Skyrim on PC; is it better then console version?

Well, I bought Skyrim for X360 when it came out first, but then then I got a gaming PC and since the drop of the price on Steam I'll be looking to pick it up again.

Now, is Skyrim with mods generally a better experience than the console version, like more rewarding in battle, better combat and better graphics? 

The game looks, runs, and plays a LOT better on Pc vs consoles. Skyrim vanialla, nevermind Skyrim consoles, isn't all that great, IMHO.

My recommendations:

- First tweak your Skyrim by changing the uGrids to 7 (9 is good, but it's not all that stable, so stick with 7). You cna find out how to do this via google search.

- Make sure you set your FOV to somehting like 80 or so. MUCH more immersive to have that extra field of view (nto to mention easier on the eyes).

- In terms of mods subscribe to all of the "cities and vllages enhanced" mods. They radiclaly change the wya the game looks. Also pick up any armor/wepaon mods that strike your fancy. The unnoficcial patch mods are next. Required, really, since Bethesda still won't fix a number of bugs in the game. Get pure waters, better ice, better snow, and more lush trees/grass. Top it off with an ENB mod from the Nexus. I'm running UnBleak Which is AWESOME. It feels like I'm watchign a movie sometimes. Really nice.

After that, it's up to you. I personally have a few mods that enhance ranged ocmbat by making archery more satisfying. Longbows, damage modifiers, etc. there are also a number of mods that enhance melee combat. 

Unbleak:

Some of my own Screenies:

yes much better

It's better on PC in every single way. Better controls with m/k (but supports 360 pad of course), better graphics, better loading times, better draw distance, better performance and MODS.

The game is supported by steam workshop and has tens of thousands of mods that can be installed with one single click. They even get updated automatically.

Besides unlimited, free, quality DLC with huge variety (patches, graphical mods, aditional content like new armours, etc.), it also looks better and performs better.

Mods.

It's better on PC in every single way. Better controls with m/k (but supports 360 pad of course), better graphics, better loading times, better draw distance, better performance and MODS.

The game is supported by steam workshop and has tens of thousands of mods that can be installed with one single click. They even get updated automatically.

Ben-Buja

I agree with all of this, but 360 controller support is never guaranteed for the PC version of a 360 game. Oblivion, for instance, had terrible controller support in the PC version.

-Byshop

Its like asking if 2 is bigger than 1

Well, I bought Skyrim for X360 when it came out first, but then then I got a gaming PC and since the drop of the price on Steam I'll be looking to pick it up again.

Now, is Skyrim with mods generally a better experience than the console version, like more rewarding in battle, better combat and better graphics? 

homeboylizard

Mods, load times, graphics/fps all better on PC

[QUOTE="homeboylizard"]

Well, I bought Skyrim for X360 when it came out first, but then then I got a gaming PC and since the drop of the price on Steam I'll be looking to pick it up again.

Now, is Skyrim with mods generally a better experience than the console version, like more rewarding in battle, better combat and better graphics? 

buccomatic

Definatly

There are literally tons of mods to keep you busy, it will last you longer then any DLC will. 

SWS skyrim steam works.  my current list 

how's 13k+ more  and that just steam works that make life easy. there is also nexus 

there is a video on GS homepage with skyrim mods that has a combat mod in it. 

There is also new magic spell mods

arrow mods

gotta have the horse mods that speed them up a tad bit, there is whistle power that calls your horse to you, horse armour which stops them dieing if you want. and there is combat where you can use your sword/bows on top of the horse

SOO much fun 

Even without mods, it's a better experience in every measurable way. Assuming you can max it out with decent framerates (and the rig in your sig will have no problems with that), it looks better, runs at about triple the framerate, and has more control options with a better interface. Then you factor in mods, which can easily improve the graphics to look a generation ahead of the vanilla game, completely revamp the combat system so it's not crap, completely redesign the UI into something far more pleasing and functional, add in new weapons and armor (both lore-friendly and not, if you choose), whole new dungeons and caves, and missions, hours upon hours of free, quality DLC content... It's no contest. Not even close. A comparison is laughable, at best.

No version is better. Its terrible.mep69

It's got its drawbacks, but at least the PC version can be improved drastically. Better by default.

My goodness yes, the PC version adds SOOOO much content you're bound to find something you think's awesome!

Infinitely yes. Mods alone makes any Bethesda game worth it on the PC, plus enhanced graphics options. But I'd rather you pick up Fallout New Vegas instead!

Any Bethesda game is better on PC than on consoles. Miroku32

PC version runs and looks much better. You must get that version if your PC is capable.

Almost all games are better on PC.

You can transfer your 360 save and play it on PC.

Not even debateable

Any Bethesda game is better on PC than on consoles. Miroku32

This... but ima go out of my way and say ANY Game is better on PC than on Consoles.

[QUOTE="Miroku32"]Any Bethesda game is better on PC than on consoles. II-Siamak-II

This... but ima go out of my way and say ANY Game is better on PC than on Consoles.

Considering the amount of poor ports the PC gets from time to time, I would have to strongly disagree.

[QUOTE="II-Siamak-II"]

[QUOTE="Miroku32"]Any Bethesda game is better on PC than on consoles. JangoWuzHere

This... but ima go out of my way and say ANY Game is better on PC than on Consoles.

Considering the amount of poor ports the PC gets from time to time, I would have to strongly disagree.

I said that based on my own experience and TBH even the crapiest ports I've played was better graphic wise and performance wise than the console counterpart. The most recent poor port I played was Dark Souls which was so much better than then console version I played. ( I did apply DSFix )

[QUOTE="JangoWuzHere"]

[QUOTE="II-Siamak-II"]

This... but ima go out of my way and say ANY Game is better on PC than on Consoles.

II-Siamak-II

Considering the amount of poor ports the PC gets from time to time, I would have to strongly disagree.

I said that based on my own experience and TBH even the crapiest ports I've played was better graphic wise and performance wise than the console counterpart. The most recent poor port I played was Dark Souls which was so much better than then console version I played. ( I did apply DSFix )

I've played Splinter Cell Double Agent, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Silent Hill: Homecoming, Resident Evil 4, and Call of Duty: Black Ops. I can safely say that not all PC releases are better or can be fixed. And that's just counting this generation of games, there are far worse ports last generation and in the 90s.

Short version: Yes
Long version: Hell yes 

[QUOTE="II-Siamak-II"]

[QUOTE="JangoWuzHere"]

Considering the amount of poor ports the PC gets from time to time, I would have to strongly disagree.

JangoWuzHere

I said that based on my own experience and TBH even the crapiest ports I've played was better graphic wise and performance wise than the console counterpart. The most recent poor port I played was Dark Souls which was so much better than then console version I played. ( I did apply DSFix )

I've played Splinter Cell Double Agent, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Silent Hill: Homecoming, Resident Evil 4, and Call of Duty: Black Ops. I can safely say that not all PC releases are better or can be fixed. And that's just counting this generation of games, there are far worse ports last generation and in the 90s.

Every single game you mentioned I own and played on PC and not owned but played on console and I have to completely disagree with you, specially Force Unleashed, Black Ops, Resident Evil 4 (moded), you might not be mainly a PC Gamer, but again from my personal experience I have always been able to identify and fix the problems I had with certain games, and just the higher resolution in those game alone makes it worth my investment in PC version of them, specially since you mentioned I always take Force Unleashed at 1080P with AA forced through Nvidia Control Panel over the laggy blurry mess it is on console. Im not here to argue with you but only sharing my experience, whatever float your boat ma man, I can never ever play multiplats on console after experiencing the goodness of PC even in harsh times.

There are a few disadvantages to the PC version of Skyrim:

1. User can't resell the PC version since it's tied to the user's Steam account,  so user be prepared to keep it even if user don't want it.

2. If Steam goes out of business, user don't have access to that game anymore.

3. User must run Steam in the background to play that game, not necessarly being online though, not a big deal with a CPU with at least 2 cores.

I never played the Skyrim on any of my consoles and only played the PC version.

There are a few disadvantages to the PC version of Skyrim:

1. User can't resell the PC version since it's tied to the user's Steam account,  so user be prepared to keep it even if user don't want it.

2. If Steam goes out of business, user don't have access to that game anymore.

3. User must run Steam in the background to play that game, not necessarly being online though, not a big deal with a CPU with at least 2 cores.

I never played the Skyrim on any of my consoles and only played the PC version.

DJP3000

1: Who cares? its cheaper than the console version, and has endless extra content for free. 

2: Offline mode covers that. Also, not going to happen.

3: Not a big deal for pretty much any PC that has even the slightest hope of running anything but flash games. Steam isn't a resource hog.

There are a few disadvantages to the PC version of Skyrim:

1. User can't resell the PC version since it's tied to the user's Steam account,  so user be prepared to keep it even if user don't want it.

2. If Steam goes out of business, user don't have access to that game anymore.

3. User must run Steam in the background to play that game, not necessarly being online though, not a big deal with a CPU with at least 2 cores.

I never played the Skyrim on any of my consoles and only played the PC version.

DJP3000

Aren't you tierd of trolling PC forums? dude go out and do some other activities, just take a break from gaming and gamespots's PC forums for a while, trust me its good for you.

The game is great on the pc.

I have about 10-15 mods installed, mostly fixes, textures and lighting mods. Paired with some messing about in the skyrimprefs file, the game looks fantastic, and makes it even more immersive and fun. Had some initial problems with lag, but nothing a new cpu couldnt fix...

[QUOTE="DJP3000"]

There are a few disadvantages to the PC version of Skyrim:

1. User can't resell the PC version since it's tied to the user's Steam account,  so user be prepared to keep it even if user don't want it.

2. If Steam goes out of business, user don't have access to that game anymore.

3. User must run Steam in the background to play that game, not necessarly being online though, not a big deal with a CPU with at least 2 cores.

I never played the Skyrim on any of my consoles and only played the PC version.

the_bi99man

1: Who cares? its cheaper than the console version, and has endless extra content for free. 

2: Offline mode covers that. Also, not going to happen.

3: Not a big deal for pretty much any PC that has even the slightest hope of running anything but flash games. Steam isn't a resource hog.

1. Skyrim frequently goes on sale during weekend and holiday deals for as low as $5, making this very moot. Besides, a digital distribution copy is in many ways an advantage since you don't need a physical copy to play. No, you don't have a disc that you can re-sell, but the flip side is you don't have a disc that can be damaged or that you have to keep with you. You can access your Skyrim game from literally any computer that you can log into Steam from. I have Skyrim installed on my main gaming desktop as well as my gaming laptop and I can play it on either one at will without having to move a physical disc around like i would with the 360 version.

2. This is unlikely to happen and even if it did, they would very likely make the Steam games purchased through a Steam account available to those who purchased them. Historically when a non-MMO online service is going out of business and not transitioning it's customer base to a new company, they remove the DRM on their now outdated products that were available through that service.

3. Steam consumes pretty much no resources while running in the background except a small amount of memory. Besides, how is this a "disadvantage" relative to the console version when pretty much any PC is so much faster than any current gen consoles?

-Byshop

Just bought it...installed a lot of gameplay and visual mods...running it all with True Vision ENB.homeboylizard

Mods or no mods, it will be and always will be better than consoles.

[QUOTE="homeboylizard"]Just bought it...installed a lot of gameplay and visual mods...running it all with True Vision ENB.GeneralMufinMan

1.DL True vision and the orginal ENB

2.Copy one of the "preset" folder into Skyrim

3.Copy the d3d9.dll from original ENB (wrappper version)

4.Tweak the .ini files (1 minute of work)

5.Play

Side note: Copying the data folder will BRAKE YOUR SAVE FILES! DO NOT COPY IT!!!

First mod to get is sky ui. It overhauls the horrible stock UI. If you have the graphics to handle it, get 2k textures. I use an ENB photorealism mod that's incredible. PC blows consoles out of the water if you have decent hardware. I still have a 360 for my sports and racing.

ENB isnt hard. you just add and replace some files. Just follow the instructions.

[QUOTE="GeneralMufinMan"]

[QUOTE="homeboylizard"]Just bought it...installed a lot of gameplay and visual mods...running it all with True Vision ENB.homeboylizard

1.DL True vision and the orginal ENB

2.Copy one of the "preset" folder into Skyrim

3.Copy the d3d9.dll from original ENB (wrappper version)

4.Tweak the .ini files (1 minute of work)

5.Play

Side note: Copying the data folder will BRAKE YOUR SAVE FILES! DO NOT COPY IT!!!

ah good, I thought I had to track down, download and install each of those mods individually

As someone whos played all 3 versions, yes PC is the one to go with.