I used to be a Tolkien purist (TOLKIEN DID IT SO YOU SHOULD TOO) but thankfully I'm past that stage. I do appreciate TES elves, as even the prettiest ones tend to have an unmistakably alien twist to them.

I had to give up on my female Bosmer (first Skyrim character) looking classically pretty because obviously I had no experience with CC at that stage, she kept turning out like a Roswell freak, so I decided to roll with it - gave her white eyes, dark skin, white hair, white warpaint with a colour that looks like abnormal skin discolouration, and a scar. Happy with the result

I absolutely agree that Bretons need to look mroe distinguished. They're probably my favourite race lore-wise, but in terms of appearance they don't have much of an identity...It is definitely hard to tell a Breton apart from an Imperial without looking at the name.

I always create a dark elf in my first run on all TES games. I loved the hair and facial paint in Morrowind and to be able to change the age in oblivion was perfect since I usually RP a young nieve adventurer. "What's that madam you dropped your coin purse down that well full of horrible bloodthirsty beasts, no problem I'll get that for you."
Yeah so an elf that looks older than dirt just can't play well as an immature fresh off the farm youth. But the facial scares and tattoos make a great warrior class, just wish they kept the age slider and Morrowind spike hairstyle.
A bit off topic, I have yet to see a non human kid running around town with the other kids.

Okay man, keep your awful opinions to yourself. We know that you're far from the average TES fan by now.

I like how the Bosmer don't look like hobbits anymore.

I like the look of the elves in Skyrim. They show quality and actual detail instead of DA2's horrific elves. *shudder* DA2 elves

Yes they are pretty grim looking and definitely look like they come from the harsh nightmarish environment of Morrowind. When i play a morally extreme character whether good or evil it will be of dark elven lineage.

The other races also look fantastic which should make lots of people happy.

It's fine, but not something I'd give two thumbs up for.
Honestly they could've looked pretty as hell and it'd still be fine in my book.
The only oddity is lore-wise, young Dunmer women are supposed to be loose and somewhat seductive, and here? Don't see it happening...I also miss the short bosmer men. They're still short, but not as short as before.

Barenziah's biography doesn't really cover all Dunmer.

The one thing I miss (and it goes for all the races, really) is the age slider. It's now really hard to make a character who doesn't look haggard, craggy and/or mildly grubby. Even the Altmer. Who I do think could have done with being a bit more...I dunno. Not like they were in Oblivion, much though I loved the game, that's for sure. But a bit smoother, maybe?

Overall, though, they did good, I think.

I think that the art designers did a really great job of capturing the mystical elven look and then taking it to the extreme to give them an alien quality. Think about it, even the traditional elves that we consider pretty tend to have sharper, more pointed features than humans. How sharp and pointed the elves' faces are depends on what setting they are in, but most elves at least have traces of it. I think it is this twist to the Altmer and the Bosmer (the Dunmer are a different story since their race are the cursed elves) that makes them look elven and even strangely beautiful at times and yet very, very alien. I also think that the Altmer design just nails the snobby elf look, especially in the males...in fact I have a hard time making a male Altmer character that doesn't look impossibly snotty. The Bosmer remind me of traditional elven folk (before Tolkien) living in the forest back when such beings weren't considered necessarily good. And the Dunmer almost look demonic with their dark features (compare the Dark Elves with the Dremora for instance) and I think it suits them very well.

I remember being thirteen.

GOOD LORD!!! please do not invoke that sorry excuse of an RPG.
I had originally thought the 2 big RPG GOTY contenders of 2011 would be DA2 and Skyrim and it would be a close fight.

Turns out i was wrong. DA2 was only fit for the toilet lol. I feel so sorry for them bioware supporters.

It's a general cultural cliche, albeit more pronounced outside of traditionalist Vvardenfell.

I agree with this statement. Wood elves were my favorite next to dark elves. But no matter how long I work on one, it looks as bad as when I started. They all look old and beat up. I don't have anything against that look. It just seems there are no other choices.

Protip: If you want younger and better looking elves (or characters in general) you need other textures. The default ones make everyone look old.

Yeah, I think the elves look brilliant. My Dunmer (male) is really ugly, which is great, and in my opinion my Altmer (female) is kinda good looking. Orc is ugly too, and Bosmer are far better than before.

Stop trolling u bastard

I, for one, am glad that my Bosmer is infinitely more badass looking than before. Bethesda did a great job making the elves look unique while still making them look good.

Love the dunmers

I'm a Nord.

I was so impressed with the new character designs when they were revealed, and still am. The Altmer and Bosmer are especially awesome, IMO.

Because my game has been bugged out for a few weeks, I decided to play Oblivion while I wait for the next patch. The difference in character design is crazy - when I saw Thoronir's face up-close, I nearly screamed with terror!

It will be a relief to go back to Skryim for this reason alone.

Quick question. Obviously the Bosmer are no longer annoying midgets, but are they still smaller than normal races? I can't really tell.

I must say the elves in Skyrim are the best looking they have been in the entire series.

Bosmeri look amazing, very hunter-esque

Dark elves too.

The Aldmeri however I think should've been made to look more elegant and smooth. But perhaps that's just me with creator.