13 Must-Play Games for Skyrim Fans

There's nothing quite like the first time you explored Skyrim. From the moment you narrowly escaped your grisly execution in Helgen and emerged into the legendary RPG's vast wilderness, you were treated to an adventure that allowed you to go anywhere and everywhere with no limitations. It's this sense of sheer freedom that has had millions of players returning to its cold, untamed landscape for over a decade.

However, after years of exploring the many different versions of Skyrim, it's natural to crave new experiences that satisfy your fantasy adventuring itch. To help ease the wait until the long-anticipated Elder Scrolls 6, we've curated a list of some of the best games that capture the essence of Skyrim and are available to play 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

An obvious choice to start with, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion offers an experience similar in style and scope to Skyrim. As the fourth game in Bethesda's landmark RPG series, Oblivion may be Skyrim's predecessor, but it still boasts all the components that made its younger sibling so beloved.

You begin as a prisoner thrust into the center of a conflict involving demonic gods, fiery portals to a hellish realm, and the assassination of Tamriel's emperor. You then set forth across the land of Cyrodiil on a daring adventure. Along the way, you're free to explore this realm however you choose, completing quests, allying with factions, and developing your character with new skills, weapons, armor sets, spells, and more.

In essence, it's more Elder Scrolls, and a fantastic way to continue your journey through Tamriel while awaiting Elder Scrolls 6. Oblivion is available on PC and can be played on Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One via backwards compatibility.

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

The poster child of the Nintendo Switch and one of the greatest fantasy RPGs ever created, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a must-play for fans of Skyrim. Nintendo's acclaimed reinvention of its iconic series offers everything a player could want: a richly detailed open world filled with secrets, a range of physics-based systems for battling enemies and navigating challenging terrain, engaging quests, and a stunning art style.

Breath of the Wild doesn't hold your hand. It sets you loose in the fully explorable world of Hyrule, providing essential tools and then letting you decide your path. Whether you're scouring the land for lore tidbits, scaling the tallest mountain, or heading straight to the final boss, the world is yours to explore. If you're seeking a game that matches Skyrim's freedom and unguided exploration, Breath of the Wild is an excellent choice, available exclusively on Nintendo Switch. You can also dive into its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for 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 recent release that emphasizes exploration, Dragon's Dogma 2 is a top pick. Set in the realms of Vermund and Battahl, you play as The Arisen, a warrior whose heart has been stolen by an ancient dragon. Your mission is to find and defeat this dragon, leading you on a quest across a vast, untamed world.

Similar to Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma 2 excels in exploration, with a world brimming with secrets and monsters patrolling every inch of the map. This leads to organic storytelling as you battle colossal foes and survive dangerous encounters. It's a deep RPG with various classes to master, a wide range of weapons and armor, and a unique party system where you can recruit allies created by other players. Dragon's Dogma 2 is 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

In the realm of 100-plus hour RPGs, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands out as a top choice. Set in a world inspired by Slavic mythology, it's often hailed as one of the best RPGs ever made. The game features a vast open world filled with challenging battles, morally complex choices that impact quests, and an engrossing narrative.

You play as Geralt, a seasoned mercenary on a quest to find his surrogate daughter, Ciri, while facing mythical monsters and evading the spectral warriors known as the Wild Hunt. Like Skyrim, The Witcher 3 offers you the basics and then lets you loose in a lore-rich world to explore at your leisure. Whether you choose to focus on monster contracts or follow the main story, the game puts the control in your hands. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, including its expansive DLCs, is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.

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

For a more grounded medieval epic, Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers the sense of freedom that Skyrim fans crave. This cult hit, set in 15th-century Bohemia, follows Henry, a blacksmith's son seeking vengeance after his parents are murdered during a Cuman invasion.

The game allows you to explore a vast open world filled with authentic medieval settings, open-ended quests that react to your choices, and an intricate combat system. Kingdom Come: Deliverance emphasizes immersion, from high-stakes battles to survival mechanics that require managing food, sleep, hygiene, and armor degradation. If you're looking for a more involved experience than Skyrim or an RPG with a realistic setting, this game is worth exploring. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, released in February 2025, is an even more refined experience, making it well worth checking out.

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 enjoy a challenge, Elden Ring offers a rewarding RPG experience. FromSoftware's latest offering is known for its punishing difficulty, but it's also one of the most gratifying RPGs due to its mastery of exploration. The game rewards thorough exploration, with hidden routes leading to new areas and valuable rewards tucked away in every corner.

No area is meaningless, and every detour can be fruitful, making you feel like you're charting your own path through a living, breathing world. With the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion now available and the standalone adventure Elden Ring Nightreign coming in May, there's never been a better time to explore The Lands Between. Elden Ring is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

7. Fallout 4

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

Though it's not a fantasy RPG, Fallout 4 shares many design philosophies with Skyrim. This massive open-world RPG lets you build a unique character, explore expansive environments, and complete quests in a post-apocalyptic setting.

As the Sole Survivor, your mission is to save your kidnapped son from The Institute, but the Wasteland is filled with other objectives to pursue at your leisure. If you're looking for a game that shares Skyrim's DNA but with a post-apocalyptic twist, Fallout 4 is a great choice. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and remains one of Bethesda's standout titles.

8. Dragon Age: Inquisition

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

BioWare's sprawling fantasy RPG, Dragon Age: Inquisition, offers over 80 hours of gameplay. You lead The Inquisition to save Thedas from mysterious rifts, exploring massive open-world maps, defeating monsters, and uncovering a new Dragon Age story.

Like Skyrim, you build your character, choose your class and race, and embark on an adventure that allows you to add new party members and make choices that affect the story and Thedas as a whole. It's another meaty fantasy RPG to play after Skyrim, and with Dragon Age: The Veilguard released in 2024, it's a great time to dive in. Dragon Age: Inquisition is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

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

While Baldur's Gate 3 and Skyrim differ in gameplay style, with Baldur's Gate being a top-down CRPG focused on strategic combat and party management, it's a must-play for fans of expansive fantasy RPGs. Its world is filled with tactical combat, engrossing storylines, and quests that evolve based on your choices, creating a personalized experience.

The game encourages experimentation, allowing you to mix and match classes, races, and backstories in character creation and approach quests with complete freedom. If you enjoyed Skyrim's lack of direction and open-ended nature, Baldur's Gate 3 will resonate with you. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

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 revitalized through its 2020 remaster, Kingdoms of Amalur is perfect for those looking for a new fantasy RPG with engaging combat, a vast world, and numerous quests. You play as the Fateless One, a corpse brought back to life by the Well of Souls, free from fate's grasp.

Your journey takes you across the Faelands to stop a destructive force threatening Amalur's people. Along the way, you can build your character, choose your class, and explore freely, completing quests, delving into dungeons, and facing formidable foes. Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is 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 was expanded into a full game due to its compelling narrative. You start in modern-day Italy, waking on an island after being rescued by a mysterious woman. After exploring a strange ruin, you're transported back to Ancient Rome, trapped in a city stuck in an eternal time loop.

The game revolves around the "Golden Rule," which resets the loop when broken. The Forgotten City is a detective game at its core, tasking you with speaking to citizens, uncovering clues, and solving the underlying mystery. While it retains elements of Skyrim's DNA, it offers a unique experience with minimal combat. If you're looking for something that innovates on Skyrim's formula, The Forgotten City is a great choice. It's available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.

12. Outward: Definitive Edition

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

Outward appeals to fans of hardcore adventures by casting you as an ordinary person tasked with paying off a debt within five days. This quickly evolves into a large-scale open-world epic as you traverse the land of Aurai, facing threats and surviving the elements.

What sets Outward apart is its focus on realism and consequence, including survival systems that require managing hunger, sleep, and the environment. Quests can fail if not completed in time, and there's no fast travel. Instead of a standard respawn system, you're moved around the map through random events. If you're looking for Skyrim's sense of exploration with a twist, Outward is worth exploring. It's 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

For those ready to move on from Skyrim but not from the Elder Scrolls universe, The Elder Scrolls Online is the perfect continuation. This MMO lets you explore various realms across Tamriel, including Skyrim, Cyrodiil, Morrowind, and Highrock, as well as new locations like Elsweyr and Summerset.

You can team up with other players to complete quests, defeat enemies, and build unique characters. With numerous updates and DLCs over the years, The Elder Scrolls Online offers a rich experience for fans of the series. It's 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)

AnswerSee ResultsAnd that's our selection of games Skyrim fans will love! Do you agree with our list, or are some of your top picks missing? 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, rank them, discover what 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!