"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 emerge into the legendary RPG's vast wilderness, it's an adventure that allows you to go anywhere and everywhere with no limitations. This sense of sheer freedom is what has kept millions of players returning to its cold, untamed landscape for over a decade.

After years of exploring the many different versions of Skyrim that have been released, it's natural to seek new games that satisfy that fantasy adventuring itch. 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.

1. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion

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

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, it still boasts all the components that made its younger sibling so popular. You play as a prisoner thrust into the center of a conflict involving demonic gods, fiery portals to a hellish plane, and the murder of Tamriel's emperor. Set forth across the land of Cyrodil on a daring adventure, where you're free to explore at your leisure, complete quests, ally with factions, and build your character with new skills, weapons, armor sets, spells, and more. It's more Elder Scrolls and a great way to continue your journey through Tamriel while waiting for Elder Scrolls 6. Available on PC, and playable through Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One's backwards compatibility feature.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

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

The poster child for the Nintendo Switch and one of the best fantasy RPGs ever made, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offers a comprehensive open-world experience. Nintendo's acclaimed reinvention of its seminal series includes a secret-filled world to explore, physics-based systems for battling enemies and navigating terrain, phenomenal quests, and a stunning art style. The game sets you loose in a fully explorable Hyrule, providing essential tools and then letting you do as you please—whether you're scouring the land for lore, climbing mountains, or heading straight to the final boss. If you're looking for a game with Skyrim's freedom and unguided exploration, Breath of the Wild is a perfect substitute. Exclusively available on Nintendo Switch, with a sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, offering a similar experience.

3. Dragon's Dogma 2

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

A recent release, Dragon's Dogma 2 is a sprawling RPG that emphasizes exploration. Set across two realms, Vermund and Battahl, you play as The Arisen, a player-created warrior whose heart was stolen by an ancient dragon. Your quest is to find and kill this dragon across a vast, untamed world. Like Skyrim, the game's charm lies in its focus on exploration, uncovering secrets, and engaging in organic stories through encounters with colossal monsters. It's a deep RPG with various classes, weapon types, armor sets, and a unique party system where you can recruit allies created by other players. Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

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

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is often hailed as one of the best RPGs ever made, set in a world inspired by Slavic mythology filled with monsters, magic, and complex politics. You play as Geralt, a gruff mercenary searching for his surrogate daughter, Ciri, facing mythical monsters and the spectral warriors known as the Wild Hunt. Much like Skyrim, the game releases you into a lore-rich fantasy world with freedom to choose your path—whether you focus on monster contracts or the main storyline. The base game and its expansive DLCs are highly recommended once you've explored everything Skyrim offers. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.

5. Kingdom Come: Deliverance

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

Moving away from high fantasy, Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a grounded medieval epic that captures Skyrim's sense of freedom. As a blacksmith's son seeking revenge in 15th-century Bohemia, you're thrown into an open world with authentic locations, open-ended quests, and an intricate battle system. The game focuses on immersion, with survival mechanics like managing food, sleep, hygiene, and armor degradation. If you're looking for something more involved than Skyrim or an RPG with a realistic setting, this is worth checking out. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. The sequel, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, released in February 2025, is even better, so it's well worth exploring.

6. Elden Ring

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

Elden Ring offers a challenging but rewarding RPG experience. FromSoftware's latest RPG masterfully encourages exploration, with hidden routes and useful rewards scattered throughout the world. Every area feels meaningful, and the game's punishing difficulty only heightens the sense of accomplishment. With the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and the standalone adventure Elden Ring Nightreign coming in May, now is a great time to dive into The Lands Between. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

7. Fallout 4

Developer: 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 many design philosophies with Skyrim. This open-world RPG lets you build a unique character, explore sprawling environments, and complete quests. Set in post-apocalyptic Boston, you play as the Sole Survivor searching for your kidnapped son. Like Skyrim, the game allows free exploration without a guiding hand, offering an experience with the same DNA but a post-apocalyptic twist. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, it remains one of Bethesda's best offerings.

8. Dragon Age: Inquisition

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

Dragon Age: Inquisition is another sprawling fantasy RPG with over 80 hours of gameplay. You lead The Inquisition to save the realm of Thedas from mysterious rifts, exploring massive open-world maps, defeating monsters, and uncovering the story. Like Skyrim, you build your character, choose a class and race, and set forth on an adventure, making choices that affect the story and the world. It's a great follow-up to Skyrim, and you can continue with 2024's Dragon Age: The Veilguard afterward. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

9. Baldur's Gate 3

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

While Baldur's Gate 3 is a top-down CRPG focused on strategic combat and party composition, it offers a deep, expansive fantasy experience. Its world is rich with tactical combat, engaging storylines, and quests that evolve based on your choices. The game allows you to mix and match classes, races, and backstories, encouraging experimentation and freedom similar to Skyrim. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

10. Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning

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

A cult classic remastered in 2020, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning offers fun combat, a huge world, and plenty of quests. You play as the Fateless One, brought back to life to stop a destructive force in the world of Amalur. Freely explore the Faelands, build your character, and engage in adventures. Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.

11. The Forgotten City

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

Originally a Skyrim mod, The Forgotten City was expanded into a full game. Starting in modern-day Italy, you're transported back to Ancient Rome in a time loop governed by the "Golden Rule." This detective game focuses on talking to citizens and uncovering clues to solve its mystery, offering a unique twist on Skyrim's gameplay. Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.

12. Outward: Definitive Edition

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

Outward offers a hardcore RPG experience where you play as a regular person trying to pay off a debt. The game evolves into a large-scale open-world adventure across the land of Aurai, with survival systems like managing hunger, sleep, and environmental challenges. Without fast travel and with a unique respawn system, Outward adds interesting twists to Skyrim's open-world exploration. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.

13. The Elder Scrolls Online

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

If you're looking to continue your Elder Scrolls journey, The Elder Scrolls Online offers an MMO experience. Explore various realms across Tamriel, including Skyrim, Cyrodil, Morrowind, and new locales like Elsweyr and Summerset. Play with friends, complete quests, and build your character. With numerous DLCs, it's a great way to keep enjoying the Elder Scrolls universe. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

What's your favorite game like Skyrim? --------------------------------------

Breath of the WildOblivionFallout 4Dragon's Dogma 2The Witcher 3Kingdom Come: DeliveranceElden RingDragon Age: InquisitionBaldur's Gate 3Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-ReckoningThe Forgotten CityOutward: Definitive EditionThe Elder Scrolls OnlineSomething else (tell us in the comments)