8 Skyrim Moments Proving The Game's Strength Comes From Exploration

While The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim didn't invent open-world exploration or RPG mechanics, it's undeniable that it combines them rather well and allows players to have a ton of freedom from the moment they start controlling the Dragonborn in Helgen.

Granted, there are many other great aspects to the land of Skyrim, including powerful deities, interesting NPCs, various factions, and a wide number of spells and weapons to use against your enemies. However, I'd argue that exploration is and will always be the game's greatest strength due to how much there is to discover and how beautifully crafted the world is.

8 The Freedom After Escaping Helgen

The Main Quest Marker Is Optional

The starting mission of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is quite memorable, as you not only get to see how the conflict between the Stormcloaks and the Imperials unfolds, but it's also the first time that you see the imposing Alduin. It's also the part of the game where you start to become familiar with the controls and the world around you.

Moreover, I love the fact that once you've escaped the cave at the end of that quest, the main marker becomes an optional target rather than something you have to address immediately, allowing you to explore the land without pressure. If you've already completed the game and want a different experience from the start, you should try some of the best The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim mods for the PS5, Xbox, and PC.

7 Reaching the Throat of the World

You Can't Beat That View

While you can't miss this mission because it's part of the main quest, reaching the Throat of the World is not only very rewarding, but also an unforgettable experience. Once you've climbed the famed Seven Thousand Steps and either evaded or fought the vicious snow trolls along the way, you'll get to see one of the most beautiful sights in the game.

In this area, you'll not only meet the Greybeards, but also Paarthurnax, who might not be one of the strongest dragons in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, but is sure interesting and a good pal to have.

6 Finding the Headless Horseman

A Rare Encounter That Requires Patience

There are many rarities to encounter in the land of Skyrim, but few are as special and unusual to come by, as the Headless Horseman. Unlike other NPCs that, more often than not, have a designated spawn point, the Headless Horseman spawns randomly anywhere in the playable world between 10 PM and 4 AM.

You can typically follow him to Hamvir's Rest or find him directly there if you fast-travel there during the daytime. While he cannot be fought or harmed, he's definitely one of the most interesting findings out there.

5 Dwemer Ruins in General

Not Everyone's Favorite, but They're Great

Dwemer Ruins in the land of Skyrim are often a topic of debate, as some players absolutely dread them, whereas others find them to be one of their favorite parts of the experience. Personally, I would place myself somewhere in between those two groups, as I can appreciate them, but sometimes I also prefer to avoid them and save myself a few headaches.

There are dozens of Dwemer Ruins scattered across the land, each one more dangerous than the last. If you have the courage and the patience to complete them all, I'd suggest equipping some of the best armor sets in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim to make the task easier.

A Secret That Holds a Handsome Reward

To this day, my mind cannot comprehend how someone other than the developers themselves could know there is a chest hidden underneath the Skyforge in Whiterun. Mind you, it's not even a chest you can access normally, as you have to follow very specific steps to clip into the ground and use glitches to get to its location.

If this particular detail doesn't prove that exploration is one of the greatest aspects of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, then I have no idea what will. Reaching the chest isn't easy, but if you want a decent amount of Gold and a few valuable items for the early game stages, it's worth the trouble.

3 Seeing the Northern Lights

They Look Better in the Land of Skyrim

The Aurora Borealis is probably one of the most beautiful things you can see in real-life. Sadly, I haven't had the chance to appreciate the northern lights with my own eyes, but thankfully, this game has come to the rescue. Since Skyrim is located in the northern regions of Tamriel, it makes sense that this natural phenomenon takes place in the area.

Granted, being a game from late 2011, the graphics are a bit limited and outdated, but it doesn't take away from the beauty of witnessing the Northern Lights for the first time while playing. If you've completed this title a few times and want to try something different, check out some of the best games like The Elders Scrolls 5: Skyrim.

2 Stumbling Upon the House of Horrors

Molag Bal Makes This Mission Very Interesting

There are plenty of things that are weird about Markarth, starting with its unique design and rocky edifications. However, in all its splendor, the city holds one of the most evil and haunted places in the entirety of the land of Skyrim—the House of Horrors.

When you visit the city, you're led there on a side quest after being tasked by Tyranus, a Vigilant of Stendarr, to explore a house that seems to have Daedric activity inside it. There, you'll find the Mace of Molag Bal and be able to have a conversation with its owner. In my opinion, this whole mission is fascinating, not only because you get to interact with one of the best Daedric princes in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, but also because of the quest's overall grim ambience.

1 Discovering New Shouts

Nothing Beats Expanding Your Arsenal

From the moment you unlock your first Dragon Shout, the experience of the game completely changes, opening up hundreds of new possibilities and combat combinations that you can use against your foes. Clearly, there are strong Dragon Shouts in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, and there are others that are so-so to say the least.

However, even if you stumble upon a "mediocre" Shout, the experience of finding it in the wild through exploration is one of the most rewarding things in the game. The more Shouts you unlock, the stronger you'll be, so it might be worth spending a few hours traversing the land to find them.