"13 Must-Play Games for Skyrim Fans"

There's nothing quite like the first time you explore Skyrim. From the moment you narrowly escape execution in Helgen and step into the vast, untamed wilderness of this legendary RPG, you're treated to an unparalleled sense of freedom. This freedom has kept millions of players coming back to its cold, expansive landscape for over a decade.

After years of exploring various versions of Skyrim, many of us are eager to find new games that satisfy our craving for fantasy adventure. To help ease the wait for the long-anticipated Elder Scrolls 6, we've curated a list of the best games that capture the essence of Skyrim, available for you to dive into 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

Starting with the obvious choice, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion offers an experience similar in style and scope to Skyrim. As the fourth installment in Bethesda's iconic RPG series, Oblivion not only precedes Skyrim but also shares its key elements that made it such a success.

You begin as a prisoner thrust into the heart of a conflict involving demonic gods, fiery gates 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 and engage in quests, forge alliances with factions, and develop your character with new skills, weapons, armor, spells, and more.

In essence, it's more of the Elder Scrolls universe, providing an excellent way to continue your adventure in Tamriel while awaiting Elder Scrolls 6. Oblivion is available on PC and can be enjoyed through the Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One via backwards compatibility.

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

A flagship title for the Nintendo Switch and one of the greatest fantasy RPGs ever created, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild delivers an unmatched experience. This acclaimed reinvention of the seminal series offers a world brimming with secrets, physics-based systems for battling enemies and navigating challenging terrain, captivating quests, and a stunning art style.

Breath of the Wild doesn't hold your hand; it sets you free in a fully explorable Hyrule, equipping you with essential tools and leaving you to chart your own course. Whether you're exploring for lore, scaling the highest peaks, or daring to face the final boss from the outset, the game's open world is yours to conquer. If you crave the same sense of freedom and unguided exploration as Skyrim, Breath of the Wild is an ideal choice. It's exclusively available on Nintendo Switch, with its 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 addition to our list, Dragon's Dogma 2 is perfect for those seeking a vast RPG focused on exploration. Set in two realms, Vermund and Battahl, you step into the role of The Arisen, a warrior whose heart was stolen by an ancient dragon.

Your mission is to hunt down and slay this dragon, embarking on a journey through a wild, untamed world. Much like Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma 2 emphasizes exploration, filled with secrets to discover and monsters to encounter, creating dynamic stories through thrilling battles and survival challenges.

It's a deep RPG with various classes, a wide range of weapons and armor, and a unique system where you can recruit allies created by other players. If you're hungry for a massive fantasy RPG on the scale of Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma 2 is 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

In the realm of epic RPGs, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands out as a masterpiece. Set in a dark, Slavic-mythology-inspired world filled with monsters, magic, and political intrigue, it's often hailed as one of the best RPGs ever made. Its expansive open world is filled with challenging battles, morally complex decisions, and a gripping narrative.

You play as Geralt, a seasoned mercenary on a quest to find his surrogate daughter, Ciri, while facing off against mythical creatures and the spectral warriors of the Wild Hunt. Like Skyrim, The Witcher 3 offers you the basics and then sets you free in a richly detailed world. Whether you choose to pursue the main story or live as a bounty hunter, the game is yours to shape. The base game and its substantial DLCs are essential experiences for any Skyrim fan. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is 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

Stepping away from high fantasy, Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a more grounded, realistic medieval experience while capturing the same sense of freedom as Skyrim. This cult classic follows Henry, a blacksmith's son seeking revenge after his parents are killed during a Cuman invasion.

Set in 15th-century Bohemia, the game lets you explore a vast open world filled with authentic locations, open-ended quests that respond to your choices, and an intricate combat system. Kingdom Come: Deliverance immerses you in its world, challenging you with survival mechanics like managing food, sleep, hygiene, and armor degradation. If you're looking for a more involved RPG with a grounded setting, this game is worth exploring. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, released in February 2025, builds on its predecessor's strengths, making it an excellent follow-up to check out.

6. Elden Ring

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

For those who relish a challenge, Elden Ring delivers a grueling yet rewarding experience. FromSoftware's latest RPG masterpiece is renowned for its punishing gameplay and the satisfaction of overcoming its toughest bosses.

Elden Ring excels in exploration, rewarding players who venture off the beaten path with hidden routes and treasures. Every area holds significance, and every detour is worthwhile, making you feel like you're charting a course through a living, breathing world—a world that, while harsh and unforgiving, celebrates your curiosity.

With the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and the upcoming standalone adventure Elden Ring Nightreign in May, now is the perfect time to delve into The Lands Between. If you've finished Skyrim and are seeking a new world to explore, Elden Ring awaits 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, making it an excellent choice for fans of Bethesda's work. This post-apocalyptic RPG allows you to craft a unique character, explore vast environments, and complete quests, but with a twist: you'll be battling mutants and navigating a dystopian world.

Set in Boston, Fallout 4 follows the Sole Survivor's quest to rescue their kidnapped son from The Institute. Like Skyrim, the game offers numerous objectives to explore at your own pace, free from a guiding hand. For an experience that echoes Skyrim's DNA in a post-apocalyptic setting, Fallout 4 is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and remains one of Bethesda's top games.

8. Dragon Age: Inquisition

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

Another sprawling fantasy RPG, Dragon Age: Inquisition offers over 80 hours of immersive gameplay. You lead The Inquisition in an effort to save Thedas from mysterious rifts in the sky, exploring vast open-world maps, defeating monsters, and uncovering the Dragon Age narrative.

Similar to Skyrim, you build your character, choose their class and race, and embark on an adventure that lets you recruit party members, complete quests, and make choices that impact the story and the world around you. After finishing Skyrim, dive into Dragon Age: Inquisition, and then transition smoothly to 2024's Dragon Age: The Veilguard. It's 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

Though different from Skyrim in gameplay, Baldur's Gate 3 is a must-play for fans of expansive fantasy RPGs. This top-down CRPG focuses on strategic combat, party management, and quest completion influenced by character stats and skills.

Baldur's Gate 3 offers a world rich in tactical combat, compelling stories, and dynamic quests that evolve with your choices, ensuring a personalized experience. With extensive character customization and freedom in how you approach quests, it appeals to those who enjoy Skyrim's open-ended nature. Baldur's Gate 3 is 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 reborn through its 2020 remaster, Kingdoms of Amalur offers a vibrant fantasy RPG experience. As the Fateless One, resurrected by the Well of Souls, you journey through the Faelands to thwart a destructive force threatening Amalur's people.

With engaging combat, a vast world, and numerous quests, you're free to build your character, choose your class, and explore at your leisure. Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is 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 evolved into a full game that offers a unique experience. Starting in modern-day Italy, you're transported back to Ancient Rome, trapped in a time loop governed by the "Golden Rule."

This detective game challenges you to solve mysteries by talking to citizens and uncovering clues, with minimal combat. It retains Skyrim's DNA while offering a fresh twist on the formula. If you're looking for something akin to Skyrim with a different approach, The Forgotten City is 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 an ordinary person facing everyday challenges. Starting with a simple task of paying off a debt, the game quickly expands into a large-scale open-world adventure across Aurai.

With a strong focus on realism and consequence, you must manage survival elements like hunger, sleep, and environmental hazards. There's no fast travel, and instead of dying, you're subjected to random events that move you around the map. If you're seeking Skyrim's open-world exploration with unique twists, Outward is 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

For those ready to move beyond Skyrim, The Elder Scrolls Online extends the series into an MMO format. Explore various realms of Tamriel, including familiar locations like Skyrim and Cyrodil, and new ones like Elsweyr and Summerset, with friends.

With a multitude of quests and the ability to build unique characters, The Elder Scrolls Online is a natural progression for fans looking for more Elder Scrolls content. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, continuously updated with new DLCs.

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)

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!