The first time you stepped into Skyrim's breathtaking world, narrowly escaping execution in Helgen and emerging into its vast wilderness, was unforgettable. That unparalleled sense of freedom, the ability to explore anywhere and everywhere without limitation, is why millions return to its icy landscapes even after a decade.
But after years of exploring Skyrim's various iterations, the urge for new fantasy adventures is undeniable. To bridge the gap until *The Elder Scrolls VI* arrives, we've compiled a list of fantastic games that capture Skyrim's essence.
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 starting point, *Oblivion* offers a strikingly similar experience to Skyrim in terms of style and scope. As Skyrim's predecessor, it lays the groundwork for the series' success. Imprisoned and thrust into a conflict involving demonic gods, hellish plains, and the emperor's murder, your adventure across Cyrodil unfolds. Explore freely, complete quests, join factions, and develop your character with diverse skills, weapons, armor, spells, and more. It's a quintessential Elder Scrolls experience, a perfect bridge to *Elder Scrolls VI*. Available on PC and playable via backwards compatibility on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
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 Nintendo Switch masterpiece and one of the greatest fantasy RPGs ever created, *Breath of the Wild* delivers an unforgettable experience. Explore a secret-filled open world, manipulate physics-based systems, embark on phenomenal quests, and revel in its stunning art style. The game throws you into Hyrule with minimal guidance, letting you explore, climb, and even tackle the final boss whenever you choose. This freedom and unguided exploration mirror Skyrim's appeal. Available exclusively on Nintendo Switch. *Tears of the Kingdom* offers 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* prioritizes exploration across the realms of Vermund and Battahl. As the Arisen, your heart stolen by an ancient dragon, you embark on a quest across a vast world brimming with secrets and challenging monsters. The game's emphasis on exploration, diverse classes, weapon types, armor sets, and a unique party system (recruiting allies created by other players) offers a massive fantasy RPG experience on par with Skyrim. 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
A top-tier RPG offering over 100 hours of gameplay, *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt* immerses you in a Slavic-mythology-inspired world. Geralt's quest to stop the Wild Hunt is filled with challenging battles, morally gray choices, and a gripping narrative. The vast open world, lore-rich environment, and freedom to choose your path (bounty hunting or facing the Wild Hunt directly) make it a compelling alternative to Skyrim. The base game and its two expansive DLCs are highly recommended. 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
Shifting from high fantasy to a grounded medieval setting, *Kingdom Come: Deliverance* captures Skyrim's sense of freedom. Follow Henry, a blacksmith's son seeking revenge after a Cuman invasion. Explore a vast open world with authentic medieval locations, complete open-ended quests with impactful choices, and master an intricate battle system. The game's immersive experience, including survival mechanics (food, sleep, hygiene, armor degradation), offers a more involved RPG experience. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. The sequel, released in February 2025, is even better.
6. Elden Ring
**Developer:** FromSoftware | **Publisher:** Bandai Namco | **Release Date:** February 25, 2022 | **Review:** IGN's Elden Ring review
A challenging yet rewarding RPG, *Elden Ring* masters the art of exploration. Hidden paths, useful rewards, and a sense of uncovering a living, breathing (and often deadly) world await. The *Shadow of the Erdtree* expansion and the upcoming *Elden Ring Nightreign* make this an ideal time to explore 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 a departure from fantasy, *Fallout 4* shares Skyrim's design philosophy: a massive open world, character customization, exploration, and quests. Instead of magic, you'll battle mutants in a post-apocalyptic Boston. The freedom to explore and pursue various objectives mirrors Skyrim's open-ended gameplay. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
8. Dragon Age: Inquisition
**Developer:** BioWare | **Publisher:** EA | **Release Date:** November 18, 2014 | **Review:** IGN's Dragon Age: Inquisition review
Offering over 80 hours of gameplay, *Dragon Age: Inquisition* tasks you with saving Thedas from rifts in the sky. Lead the Inquisition, explore vast open worlds, defeat monsters, and uncover a compelling story. Character creation, class selection, and impactful choices create a personalized experience similar to Skyrim. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. *Dragon Age: The Veilguard* (2024) is a great follow-up.
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 differing in gameplay style (top-down CRPG focusing on strategic combat), *Baldur's Gate 3* shares Skyrim's expansive fantasy world and open-ended approach to quests and character development. The freedom to customize your character and approach quests makes it a rewarding experience for Skyrim fans. 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 remastered cult classic, *Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning* offers fun combat, a huge world, and countless quests. As the Fateless One, you explore Amalur, building your character and completing quests in a vast open world. 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* is a unique detective game set in ancient Rome, featuring a time loop mechanic. While almost entirely devoid of combat, it retains the spirit of exploration and open-ended puzzle-solving. 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
A hardcore RPG focusing on realism and survival, *Outward* challenges players with hunger, sleep, and environmental hazards. The lack of fast travel and unique death system add layers of complexity to its 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
An MMO set in the Elder Scrolls universe, *The Elder Scrolls Online* lets you explore various realms across Tamriel with friends. Returning locations and new areas, alongside numerous quests and character customization options, provide an extended Elder Scrolls experience. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
This is our selection of games that Skyrim fans will love! Do you agree with our list, or are some of your favorites missing? Share your top picks via IGN Playlist!
