Caution, this game is VERY addicting and hard to put down! With that said, Skyrim is one of the best games of the year!!
Story- 9.5: Skyrim's story is very interesting. The story is based around the return of Dragons and you are the only one who can stop them, for you are Dragonborn. You have the blood of dragons running through your vains. But Skyrim is a big picture game. While it may have a main story, the hundreds of side quests and side stories is one of the things that makes Skyrim special. You could spend hundreds of hours into Skyrim without barely paying the main story much attention.
Gameplay- 9.5: Surprisingly, I have some issues with Skyrim's gameplay, but the good is too strong for any negative. Mainly, I don't like the dialogue system. The idea is not to take you away from the action. It feels like a walking by conversation. I find this to be less immersive. This system doesn't make me feel like I'm in the conversation, it's hard to explain but it's my opinion. What makes Skyrim great though is giving you the ability to do what ever you want. Rather than spending skill points on certain attributes when you level up, each skill increases in points as you use it. The more you use a certain skill, like archery or two handed weapons, your points for that skill will increase. When your skills increase, points are put towards leveling up. It's a different system that works very well. Also, dragon battles are very fun, random, and intense!
Graphics- 9.0: Skyrim is one of the most beautiful worlds you'll ever see! You can venture anywhere. Rather than having a mountain as a back drop, you can actually climb the mountain. But as beautiful as this world is, it isn't perfect. Skyrim has many technical issues. You'll be watching how immersive the world is, then see some mammoths spawn up in the air and fall to their death. The most issues are with the dragon battles. I still love the battles, but you cant dismiss the issues.
Overall- 9.5: Skyrim is the most addicting game I have ever played! It was in production for 5 years and it shows. It is such a huge game that offers a whole world for you to explore! Now prepare to be lost in the world of Skyrim!