Skyrim is now an endlessly playable board game, and it’s great

Many saw it when it was first announced in 2021. The Elder Scrolls 5 Skyrim: The Adventure GameIt was nothing more than a joke. Many joked that this was the last time they would do it. SkyrimThe classic videogame would be revived under any name, as a final physical tribute. Skyrim is still available on every computer and console, more than 10 years after it was released. Also, why not make Skyrim a board-game?

There were plenty of lighter-hearted headlines that ended up on Polygon, I’ll admit. Yes, most variants of the headline mentioned Todd Howard. But it turns out that Modiphius’ interpretation of the land of the Nords is actually a solid little board game. It can be played for as many hours as the video game. It’s like a tiny little clockwork continent sitting on your dining room table.

Skyrim: The Adventure GameSet long before events in Skyrim: The Elder Scrolls 5. The role of Blades is that of agents for the Emperor, who has been driven north by conflicts in Cyrodiil. One to four players will be required to work together in three different scenarios to stop a civil war from erupting and uncover a plot before the time runs out. This narrative is similar to the co-operative horror game. 7th Continent, or the tight and agile narrative engine at the heart of Fantasy Flight Games’ Fallout.

But Skyrim: The Adventure GameYou can go one step further. This is where you actually have the ability to take out all of the most important endgame events cards, combine them, and then embark on an unlimited-roam adventure at your tabletop. This is my favorite way to play the board game. Skyrim — wandering around with powerful magics and various sharp objects, and using them to fuck shit up.

I’ve been tooling around this little two-dimensional world for weeks now, poking at the game here and there while passing through the room. The pace of play feels more like a puzzle than a traditional board game, and I’m fine with that. In fact, this may be the first time I’ve really connected with the solo mode in a board game for an extended period of time.

The double-layer boards are my favorite. They hold all of my experience, hard-won gold, soul gems and alchemical items in one spot. The miniatures are adorable, and even a Khajiit. A little place to live in the mountains with cups and bowls is what I think would be missing. It’s brisk and simple to play, but it is still a lot of fun.

If you are a Skyrim superfan in your life, I simply can’t recommend this little gem enough. While it’s unlikely to draw in board game grognards without previous experience with Bethesda’s masterpiece, it’s just the thing for those who have traveled the woods in search of frost trolls, dragon masks, and magical swords.

It is possible, and Todd Howard thinks about it in his final stages of development. StarfieldHe is also enjoying the copy.

The Elder Scrolls 5 Skyrim: The Adventure GameModiphius provided a copy of the pre-release copy for review. The book is now available in retail. Vox Media is an affiliate partner. They do not affect editorial content. However, Vox Media might earn commissions for products bought via affiliate links. Find out more. additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.