Not every RPG has to be the biggest thing ever. There’s something beautiful about tidy little stories that can be savored and finished in a single afternoon. Grand projects are wonderful in their own way, however, letting players dive into their worlds for hundreds if not thousands of hours.
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Skyrimis one of the biggest, deepest, and most beloved RPGs of all time, and for many it’s hard to imagine ever needing mods, considering how much the vanilla version already has to offer. Whether it’s updated graphics, new weapons, or whole new lands to explore, the mod scene has plenty to offer, however. Here are some of the most ambitious mods ever produced for the game.
8Beyond Skyrim - Bruma
Skyrimis already an absolutely massive game, but that hasn’t stopped modders from making it even bigger. WithBeyond Skyrim - Bruma,that change is literal, asthe mod adds an entire county to expand the base game’s experience.
Bruma is cyrodiil’s northernmost county, so players will want to throw on their warmest furs before venturing into the cold. The mod addsnew weapons, dungeons, and queststo keep the player busy. A change of scenery is often enough to keep players entertained, butBrumagoes above and beyond by including original dialog recordings and high quality of content all around.
7The Shire
The novels are J.R.R. Tolkein are some of the most enduring literary works, inspiring generations of readers and fantasy writers ever since.It was inevitable that Middle-earth would eventually come toSkyrim,and withThe Shiremod, it has.
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Attention to detail is important with any mod, but it matters all the more when the source material is so well-known and beloved as fans of the original will be quick to point out any lapses in quality.The Shireincludes over 6,000 lines of voiced dialog, 25+ hours of additional questing, and, yes, one’s very own hobbit home to relax in after a long day of monster-bashing.
6Auri-el White-Gold Tower
One of the many things thatSkyrimdoes beautifully is creating unique locales for people to visit, whether that’s a grim dungeon filled with bones and pools of rancid water or a bustling city where the many races of Cyrodiil practice their crafts or take a day to stroll about in the sun.
Auri-el White-Gold Toweradds yet another fascinating locale, in this case a levitating elven tower.Sticklers forSkyrim’soriginal loremay be irked by the tower, but it is undeniably gorgeous as well as fully explorable. The statues ofSkyrim’sgods within gives players plenty to look at, but if they tire of the view inside, they can always climb to the top of the tower to take in the majesty ofSkyrim’slandscape.
5The Elder Scrolls V Middle-Earth Redone
Given the popularity ofThe Lord of the Rings,was there any chance thatSkyrimwould receive only a single mod devoted to it? Not likely.The Elder Scrolls V Middle-Earth Redoneexpands on world, but unlike some other mods, it goes beyond the addition of the Shire alone.
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Players can travel to Moria, Lothlorien, and other iconic locales,immersing themselves in the beauty and lore of a fantasy world that feels quite at home as part of theElder Scrollssaga. Whether the player is looking for new enemies or just the chance to inhabit their favorite fantasy series for a while,The Elder Scrolls V Middle-Earth Redoneis an exceptional addition to the game.
4Tel Qahnaar
One of the most ambitious and inspiring aspects ofThe Elder Scrollsis the way the series has continued to expand upon the map and lore of the previous games, bringing players into parts of the world and story that were previously nothing more than words on an abandoned note or teasing references in an NPC’s dialog.
Tel Qahnaaradds a village inspired by Telvanni, one of the wizarding houses of Morrowind, andthis full-fledged settlement would be worth seeing for its architecture and vibe alone,especiallyfor fans of magic in the series.Tel Qahnaargoes beyond that, however, by also giving players a variety of new weapons and spells with which to wreak havoc.
3Disparity and Diversity - Diversified Individual Race Textures
Not every mod has to add 1,000 spells or an entire continent. There are plenty of mods that can change the game in ways that are entirely different yet no less impactful. A brilliant example of this isDisparity and Diversity - Diversified Individual Race Textures,one of the largestmods in the game.
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The mod gives the non-beasts races unique textures, making their appearances more varied and better reflecting the characteristics of those races.It also does this in resolutions up to 4K, an achievement in itself. From skin textures to body hair, this mod alters everything about the default character models, and though its considerable size will dissuade some players from using it, the mod undeniably adds greater realism for those that want it.
2Aka’s World Of Weapons
Sometimes players want deep lore, numerous NPCs, and branching quests, giving them plenty of reasons to save, betray, recruit, and destroy others. Other times, players just want a shiny new sword. For the latter player,Aka’s World of Weaponsis the perfect mod.
Adding dozens of new Eastern-inspired melee weapons to the game,Aka’s World of Weaponsoffers plenty of new ways to stab, skewer, and bash one’s enemies to pieces.It’s a hefty download considering it doesn’t add any unique areas to the game, but forthose that are looking to expand their already impressive arsenals,Aka’s World of Weaponsgives collectors and fighters plenty to be happy about.
1Enderal: Forgotten Stories
Easily one of the largest, most complete, and most ambitious mods forSkyrim,Enderal: Forgotten Storiesgoes above and beyond in every way. Essentially functioning as a full-fledged DLC for the game,Enderaladds a new land, quests, enemies, and lore, featuring professional voice acting.
There’s good reason this mod wonBest Fan Creation at the 2016 Game Awards.Enderalis a total conversion mod, so those that have somehow exhausted everything there is to offer in the base game and don’t want mods that make piecemeal changes can rework their entire game with a single stroke. The ambition ofEnderal: Forgotten Storiesis matched only by its quality, and that’s good news for players everywhere.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch.
