There's nothing quite like the first time you explored Skyrim. From the moment you narrowly escape your grisly execution in Helgen and emerge 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 kept millions of players returning to its cold, untamed landscape for over a decade.
After spending years exploring the many different versions of Skyrim that have been released, it's safe to say we're all looking for new games to scratch that fantasy adventuring itch. So, to ease the wait until we get an official follow-up in the long-anticipated Elder Scrolls 6, we've compiled a list of some of the best games in the same vein as Skyrim that you can play right now.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
An obvious choice to start our list, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion offers an experience similar in style and scope to Skyrim. As Skyrim's predecessor, Oblivion still captures the essence that made its younger sibling so beloved. You play as a prisoner thrust into the heart of a conflict involving demonic gods, fiery portals to a hellish plane, and the assassination of Tamriel's emperor. Your journey takes you across Cyrodil, where you can explore freely, complete quests, ally with factions, and develop your character with new skills, weapons, armor sets, and spells. It's a quintessential Elder Scrolls experience, perfect for continuing your adventures in Tamriel while waiting for Elder Scrolls 6. Oblivion is available on PC and can be played via the Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One's backwards compatibility feature.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the flagship title for the Nintendo Switch, is a standout fantasy RPG. This acclaimed reinvention of the series offers a secret-filled open world, physics-based systems for engaging combat and environmental interaction, compelling quests, and a stunning art style. Breath of the Wild doesn't hold your hand; it sets you loose in a fully explorable Hyrule with essential tools, allowing you to pursue any path you choose—from scouring the land for lore to scaling the highest peaks or confronting the final boss immediately. If you crave the freedom and unguided exploration that defines Skyrim, Breath of the Wild is an excellent choice. It's available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, and you can also dive into its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for a similar experience.
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 play as The Arisen, a warrior whose heart was stolen by an ancient dragon. Your mission is to hunt this dragon, leading you on a quest through a vast, untamed world. Like Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma 2's allure lies in its focus on exploration and uncovering secrets, with a world teeming with monsters and organic storytelling through encounters. The game also offers deep RPG mechanics, including various classes, a range of weapons and armor, and a unique party system where you can recruit allies created by other players. It's available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands out among RPGs with its 100-plus hour gameplay, set in a world inspired by Slavic mythology. As Geralt, a mercenary searching for his surrogate daughter Ciri, you navigate a dark, lore-rich fantasy world filled with challenging battles and morally complex choices. The game's open world allows you to live as a bounty hunter, taking on monster contracts, or follow the main storyline to confront the spectral warriors known as the Wild Hunt. The Witcher 3 offers the same freedom and depth as Skyrim, making it an ideal follow-up. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a grounded, realistic medieval epic that captures the freedom 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's open world is filled with authentic locations, open-ended quests that react to your decisions, and an intricate combat system. Its focus on immersion extends to survival mechanics, including managing food, sleep, hygiene, and armor degradation. If you're looking for a more involved RPG experience with a grounded setting, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a great choice. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, released in February 2025, is an even better experience, so it's definitely worth checking out.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is a challenging yet rewarding RPG that excels in exploration. FromSoftware's latest offering masters the art of uncovering hidden routes and rewarding curiosity with valuable items. The game's world feels alive and dynamic, challenging you at every turn but also celebrating your persistence. With the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion now available and a standalone adventure, Elden Ring Nightreign, set to release in May, there's never been a better time to explore The Lands Between. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Fallout 4
Although not a fantasy RPG, Fallout 4 shares many design elements with Skyrim. This open-world RPG lets you build a unique character, explore vast environments, and complete quests, but in a post-apocalyptic setting. As the Sole Survivor, you embark on a quest to save your kidnapped son from The Institute, all while navigating the Wasteland's many objectives. If you enjoy Skyrim's gameplay but want a different thematic experience, Fallout 4 is an excellent choice. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition is a sprawling fantasy RPG that offers over 80 hours of gameplay. You lead The Inquisition to save Thedas from mysterious rifts, exploring large open-world maps, defeating monsters, and uncovering the story. Like Skyrim, you can customize your character's class and race, recruit party members, and make choices that affect the narrative and world. It's a perfect game to dive into after Skyrim, and you can follow it up with Dragon Age: The Veilguard, released in 2024. Dragon Age: Inquisition is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Baldur's Gate 3
While Baldur's Gate 3 differs from Skyrim in gameplay, focusing on top-down strategic combat and party management, it's an essential play for fans of expansive fantasy RPGs. Its world is rich with tactical combat, engaging storylines, and dynamic quests that evolve based on your choices, offering a tailored experience. The game encourages experimentation with its extensive character customization and flexible quest approaches. If you appreciate Skyrim's freedom, Baldur's Gate 3 will resonate with you. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is a remastered cult classic that offers a fun combat system, a vast world, and numerous quests. As the Fateless One, resurrected by the Well of Souls, you explore the Faelands to stop a destructive force threatening Amalur. You can build your character, choose your class, and freely explore, completing quests and battling formidable foes. It's available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.
The Forgotten City
Originally a Skyrim mod, The Forgotten City stands out with its unique premise. Starting in modern-day Italy, you're transported back to Ancient Rome, trapped in an eternal time loop governed by the "Golden Rule." This detective game focuses on uncovering the city's mystery through dialogue and clues, deviating from combat. It retains Skyrim's DNA while offering a fresh experience. The Forgotten City is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.
Outward: Definitive Edition
Outward is a hardcore RPG that casts you as an everyday person trying to pay off a debt within five days. It quickly evolves into a large-scale open-world epic across Aurai, with survival systems that challenge you to manage hunger, sleep, and environmental threats. Without fast travel, and with a unique respawn system that triggers random events, Outward offers a fresh take on open-world exploration. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.
The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls Online extends the Elder Scrolls experience into an MMO, allowing you to explore various realms of Tamriel with friends. From Skyrim and Cyrodil to Morrowind and Highrock, you'll revisit familiar locations and discover new ones like Elsweyr and Summerset. You can team up with other players to complete quests, battle enemies, and develop unique characters. If you're eager for more Elder Scrolls content, The Elder Scrolls Online, enhanced with numerous DLCs, is a must-play. 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!
