"13 Must-Play Games for Skyrim Fans"
There's nothing quite like the first time you explored Skyrim. From the moment you narrowly escape your grisly execution in Helgen and step into the legendary RPG's vast wilderness, it's an adventure that allows you to go anywhere and everywhere with no limitations. It's this sense of sheer freedom that has captivated millions of players, drawing them back to its cold, untamed landscape for over a decade.
After years of immersing ourselves in the many versions of Skyrim, we're all eager to find new games that satisfy our craving for fantasy adventure. To ease the wait until the release of the much-anticipated Elder Scrolls 6, we've curated a list of the best games that echo Skyrim's spirit, available for you to dive into right now.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
Starting our list with an obvious choice, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion offers an experience that mirrors Skyrim's style and scope. As Skyrim's predecessor, Oblivion still holds the core elements that made its sequel a blockbuster hit. You play as a prisoner thrust into a conflict involving demonic gods, fiery portals to a hellish realm, and the assassination of Tamriel's emperor. Your journey takes you across the land of Cyrodil, where you're free to explore, complete quests, form alliances, and enhance your character with a variety of skills, weapons, armor sets, and spells. For those eager to continue their Elder Scrolls adventure, Oblivion is a perfect choice. It's available on PC and can be played on Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One through backward compatibility.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is not only a flagship title for the Nintendo Switch but also one of the finest fantasy RPGs ever crafted. This acclaimed reinvention of the Zelda series offers a secret-filled open world, physics-based mechanics for battling enemies and navigating challenging terrain, engaging quests, and a visually stunning art style. The game doesn't hold your hand; instead, it sets you free in the expansive Hyrule, equipping you with essential tools and allowing you to chart your own course. Whether you choose to unearth lore, scale mountains, or confront the final boss immediately, the world is yours to explore. If you're seeking the same freedom and unguided exploration that makes Skyrim so compelling, Breath of the Wild is an excellent alternative, available exclusively on Nintendo Switch. You can also explore its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for a similar experience.
3. Dragon's Dogma 2
For those seeking a recent release that emphasizes exploration, Dragon's Dogma 2 is a strong contender. Set across the realms of Vermund and Battahl, you step into the shoes of The Arisen, a player-created warrior whose heart was stolen by an ancient dragon. Your mission is to track down and slay this dragon, embarking on a quest across a vast, untamed world. Much like Skyrim, the allure of Dragon's Dogma 2 lies in its focus on exploration, filled with secrets and encounters with colossal monsters that create memorable stories. As a deep RPG, it offers various classes to master, a wide range of weapons and armor, and a unique party system where you can recruit allies from other players. If you're craving a large-scale fantasy RPG akin to Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma 2, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, is a must-try.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
In the realm of epic RPGs, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands tall with its 100-plus hour adventure. Set in a dark, Slavic-mythology-inspired world, this game is often hailed as one of the best RPGs ever made, and for good reason. It features a massive open world filled with challenging battles, morally complex choices that influence the narrative, and a captivating storyline. You play as Geralt, a seasoned mercenary on a quest to find his surrogate daughter, Ciri, while confronting mythical creatures and the spectral warriors known as the Wild Hunt. Like Skyrim, The Witcher 3 provides you with the basics before setting you loose in a rich fantasy world. Whether you choose to focus on bounty hunting or follow the main storyline, the game empowers you with freedom. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC, both the base game and its expansive DLCs are essential experiences once you've conquered Skyrim.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Moving away from high fantasy, Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a grounded medieval epic that captures the sense of freedom found in Skyrim. Set in 15th-century Bohemia, you follow Henry, a blacksmith's son seeking revenge after his parents are killed during a Cuman invasion. The game unleashes you into a vast open world, featuring authentic medieval settings, open-ended quests that react to your choices, and an intricate combat system. With a focus on immersion, Kingdom Come: Deliverance challenges you with survival mechanics such as managing food, sleep, hygiene, and armor degradation. If you're looking for an RPG with a more realistic setting and deeper engagement than Skyrim, this game, available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC, is worth exploring. Its sequel, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, released in February 2025, promises an even richer experience.
Elden Ring
For those who relish a challenge, Elden Ring offers a rewarding yet punishing experience. FromSoftware's latest RPG masterpiece is celebrated for its exploration mechanics, where hidden paths lead to new areas and valuable rewards await those who delve into every corner. No exploration is in vain, making you feel as though you're charting a course through a living, breathing world, albeit one that's eager to test your mettle. With the addition of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and the upcoming standalone adventure, Elden Ring Nightreign, set for May, there's never been a better time to explore The Lands Between. If you've finished Skyrim and crave another world to conquer, Elden Ring, available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, is a compelling choice.
Fallout 4
While not a fantasy RPG, Fallout 4 shares many design elements with Skyrim, making it a natural choice for fans looking for something similar. This open-world RPG from Bethesda lets you craft a unique character, explore vast environments, and engage in a variety of quests, all set in a post-apocalyptic Boston. As the Sole Survivor, you're tasked with rescuing your kidnapped son from The Institute, but the game's expansive world offers countless other objectives and paths to explore. If you want an experience with Skyrim's DNA but with a post-apocalyptic twist, Fallout 4, available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, is a standout Bethesda title.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition is another expansive fantasy RPG that offers over 80 hours of gameplay. In this title, you lead The Inquisition to save Thedas from mysterious rifts, exploring large open-world maps, defeating monsters, and uncovering a new story in the Dragon Age universe. Like Skyrim, you can customize your character's class and race before embarking on your adventure, recruiting new party members, and making choices that impact the narrative and the world around you. After finishing Skyrim, Dragon Age: Inquisition, available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, provides another rich fantasy experience. You can also transition smoothly into 2024's Dragon Age: The Veilguard afterward.
Baldur's Gate 3
While Baldur's Gate 3 and Skyrim may differ in gameplay style, with Baldur's Gate 3 being a top-down CRPG focused on strategic combat and party management, it remains an essential choice for fans of expansive fantasy RPGs. Its world is meticulously crafted, featuring tactical combat, engaging narratives, and quests that evolve based on your decisions, offering a personalized playthrough. The game encourages experimentation through its character creation system and flexible quest approaches, mirroring Skyrim's freedom. If you enjoyed Skyrim's open-ended nature, Baldur's Gate 3, available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, is a game you'll appreciate.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
A cult classic reborn through its 2020 remaster, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is an excellent choice for those seeking a new fantasy RPG after Skyrim. Set in the world of Amalur, you play as the Fateless One, resurrected by the Well of Souls and tasked with stopping a destructive force. As you explore the Faelands, you'll build your character, choose a class, and engage in quests and dungeon delving. With its engaging combat and vast world, Kingdoms of Amalur, available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, offers a satisfying experience.
The Forgotten City
Originally a Skyrim mod, The Forgotten City evolved into a standalone game that retains the essence of Skyrim while offering a unique experience. The story begins in modern-day Italy, where you're transported back in time to Ancient Rome after exploring a mysterious ruin. Caught in an eternal time loop triggered by the city's "Golden Rule," you must solve the underlying mystery through detective work and conversations with the city's inhabitants. This game, available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, is a must-play for those interested in a fresh take on Skyrim's formula.
Outward: Definitive Edition
Outward offers a hardcore RPG experience that focuses on realism and consequence. You start as an ordinary person tasked with paying off a debt within five days, but this quickly escalates into a large-scale open-world adventure across the land of Aurai. The game challenges you with survival mechanics, including managing hunger and sleep, and lacks fast travel, instead using random events to move you around the map. If you're seeking Skyrim's sense of exploration with added realism, Outward, available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC, is a compelling choice.
The Elder Scrolls Online
If you're ready to move beyond Skyrim but want to continue your Elder Scrolls journey, The Elder Scrolls Online offers an MMO experience set across various realms of Tamriel. With locations from Skyrim and Cyrodil to Morrowind and Highrock, and new regions like Elsweyr and Summerset, you can explore both familiar and new territories. Engage in quests, battle enemies, and build unique characters alongside other players. With numerous DLCs enriching the game over the years, The Elder Scrolls Online, available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, is a perfect continuation of your Elder Scrolls adventure.
AnswerSee ResultsAnd that's our pick of games Skyrim fans will love! Agree with our list or our some of your top picks missing? You can share your own top games like Skyrim lists with us via IGN Playlist, our tool that allows you to keep track of your gaming library, create lists and even rank them, discover what some of your favorite creators are playing, and more. Head over to IGN Playlist to find out more, and start creating your own lists to share with us!Latest Articles
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