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, the adventure captivates you with its sense of sheer freedom. Millions of players have returned to its cold, untamed landscape for over a decade, drawn by the limitless possibilities to explore and adventure.
After years of delving into the various versions of Skyrim, many of us are eager to find new games that can satisfy our cravings for fantasy exploration. While we await the much-anticipated Elder Scrolls 6, we've curated a list of the best games that echo the spirit of Skyrim and are ready for you to dive into right now.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
A natural starting point, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion offers an experience akin to Skyrim in both style and scope. As the fourth installment in Bethesda's iconic RPG series, Oblivion, though a predecessor, embodies the elements that made Skyrim so beloved. You step into the shoes of a prisoner caught in the midst of a battle against demonic gods, navigating the fiery portals to a hellish realm and the assassination of Tamriel's emperor. Your journey takes you across Cyrodil, where you're free to explore, tackle quests, form alliances with factions, and customize your character with a variety of skills, weapons, armor sets, and spells. It's a quintessential Elder Scrolls experience, perfect for bridging the gap until Elder Scrolls 6 arrives. Oblivion is available on PC and through Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One's backward compatibility feature.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild stands out as a masterpiece of fantasy RPGs and a flagship title for the Nintendo Switch. This acclaimed reinvention of the seminal series offers everything you could want: a world brimming with secrets to uncover, dynamic physics-based systems for battling foes and traversing treacherous landscapes, captivating quests, and a visually stunning art style.
Breath of the Wild trusts you to chart your own path in Hyrule, equipping you with the basics and then letting you loose. Whether you're scouring the land for lore, scaling the tallest peaks, or rushing to confront the final boss, the game supports your choices fully. For those who cherish Skyrim's freedom and unguided exploration, Breath of the Wild is an excellent alternative. It's exclusively available on Nintendo Switch, and you can also explore its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for a similar experience.
3. Dragon's Dogma 2
Dragon's Dogma 2 is a recent addition to the lineup of sprawling RPGs that prioritize exploration. Set in the realms of Vermund and Battahl, you embody The Arisen, a warrior whose heart was stolen by an ancient dragon. Your mission is to hunt down and slay this dragon, leading you through a vast, untamed world. Much like Skyrim, the game's allure lies in its focus on exploration, with a world teeming with secrets and monsters that create memorable, organic encounters.
As a deep RPG, Dragon's Dogma 2 offers a variety of classes to master, an extensive range of weapons and armor, and a unique party system where you can recruit allies created by other players. It's a substantial fantasy RPG that should satisfy anyone looking for a Skyrim-like experience. Dragon's Dogma 2 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a landmark RPG, often hailed as one of the best in its genre. Set in a dark, Slavic-inspired world, you play as Geralt, a seasoned witcher on a quest to find his surrogate daughter, Ciri, while facing off against the spectral warriors known as the Wild Hunt. The game boasts a sprawling open world filled with challenging battles, morally complex choices, and an enthralling narrative.
Similar to Skyrim, The Witcher 3 provides you with the essentials and then sets you free in a rich fantasy world. Whether you choose to pursue the main storyline or engage in the bounty hunter lifestyle by taking on monster contracts, the game gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, along with its expansive DLCs, is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
For a more grounded approach to the RPG genre, Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a realistic medieval experience with the freedom reminiscent of Skyrim. Set in 15th-century Bohemia, you play as Henry, a blacksmith's son seeking revenge after his parents are killed during a Cuman invasion. The game immerses you in a vast open world filled with authentic locations, open-ended quests that respond to your choices, and a detailed combat system.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance focuses on immersion, with survival mechanics that require you to manage food, sleep, hygiene, and armor degradation. If you're looking for a more involved RPG experience than Skyrim, with a historical setting, this game is a must-try. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. The sequel, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, released in February 2025, is even more impressive and worth exploring.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is a challenging yet rewarding RPG that excels in exploration. FromSoftware's latest offering is a testament to the genre, rewarding players for their perseverance and curiosity. The game masterfully hides routes to new areas and valuable rewards, making every exploration meaningful.
With the addition of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and the upcoming standalone adventure Elden Ring Nightreign in May, there's no better time to dive into The Lands Between. If you're looking for a new world to explore post-Skyrim, and don't mind facing formidable foes, Elden Ring is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Fallout 4
While Fallout 4 diverges from fantasy into a post-apocalyptic setting, it shares many design philosophies with Skyrim. This Bethesda-developed RPG offers a vast open world where you can craft a unique character, explore expansive environments, and embark on numerous quests. Instead of casting spells, you'll be combating mutant creatures and navigating corporate propaganda in a dystopian Boston.
As the Sole Survivor, your quest to find your kidnapped son in the Wasteland is just the beginning of many adventures. Fallout 4 provides the same freedom and open-world exploration that Skyrim fans love, but with a different thematic twist. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and remains one of Bethesda's top offerings.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition is another expansive fantasy RPG from BioWare, offering over 80 hours of gameplay. As the leader of the Inquisition, you're tasked with saving Thedas from mysterious rifts. The game lets you build a character, choose their class and race, and explore massive open-world maps, defeat monsters, and unravel a new story in the Dragon Age universe.
Like Skyrim, Inquisition allows you to shape your adventure through your choices, which impact the story and your faction's stronghold. It's an ideal follow-up to Skyrim, especially with the opportunity to transition into 2024's Dragon Age: The Veilguard afterward. Dragon Age: Inquisition is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Baldur's Gate 3
While Baldur's Gate 3 diverges from Skyrim in gameplay style, it shares the essence of a grand fantasy RPG. As a top-down CRPG, it emphasizes strategic combat and party management, but it also offers a world that reacts to your choices, leading to a personalized experience. The game encourages experimentation with its vast character customization options and open-ended quest solutions.
If you enjoy Skyrim's freedom and non-linearity, Baldur's Gate 3 will resonate with you. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, providing a rich and immersive experience for fans of the genre.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning, remastered in 2020, is a cult classic that appeals to Skyrim fans seeking another fantasy RPG. As the Fateless One, a resurrected corpse, you journey through the Faelands to prevent a catastrophic fate. The game offers engaging combat, a vast world, and numerous quests to explore.
You can build your character, choose a class, and freely explore, completing quests and facing formidable threats. Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, providing a satisfying alternative to Skyrim.
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, transporting you back to Ancient Rome, where you're caught in a time loop governed by the mysterious "Golden Rule."
This game shifts the focus to detective work, tasking you with uncovering the city's secrets through dialogue and clue-finding rather than combat. It's a fresh take on the RPG formula, yet it shares Skyrim's DNA. The Forgotten City is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, offering a compelling narrative-driven experience.
Outward: Definitive Edition
Outward: Definitive Edition appeals to those seeking a hardcore RPG experience. Unlike many RPGs, you play as an ordinary person facing everyday challenges, starting with the simple task of paying off a debt. This quickly evolves into an epic adventure across the harsh world of Aurai, where survival mechanics and realistic consequences shape your journey.
The game's focus on realism, lack of fast travel, and unique respawn system add layers of challenge and immersion. If you're looking for Skyrim's open-world exploration with a twist, Outward is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.
The Elder Scrolls Online
For those ready to move beyond Skyrim but still crave more from the Elder Scrolls universe, The Elder Scrolls Online is the perfect continuation. This MMO lets you explore various realms across Tamriel, from Skyrim and Cyrodil to Morrowind and Highrock, with new locations like Elsweyr and Summerset.
You can team up with friends to complete quests, defeat enemies, and customize your characters extensively. With numerous DLCs enhancing the game over the years, The Elder Scrolls Online offers endless exploration and adventure. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
AnswerSee ResultsAnd that's our pick of games Skyrim fans will love! Agree with our list or are 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!
