic gear options, including complete gear sets that enhance magic abilities.

Elden Ring’s magic system is more integrated into combat and offers a broader range of magical abilities and equipment, making it a more robust and immersive experience compared to Skyrim.

Multiplayer

• Skyrim has no emphasis on Multiplayer.
• Unlike Elden Ring, you can’t bring over any friend to help you in quests.

Players get to see something new with Elden Ring’s Multiplayer.

• Multiplayer is an important aspect of Elden Ring.
• Elden Ring allows you to bring friends in Co-op to your world or you to go to your friend’s world.
• You can complete quests, explore worlds, or do many more tasks.
• Through Multiplayer, players can do PvP, where they fight with other players.
• Other players can also invade your world, where you will have to defeat them.

Playing with friends is something that cannot be underestimated. Skyrim has no Multiplayer. Whereas Elden Ring can become much more enjoyable with the help of Multiplayer. So, in Elden Ring Vs. Skyrim comparison, Elden Ring is the winner in the Multiplayer category.

Bosses

• Players get to fight different bosses, such as Draugr lords, Dragon Priests, and Dragons in Skyrim.
• The Bosses in Skyrim are somewhat linear.
• You can rush into bosses (if you’re leveled up) and come out victorious.
• There is no learning curve with bosses.
• Players can do ‘quick saves’ during fights with bosses and try out different methods.

Elden Ring’s bosses are much more punishing.

• In Elden Ring, all the bosses are unique with their design size and everything, except for a few recurring mini-bosses.
• The bosses are all unique in their fighting styles.
• Players can’t just go and fight a new boss and hope to come out victorious. Most of the time will be spent learning their moves.
• Each boss has a learning curve where you learn their moves and work from that.
• You can’t do a quick save during a fight to resume back from there. Instead, you’ll have to start again from Site of Grace.

In Skyrim, most of the bosses seem like higher-level enemies. And the final boss of Skyrim, Alduin, seems like any other Dragon. Players felt that the fight was underwhelming. But that is not the case in Elden Ring. If you get hit once, the boss can make you run for your life. The experience that Elden Ring’s bosses give is why it wins here.

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