The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has cemented itself as one of the most influential and popular RPGs of all time. First released in 2011, Skyrim offers a vast open world, immersive gameplay, and nearly endless replayability. Over a decade later, the game still has an extremely active modding community and continues to draw in new players.
If you’re looking to get into Skyrim in 2023, you have a few different versions to choose from. In this guide, we’ll compare the Legendary Edition vs the Special Edition so you can decide which is better suited for you.
A Brief Background on Skyrim and its Different Versions
Here’s a quick overview of the major Skyrim releases:
- The Standard Edition – The original base version released in 2011.
- Legendary Edition (2013) – Includes the base game plus all DLCs.
- Special Edition (2016) – A remastered Legendary Edition with visual/technical enhancements.
- VR Edition (2017) – A virtual reality version compatible with VR headsets.
The Legendary Edition and Special Edition are the main ones we will be examining today. The Legendary Edition bundles the original base game with all its expansions, while the Special Edition represents an enhanced and remastered take on that package.
Key Differences Between the Legendary and Special Editions
Let‘s summarize some of the major ways in which these two versions differ:
- Visuals – The Special Edition features improved graphics, lighting, and effects as well as support for 4K resolutions.
- Performance – Optimized 64-bit engine, resulting in better stability and fewer crashes on PC.
- Mods – Special Edition brings mod support to consoles and more advanced mod capabilities for PC.
- Requirements – Higher system requirements for the Special Edition version.
Legendary Edition vs Special Edition – Detailed Comparison
Now let’s do a deeper dive into how these two versions stack up against each other in key areas.
Graphics and Visual Enhancements
One of the biggest improvements with the Special Edition is the graphical overhaul. On PC, SSE features an upgraded engine that leverages DirectX 11 for enhanced lighting, more realistic water, deeper draw distances, and other effects. Texture resolution and quality have also been bumped up across the board. The result is a game that looks significantly better than its predecessor from 2011.
Console players with the PS4 Pro or Xbox One X can enjoy native 4K resolution, boosted framerates, and other visual refinements like volumetric god rays and dynamic depth of field. The stark difference in visual quality between LE and SE is immediately noticeable.
Performance Optimizations
In addition to graphics, Bethesda’s engineers worked to enhance Skyrim SE’s overall performance and stability. The game has been ported to an upgraded 64-bit engine, unlocking advantages like access to more RAM and better multicore CPU utilization. Together with hundreds of under-the-hood bug fixes and memory optimizations, this translates to smoother gameplay, faster loading times, and fewer crashes – especially for heavily modded set-ups.
Mod authors may also find the 64-bit architecture more stable and performant. The Legendary Edition runs in a 32-bit process and is more prone to CTDs once you pile on the mods or crank up settings to extreme levels.
Mod Support and Capabilities
PC modders know that Skyrim’s incredible longevity is thanks in huge part to the boundless mods created by its vibrant community over the years. With Skyrim Special Edition, Bethesda has tried to share some of those advantages with console owners too. SSE includes an in-game Mods menu where Xbox One and PS4 users can browse and install new content.
The breadth and quality of console mods may still have a ways to go before catching up to PC. But SE represents a massive step up from LE where no native mod support exists for Xbox 360 or PS3. For those platforms, mods require cumbersome workarounds like jailbreaking.
SSE also introduces some mod authoring improvements for PC. The 64-bit engine alleviates certain restrictions around memory and scripting – authors can do more without worrying about hitting limits. Features like a new water flow system also enable more advanced water mods.
System Requirements
As you might expect, all these graphical and technical upgrades do come at the cost of higher system requirements. Skyrim Special Edition demands stronger hardware than the Legendary Edition which launched years earlier and was designed with older consoles and PCs in mind.
Here‘s a breakdown of the minimum and recommended specs for both editions:
Legendary Edition Minimum Requirements
- OS: Windows 7/Vista/XP (32 or 64 bit)
- CPU: Dual Core 2.0 GHz
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 6 GB free space
- GPU: 512 MB DirectX 9.0c compliant
Special Edition Minimum Requirements
- OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 12 GB free space
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 470 1GB / AMD HD 7870 2GB
As shown above, SSE mandates more RAM, VRAM, storage space, and generally more powerful modern hardware. So it may not be playable for systems at the lower end. On the flip side, SSE can leverage stronger PCs for greater graphics fidelity and smoother FPS.
Which Edition Should You Get in 2023?
When deciding between Skyrim‘s Legendary Edition and Special Edition, a few key factors to consider are:
- Visuals – SSE has superior graphics, lighting, effects if eye candy is important.
- Performance – SSE offers better stability and smoother FPS on stronger hardware.
- Mods – SSE enables advanced mod features on PC and mod access on consoles.
- Cost – LE can often be found cheaper in sales or key reseller sites.
- Compatibility – LE has broader compatibility with older systems.
Taking all this into account, here are my recommendations on which version to get:
- If you own a mid-range or high-end PC/laptop built within the last 5 years, go with Skyrim Special Edition for the best graphics, performance and mods.
- For older PCs or laptops, Legendary Edition may be the better choice for wider compatibility and cheaper cost.
- Console owners should choose SSE on PS4/Xbox to access mods. No mod support exists for PS3/Xbox 360.
- Get Skyrim VR Edition if you want to experience the game using a virtual reality headset.
Over a decade since launch, Skyrim continues to offer incredible value and enjoyment for RPG fans. Thanks to community mods and Bethesda’s updates, both the Legendary and Special Edition stand the test of time. Analyze your priorities, hardware, and budget to decide which version suits you best in 2023!
