"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. It's this sense of sheer freedom that has captivated millions of players, drawing them back to its cold, untamed landscape for over a decade.

After years of exploring the many different versions of Skyrim, it's natural to seek new games that can satisfy that fantasy adventuring itch. While we eagerly await the long-anticipated Elder Scrolls 6, we've curated a list of the best games that echo the spirit 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

An obvious choice to start our list, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion offers an experience remarkably similar to Skyrim in style and scope. As the fourth installment in Bethesda's iconic RPG series, Oblivion is Skyrim's predecessor but retains all the elements that made its successor so beloved.

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 Cyrodiil, where you're free to explore at your leisure, engage in quests, align with factions, and develop your character with new skills, weapons, armor sets, and spells.

Oblivion is a quintessential Elder Scrolls experience, perfect for continuing your adventure through Tamriel while awaiting Elder Scrolls 6. It's 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

Developer: Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: March 3, 2017 | Review: IGN's Breath of the Wild review

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a standout title on the Nintendo Switch and one of the finest fantasy RPGs ever crafted. This acclaimed reinvention of the Zelda series offers a secret-filled open world, physics-based systems for battling enemies and navigating terrain, engaging 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 letting you chart your own course. Whether you're scouring the land for lore, scaling the highest peaks, or daring to challenge the final boss early, the world is yours to explore from the moment you leave the Great Plateau.

If you're seeking a game that mirrors Skyrim's freedom and unguided exploration, Breath of the Wild is an excellent choice. It's available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, and you can also explore its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for 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

Dragon's Dogma 2 is a recent addition to our list, perfect for those craving a sprawling RPG with a strong emphasis on exploration. Set across the realms of Vermund and Battahl, you step into the shoes of The Arisen, a 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, untamed world. Like Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma 2 thrives on exploration, with a world brimming with secrets and monsters that create organic stories through your encounters.

This deep RPG offers various classes to master, a wide array of weapons and armor, and a unique party system where you can recruit allies created by other players. If you're hungry for a massive fantasy RPG akin to 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

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a top-tier RPG, set in a dark, Slavic-mythology-inspired world filled with monsters, magic, and political intrigue. Often hailed as one of the best RPGs ever, it features a vast open world with challenging battles, morally complex choices, and a compelling narrative.

You play as Geralt, a seasoned mercenary on a quest to find his surrogate daughter, Ciri, while facing mythical creatures and the spectral warriors of the Wild Hunt. Like Skyrim, The Witcher 3 gives you the basics and then unleashes you into a rich fantasy world to explore at your own pace.

Whether you choose to live as a bounty hunter, taking on monster contracts, or follow the main storyline, the game puts you in control. The base game and its expansive DLCs are a must-play after conquering Skyrim. 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

Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a more grounded medieval experience while capturing the sense of freedom found in Skyrim. This cult hit from 2018 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 medieval settings, open-ended quests that respond to your choices, and a complex combat system. Kingdom Come: Deliverance emphasizes immersion, with survival mechanics that require you to manage food, sleep, hygiene, and armor degradation.

If you're looking for a more involved RPG with a realistic setting, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is worth exploring. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. Its sequel, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, released in February 2025, is even more impressive and definitely worth checking out.

6. Elden Ring

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

Elden Ring is a challenging yet rewarding RPG that masterfully blends exploration with intense combat. FromSoftware's latest offering is a bleak yet gratifying experience, where overcoming formidable bosses feels like a monumental achievement.

The game excels in exploration, with hidden paths leading to new areas and valuable rewards tucked away in every corner. 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 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 dive in. If you're ready for a new world to explore and don't mind facing tough challenges, Elden Ring is 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 not a fantasy RPG, Fallout 4 shares many design philosophies with Skyrim, making it a great choice for fans of Bethesda's open-world RPGs. Set in a post-apocalyptic Boston, you play as the Sole Survivor, searching for your kidnapped son amidst the ruins.

Like Skyrim, Fallout 4 offers a vast open world to explore, with numerous quests and the freedom to forge your own path. Instead of casting spells, you'll be battling mutant creatures and navigating a world filled with alternate-history corporate propaganda.

Fallout 4 is a fantastic way to experience a game that shares Skyrim's DNA but with a post-apocalyptic twist. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and remains one of Bethesda's best offerings.

8. Dragon Age: Inquisition

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

Dragon Age: Inquisition is another expansive fantasy RPG from BioWare, offering over 80 hours of gameplay. You lead the Inquisition to save the realm of Thedas from mysterious rifts, exploring vast open-world maps, defeating monsters, and uncovering a new 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 and the world around you.

After finishing Skyrim, Dragon Age: Inquisition is a great next step, especially with the opportunity to jump into 2024's Dragon Age: The Veilguard afterward. 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

While Baldur's Gate 3 differs from Skyrim in gameplay, it's an exceptional choice for fans of expansive fantasy RPGs. This top-down CRPG focuses on strategic combat, party composition, and quests that evolve based on your choices.

Baldur's Gate 3 offers a meticulously crafted world filled with tactical battles, engaging narratives, and quests that adapt to your decisions, creating a personalized experience. The game encourages experimentation, allowing you to mix and match classes, races, and backstories to your heart's content.

If you enjoyed Skyrim's freedom and lack of a set path, Baldur's Gate 3 will resonate with you. It's 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

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is a cult classic remastered in 2020, perfect for those seeking a new fantasy RPG with engaging combat, a vast world, and numerous quests. You play as the Fateless One, resurrected by the Well of Souls and 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'll build your character, choose a class, and explore freely, completing quests and facing formidable foes.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, offering a great alternative to Skyrim.

11. The Forgotten City

Developer: Modern Storyteller | Publisher: PID Games | Release Date: July 28, 2021 | Review: IGN's The Forgotten City review

The Forgotten City is unique, having started as a Skyrim mod before becoming a full game. Set in modern-day Italy, you're transported back to Ancient Rome, trapped in a city stuck in a time loop governed by the "Golden Rule."

This detective game challenges you to talk to citizens, uncover clues, and solve the mystery without combat. While it retains Skyrim's core elements, The Forgotten City offers a fresh experience that plays with the formula in exciting ways.

If you're looking for a game like Skyrim that tries something different, 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 is a hardcore RPG that casts you as an ordinary person tasked with paying off a debt within five days. This quickly evolves into a large-scale open-world adventure across the land of Aurai, where you face tough challenges and contend with the elements to survive.

The game emphasizes realism and consequence, with 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, adding to the game's immersive experience.

If you're looking for Skyrim's sense of exploration with added realism, 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

The Elder Scrolls Online is a natural choice for those looking to continue their Elder Scrolls journey with friends. This MMO lets you explore various realms across Tamriel, from Skyrim and Cyrodiil to Morrowind and Highrock, with new locations like Elsweyr and Summerset.

You can team up with other players to tackle enemies, complete quests, and develop your unique characters. With numerous DLCs released over the years, The Elder Scrolls Online offers endless content for Skyrim fans.

It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, making it an excellent way to extend your Elder Scrolls experience.

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!