There's nothing quite like the first time you explored Skyrim. From the moment you narrowly escape your grisly execution in Helgen and step into the vast, untamed wilderness of this legendary RPG, you're immersed in an adventure that offers unparalleled freedom. This sense of limitless exploration has kept millions of players coming back to its cold landscapes for over a decade.
However, after years of delving into the various versions of Skyrim, many of us are eager for new adventures that can satisfy our fantasy gaming cravings. While we eagerly await the release of the long-anticipated Elder Scrolls 6, we've put together a list of some of the best games that capture the essence of Skyrim and are available to play right now.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
Starting with an obvious choice, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion offers an experience akin to Skyrim in both style and scope. As the fourth installment in Bethesda's acclaimed RPG series, Oblivion is Skyrim's predecessor, yet it retains all the elements that made its successor so popular.
In Oblivion, you begin as a prisoner thrust into a conflict involving demonic gods, fiery portals 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, complete quests, join factions, and develop your character with a wide array of skills, weapons, armor sets, and spells.
If you're looking to continue your adventures in Tamriel while waiting for Elder Scrolls 6, Oblivion is the perfect choice. It's available on PC and can be played on Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One through backward compatibility.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
As the flagship title for the Nintendo Switch and one of the finest fantasy RPGs ever created, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a must-play. Nintendo's groundbreaking reinvention of its iconic series encompasses everything from a secret-filled open world to physics-based systems that enhance combat and navigation, along with stunning quests and 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 letting you chart your own course. Whether you're scouring the land for lore, climbing the highest peaks, or charging straight into the final boss's lair, the world is yours to conquer from the moment you leave the Great Plateau.
If you're seeking the same freedom and unguided exploration that makes Skyrim so compelling, Breath of the Wild is an ideal alternative. It's exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch, and you can also experience its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for a similar adventure.
3. Dragon's Dogma 2
A recent addition to our list, Dragon's Dogma 2 is an excellent choice for those craving a sprawling RPG that prioritizes exploration. Set across 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 hunt down and slay this dragon, leading you on a journey through a vast, untamed world. Much like Skyrim, the allure of Dragon's Dogma 2 lies in its emphasis on exploration, with a world brimming with secrets and dangers. Engaging with colossal monsters and surviving intense encounters will create memorable stories.
The game also features deep RPG mechanics, including various classes to master, diverse weapons and armor, and a unique party system where you can recruit allies created by other players. If you're looking for a massive fantasy RPG reminiscent of Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma 2 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Among the pantheon of epic RPGs, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands out as a masterpiece. Set in a world inspired by Slavic mythology, filled with monsters, magic, and political intrigue, this game is often hailed as one of the best RPGs ever made. It features a vast open world with challenging battles, morally complex choices, and an engrossing narrative.
You assume the role of Geralt, a seasoned mercenary on a quest to find his surrogate daughter, Ciri, while facing mythical creatures and evading the spectral warriors of the Wild Hunt.
Like Skyrim, The Witcher 3 provides you with the basics and then sets you free in a rich fantasy world. Whether you choose to live as a bounty hunter, taking on monster contracts, or pursue the main storyline, the game offers you the freedom to shape your own adventure. With its base game and two expansive DLCs, it's an essential play after conquering Skyrim. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Shifting from high fantasy to a more grounded medieval setting, Kingdom Come: Deliverance captures the essence of Skyrim's freedom. This cult favorite from 2018 follows the story of Henry, a blacksmith's son seeking revenge after his parents are murdered during a Cuman invasion.
Set in 15th-century Bohemia, the game lets you loose in a vast open world filled with authentic locations, open-ended quests that respond to your decisions, and an intricate combat system.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance emphasizes immersion, with detailed survival mechanics that require you to manage aspects like food, sleep, hygiene, and armor degradation. If you're looking for a more realistic and involved RPG experience than Skyrim, 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 even more compelling choice.
Elden Ring
For those who relish a challenge, Elden Ring is a rewarding yet demanding RPG. FromSoftware's latest dark fantasy epic is one of the most satisfying RPGs ever crafted, partly because overcoming its toughest bosses feels like a monumental achievement.
Elden Ring excels at exploration, rewarding players for venturing off the beaten path with new areas and hidden treasures. Every corner of its world is meaningful, and detours are never in vain. It's a living, breathing world that, while unforgiving, greatly rewards curiosity.
With the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion now available and the standalone adventure Elden Ring Nightreign set for May, there's no better time to dive in. If you're looking for a new world to explore post-Skyrim and don't mind facing formidable foes, Elden Ring awaits on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Fallout 4
Though not a fantasy RPG, Fallout 4 shares many design elements with Skyrim. Developed by Bethesda, this open-world RPG lets you build a unique character, explore vast environments, and complete quests. Instead of casting spells at mud crabs, you'll be battling mutant abominations in a post-apocalyptic setting.
In Fallout 4, you play as the Sole Survivor, on a mission to rescue your kidnapped son from The Institute. Like Skyrim, this quest is just one of many in a world that encourages free exploration without guiding you down a set path. For a taste of Skyrim's DNA with a post-apocalyptic twist, Fallout 4 is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and remains a top Bethesda title.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
BioWare's sprawling fantasy RPG, Dragon Age: Inquisition, offers over 80 hours of gameplay. You're tasked with saving Thedas from mysterious rifts, leading The Inquisition through massive open-world maps, defeating monsters, and uncovering a rich story.
Like Skyrim, Inquisition lets you create and customize your character, choose their class and race, and embark on an epic journey. As you progress, you'll recruit new members to your cause, complete various quests, and make choices that impact the story, your stronghold, and the entire world of Thedas.
For another deep fantasy RPG experience after Skyrim, Dragon Age: Inquisition is a great option. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and you can transition seamlessly into 2024's Dragon Age: The Veilguard afterward.
Baldur's Gate 3
Though different from Skyrim in gameplay, Baldur's Gate 3 is an essential CRPG for fans of expansive fantasy RPGs. This top-down game focuses on strategic combat, building a party with complementary skills, and completing quests based on your characters' abilities.
Baldur's Gate 3 offers a meticulously crafted world with tactical combat, engaging narratives, and dynamic quests that respond to your choices, creating a personalized playthrough. The game encourages experimentation, allowing you to mix and match classes, races, and backstories during character creation and approach quests in your preferred manner.
If you appreciate Skyrim's freedom from set paths, Baldur's Gate 3 will resonate with you. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
A cult classic reborn through its 2020 remaster, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is perfect for those seeking a new fantasy RPG after Skyrim. The game is set in the world of Amalur, where you play as the Fateless One, a resurrected corpse who must stop a destructive force threatening the realm.
Your journey takes you through the Faelands, where you can build your character, choose your class, and explore freely while completing quests and battling formidable enemies. It's available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.
The Forgotten City
Originally a Skyrim mod, The Forgotten City evolved into a standalone game due to its compelling narrative. The story begins in modern-day Italy, where you're transported back in time to Ancient Rome after exploring a mysterious ruin.
Caught in an eternal time loop triggered by breaking the "Golden Rule," you must solve the city's underlying mystery through detective work, interacting with citizens and uncovering clues. Unlike Skyrim, combat is minimal, offering a fresh take on the RPG formula while retaining its core elements.
For a unique twist on the Skyrim experience, The Forgotten City is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.
Outward: Definitive Edition
Outward appeals to fans of hardcore adventures, casting you as an ordinary person facing the challenge of paying off a debt within five days. This soon escalates into a large-scale open-world epic across the land of Aurai, where you must contend with harsh environments and dangerous threats.
The game emphasizes realism and consequence, featuring survival systems that require you to manage hunger, sleep, and environmental hazards. Quests can fail if not completed in time, and there's no fast travel or standard respawn system; instead, death triggers random events.
For those seeking Skyrim's open-world exploration with unique twists, Outward is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.
The Elder Scrolls Online
If you're ready to move on from Skyrim, The Elder Scrolls Online offers a multiplayer experience within the Elder Scrolls universe. This MMO lets you explore various regions of Tamriel, from Skyrim and Cyrodil to Morrowind and Highrock, as well as new areas like Elsweyr and Summerset.
You can team up with other players to tackle enemies, complete missions, and develop unique characters. With numerous DLCs enhancing the game over the years, The Elder Scrolls Online is the perfect continuation of your Elder Scrolls journey. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
And that's our list of games Skyrim fans will love! Do you agree with our selections, or are there some top picks we missed? Share your own list of favorite games like Skyrim with us via IGN Playlist, our tool for tracking your gaming library, creating and ranking lists, and discovering what creators are playing. Head over to IGN Playlist to learn more and start sharing your lists with us!
