The Community Spotlight highlights some of the best articles that didn't quite make the front page. This week, we compare Skyrim to illegal narcotics, look back at the humor and discovery of the Portal series, battle Mortal Kombat's Shao Kahn, and punish ourselves. With games, I mean. Don't get weird.

5 reasons Skyrim is similar to crack cocaine
By Siri Karri
If you haven't let Skyrim grab you yet, Siri's here to tell you why you'll be hooked once you do. He also points out the game's uncanny resemblance to another notably addictive substance. I'd be creeped out if I didn't need a fix right now. (Of Skyrim, not crack.)

Portal: For science, and for interactive humor
By Curtis Montgomery
Curtis takes us on a journey back through the bowels of the Aperture Science testing facility, with plenty of keen observations along the way. "Portal is a one-two tango of gameplay and humor from start to finish," he writes, "each working in tandem for a slow and steady build of discovery, eureka moments, tension, and laughs."

A masochistic gamer is me
By Justin Davis
Justin points out two approaches to game difficulty. One is to tweak character and enemy attributes artificially. The other is to design fundamentally tougher challenges. Justin favors the latter option, using examples like Ninja Gaiden, Super Meat Boy, and I Wanna Be The Guy. 

Musings on the world of Skyrim
By Jake Godin
One of my favorite things about Skyrim is the way each player's experiences differ. Jake's description of one of his sessions is a great read (complete with stick-figure drawings). I can't wait to go find my own aurora.

Shao Kahn always wins
By Scott Deakin
I won't spoil Scott's first-person account of his battle with Shao Kahn, the evil master behind the Mortal Kombat tournaments. Just know that the brawl is epic...and the ending is totally unexpected. Click through and enjoy.