In the decades that video games have been popular, there are only a few that truly stand the test of time. For a single release to capture the entire gaming world is a mighty task that has only been achieved by a handful of exceptional titles.Grand Theft Auto 5is one of them, boasting a sprawling open world, meticulous attention to detail in its presentation, and endless potential for fun. It’s a game that many still play to this day, despitereleasing nine years ago this coming September.Arriving on the scene two years before, however,The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimwas another that joined that esteemed list, providing an epic fantasy setting that people flocked to in the latter stages of 2011. After what seems like dozens of remasters,Skyrimis still going strong. The pair of games have seen meteoric commercial success, and have largely carried the banner of open-world game design for the past 10 years, so it was fitting that both were scheduled to launch a next-gen version on the same day, June 12, 2025. Thankfully for Bethesda, the release of Rockstar Games' magnum opus was pushed back to March 2022, allowing for more players to spend significant time in the icy plains of Winterhold or the Tolkien-esque Riverwood.RELATED:The Best Open-World Games on Xbox Game Pass (January 2022)
Next-Gen Graphics Overhaul
Grand Theft Auto 5’scontinuing legacy has reaffirmed the fact that it isn’t a game that can be seen through to completion in just a few days. The single-player demands a substantial amount of time, and commitment from the player, and the much-lovedGrand Theft Auto Onlinecomponent is a mainstay in so many people’s gaming rotationssince it was released not long after the main game in October 2013. The remastered edition that was announced for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S was more like a refresher than a new experience allowing existing players, as well as new ones, the chance to explore Los Santos with a range of visual improvements, and performance upgrades.
Though it is perhaps more flagrant in its release ofSkyrim, Bethesda has adopted a similar approach.The fifth entry in theElder Scrollsseries is as good as it ever was in 2022, and small refinements have resulted in the Anniversary Edition, widely believed to be the definitive way to play the much-loved title. Despite many glaring differences, the two games bear a few critical similarities, not least the overwhelming amount of time it takes to experience everything.
Release Date Breathing Room
It’s hard to imagine that the Anniversary Edition is going to be too many new players' first experience in the world ofSkyrim. There’s every chance that for most it will serve as a reintroduction rather than an all-new game, and after initially releasing over a decade ago, it may be the perfect time for returning players to dive back in. As is evident from the game’s opening hours, the journey is a lengthy one, and the release ofGrand Theft Auto 5on next-gen systems being delayed to five months afterSkyrim’s rerelease provides the perfect buffer between the two.Open world fatigue is hard to overcome, so balancing two of the most expansive, in-depth, and lore-rich playgrounds in gaming would have been a near-impossible feat, and both are simply so good that putting either down after a few hours would have been a tragedy.
The streets of Los Santos, and the halls of Dragonsreach are immensely different in presentation, but each is littered with memorable characters, gorgeous visuals, and the capacity for so many memorable moments to occur. There’s no mistaking Lester Crest for Daedric Lord Sam Guevenne, but meeting each in games that bear so many mechanical similarities is going to make the interactions feel far less impactful. BothSkyrim,andGrand Theft Autoare huge quests to undertake, and some players will require a game or two before gleefully jumping into the next if anything just to ensure the player doesn’t get burned out on the open-world formula too quickly.
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Grand Theft Auto’s Crushing Sales
WhileThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimhas gone on to sell over 30 million copies across the plethora of versions released since,the numbers are easily passed byGrand Theft Auto 5having shifted over 155 million units as of November 2021. It’s hard to imagine a game being more of a cultural phenomenon thanSkyrim, but the numbers simply don’t lie, and the truth isGrand Theft Auto 5has a far larger install base, even though it released about two years later. The news ofGTA’s delay allowed forSkyrimto emerge from its colossal shadow and provides Bethesda five more months before players switch Solitude for Los Santos.
Each game may very well satisfy a different demographic, as those who find enjoyment intheGrand Theft Autoseries' scathing social commentarymay not be the same people who appreciate the wonderment of high-fantasy, and rich medieval-inspired world-building. However, both are so popular regardless of their setting, writing, or presentation that they stand out often in spite of what they both bring to the table. BothGrand Theft Auto 5andSkyrim’simmense quality were appreciated by gamers of all persuasions, but the numbers indicate more flocked to the harsh streets ofGrand Theft Auto 5.
Grand Theft Auto’s Gorgeous Graphics
Having been released far later in the PS3 and Xbox 360’s life cycle, the graphical fidelity ofGrand Theft Auto 5’sfirst iteration putSkyrim’s somewhat aged aesthetics under closer scrutiny.Skyrim, while known for its stunning art design, is a dated product, offering some truly spectacular presentation if the player can wade through the blocky textures, and inconsistent frame rate.Grand Theft Auto 5has aged wonderfully, however, with each new rerelease proving that the graphics of the original are far more likely to stay fresher for longer.
WithThe Elder Scrolls 6having been revealed at E3 in 2018, though, the future is looking as bright as ever for Bethesda’s beloved franchise and, likeSkyrimbefore it, the sixth installment will surely also look to set the new standard of visuals in an open world. Time will tell if Rockstar can recapture the stunning aesthetics of titles likeRed Dead Redemption 2.
One’s Delay is Another’s Blessing
The Elder Scrolls 5:Skyrimis one of the few industry-defining games of the last century.In any other comparison, Bethesda’s crowning achievement would be the game to avoid releasing on the same day as. Of course, both franchises have their weaknesses, as was recently evident with theunstable state ofGrand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition. Regardless, withSkyrimandGrand Theft Auto 5, each game offers countless hours of enjoyment, and the gaming space is far better off with them both performing at their very best. If a five-month delay allows them to do that, then gamers can rest easy knowing that Rockstar’s decision to delay its next-generation upgrade was a blessing in disguise.
Grand Theft Auto 5’s rerelease is set to launch on July 17, 2025 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
