"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 vast, untamed wilderness of this legendary RPG, you're met with an unparalleled sense of freedom. This freedom to explore and adventure has kept millions of players returning to its cold, expansive landscape for over a decade.

However, after years of exploring the various editions of Skyrim, many of us are eager for new games to satisfy our fantasy adventuring cravings. To help ease the wait for the highly anticipated Elder Scrolls 6, we've put together a list of top games that offer a similar experience to Skyrim, which you can enjoy right now.

1. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion

Image credit: Bethesda SoftworksDeveloper: Bethesda Game Studios | Publisher: Bethesda Softworks | Release Date: March 20, 2006 | Review: IGN's Oblivion review

A natural starting point, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion provides an experience akin to Skyrim in both style and scope. As Skyrim's predecessor, Oblivion captures the essence of the Elder Scrolls series with its expansive world of Cyrodil. You play as a prisoner thrust into a conflict involving demonic gods, fiery gates to a hellish realm, and the assassination of Tamriel's emperor. Your journey through Cyrodil allows you to explore freely, complete quests, join factions, and develop your character with new skills, weapons, armor, spells, and more. Available on PC and through Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One's backward compatibility, Oblivion is a perfect continuation of your Elder Scrolls journey.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: March 3, 2017 | Review: IGN's Breath of the Wild review

As the flagship title for the Nintendo Switch and one of the finest fantasy RPGs ever created, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a must-play. This groundbreaking reinvention of the series offers a secret-laden open world, innovative physics-based gameplay for combat and navigation, compelling quests, and a breathtaking art style. From the moment you descend from the Great Plateau, you're free to explore Hyrule in any direction, uncovering lore, scaling mountains, or even challenging the final boss right away. For those who crave the freedom and exploration of Skyrim, Breath of the Wild is an excellent choice, available exclusively on Nintendo Switch, with its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, offering a similar experience.

3. Dragon's Dogma 2

Image credit: CapcomDeveloper: Capcom | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: March 22, 2024 | Review: IGN's Dragon's Dogma 2 review

For those seeking a sprawling RPG with a strong emphasis on exploration, Dragon's Dogma 2 is an excellent choice. Set in the realms of Vermund and Battahl, you embody The Arisen, a warrior whose heart was stolen by an ancient dragon. Your quest to slay the dragon leads you through a vast, untamed world filled with secrets and colossal monsters. The game's deep RPG mechanics, diverse classes, and unique party system, where you can recruit allies crafted by other players, make it a thrilling experience akin to Skyrim. Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Image credit: CD ProjektDeveloper: CD Projekt Red | Publisher: CD Projekt | Release Date: May 19, 2015 | Review: IGN's The Witcher 3 review

Among the elite of 100-plus hour RPGs, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a masterpiece set in a world inspired by Slavic mythology. As Geralt, a seasoned witcher, you embark on a quest to find your surrogate daughter, Ciri, while navigating a landscape filled with monsters, magic, and complex politics. The game's vast open world, challenging combat, morally gray choices, and captivating storyline offer an experience that mirrors Skyrim's freedom and depth. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC, The Witcher 3, along with its expansive DLCs, is a must-play for any Skyrim enthusiast.

5. Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Image credit: Deep SilverDeveloper: Warhorse Studios | Publisher: Deep Silver | Release Date: February 13, 2018 | Review: IGN's Kingdom Come Deliverance review

Stepping away from traditional fantasy, Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a grounded medieval epic that captures the essence of Skyrim's freedom. Set in 15th-century Bohemia, you play as Henry, a blacksmith's son seeking vengeance after his parents' murder. The game's open world, authentic medieval settings, and immersive mechanics, from survival needs to intricate combat, provide a deeply engaging experience. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is ideal for those seeking a more realistic setting. Its sequel, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, released in February 2025, further enhances the experience.

6. Elden Ring

Image credit: Bandai NamcoDeveloper: FromSoftware | Publisher: Bandai Namco | Release Date: February 25, 2022 | Review: IGN's Elden Ring review

For those who relish a challenge, Elden Ring is a rewarding RPG that tests your mettle while offering a deeply satisfying experience. FromSoftware's latest venture into dark fantasy excels in exploration, with hidden paths leading to new areas and rewarding thorough investigation. The Lands Between are brutal yet engaging, with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and the upcoming Elden Ring Nightreign adding even more to explore. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, Elden Ring is perfect for those ready to brave its dangers.

7. Fallout 4

Image credit: Bethesda SoftworksDeveloper: Bethesda Game Studios | Publisher: Bethesda Softworks | Release Date: November 10, 2025 | Review: IGN's Fallout 4 review

While not a fantasy RPG, Fallout 4 shares Bethesda's design philosophy with Skyrim, offering a massive open world where you can build your character, explore, and complete quests. Set in a post-apocalyptic Boston, you play as the Sole Survivor on a quest to find your kidnapped son. Fallout 4's freedom to explore and engage with its world, albeit in a different genre, provides a similar experience to Skyrim. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, it's a great choice for those who appreciate Bethesda's open-world approach.

8. Dragon Age: Inquisition

Image credit: EADeveloper: BioWare | Publisher: EA | Release Date: November 18, 2014 | Review: IGN's Dragon Age: Inquisition review

BioWare's Dragon Age: Inquisition offers another expansive fantasy RPG experience, with over 80 hours of gameplay. As you lead The Inquisition to save Thedas from mysterious rifts, you'll explore vast open-world maps, battle monsters, and shape the story through your choices. The ability to build your character, recruit party members, and influence the world around you echoes Skyrim's depth and freedom. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, Inquisition is a fantastic follow-up, leading into 2024's Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

9. Baldur's Gate 3

Image credit: Larian StudiosDeveloper: Larian Studios | Publisher: Larian Studios | Release Date: July 29, 2023 | Review: IGN's Baldur's Gate 3 review

Though different in gameplay, with its top-down perspective and focus on strategic combat, Baldur's Gate 3 offers a rich fantasy RPG experience. Its world is vast and reactive, with quests that evolve based on your choices, offering a personalized playthrough. The freedom to create and customize your character, and to approach quests in your own way, makes it a compelling choice for Skyrim fans. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, Baldur's Gate 3 is a must-play for those who enjoy expansive RPGs.

10. Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning

Image credit: EADeveloper: Big Huge Games | Publisher: EA | Release Date: February 7, 2012 | Review: IGN's Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning review

A cult classic reborn through its 2020 remaster, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning offers a vast fantasy world to explore. As the Fateless One, resurrected by the Well of Souls, you journey through the Faelands to thwart a destructive force. With engaging combat, a large world, and numerous quests, it's a great option for those seeking a new fantasy RPG after Skyrim. Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.

11. The Forgotten City

Image credit: PID GamesDeveloper: Modern Storyteller | Publisher: PID Games | Release Date: July 28, 2021 | Review: IGN's The Forgotten City review

Originally a Skyrim mod, The Forgotten City expands on its roots with a unique time-loop mechanic set in Ancient Rome. After being transported back in time from modern-day Italy, you must solve the mystery of the Golden Rule to prevent the loop from resetting. While it diverges from traditional combat-focused RPGs, its detective-style gameplay and engaging narrative retain Skyrim's DNA. Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, The Forgotten City offers a fresh take on the formula.

12. Outward: Definitive Edition

Image credit: Deep SilverDeveloper: Nine Dots Studio | Publisher: Deep Silver | Release Date: May 17, 2022 | Review: IGN's Outward review

For those who crave a more hardcore adventure, Outward casts you as an ordinary person struggling to pay off a debt in the world of Aurai. With its focus on realism and survival, the game challenges you to manage hunger, sleep, and environmental hazards while navigating quests with real consequences. Without fast travel and with unique respawn mechanics, Outward offers a distinct yet familiar open-world experience. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.

13. The Elder Scrolls Online

Image credit: Bethesda SoftworksDeveloper: ZeniMax Online Studios | Publisher: Bethesda Softworks | Release Date: June 9, 2015 | Review: IGN's The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited review

If you're not ready to leave the Elder Scrolls universe behind, The Elder Scrolls Online is the perfect continuation. As an MMO, it allows you to explore Tamriel's diverse realms alongside friends, tackling new quests and building your character. From Skyrim and Cyrodil to Morrowind and beyond, the game offers both familiar and new locations to explore. With numerous DLCs, The Elder Scrolls Online provides endless content for fans of the series. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.