Skyrim fans looking for a slick new coat of paint on the nearly 5 year old game, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition promises to deliver just that. Along with remastered artwork and effects, Skyrim Special Edition also features volumetric god rays, dynamic depth of field, screen-space reflections, 64-bit architecture and new water/snow shaders. In addition, the Special Edition will also include all DLCs.
The add on features, tantalizing as they may be, do come with their trade offs. More specifically, the hardware requirements have been drastically bumped to what you would expect from a machine robust enough to drive visual mods that enthusiasts have been relying on to extend the game’s replay value.
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7, 8.1, 10 (64-bit) | Windows 7, 8.1, 10 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-750 2.66 GHz / AMD Phenom II X4-945 3.0 GHz | Intel Core i5-2400 3.1 GHz / AMD FX-8320 3.5 GHz |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 / AMD Radeon HD 7870 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 / AMD Radeon R9 290 |
| RAM | 8 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Storage | 12 GB available space | 12 GB available space |
At the moment, Skyrim Special Edition looks like a promising remastered experience that may draw in newcomers and, even more so, bring back old timers looking for a reason to take it for another spin. Just as a greater incentive for dedicated fans to jump on board, Bethesda is offering the upgrade to the special edition FREE for those who already own the original as well as all the DLCs.
Look forward to Oct. 28, 2016 for the official relaunch to dive back into the world of the Dragonborn.
Source: Bethesda
