The best games like Skyrim are ones which can take that open-world format and translate into something that feels like a brand new experience.
While we wait for The Elder Scrolls VI, there’s definitely a lot of time to head back and do another playthrough of the fifth game in the franchise—especially if you install some of the best Skyrim mods to tweak the experience.
However, it may also be a great chance to go and play some new games which feel loosely connected to, inspired by, or otherwise linked to the core Skyrim experience.
Here are some of the best games like Skyrim that you need to check out ahead of the release of The Elder Scrolls VI.
1. Tainted Grail: The Fall of AvalonRelease Date: May 23, 2025Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Many fans have taken to calling this the “indie Skyrim”, and it’s easy to see why that might be. Its main hook might be its world design, where developer Questline has put in the effort to make its world feel like a genuine place that you could live in. Its assets are well-designed too, almost like you could reach out and touch them.
Where it feels most strong though is through the combat and progression, adapting a soulslike fighting style with many different build varieties, as well as an interesting approach to New Game Plus which encourages you to play again to see new story paths and options.
Awaken Realms2. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion RemasteredRelease Date: April 22, 2025Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
We love Skyrim, we do. But you know what else we love? Other Elder Scrolls games. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is one of these games, and is perhaps the best one in the series by far. Some fans will say that’s Morrowind, but hear us out.
For starters, Oblivion has the best quests in the entire series. Some of the quests you get for the Dark Brotherhood, Thieves Guild, or Mages Guild are on a higher level compared to what came before or after. Similarly, the world design has this lovely vibrant art style—almost like a painting—and simply feels like a great world to exist in. And let’s not get started on how the mechanics are also pretty easy to get to grips with. Simply put, Oblivion is the best Elder Scrolls game to check out next if you’re looking for a new Skyrim-like experience.
Bethesda Softworks3. FatekeeperRelease Date: June 2, 2026Platforms: PC
Although it’s still in early access, Fatekeeper is one such game we’re excited to see more of due to its similarities with games like Skyrim and Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, ultimately feeling like a blend of both.
It has some of the crispest graphics we’ll see on this list, with enemies who can put up quite a fight as you learn their patterns, strengths, and weaknesses. If that interests you, we’d recommend picking up Fatekeeper now while it’s cheap. As more chapters are added to the game, the price will go up.
THQ Nordic4. Elden RingRelease Date: February 24, 2022Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
One of the bestselling games of the past generation, Elden Ring is one that all RPG fans need to check out at one point or another if only for its challenging gameplay and interesting worldbuilding it does with or without your permission.
You’ll certainly find this a lot more difficult than Skyrim, but that’s okay, because Elden Ring’s tough bosses and hard-to-decipher lore is a plus for this game, respecting your intelligence and patience as you slowly improve your skills through every failed trial after trial.
FromSoftware5. Assassin’s Creed ValhallaRelease Date: November 10, 2020Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Assassin’s Creed is a bit more action-heavy than The Elder Scrolls, but it’s clear as day how the RPG era of the series was influenced by games like Skyrim.
Although it’s not the best one in the series, we feel that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is probably the closest one to Skyrim for players to check out. Aside from the heavy Nordic influences of both games, Valhalla is also pretty long which will keep you occupied for many months as you wait for The Elder Scrolls 6.
Ubisoft6. Fallout 4Release Date: November 10, 2015Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2
Although it’s not a fantasy RPG, we’re recommending Fallout 4 because it’s another game made by Bethesda Game Studios, and you can spot the similarities between both franchises quite closely if you play one after the other.
There are a lot of Fallout games worth your time, but we’d recommend jumping into Fallout 4 as it’s the most recent singleplayer entry to the series, and has had a tremendous amount of modding support over the past decade. If you want something that’s like Skyrim, but isn’t quite Skyrim, you’d do well to go here next.
Bethesda Softworks7. Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-ReckoningRelease Date: September 8, 2020Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
For those who vibed with Skyrim’s art style, be sure to check out Kingdoms of Amalur as well. While it might not be as replayable as any The Elder Scrolls game, the combo-based combat in Kingdoms of Amalur allows you to mix different styles of combat in ways that feel fun and engaging.
We’d recommend this game if you’re looking for something a little more action-packed, but is also a lot more focused in its presentation compared to the likes of Skyrim.
THQ Nordic8. Dragon Age InquisitionRelease Date: November 18, 2014Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4
Although a lot more tactical in its combat and character building than The Elder Scrolls, the world of Dragon Age series is just as rich in its lore, with fun characters who are delightful to get to know in every way.
You could start with pretty much any Dragon Age game, as most of the stories are standalone and only have minimal connections between each other. With that said, we’re going to specifically recommend Inquisition, as it’s perhaps the best of the four games which manages to balance polished graphics with deep gameplay systems and excellent storytelling.
Electronic Arts9. The Witcher 3: Wild HuntRelease Date: May 18, 2015Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
We don’t think it’s much of a hot take to suggest that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the best RPGs of all time. We’d be lying if we said it wasn’t.
Serving as a continuation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s popular fantasy novels, CD Projekt Red effortlessly combines good storytelling with deep quest design where it feels like every narrative development matters, on both a larger scale and also in intimate qualities. Its two expansions—Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine—are also worth checking out, with a third expansion on the way in 2027 which will hopefully be just as good.
CD PROJEKT RED10. Gothic 1 RemakeRelease Date: June 5, 2026Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Speaking of The Witcher, the Gothic series is one such trilogy that CD Projekt Red has cited as a primary influence for its own games, and the remake of the first game from earlier this year makes this the perfect time to jump in.
Despite the original game pre-dating both The Witcher and the 3D The Elder Scrolls games, Gothic 1 Remake feels very much like it’s lifting a lot of inspiration from both series in how it designs its modern improvements, allowing everything to come full circle. Skyrim players who appreciate open-ended quest design may find some joy in this.
THQ Nordic11. Dragon’s Dogma 2Release Date: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2Platforms: March 22, 2024
If it’s something with a little more choice you want, Skyrim players may also find enjoyment in Dragon’s Dogma 2, an RPG from Capcom with a big focus on immersive storytelling and adventure making.
Although Skyrim gives players plenty of choice in how to approach any given situation, Dragon’s Dogma 2 takes this to the next level with even more freedom in how to complete quests, build your character, and approach combat in many different ways.
Capcom12. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2Release Date: February 4, 2025Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5
The sequel to one of the best RPGs of the last ten years is also one of the best RPGs we played in 2025, and it’s easy to see why.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is incredibly immersive in its open world design, with sandbox mechanics which make you feel like you’re really living as a warrior inside a medieval society. Plenty of systems and mechanics in this game feel authentic to the story and time period that the game portrays, and we love it for that very reason.
Deep Silver13. Dishonored 2Release Date: November 11, 2016Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4
Although it’s one of the few games on this list that doesn’t have an open world, Dishonored 2 is simply one of the greatest games of all time, and while its links to Skyrim are pretty minimal, there are a few elements that you may find cross over between both games.
For starters, those who enjoyed playing as a mage in Skyrim may find Dishonored 2’s powers system a lot of fun, allowing you to clear levels in creative ways. The open-ended design of each space allows the world to feel incredibly immersive, and lets you fully express yourself through your actions.
Bethesda Softworks14. Borderlands 4Release Date: September 11, 2025Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Although it may not be the best game in the Borderlands series, its most recent entry Borderlands 4 is a worthy successor for Skyrim fans to check out thanks to its looter shooter gameplay which rewards curious players who like to explore and complete challenges.
If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, the game’s goofy sense of humour and tight gunplay is something that can win players over. Just don’t be put off by the large amount of DLC the game has, you don’t actually need it to have a good time.
2K15. Baldur’s Gate 3Release Date: August 3, 2023Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5
Dungeons & Dragons has been a fantasy RPG property for decades, popular amongst the tabletop crowd for allowing players to become immersed in another world entirely as they get into the role of their character.
This influence has extended to video games, with many translating and perfecting the TTRPG style into digital form quite cleanly over the years, including The Elder Scrolls. Baldur’s Gate 3 is perhaps the best modern example of this genre, as evidenced by the massive number of popular reviews and discourse that has taken the RPG playerbase by storm.
Larian Studios16. Enderal: Forgotten StoriesRelease Date: February 14, 2019Platforms: PC
Originally developed as a total conversion mod for Skyrim, Enderal: Forgotten Stories became its own fully fledged game in 2019 and is still worth playing to this day.
Still running in Skyrim’s Creation Engine, the game overhauls pretty much every aspect of the game it’s based on, including combat systems, skills, UI, and storytelling, all while having its own world, lore and characters for you to discover independently. If you already own Skyrim on Steam, it’s free to download, and will give you up to 60 or 80 hours of content for free. You can’t go wrong with that.
SureAI17. The Elder Scrolls OnlineRelease Date: April 4, 2014Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Although it’s not singleplayer, there’s a surprising amount of content in The Elder Scrolls Online which can be played without having to team up with other players. And if you do have friends to play with, then hey, you’ve now (sort of) got a way to play Skyrim with them.
In the past 12 years since release, The Elder Scrolls Online has had new expansions release with new parts of Tamriel added as explorable regions, along with a fresh set of quests, unlockables, and other rewards which makes it worth checking out. The monetisation can sometimes be a bit much, but the actual barrier to entry is pretty low that anyone with a mile curiosity should be able to enjoy themselves for a bit.
Bethesda Softworks