Is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Better Than The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?

I’m not sure that the two titles make for a proper comparison, but I’ll still point you over to HSR for an editorial piece that seeks to determine whether CD Projekt RED’s recently released RPG edges out Bethesda’s somewhat-dated-yet-highly regarded RPG in a number of ways. A couple of paragraphs:

Let’s start with arguably the most important aspect of a videogame; the gameplay. Core gameplay in both Skyrim and Wild Hunt consists of exploration, questing and combat. In terms of quests, there’s a clear winner. Skyrim’s quest structure tends to follow the same formula: speak to x, go to dungeon y, fight some baddies, retrieve object z and return to the quest-giver. This may be simplifying things a little but when compared to The Witcher 3’s varied quests where you’ll do everything from putting on and acting in a play (including casting, production and publicity) to playing a card game where the stakes are a man’s life, Skyrim’s quests seem rather shallow by comparison. However, both games give you free reign to ignore any quests, pick a heading and just explore, and it is equally rewarding to do so in both titles.

In terms of combat mechanics, things are more even. Whilst there is nothing particularly deep about Skyrim’s combat, there are many ways you can dispatch your enemies, whether you choose traditional weapons like swords, shields and axes, ranged combat with bows and arrows, or a plethora of magic spells. The Witcher 3’s combat is more limited. You’re primary weapon is your sword, and while you do have the options of using certain magical abilities and a crossbow, these complement swordplay but are not an alternative to it. Combat itself is slightly deeper in The Witcher; you can’t just spam the attack button and hope your enemy loses health at a faster rate than you whilst necking health potions like in Skyrim. You’ll have to time attacks, blocks and dodges. However, swordplay is nowhere near as slick as games such as Shadow of Mordor or Assassin’s Creed. It’s a shame stealth is not an option in The Witcher 3, and it’s because of this Skyrim’s combat pips The Witcher.