The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR Review (Joe)
(This review was written by someone who's entire playing experience was with the HIGGS and VRIK mods)
To be entirely honest, I would not recommend the game as it is out of the box, or the state it is in once you install it, though, with the VRIK and the HIGGs mod, the game is infinitely better. A lot of reviews fail to properly explain how to go through the install process, so I'll provide a link to a YouTube tutorial which will get you the mods required in minutes.
https://youtu.be/cyvM_P-BrJ8
Starting off, the game is almost an exact carbon copy of Skyrim Special Edition, although it's in Virtual Reality. I've found the VR port to be much more engaging and immersive at times, which greatly propelled my playing experience. If you are to choose between Skyrim VR (with the Higgs and VRIK mod) and SkyrimSE, I would recommend picking up SkyrimSE just for the bug-free experience and mod versatility of it, but if you're wanting a proper, campaign-level VR game, I really recommend picking this one up. Here's the links to the mods below;
Links:
Create an account here: https://www.nexusmods.com/
Download Vortex here: https://www.nexusmods.com/site/mods/1
Find the HIGGS mod here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/43930
Find the VRIK mod here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/23416
Find other Skyrim VR mods here: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition
For the HIGGS and VRIK mods, you don't have to follow any unnecessary or extra install processes other than the easy, automatic download with vortex. I would recommend that you proceed with caution when using mods, since not all of them are entirely safe (which is displayed under 'virus scan' in the mod page)
Mods can completely alter your game if you're not careful, and can sometimes break it.
Onto the actual review, I found bugs to be not all that common, and the only bugs I found were visual bugs, and not game-breaking ones. The game is a literal, carbon copy of Skyrim. It's a port, after all. Playing SkyrimVR with the Higgs and VRIK mod was an entirely different experience, and was and still is quite worth playing, but I would strongly recommend purchasing the game when it's on sale.
The combat isn't exactly blade-and-sorcery level, I'd expect something more on the tier of GORNVR or Fallout 4 VR. The blades don't have any affect on NPC physics, so you can't do any 'cinematic epic duels' like you do in Blade and Sorcery. The combat is meh comparatively, but It doesn't ruin the game at all or hinder the playing experience. Shields work well, and swords are semi-weightless, so most of the time you just limp-wristed-ly swing at opponents.
I would really recommend to NOT put a weapon ANYWHERE NEAR an enemy unless you want to start a fight, since even the smallest swing or momentum will be recognized as a hit.
The magic in this game is excellent to use, and to be entirely honest, sorta makes you feel like a badass wizard. Good game, recommend.