Is Skyrim Legendary Edition the Same as Skyrim? Unveiling the Differences and Similarities
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The short answer is no, Skyrim Legendary Edition is not exactly the same as the base version of Skyrim, but it’s also not entirely different. It’s more like a complete, enhanced version of the original game. The core gameplay and story remain, but the Legendary Edition builds upon it, adding significant content and features. To understand fully, let’s dive into a detailed exploration of what makes them distinct and where they overlap.
What Exactly is Skyrim Legendary Edition?
The Legendary Edition is essentially a compilation package of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, encompassing the critically acclaimed base game along with all three of its official downloadable content (DLC) expansions: Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn. Released on June 4, 2013, it wasn’t just a bundle; it also included the Version 1.9 patch, which introduced crucial gameplay enhancements.
Think of it like this: if the base Skyrim game was the foundation of a house, the Legendary Edition is the complete house with all the rooms, furniture, and appliances pre-installed. It offers a holistic and comprehensive experience of the game’s world.
The Core Differences
While the underlying game is identical, the Legendary Edition brings several additions:
- All DLCs Included: The primary difference is the inclusion of the Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn DLCs. These expansions add significant questlines, new areas to explore, new gameplay mechanics (like vampire lords in Dawnguard, and building homes in Hearthfire), and extensive new content, such as the entire island of Solstheim in Dragonborn.
- Legendary Features Update: The Legendary Edition included gameplay upgrades such as combat cameras, mounted combat, and the Legendary difficulty mode. It also introduced Legendary skills, enabling players to reset skills back to 15 after achieving level 100 in that skill. This allows players to infinitely gain character levels and points to assign to perks, essentially allowing the mastery of every perk.
- Ready to Play: The Legendary Edition is a complete package, so you don’t need to buy the base game and then each expansion separately. This simplifies the experience for new players wanting to explore the full breadth of the game.
The Similarities
It’s important to note what remains the same:
- Core Gameplay: The core mechanics of exploration, combat, character progression, and the overarching story remain identical between the base game and the Legendary Edition. The same vast world of Skyrim is there, ready to be discovered.
- Story: The main narrative, involving the Dragonborn, Alduin, and the fate of Skyrim, is not changed. You’re still the protagonist embarking on the same epic quest.
- Visuals: The textures and graphical engine of the base game are the same. The legendary patch added some features, but didn’t change the core graphics engine of the 32 bit version.
- Modding Capabilities: Both versions, the original and the Legendary Edition (32-bit engine) are capable of being modded extensively, although some mods may not be compatible between the different versions.
- System Requirements: The game still runs on the same 32-bit engine and requirements, which are still accessible for older hardware that cannot support Skyrim: Special Edition.
Why Choose Legendary Edition?
For new players coming to Skyrim, the Legendary Edition is a clear winner. It delivers the complete Skyrim experience with all the DLCs pre-packaged. This saves the hassle of buying and installing the expansions separately and offers maximum value for money. The added features of the Legendary update also enhance and deepen the gameplay. It was the final form of the original 32 bit Skyrim.
For players that own the base game, it might be worth upgrading to the Legendary Edition if they want the DLCs, or to gain access to the legendary difficulty and skill features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Skyrim Legendary Edition the same as Skyrim: Special Edition?
No, they are not the same. Skyrim: Special Edition is a remaster of the game with a 64-bit engine and improved graphics. It includes all DLCs, but has some changes compared to the Legendary Edition. The most important change is that the Special Edition runs on a 64 bit architecture, which can lead to better stability and performance.
2. Is Skyrim: Anniversary Edition the same as Skyrim: Legendary Edition?
Again, no. Skyrim Anniversary Edition is an upgraded version of the Special Edition and includes all of the Creation Club content (community created content). The Anniversary Edition also has graphical improvements and new gameplay content.
3. If I have the base Skyrim, should I get the Legendary Edition?
If you do not have the DLCs and want a complete Skyrim experience, the Legendary Edition is a worthwhile investment. The DLCs significantly enhance the game. If you are running a 32 bit computer, the legendary edition will also run better on your device.
4. Does Skyrim Legendary Edition have better graphics than the base game?
No, the Legendary Edition does not include new graphics compared to the base game. The improved graphics you may see were released through patches to the base game, and were automatically updated in the legendary edition. The Special Edition is what includes better graphics.
5. Can I mod Skyrim Legendary Edition?
Yes, Skyrim Legendary Edition is highly moddable. There is a wide variety of mods available, and many dedicated communities support modding for this version. Many long-time modders prefer the legendary edition due to the better modding capabilities of the 32 bit engine.
6. Is the combat in Skyrim Legendary Edition different?
Combat remains the same as the base game, but the Legendary update introduced combat cameras and mounted combat, as well as a legendary difficulty setting.
7. What is included in the Legendary Edition?
The Legendary Edition includes the base Skyrim game, the Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn DLCs, the Version 1.9 update patch, and all features introduced in this patch, such as legendary skills, combat cameras, and mounted combat.
8. Is the Legendary Edition harder than the base game?
The Legendary Edition adds a “Legendary” difficulty setting, which is the hardest. However, it is optional. The base game difficulty settings remain unchanged.
9. Is it worth buying Skyrim Legendary Edition in 2024?
For players who have never played Skyrim and want a comprehensive experience, the Legendary Edition can be a great option, especially if the price is right. However, the Special or Anniversary editions are better purchases for those with compatible computers.
10. Does the Legendary Edition affect my existing save files?
Yes, if you are upgrading from the base game to the Legendary Edition, your save files should be compatible, but it is advisable to create a backup before updating to be safe. Also, since the 32 bit architecture is different from the 64 bit architecture used in the special edition, save games are not compatible between the two editions.
11. Is there anything past Legendary upgrade in Skyrim?
Yes, for weapons and armor, if you get your Smithing skill high enough, you can continue to upgrade the gear to make it even stronger than legendary.
12. Which version of Skyrim is better for modding?
Many veteran modders prefer modding the Legendary Edition (32-bit) for its stability with certain types of mods. However, modding the Special Edition (64-bit) has become more popular as it is more stable, and requires less finagling to be compatible with large mod lists.
13. Do all versions of Skyrim have all DLCs?
No, only the Legendary, Special and Anniversary editions of Skyrim include all DLC expansions.
14. Can I use Steam Workshop with Skyrim Legendary Edition?
Yes, you can use Steam Workshop to download and install mods for Skyrim Legendary Edition.
15. Can I level up past level 100 in Legendary Skyrim?
Yes, with the introduction of Legendary Skills in the Legendary Edition, you can reset your skill to 15 after reaching level 100, thereby gaining an extra character level every time. This allows you to master every perk in the game.
Conclusion
While the core Skyrim experience remains consistent across the base game and the Legendary Edition, the latter provides a more complete and polished package with all DLCs and key gameplay updates. If you’re looking for the most comprehensive version of Skyrim from that era, the Legendary Edition is a solid choice. However, the Special and Anniversary editions offer the best experience for most players, as they have a 64 bit engine, and are therefore more stable and offer better performance.