"The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dragonborn" review: Worthy of your coin and time

Video game developers please take notice: Bethesda knows how to properly support a title post-launch. Initial bugs and PlayStation 3 difficulties aside -- much has already been discussed on those topics -- "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" still lives in many gamers' disc trays to this day thanks to the up-keep and fan-service given by its developer.

Released in November 2011, "Skyrim" has seen a number of official patches that either improve the quality of the game and fix bugs or add new features entirely -- magic and archery kill-cams and mounted combat? Yes please! Seven months after launch, "Dawnguard" was released which delivered an immersive and lengthy new quest as well as new gameplay features, perks and side missions. Now -- only six months later -- "Dragonborn" aims even higher. Lest we forget, "Hearthfire" launched recently.

"Dragonborn" sees players travel to Solstheim -- an island that loyal fans of the series will recognize as the setting of the "Morrowind" expansion "Bloodmoon." Once there, players will investigate the resurgence of a strange Dragon Cult and prevent the cataclysmic return of first Dragonborn.

The main quest is relatively straightforward and lacks the length, emotional depth or diverging paths of Serana's domestic troubles in "Dawnguard." Nevertheless, it is interesting and offers plenty of new scenery, enemies, weapons and armor that all help make the experience feel fresh even a year since "Skyrim's" initial launch. The opportunity alone to re-spec your perk trees is enough to sell this expansion.

That's all great of course, but none of this is what players have really been looking forward to since "Dragonborn" was first announced -- we want to ride dragons already! What's the old saying? Be careful what you wish for...or you may find yourself mounted atop a glitchy dragon issuing lame commands with no control over its flight path? Dang.

It is true that you will learn a new shout that allows you to tame any dragon in "Skyrim" and lay fiery waste to the creatures below. More impressively, you can pit your dragon mount against another Dovah in beautiful aerial combat. But the overall mechanic is so far beyond broken that it's never fun. Bethesda can't really be faulted for this disappointing attempt at fan-service, but dragon riding is probably more fun in your head -- or in a DreamWorks movie.

Dragon riding gripes aside, "Dragonborn" is another expansion worthy of your coin and your time. The story and setting are interesting and beautiful and more "Elder Scrolls" adventuring is never a bad thing.

"The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dragonborn" is available now for Xbox 360, PC and maybe eventually for PlayStation 3. It is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.