6. Graphics and sound

Fallout 4 looked good, but not as great as many expected.

There is no doubt that when Skyrim came out in 2011 it was one of the best looking games around. With its great mountainous areas, snow covered forests and beautiful landscapes, it was game full of graphical detail and beauty. And even though Skyrim’s visuals are no longer cutting-edge, it is clear that this game has aged gracefully, and the PC version can still look phenomenal due to the wealth of user mods available that help beautify Bethesda’s game.

There was quite a bit of controversy regarding Fallout 4’s graphics before the game’s launch, though, as some pundits claimed that Bethesda’s latest game simply did not look that great for a new-gen AAA release. And it is true that Fallout 4 uses the same graphics engine as Skyrim, but with improved character models and lighting, although there is simply not that big a jump in visual quality as one would expect taking into account that Skyrim is more than 5 years old now.

Regarding the games sound and music, Jeremy Soule’s superb music for Skyrim is arguably better than Inon Zur’s score for Fallout 4, while both games feature some pretty great sound effects for their settings.

WINNER: NONE (draw)

Conclusion

Fallout 4 was no doubt one of the best games of 2015 and is clearly one of the best role-playing games in recent memory. Its post-apocalyptic wasteland is a great setting, and the game offers good gameplay and is no doubt a great experience overall.

But Skyrim was perhaps Bethesda’s finest hour, a game with almost infinite replay value that still has a loyal following. From the almost limitless possibilities it gives players when building their character to its magnificent Nordic setting, Skyrim was a memorable experience, and no doubt has the markings of a classic game.

WINNER: SKYRIM