Best Games Like Skyrim To Play In 2024 (2024)

• Developer: Bethesda
• Release Date: May 1, 2002
• Platforms: Xbox, PC
• Genre: Action-RPG

It'd be difficult to compile a list of games "like Skyrim" without including the game that made the Elder Scrolls franchise what it is today. Morrowind was the third installment in the franchise, but it was the Elder Scrolls game to streamline its open-world gameplay. While the game certainly looks like it's from 2002, the gameplay is what you would expect from a Bethesda RPG. There are quests to complete, guilds to join, choices to make, and, of course, enemies to fight. Morrowind is significantly more difficult than Skyrim and features less hand-holding, though, giving it a unique feel in the Elder Scrolls franchise. As with Bethesda's other games on this list, you can play this for free on Game Pass.

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• Developer: Bethesda
• Release Date: March 20, 2006
• Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
• Genre: Actio- RPG

If you speak to a handful of true Elder Scrolls veterans, you'll find that many of them will likely say Oblivion, not Skyrim, is their favorite game in the franchise. Oblivion changed what many players thought an open-world RPG could be. It features one of the best video game worlds ever designed, complete with bustling cities, talkative NPCs, and intriguing stories to uncover. The lore is specifically captivating in Oblivion, allowing you to learn everything about the region of Cyrodiil and the people that populate it. Oblivion is closer to Skyrim than Morrowind is, but the game has an immense amount of charm that allows it to truly separate itself from its successor.

• Developer: CD Projekt Red
• Release Date: May 19, 2015
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Genre: Action-RPG

If there's a more well-known RPG than Skyrim released in the 2010s, it's The Witcher 3. This is the best game ever made according to many RPG fans, and there's certainly some weight behind that. The Witcher 3 is a masterpiece of an open-world game, featuring deep RPG mechanics, an incredible story, and characters that have been ingrained in the memory of millions of players. While The Witcher 3 can certainly be a tougher game than Skyrim, it has an extremely similar setting, melee and magic combat, and plenty of the same open-world tropes.

• Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
• Release Date: October 19, 2010
• Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
• Genre: Action-RPG

Now that we've gone over all of the pertinent Elder Scrolls RPGs, it's time to talk about the other major franchise Bethesda is known for. While the studio didn't directly make Fallout: New Vegas, its fingerprints are all over the mechanics of the game, having developed its predecessor, Fallout 3. New Vegas was our pick for one of the best RPGs ever, joining Skyrim, and it's certainly worth jumping into if you like the Elder Scrolls franchise. The setting is post-apocalyptic instead of fantasy and there are abandoned buildings to explore instead of caves, but New Vegas has similar progression and combat systems to Skyrim.

• Developer: Warhorse Studios
• Release Date: February 13, 2018
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
• Genre: Adventure/Action-RPG

Kingdom Come Deliverance isn't a traditional RPG like the other games featured before it on this list. However, it's revered by many in the community for its attention to detail, specifically when it comes to world design. The game starts off with an intriguing plot line, as you're a common soldier looking to get revenge for their fallen parents. As the game goes on, you become a part of a bloody war in the Holy Roman Empire, fighting for your cause to the death. The story and world are what draws many Skyrim players to Kingdom Come Deliverance, but the combat is also similar, featuring intense ranged and melee fights.

• Developer: Piranha Bytes
• Release Date: November 29, 2002
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC
• Genre: Action-RPG

Gothic 2 is often seen as a direct competitor to the Elder Scrolls franchise, particularly because it was released the same year as Morrowind. However, Gothic is a completely different kind of game, featuring a more robust combat system and far fewer RPG elements. Compared to Skyrim, you're going to find the same type of quests, world building, and characters in Gothic 2. Don't go into Gothic 2 expecting to play another Morrowind, though, as the games are vastly different in several distinct ways.

• Developer: CD Projekt Red
• Release Date: December 10, 2020
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Genre: Action-RPG

While the setting of Cyberpunk 2077 couldn't be farther from that of Skyrim's, the two RPGs are more similar than you might think. For one, the open-world exploration of Cyberpunk is extremely similar to Skyrim. You can walk around the various regions of Night City for hours without doing a quest and simply get lost in the world. Cyberpunk 2077 also offers fantastic RPG progression, plenty of loot to level up, and dozens of other items you can find or craft to aid you in your journey. If you haven't tried Cyberpunk 2077 since its disastrous launch, now is the time, especially if you're a fan of Skyrim.

• Developer: Larian Studios
• Release Date: August 3, 2023
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Genre: CRPG

Some games on this list can only be compared to Skyrim in a couple of ways. With Baldur's Gate 3, you're not playing a traditional first- or third-person RPG like any of the Elder Scrolls games. You're also playing with a completely different set of rules (Dungeons and Dragons rulesets) that you might not be familiar with. However, Baldur's Gate 3 features some of the best quests, exploration, and character-building the video game industry has ever seen. If you enjoyed any of those aspects of Skyrim, you will be absolutely enthralled with BG3 if you can learn how to play the different style of RPG the game employs.

• Developer: Awaken Realms
• Release Date: March 30, 2023
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Genre: RPG

While Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon isn't fully available just yet, the early-access version is extremely promising for any RPG fan. It's a first-person fantasy game with a mythological backdrop. Tainted Grail places a massive emphasis on its story, forcing players to make difficult choices that affect the plot and ending of the game. The combat is reminiscent of the Elder Scrolls franchise, allowing players to pick between melee and ranged weapons and magic. You can partake in other activities aside from combat as well, including fishing, gardening, housekeeping, and more. The full game is expected to launch sometime near the end of 2024.

• Developer: BioWare
• Release Date: November 18, 2014
• Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
• Genre: Action-RPG

While many fans debate over which Dragon Age game is the best, Inquisition is certainly one of BioWare's finest works. The third game in the series, Inquisition takes everything from the first two games and improves upon it. The game begins with your character tasked with saving the world, and somehow the stakes only grow from there. You have to settle disputes between factions, keep your band of characters together, and make dozens of heart-wrenching choices along the way. The backdrop to the story is a massive fantasy open-world that takes hours to fully explore. The combat isn't what you might be used to if you primarily play games like Skyrim, but it's simple enough to pick up. However, if you want to master the combat, you need to use all sorts of strategies to your advantage.

• Developer: Zenimax Online Studios
• Release Date: April 4, 2014
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Genre: MMORPG

In 2024, there's no better way to experience the Elder Scrolls franchise than by playing the Elder Scrolls Online. It's one of the best MMORPGs out there, and it recently passed its 10th anniversary and is going stronger than ever. Like any MMO, the game starts with you selecting what class you'd like to play, which determines the skills and gear you get to make use of during your time in the game. From there, the game plays out similarly to any other Elder Scrolls game. You get to go on quests, explore full regions and cities within Elder Scrolls lore, and craft any piece of gear or item your heart desires. While the main story in ESO isn't as captivating as one you'll find in a traditional RPG, the several expansions more than make up for that, as each one contains a different, yet full-on story to complete.

• Developer: Nintendo
• Release Date: March 3, 2017
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch
• Genre: Adventure/Puzzle Game/RPG

If sheer exploration is what you enjoy most about Skyrim, then you don't need to look any further for a new game. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the World features a masterfully designed open world, complete with dozens of dungeons, hundreds of collectibles, and plenty of enemies to engage with. Breath of the Wild also contains a good number of puzzles, which will challenge you to think things through with the tools at your disposal. In addition to the open world, Breath of the Wild tells an intriguing story, but that certainly takes a backseat to everything else going on in the game. Its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, is also a great option, introducing new building mechanics that let you interact with the world in new ways.

• Developer: From Software
• Release Date: February 25, 2022
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Genre: RPG

First and foremost, if you thought that any part of Skyrim was overly difficult, then Elden Ring might not be the game for you. Unlike Skyrim, it features no difficulty options whatsoever (unless you resort to using Elden Ring mods) and the gameplay is extremely challenging. With that said, if you enjoy a challenge, then Elden Ring is the best place to start for anyone looking to sink their teeth into another game like Skyrim that encourages and rewards exploration. Elden Ring offers deep and rich lore, a massive open world, and complex quests to complete. While the dialogue is minimal in Elden Ring, there are also still plenty of characters to meet in between fighting incredibly difficult enemies and bosses. The game also now has a great new expansion, too, in Shadow of the Erdtree.

• Developer: SureAI
• Release Date: Feb 14, 2019
• Platforms: PC
• Genre: Action-RPG

If we're talking about games like Skyrim, we have to include the expansion-sized mod that arrived for the game in 2016 (with the updated version coming in 2019). Enderal: Forgotten Stories started as a massive mod but evolved into its own game that completely transforms your copy of Skyrim. The game features its own world, voice-acted characters, lore, story, and new combat and gameplay mechanics. The story is described as "unconventional" and the world is beautifully crafted, with plenty of different locations to uncover and explore. You can still see the influences of Skyrim all over, but Enderal: Forgotten Stories is its own game that you can easily sink dozens of hours into. Notably, it's available for free, though you will need to own a copy of Skyrim to play.

• Developer: Lionhead Studios
• Release Date: October 21, 2008
• Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One
• Genre: Action-RPG

Fable 2 is a beloved game from the Xbox 360 era. You can pick between three classes--the Fighter, Mage, or Gunslinger--and take part in a terrific fantasy story that spans a fairly large open-world map. To sweeten the pot, your companion is a loyal dog that follows you everywhere. While the open-world exploration of Fable 2 doesn't match something like Skyrim, the map is expansive enough to hold plenty of secrets. You'll also find the combat of Fable 2 to be reminiscent of the Elder Scrolls games, so there's plenty to like if you're looking for a Skyrim-esque title. However, you'll have to dig up an older Xbox console to access Fable 2 or leverage backwards compatibility on an Xbox Series X|S.

• Developer: Bethesda
• Release Date: September 6, 2023
• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Genre: RPG

Todd Howard famously dubbed Starfield as "Skyrim in space," and while that didn't necessarily hold true, the open-world space exploration game does feature plenty of the same characteristics from the Elder Scrolls franchise. Featuring hundreds of individual planets to visit, Starfield is about as open as a game can get. The exploration does get monotonous after a while, but there's always a new planet to visit, resources to obtain, or characters to meet. Like Skyrim, there are individual faction quest lines to complete as well as characters to romance (and even marry). You'll find the loot system is nearly identical to Skyrim, but Starfield boasts much more customization thanks to the fleet of ships you can collect. At the end of the day, Starfield is another Bethesda RPG, so if you like Skyrim, you may enjoy the developer's newest title as well.

• Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
• Release Date: October 25, 2019
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
• Genre: Action-RPG

We're sticking with the space theme, going back to 2019, and revisiting another Obsidian title in The Outer Worlds. From the same developer as Fallout: New Vegas, The Outer Worlds is a very Bethesda-like RPG that has its own quirks and charm to it. The progression and enemy AI are the weaker points of The Outer Worlds, but the characters and world locations are definite highlights. There are also dozens of choices to make as you progress through the story, most of which directly affect the ending you receive. While there aren't too many individual factions, you'll find plenty of quests to complete in the various cities and settlements on the various planets you can visit. The Outer Worlds is great for Skyrim players who enjoy the story and don't mind heading up into the stars for some gameplay. It does, however, take a different approach to the open world, featuring open, discrete locations, rather than one seamless world.

• Developer: Guerrilla Games
• Release Date: February 28, 2017
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC
• Genre: Action-RPG

On the surface, it doesn't seem like Skyrim and Horizon Zero Dawn have much in common. The Horizon series isn't well-known for its RPG elements and features completely different kinds of gameplay than anything found in Skyrim. However, if you're looking for a game with deep lore and fantastic open-world exploration, Zero Dawn is quite a solid option. The world and character-building in Zero Dawn are top-notch, as you find new pieces of lore all across the different areas of the game. You're also given access to a huge map right from the opening hours of the game, and to say there's plenty to do would be an understatement. To make matters more enticing, there's also a sequel to Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West, that features an even larger map and pages of additional lore to uncover.

• Developer: Larian Studios
• Release Date: September 14, 2017
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, PC
• Genre: CRPG

Divinity: Original Sin II is another CRPG developed by Larian Studios, the same studio behind the critically acclaimed Baldur's Gate 3. DOS II is similar to BG3, featuring a wide array of classes and characters to play. The open-world exploration is fantastic and is only trumped by the enthralling story DOS II sets out to tell. Like any CRPG, you have to manage your skills and abilities in combat, using strategy to outwit your opponents. While a CRPG takes some getting used to, Skyrim players should feel at home when exploring the fantasy world in DOS II.

• Developer: Hello Games
• Release Date: August 9, 2016
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
• Genre: Survival

No Man's Sky is perhaps the strangest entry on this list. However, when you boil down the gameplay in it and Skyrim, the two games are quite similar in a broad sense. No Man's Sky features literal endless exploration, as you have entire star systems in front of you. There are quests to go on, characters to meet, lore to uncover, and loot to find and craft. While the settings of the two games couldn't be much more different, there's plenty to like in No Man's Sky if you're a fan of Skyrim. The game has received some of the best developer support in the industry, so now is a perfect time to hop in and try out the game.

• Developer: Ubisoft
• Release Date: November 10, 2020
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Genre: Action-RPG

We went back and forth over the best Assassin's Creed game to include on this list and ended up choosing Valhalla. The setting of Valhalla most resembles that of the fantasy world in Skyrim, particularly since Nords are inspired by Vikings, which take center stage in Valhalla. Apart from the setting, Valhalla features a large open world to explore and a huge number of quests to complete. There's certainly an element of bloat in Valhalla, but you can simply partake in the story and any interesting side quests that you choose. One of the more appealing aspects of Valhalla is the ability to build up a base and increase the camaraderie between you and your settlement. This plays a small part in the story as well, which isn't anything special but does take you to some intriguing locations.

• Developer: Lovely Hellplace
• Release Date: May 14, 2024
• Platforms: PC
• Genre: Action-RPG

One of the more recent releases on this list is Dread Delusion, which is directly inspired by older Elder Scrolls titles. One of the selling points for Dread Delusion is it emphasizes exploration over combat, which could be something that interests some players or turns others away. However, Dread Delusion also features a combat system that focuses on up-close melee fights. Playing Dread Delusion feels like a trip down memory lane, as the graphics look like they're straight out of 2002 while the gameplay is centered around the choices you make throughout the game. You can explore a fully open world and use classic RPG elements to design a character to your liking. You can spend hours just uncovering different areas on the map and meeting plenty of new characters, all of whom have something interesting to say or offer.

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