Skyrim Special Edition vs. Anniversary Edition: Is There a Difference?
The short answer is no, Skyrim Special Edition is not exactly the same as the Anniversary Edition, but they are closely related. The Anniversary Edition is built upon the foundation of the Special Edition, adding a substantial amount of extra content. Think of it this way: Special Edition is the base, and the Anniversary Edition is the same base, with a massive expansion pack. If you have the Special Edition, you can upgrade to the Anniversary Edition; if you are new to the game, purchasing the Anniversary Edition gives you both the Special Edition game and all the bonus content. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances.
Understanding the Core: Skyrim Special Edition
What’s Included in the Special Edition?
The Skyrim Special Edition was a major step up from the original 2011 release. It introduced several significant improvements, making it a more modern gaming experience. Here’s what the Special Edition brought to the table:
- Remastered Graphics: Enhanced visuals, including improved lighting, textures, and environmental effects like volumetric god rays, dynamic depth of field, and screen-space reflections.
- 64-Bit Engine: The Special Edition migrated from a 32-bit to a 64-bit engine, allowing for much better performance, particularly with mods and large game files. This makes the game significantly more stable and less prone to crashes.
- All Official DLC: The Special Edition includes all three official expansion packs from the original game: Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn. These add significant amounts of quests, areas, and new gameplay mechanics.
- Mod Support on Consoles: Perhaps one of the most significant additions is the introduction of mod support for both Xbox and Playstation consoles through the Bethesda.net mod browser. This opened up a vast world of user-created content to players beyond PC gamers.
Why the Special Edition Was a Big Deal
Before the Special Edition, the original 2011 version, often called “Oldrim” or the “Legendary Edition”, was showing its age. The move to 64-bit alone made a huge difference, allowing for a smoother, more stable experience. The remastered visuals gave the game a fresh coat of paint, while still retaining the same classic gameplay feel. The inclusion of all three major DLCs meant that players got a fully fleshed out experience from the start.
Stepping Up: The Skyrim Anniversary Edition
Building on the Special Edition Foundation
The Anniversary Edition isn’t a new game, but an upgrade to the Special Edition. It retains all the benefits and improvements of the Special Edition, such as the remastered graphics and 64-bit engine. The primary addition is a substantial collection of content from Bethesda’s Creation Club.
Creation Club Content: The Heart of the Anniversary Upgrade
The Creation Club is a curated collection of add-ons created both by Bethesda and community modders, and it brings new depth to the game. Here’s what the Anniversary Edition adds on top of the Special Edition:
- All Existing Creation Club Content: The Anniversary Edition packs in all previously released Creation Club content, which includes a wide variety of quests, weapons, armor, spells, items, and even new locations and dungeons.
- Additional Creation Club Content: It also comes with new creations made specifically for this upgrade, providing even more content to explore.
- A Decade of Content: Bethesda promoted the Anniversary Edition as a way to celebrate a decade of Skyrim, and the inclusion of all this new and old Creation Club content does make for a vast and feature-rich game.
How to Get the Anniversary Edition
There are two ways to get the Anniversary Edition:
- Purchase the Full Anniversary Edition: If you don’t already own Skyrim, you can purchase the full Anniversary Edition, which includes both the Special Edition game and all of the Creation Club content.
- Upgrade from Special Edition: If you already own the Special Edition, you can purchase an upgrade that adds all of the Anniversary Edition content to your existing game.
The Key Differences Summarized
So, to reiterate, the Anniversary Edition is not a standalone game; it is an enhanced version of the Special Edition. The key differences are:
- Special Edition: Includes the base game with remastered graphics, 64-bit engine, all official DLC, and mod support.
- Anniversary Edition: Includes everything in the Special Edition, plus all of the Creation Club content.
Therefore, the Anniversary Edition is the more complete, expansive experience for players, but the Special Edition provides the original Skyrim experience in its best form, before the added Creation Club content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you further understand the nuances between the Skyrim Special Edition and Anniversary Edition:
1. Do I need to buy Skyrim Anniversary Edition if I have Special Edition?
No, you don’t need to. But if you want to experience all the Creation Club content, you’ll either need to purchase the Anniversary Upgrade or buy the full Anniversary Edition.
2. Is Skyrim Anniversary Edition part of Xbox Game Pass?
No, the Anniversary Edition is not included in Xbox Game Pass. Game Pass subscribers have access to the base Special Edition, but will need to purchase the Anniversary upgrade separately for the added content.
3. Is the Anniversary Upgrade worth the cost?
This is subjective. If you want a significant amount of new content, then yes, the upgrade is definitely worth it. It adds many new quests, weapons, armor, and more, dramatically extending your gameplay hours. If you are satisfied with the base game and do not want to spend more money, the special edition is enough.
4. Does the Anniversary Edition make the game harder?
The additional content adds some more challenging scenarios, but the core difficulty mechanics remain the same as the Special Edition. The added gear and skills can be quite powerful, potentially making the game easier in some ways. Some players have reported experiencing higher difficulty even on lower settings which may be an issue with the platform, not necessarily a reflection of the edition.
5. Does Skyrim Special Edition come with all DLC?
Yes, the Special Edition includes all three official DLC expansions: Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn.
6. What is the difference between Skyrim Legendary Edition and Special Edition?
The Legendary Edition is the original 2011 release with all DLC included. The Special Edition is a remastered version with improved graphics, a 64-bit engine, and console mod support. It’s technically a completely different game and should not be mistaken as the same thing.
7. Which is better for modding: Special Edition or Anniversary Edition?
The core game and mod capabilities are identical between Special Edition and Anniversary Edition. The 64-bit engine in both means more stability and better performance with mods than the original “Oldrim” version. Most modders focus on the Special/Anniversary Edition, meaning better support for new mods on these versions.
8. Can you play mods on both Special Edition and Anniversary Edition?
Yes, mods are supported on both the Special Edition and Anniversary Edition, as both have the in-game mod browser.
9. Is Skyrim Anniversary Edition the full game?
Yes, the Anniversary Edition contains the full Special Edition game along with all Creation Club content. So yes, it can be considered the “full game”, or most complete version available.
10. Will my Special Edition mods work on the Anniversary Edition?
Most mods that work on the Special Edition will also work on the Anniversary Edition. However, some may require updates to be fully compatible. Always check mod pages for updates.
11. Does the Anniversary Edition have better graphics than Special Edition?
The core graphics of the Anniversary Edition are the same as the Special Edition. There are no changes to the base game graphics. Any visual differences will stem from Creation Club content.
12. If I purchase the Anniversary Upgrade, does that upgrade Special Edition to Anniversary Edition?
Yes, purchasing the Anniversary Upgrade adds all Creation Club content to your existing Special Edition game.
13. Is the Anniversary Edition harder than the Special Edition?
The base game difficulty is the same, but added Creation Club content may introduce some more challenging encounters. The new equipment can also be more powerful, and there is no definitive difference in difficulty.
14. Do I need to own Special Edition before getting Anniversary Edition?
If you are buying the full Anniversary Edition, then no, you do not. But if you plan on just upgrading, you will need the Special Edition to use the Anniversary Upgrade.
15. Is the Skyrim Anniversary Edition worth it in 2023?
This will vary from player to player, but with the expansive content, improved stability, and better graphics when compared with the original Skyrim, the Anniversary Edition is definitely a worthwhile purchase for fans of the series. Whether it’s worth the upgrade cost is up to the players to decide.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Skyrim Special Edition and Anniversary Edition share the same core game, the Anniversary Edition offers much more content. The Anniversary Edition, with its access to the entirety of the Creation Club content, is the most feature-rich version of the game, making it a clear choice for newcomers and those looking to experience all that Skyrim has to offer. If you already own the Special Edition, consider the upgrade if the Creation Club content appeals to you. Ultimately, both versions provide a fantastic experience in the world of Skyrim.