"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 has captivated millions of players, drawing them back to its cold, untamed landscapes for over a decade.

After spending years exploring the many different versions of Skyrim that have been released, it's natural to seek new games that can 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 that offer a similar experience to Skyrim, which you can dive into 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 our list, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion offers an experience akin to Skyrim in both style and scope. As the fourth installment in Bethesda's iconic RPG series, Oblivion, though a predecessor to Skyrim, retains all the elements that made its sequel a blockbuster hit.

In Oblivion, you begin as a prisoner caught in the midst of a conflict involving demonic gods, fiery gates to hellish plains, and the murder of Tamriel's emperor. Your journey takes you across the land of Cyrodiil, where you're free to explore as you wish, complete quests, forge alliances with factions, and develop your character with new skills, weapons, armor sets, spells, and more.

Oblivion is a quintessential Elder Scrolls experience, perfect for continuing your adventures in Tamriel while waiting for Elder Scrolls 6. It's available on PC and can be played via the Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One's backward compatibility feature.

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 crafted, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a must-play for fans of open-world exploration. This acclaimed reinvention of the classic series offers a world teeming with secrets, physics-based gameplay for battling foes and navigating the environment, engaging quests, and a visually stunning art style.

Breath of the Wild doesn't hold your hand; instead, it releases you into a fully explorable Hyrule with essential tools at your disposal. From there, you're free to scour the land for lore, scale the tallest peaks, or even challenge the final boss right from the start. If you crave the freedom and unguided exploration that makes Skyrim so enthralling, Breath of the Wild is an ideal alternative. It's available exclusively on Nintendo Switch, and you can also jump 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 craving a recent release with a focus on expansive exploration, Dragon's Dogma 2 is an excellent choice. 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 mission is to hunt down and slay this dragon, leading you on a quest through a vast, wild world.

Like Skyrim, the allure of Dragon's Dogma 2 lies in its emphasis on exploration. Its world is brimming with secrets to uncover, and the constant threat of monsters patrolling the map creates thrilling, organic stories as you engage in epic battles and survive by the skin of your teeth.

This deep RPG also features 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. If you're seeking a massive fantasy RPG on the scale of Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma 2, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, will surely satisfy your cravings.

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 RPGs that span over 100 hours, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands out as a premier choice. Set in a dark, Slavic-mythology-inspired world filled with monsters, magic, and political intrigue, it's often hailed as one of the greatest RPGs ever made. The game features a vast open world packed with challenging battles, morally complex decisions that impact the story, and an engrossing narrative.

You step into the shoes of Geralt, a seasoned, white-haired, yellow-eyed witcher on a quest to find his surrogate daughter, Ciri, while evading the spectral warriors of the Wild Hunt. Similar to Skyrim, The Witcher 3 gives you the basics and then sets you free in a rich fantasy world. Whether you choose to live the life of a bounty hunter, taking on monster contracts, or follow the main storyline to confront the Wild Hunt, the game puts the control firmly in your hands.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, along with its expansive DLCs, is well worth playing after conquering Skyrim. It's 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

Moving away from high fantasy, Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a more grounded, realistic medieval epic that captures the sense of freedom found in Skyrim. This cult classic, released in 2018, follows the journey of Henry, a blacksmith's son seeking vengeance after his parents are brutally murdered during a Cuman invasion.

Set in 15th-century Bohemia, the game allows you to explore a vast open world filled with authentic medieval settings, open-ended quests that react to your decisions, and an intricate combat system. Kingdom Come: Deliverance emphasizes immersion, challenging you to manage survival elements like food, sleep, hygiene, and armor degradation.

If you're looking for a more involved RPG with a grounded setting, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a compelling choice. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. Additionally, its sequel, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, released in February 2025, promises to enhance the experience even further.

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 is a demanding yet immensely rewarding RPG. FromSoftware's latest masterpiece is lauded for its mastery of exploration, offering hidden paths to new areas and rewarding players for thorough exploration. No area is meaningless, and every detour is potentially fruitful, making you feel like you're charting your own path through a living, breathing world.

With the addition of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and the upcoming standalone adventure Elden Ring Nightreign in May, now is the perfect time to dive into The Lands Between. If you're ready for a new world to explore and don't mind facing formidable foes, 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

While not a fantasy RPG, Fallout 4 shares many design philosophies with Skyrim, making it a natural choice for fans looking for something similar. This open-world RPG lets you build a unique character, explore vast environments, and complete quests, albeit in a post-apocalyptic setting where you'll combat mutant creatures and navigate corporate propaganda.

Set in Boston, you play as the Sole Survivor, a vault dweller on a mission to rescue your kidnapped son from The Institute. Much like Skyrim, this mission is just one of many objectives in the Wasteland, allowing you to explore freely. Fallout 4, available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, offers a thrilling experience with the same DNA as Skyrim, but with a post-apocalyptic twist.

8. Dragon Age: Inquisition

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

Dragon Age: Inquisition, another expansive fantasy RPG from BioWare, offers over 80 hours of gameplay. In this game, you're tasked with saving the realm of Thedas from mysterious rifts in the sky. As the leader of the Inquisition, you explore massive open-world maps, defeat monsters, and uncover a compelling story.

Similar to Skyrim, you can build your character, choose their class and race, and embark on your adventure. As you progress, you'll recruit new party members, complete quests, and make choices that impact the story, your keep, and the world of Thedas.

After finishing Skyrim, Dragon Age: Inquisition is a fantastic follow-up, and you can transition smoothly into its sequel, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, released in 2024. It's 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 differs from Skyrim in its top-down, strategic gameplay, it remains an essential pick for fans of expansive fantasy RPGs. This game excels in tactical combat, engaging storytelling, and dynamic quests that evolve based on your choices, offering a tailored experience.

Baldur's Gate 3 allows for extensive character customization, with a vast array of classes, races, and backstories. It encourages experimentation and freedom in how you approach and complete quests, mirroring the open-ended nature of Skyrim. If you appreciate Skyrim's freedom, 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 remastered in 2020, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is a great choice for those looking for another fantasy RPG with engaging combat, a large world, and numerous quests. You play as the Fateless One, a corpse revived by the Well of Souls, free from fate's constraints.

Your journey takes you across the Faelands to thwart a destructive force. Along the way, you can build your character, choose a class, and freely explore, completing quests and battling formidable enemies. Kingdoms of Amalur 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 evolved into a full game due to its compelling premise. The story begins in modern-day Italy, where you're transported back to Ancient Rome after exploring a mysterious ruin. The city is trapped in an eternal time loop, resetting whenever a law known as the "Golden Rule" is broken.

The Forgotten City transforms Skyrim's foundational elements into a unique detective experience, focusing on dialogue and clue-gathering rather than combat. If you're looking for a game that plays with Skyrim's formula in a fresh way, The Forgotten City is a must-try. 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 offers a hardcore adventure for those seeking realism and consequence in their RPGs. You play as an everyday person tasked with paying off a debt within five days, which quickly escalates into an open-world epic across the land of Aurai.

Outward's unique feature is its focus on survival systems, requiring you to manage hunger, sleep, and environmental hazards. Without fast travel and with a novel respawn system that triggers random events, Outward provides a fresh twist on open-world exploration. 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

If you're ready to continue your Elder Scrolls journey with friends, The Elder Scrolls Online is the perfect choice. This MMO lets you explore various realms across Tamriel, including Skyrim, Cyrodiil, Morrowind, and Highrock, along with new locales like Elsweyr and Summerset.

You can collaborate with other players to take down enemies, complete missions, and develop unique characters. With numerous DLCs released over the years, The Elder Scrolls Online offers a vast and evolving world. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

And that's our pick 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, 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!