But when you see the towering Throat of the World, it's a stark reminder that this world is not entirely like our own. Skyrim's terrain is analogous to real-world geography in many ways, with clear traces of the Scottish Highlands and Iceland's volcanic plains. I'm writing all of this from memory, which speaks to how indelible and vividly designed this world really is. Continue north-west and the Reach reveals itself: a misty, mountainous region that is home to the city of Markarth, which is built on the ruins of an old, long abandoned dwarven city. To the south, Falkreath, a lushly forested region where it never seems to stop raining. Travel west and you'll end up in the Pale, a scrubby expanse of tundra littered with gnarled, wind-battered trees, struggling farmsteads, and roaming giants. And this is all just one small section of the map. Here you can stop and rest in Windhelm, the oldest city in Skyrim, whose ancient stone walls are etched with ornate inscriptions depicting thousands of years of Nordic history. Further north, blizzards begin to blow in, and Eastmarch is suddenly blanketed in a thick layer of snow. You can almost smell the sulphur in the air.

Head north and you'll find the volcanic plains of Eastmarch, where adventurers relax in the bubbling hot springs.

To the south-east lies the relatively temperate Rift, a golden, autumnal landscape of rivers, valleys, and forests. Related: Elder Scrolls 6 Is Still In 'Design Phase' According To Todd Howard It feels like a storied, lived-in place, not just another backdrop for a fantasy RPG. Each region, or hold, also has its own culture, history, and unique architecture, which only adds to this sense of depth and richness. As you move around the world, the scenery, lighting, foliage, and weather shift around you, creating an effective illusion of crossing a large, diverse country. But Bethesda cleverly makes the map feel bigger than it actually is through the sheer variety of its geography. You could probably squeeze a hundred Skyrims into the sprawling Assassin's Creed Valhalla. It's a pretty small open world by modern standards. Skyrim, the place, is easily Bethesda's greatest creation-and to this day remains one of the most powerfully atmospheric and evocative settings in video game history. For me, it isn't the quests, characters, story, dungeons, or combat that keep me coming back: it's the world.

With yet another version of Skyrim on the way this year-a new edition celebrating the game's tenth anniversary, launching November 11-I found myself wondering what it is exactly that makes Bethesda's wintry RPG so enduring.

You feel the world shift skyrim