Recent reviews by Retro Juice Box

I have a weak spot for games like Skyrim. There’s just something about open-world games with breathtaking visuals, endless exploration, and memorable character interactions that I can’t get enough of. And while there are quite a few great games similar to The Elder Scrolls series, I have found myself playing Skyrim once again in 2021.

Despite being an almost 10-year-old game, I found that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is absolutely still worth playing in 2021. Here are six reasons you should go back and play, or even start it up for the first time. Considering Elder Scrolls VI is still in the works, you’ve got some time to catch up.

1. The release of Skyrim Anniversary Edition

We have seen quite a few Skyrim re-releases since the game first came out, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. While it isn’t an entirely new game, there are some differences in the anniversary edition worth noting. Alongside three DLC packs, the update includes a survival mode and fishing.

If you loved the original game and don’t mind paying again for some additional content, this re-release of the game makes it worth playing again. Though it doesn’t make up for how long we have to wait for Elder Scrolls VI.

2. The graphics still hold up to newer games

A lot of newer games tend to boast improved graphics, but Skyrim was ahead of it’s time when it first came out. The mechanics within the game are still a bit wonky at times, but the overall environment and aesthetic is just as gorgeous as it was 10 years ago. With the improvements made in the anniversary edition, they only get better.

What’s more, if you have a PC you can install mods that improve graphics or change the look and feel of the game entirely. But if you care more about the story than the graphics, it might be worth playing Oblivion before Skyrim if you haven’t already.

3. There’s always more to explore

I have logged a lot of hours into Skyrim over the years, and I still find new and unexpected things with each run-through. Even if you think you’ve discovered every single cave, dungeon, and spell the game has to offer, you are most likely wrong.

It’s all about choosing a different approach each time you play. The way you fight, level up, and communicate with NPCs can completely change your perspective on the rich open-world the game provides.

4. The epic soundtrack is excellent

If every aspect of a game is perfect except for the soundtrack, I will almost always have trouble getting into it. With Skyrim, that isn’t a problem at all. The epic video game soundtrack in this title is worth listening to on its own.

Jeremy Soule’s Skyrim soundtrack is nothing short of a masterpiece, elevating the game to new heights with epic gusto. And perhaps the biggest improvement from previous Elder Scrolls games, like Oblivion, is the sheer variety of tracks to listen to.

5. The writing and voice acting is pure magic

One of my favorite things about Skyrim is the interactions I have with various characters. It isn’t perfect by any means, but with actors like Christopher Plummer joining the fray, the dialogue is elevated in quality.

Even the imperfections like the repeated dialogue from city guards are fun and enjoyable. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard someone talking about taking an arrow to the knee, but it never gets old. Which only strengthens my argument for a Skyrim Netflix series.

6. The story and lore are excellent

One of the best arguments for any Elder Scrolls games is how rich the environment really is. And by that, I don’t just mean the beautiful mountains and grasslands, I mean the smaller details. There is an entire world built on the backs of previous games, and you can see it in every character interaction. You can even read through a ton of different books to learn more about various topics within Tamriel.

In addition to that depth, the main storyline of Skyrim is excellent. With secret societies, dragons, and time-travel all wrapped up into this open-world adventure, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in it all.

First and foremost: the gameplay in Halo Infinite‘s multiplayer is fantastic so far. I love the way it feels on keyboard and mouse, and though it’s been a pretty long time since I last played Halo 3, in my mind, I’m drawing comparisons to that as I play Halo Infinite. I also love the look of Halo Infinite; it looks more like classic Halo games and less like Halo 4 and Halo 5.

All of the guns that I’ve tried feel pretty good, too, though I need to spend some time in Halo Infinite‘s Academy mode to put the power weapons through their paces. I’ve been mainly using the assault rifle, battle rifle, and pistol in my multiplayer matches so far, and those all feel great to use, particularly the battle rifle and pistol. While the pistol isn’t quite as good as in Halo: Combat Evolved, it makes for a good precision weapon at mid-range, and I think players will be surprised by how deadly it can be against enemies that outrange the AR.

What’s there right now is a pretty good amount of content, with separate playlists for Big Team Battle (12v12), Quick Play (4v4), Bot Bootcamp (4v4), and Ranked Arena (4v4). Queuing for one of these playlists will drop you into one of a variety of game modes. For Big Team Battle, those game modes are Capture the Flag, Slayer, Total Control, and Stockpile. Quick Play, Bot Bootcamp, and Ranked all have a similar spread, with all of them offering Capture the Flag, Oddball, Slayer, and Strongholds, while Quick Play also has a One-Flag CTF mode.

And then we come to the elephant in the room: monetization. Unlike Halo multiplayer modes of the past, Halo Infinite‘s multiplayer is free-to-play. That could be a good thing, as it could help Halo Infinite achieve enduring popularity, but Microsoft and 343 have taken the chance to stuff this game full of microtransactions for almost every type of cosmetic.

Overall, I love it. Halo 5 felt like it was trying to compete with fast-paced movement-based sci-fi shooters. Infinite to me feels like it's taking the defining identity of sandbox Halo and running with it. Slower movement speeds, abilities and weapon pick-ups, well balanced and really fun, I'm very excited for further flights and the final game.

The best thing about Fallout 4 is the freedom that it gives you, not only with what to do and where to go, but also how quests will turn out. Will you talk your way out of a certain quest or run in all guns blazing? The choice is yours. Obviously the game is not without its problems; starting and ending conversations can sometimes be a little awkward, NPCs have a habit of getting stuck or being in the wrong place, and there were more than a couple of problems in figuring out what the settlements needed. Overall though, the game is pretty close to perfect, and if you decide to pass on exploring the vast wasteland, then you only have yourself to blame. The hype is real, and you won't be disappointed.

My favorite (Battle Royal) style game on steam. I'm not even a battle royal guy, but I love the dynamic of this game. Of course the start was rocky and the game will have bumps along the way. However things seem really promising. The fighting mechanics are F'N nuts! If you are a fan of the martial arts and love character creation, I highly recommend this game. I'm telling you folks. stick with it. This one is special. My heart says 10/10. lol but the way the game is currently i'd rate it 8/10. I know updates and bug fixes will take this game to great places.

Fun and addictive [9/10]

Stunning! One of the greatest fighting games I have ever played. 10/10

Absolute savagery!!!! "ULTRA RECOMMENDATION!!!" 10/10

Kojima is a master of his craft. 10/10

"Sega Does what Ninten Don't"

An awesoeme car sim!