Best Games Like Skyrim

It’s hard to imagine that it has been more than 10 years since The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim was released. A masterpiece in every aspect, Bethesda’s game is set 200 years after its predecessor in a place called Skyrim. It follows a Dragonborn on a quest to defeat a dragon called Alduin The World-Eater who is destined to destroy the world.

The game entertained many, both the ones hungry for a rich open-world and a good story and those just looking for pleasing graphics and casual battles with monsters and other creatures in the fantasy world. Here are the best games like Skyrim.

Updated on January 27, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Elder Scrolls 6 has a long way to go before it becomes a reality. Fortunately, the gaming market is flooded with RPGs like Skyrim that can help fill the void.

Enshrouded

Survival Game With Flexible Progression & Impressive Open-World

January 2024 produced two huge early access releases that share a few things in common while still being wildly different. Palworld and Enshrouded are both survival games set in large open-worlds that focus heavily on base building. The former had the bigger debut of the two projects, courtesy of its monster-taming element that garnered comparisons to Pokemon. That said, Enshrouded also hit the ground running, and it is the better overall pick for Skyrim fans. Now, this game is a work in progress, so anyone who decides to pick it up needs to be aware that they will experience their share of bugs and clunky moments. So, that is already one thing Enshrouded has in common with (some) Bethesda releases.

Set in Embervale, players are cast as the Flameborn, setting them on a vague journey to hopefully protect the remnants of humanity from the Shroud. The campaign does not focus too heavily on its story, and it mostly serves to add some structure and to provide an in-universe reason for exploration. For the most part, Enshrouded revolves around building and expanding bases, a process that must be done to allow for longer expeditions into the unknown. Players can only survive for a fixed period within the Shroud, so they need to time their adventurers carefully since the wilderness is packed with dangerous enemies.

Enshrouded features real-time combat that is not that similar to Skyrim, and it arguably has more in common with something like Dark Souls. While not terrible, the combat is a mixed bag that requires some fine-tuning. More relevant to Elder Scrolls fans is Enshrouded‘s progression system, which allows players to invest points in different categories rather than stick to a specific class.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Deep Customization & Fluid Quests

This is a tricky one as Baldur’s Gate 3 and Skyrim‘s minute-to-minute gameplay share little in common. The former utilizes a turn-based combat system that prioritizes party synergy, forward-thinking, and strategy. Battles are difficult right out of the gate, and players will be punished if they have a poor grasp of the core mechanics. Larian’s RPG is also portrayed from an isometric perspective and is not set in a continuous open-world, although players are encouraged and incentivized to explore the available map and to make detours from the main story’s path.

Depending on what someone is searching for, Baldur’s Gate 3 might not have the tools to scratch their Skyrim itch. However, if a player is looking for brilliant storytelling, deep customization, and a flexible world shaped by the player’s decisions, they cannot do much better than this 2023 release. Similar to how Skyrim set a new standard for RPGs, Baldur’s Gate 3 has done the same, albeit for the tactical subgenre.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is also by Larian and is equally incredible.

Ghost Of Tsushima

Third-Person Combat & Stunning Historical Open-World

Although many players find themselves enamored by Skyrim‘s freedom and open-world exploration, there is an overarching storyline that can be rather engrossing once it gets going. At its core, Skyrim features a rather robust story that slowly unravels as players complete story missions and side quests throughout the lands of Northern Tamriel. Those looking for another tale of intrigue to keep them engaged as they make their way through an open world should consider picking up Ghost of Tsushima.

This fantastic story-driven action release follows Jin Sakai as he adventures across the island of Tsushima in hopes of liberating it from an attacking Mongol force. With amazing voice acting, beautiful graphics, and an edge-of-your-seat story, Ghost of Tsushima is the perfect release for Skyrim fans who want to wrap themselves up in another epic adventure.

Genshin Impact

Free Open-World Game

There are some great open-world releases out there for fans of Skyrim craving another large-scale release. Some of them are even free-to-play, like the popular Genshin Impact. Players who enjoyed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild should feel right at home in the lands of Teyvat. Like Breath of the Wild and Skyrim, Genshin Impact grants players access to a wide open-world filled with various biomes that can be freely explored. They can use a variety of items to help them explore, but they can also scale mountains by hand using the climbing mechanic.

With many characters to unlock via a Gacha system and a lengthy story flanked by sidequests, players can spend hours upon hours making their way through this free-to-play title.

Cyberpunk 2077

Immersive Sci-Fi Metropolis

Riding high after the release of The Witcher 3, one of the few RPGs that challenges Skyrim in terms of critical success, CD Projekt Red seemed set to take the sci-fi genre by storm through the release of Cyberpunk 2077. Infamously, the game launched in a not-so-great state, and the PS4 and Xbox One versions are still almost impossible to recommend; however, the PC and next-gen iterations are more than playable nowadays. While an argument could be made that the title failed to meet all of its potential or promises, Cyberpunk 2077 is nevertheless ambitious and periodically brilliant.

Obviously, the game’s setting is the direct opposite of Skyrim‘s, but both projects shine in the same department: their worlds. Night City is Cyberpunk 2077‘s crowning achievement, even more so than its very good story and decent gameplay. The map is dense with content, details, and lore touches that make the simple act of exploration fun.

Elden Ring

Soulslike Open-World

FromSoftware’s latest entry into the “Souls series” is perhaps their most ambitious yet. The massive open world and freedom of choice that Elden Ring gives to its players help to create an experience that feels as large as Skyrim. It’s important to note that Elden Ring, like many Souls games, is a lot more difficult than Skyrim, but learning how to survive in the punishing world is just as rewarding as it is in The Elder Scrolls.

With a robust character creator, tons of weapons to choose from, and a wide array of playstyles, Elden Ring feels like a truly massive open-world adventure.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild & Tears Of The Kingdom

Explore Hyrule Freely

Nintendo’s attempts to breathe new life into The Legend of Zelda series led to the release of a title that most people genuinely believe to be the greatest video game ever made. Breath of the Wild is nothing short of a masterpiece and is a title that most fans of open-world action-adventure titles should definitely try out.

The open-ended gameplay of Breath of the Wild coupled with an excellent gameplay loop made for one of the best games like Skyrim. It’s a game that will take hundreds of hours to complete — a fact that Skyrim fans would absolutely adore.

Breath of the Wild‘s sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, sticks fairly close to its predecessor’s formula, making it an easy recommendation for any open-world fan. Despite many similarities, TOTK still incorporates enough new ideas to feel like a worthy successor rather than just a retread. This time around, Hyrule is also way more active since its citizens are in the process of rebuilding.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

A Realistic Late-Medieval Open-World

It’s a testament to the ambition of Warhorse Studios that they decided to go all-out and develop one of the biggest open-world games of all time that is absolutely jam-packed with content across the board. Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an easy recommendation for any player who wants to play games similar to Skyrim.

The combat system is easily one of the more unique aspects of the game, and mastering it can take quite some time. However, players who finally invest in their character will enjoy an excellent game that features a great story, tough combat, and memorable characters.

Gothic

An Underappreciated Dark Fantasy Classic

Gothic is a classic open-world title that not many players might’ve heard of. However, the old-school charm of this game coupled with refreshing — and rather impressive — open-ended gameplay makes for a unique experience that most people haven’t really heard of.

It’s a shame that Gothic is such an underrated title since a ton of people are missing out on a brilliant game. It might take a while to get used to, but players seeking out games like Skyrim will be more than happy with this title.

Horizon Zero Dawn & Horizon Forbidden West

Massive & Gorgeous Worlds, Fun Combat

Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, are two of Sony’s standout open-world games, and they are both fantastic on their own. Set in a distant future where Earth has become a post-apocalyptic mix of prehistoric architecture and robotic monstrosities, Guerilla’s series follows Aloy, an outcast who is dragged into a conflict that exposes the world’s history.

Armed with melee and ranged weapons, Aloy has to take down massive mechas using bows and a stick, although she does have a couple of neat items at her disposal. Similar to Skyrim, these games are often at their best when they encourage players to explore their vast and gorgeous environments.

Grim Dawn

Isometric Hack And Slash Action In A Dark Fantasy World

Grim Dawn is quite far removed from Skyrim, and it is primarily for fans who also enjoy releases like Titan Quest and Diablo 2. Crate’s isometric hack and slash game lives up to its title by bringing to life a depressing world defined by war and death.

While the story generally takes a backseat to combat and loot, Grim Dawn‘s lore gives the setting enough personality to allow it to morph beyond just a generic dark fantasy hellscape. Still, the gameplay is the main thing that will keep players coming back for more. With a solid selection of classes, factions, and skills, Grim Dawn presents players with plenty of customization options, including a pretty impressive crafting system.

GreedFall

Rough But Impressive

Traveling to a new world across an ocean is a daunting proposition that threatens no return, yet also promises great and untold treasures. In GreedFall, the player sets out as an emissary of their noble house to a distant and little-explored land.

The prevalence of nature magic and the corruption assaulting it weaves a knot of stories like vines that pull one into a grand adventure. The combat feels more like a Dragon Age game, but the lore, enemies, and terrain feel very Nordic; not unlike the northernmost province of Tamriel. There are also a ton of fun and interesting characters with intriguing, branching dialogue.

The Outer Worlds

Fallout In Space

Any project developed by Obsidian is at least worth a try, and The Outer Worlds takes quite a lot of inspiration from Fallout. Rather than one big open-world, the 2019 sci-fi RPG is split into smaller hub planets that follow fairly linear designs, although players are allowed and encouraged to explore their surroundings. Opting for a satirical tone, the story does not hold too many surprises, but the writing is generally top-notch, as tends to be the case with Obsidian’s releases.

The Outer Worlds definitely feels like an AA-version of something like Skyrim or Fallout. It is not quite as expansive as those franchises’ modern releases, and a playthrough will likely not last longer than 20 hours. However, the actual content is great, especially the character customization. Obsidian is working on The Outer Worlds 2 with Microsoft’s backing, so there is a good chance the sequel will be bigger and, hopefully, better.

Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning

Real-Time Action In A Colorful Fantasy World

A great variety of ways to obliterate one’s foes awaits in Kingdoms of Amalur. This is another fantasy world with cool monsters to battle and hot loot to be found. It’s one of those games in which exploring every inch of the map is entertaining. The variety of terrain and gorgeous visuals make adventuring to new areas always feel fresh and exciting.

There are plenty of weapons and spells to choose from; one can be a warrior, rogue, or mage. Possibly a combination of those for something more specialized. The freedom to explore an open-world is liberating, just like gallivanting about the bold, brisk lands of Skyrim.

Outward Definitive Edition

An RPG About Just Making Do

Ever wondered what the average Joe might be up to while the Dragonborn is out there saving the world? Outward kind of answers that question, as the open-world game follows a rather unspectacular adventurer who is primarily driven by a desire to clear their debt. This motivation subsides relatively quickly, and the protagonist’s goal becomes to simply explore an expansive world just for the sake of it.

Outward is rough around the edges, but its ambition cannot be faulted. While the combat and presentation leave quite a lot to be desired, the game makes up for it by emphasizing player freedom. The RPG encourages players to just head out into the unknown, although they should be well-prepared as death awaits around every corner. Outward is a fantasy RPG with survival elements, and while not perfect, it does a serviceable job for both genres.

The Forgotten City

Built On The Ashes Of A Skyrim Mod

Starting life as a highly rated Skyrim mod, this story had such potential that it eventually morphed into The Forgotten City, a standalone package that shows its origins while still very much being a wholly different experience. Rather than taking place in Bethesda’s universe, the game focuses on Ancient Rome, with players finding themselves stuck in a small village that is governed by a strange curse that causes everyone to turn into gold if a single sin is committed. Utilizing a time loop structure that resets whenever the curse is triggered, players must mingle with the townsfolk to figure out how to prevent a golden future.

The Forgotten City is primarily an adventure and story-driven game that focuses on exploration and dialogue. While not completely devoid of action, combat is an optional thing and a very small part of the overall journey. Weaving an impressive tale that takes full advantage of an inspired core premise, Modern Storyteller’s title gently guides players through an engaging 10-hour campaign that barely features any resembling a dull moment.

More Than Just Skyrim

While a seemingly obvious recommendation, players who entered the acclaimed RPG franchise with Skyrim might feel hesitant to explore previous entries in the series. Naturally, earlier Elder Scrolls titles are considerably more dated than the 2011 entry, but their strengths are timeless. Like Skyrim, these Elder Scrolls games need to be played:

The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind was a major leap from its predecessor, Daggerfall, in terms of graphics. Aside from that, the third entry in the series is wonderful. Once again, the title refers to the place where the game is set, Morrowind. The plot revolves around an island in Morrowind called Vvardenfell where the deity Dagoth Ur tries to gain power and free Morrowind from the Imperial reign.

The game has two expansions, Tribunal and Bloodmoon, which are also worth playing. Morrowind received almost universal praise and should be a must-play for every Skyrim fan.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion

The critically acclaimed predecessor of Skyrim, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion is considered by many to be one of the best games ever made. The entry’s title does not refer to the place where the game is set but to the main quest, which is to stop the fanatical cult called Mythic Dawn that plans to open a portal to the demonic world called Oblivion.

Like all Elder Scrolls games, Oblivion offers many hours of gameplay. Once finished, the player can take a look at its two expansions: Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles.

The Elder Scrolls Online

Unlike Morrowind and Oblivion, The Elder Scrolls Online debuted after Skyrim. ZeniMax Online Studios’ MMORPG had a somewhat rough birth, but it has grown into one of the better multiplayer experiences on the market. Even more than five years after its release, ESO continues to be very active, releasing its fifth expansion, Blackwood, on June 1, 2021.

By this point, the MMO has an overwhelming amount of content, so much so that newcomers might feel reluctant to jump in this late in the game. However, a great thing about ESO is that it has taken plenty of measures to make the experience accessible to new players; for example, expansions are not level-gated, meaning people can jump into their content when they feel like it. Anyone yearning for a game like Skyrim should start with ESO.

The Fallout Series

Swap Fantasy For The Post-Apocalypse

After dropping hundreds of hours into Skyrim, someone might find themselves aching for a change of scenery that also retains somewhat of a similar content loop. If that is the case, then Bethesda’s Fallout games are the way to go. While Interplay and Black Isle Studios’ Fallout and Fallout 2 are too dissimilar to Skyrim to make the cut, both of these RPGs have aged well courtesy of their writing and world-building.

Fallout 3

Fallout 3 is another open-world RPG game developed by Bethesda. While no dragons or elves will be seen here, as the game is set in a post-apocalyptic world in the year 2277, it nonetheless has that “Elder Scrolls feel.”

The game starts in Vault 101 where the player starts their adventure as a 19-year-old in search of his father in the ruins of the United States. The graphics were decent for the time and Fallout 3 is rich with quests and battles, offering more than 50 hours of gameplay.

Fallout 4

A sequel to the previous entry is another game worth playing. Fallout 4 is set ten years after the events of the first game; in Vault 111, the player witnesses the murder of their spouse and their son’s kidnapping. Naturally, they vow to get revenge and venture into the outside world, a region called The Commonwealth featuring places such as Boston and the surrounding area.

This open-world RPG saga offers many hours of interesting gameplay. Compared to earlier entries in the series, Fallout 4 simplifies its quest and RPG systems, offering less important choices to the player. However, in terms of gameplay, it is superior to Fallout 3 by quite a margin, making it a better pick for people craving a solid open-world shooter with role-playing mechanics.

Fallout: New Vegas

A spin-off not developed by Bethesda, New Vegas is a contender for the best entry in the acclaimed franchise. Closer in tone and structure to the series’ pre-Bethesda isometric entries, Obsidian’s game refines the dialogue and reputation systems to provide players with more leeway in how they can act, enhancing New Vegas‘ role-playing element in the process.

New Vegas plays similarly to Fallout 3, although it arguably fine-tunes most of the ideas found in the 2008 release. Like Skyrim, New Vegas has a very active modding community that has kept the game relevant for more than a decade.

Dragon Age: Origins

Rich World & Stellar Writing

A spiritual successor to the Baldur’s Gate, Dragon Age: Origins was released two years before Skyrim. The two games have many things in common: They are both fantasy-themed RPGs with great stories, have a lot of creatures to kill, countless quests to solve, and a myriad of items to collect.

For a game published more than ten years ago, Dragon Age: Origins‘ graphics are still amazing, but the game’s best part is definitely the dialogue and audio. Origins is, excluding other Elder Scrolls games, the closest thing to Skyrim available to play.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Emotional Character-Driven Story In A Realistic World

In truth, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Skyrim share little in common. While they are both open-world, their settings are nothing alike, with Rockstar’s title taking place during the Old West. Both games emphasize exploration, but RDR2 is considerably more story-driven than Skyrim. Gameplay-wise, the Western game is a grounded third-person shooter, which puts it in stark contrast with Skyrim‘s fantasy system.

Despite their differences, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Skyrim share one very important thing: they raised the bar for open-world games. That alone makes RDR2 a must-play title, and that’s before taking into account its fantastic writing, characters, and visuals.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

CD Projekt Red’s Dark Fantasy Masterpiece

Alongside Skyrim, The Witcher 3 is probably the most revered open-world RPG of all time. At this point, one has to assume that almost every fan of the genre has tried CD Projekt Red’s 2015 release and experienced Geralt’s final chapter in some form or another. For those rare few who have yet to make the plunge, they should prepare themselves for a lengthy adventure set in a fully realized dark fantasy world that leans heavily into the “dark” part.

While certainly open, The Witcher 3 is not as much of a sandbox experience as Skyrim, and the world expands to coincide with the main story’s development. However, the game is still littered with optional content, be it monster hunts or character-driven quests. The latter produces most of the writing’s high points, telling personal stories that work on a micro level while also fleshing out the overall world.

Starfield

Not Quite Skyrim In Space, But Nevertheless Worthwhile

In 2023, Bethesda released Starfield, its first new IP in decades. Such a project was destined to be put under a microscope as it needed to live up to almost unreachable expectations set by releases like Skyrim and Fallout 3. While not without its failings, Starfield is overall decent, offering an evolution of the Bethesda formula without being just Elder Scrolls in space (which would have been great as well).

Featuring comfortably Bethesda’s best combat to date, the sci-fi game starts slow as it eases players into a reasonably lengthy main story. Similar to the developer’s other RPGs, Starfield‘s optional content is its true highlight, and the game encourages players to just visit and explore procedurally-generated worlds to their heart’s content.