The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the latest entry in Bethesda’s long-running Elder Scrolls series, created back in the early ’90s. By now, we’ve all played Skyrim to death though, so what other games can scratch that same itch?
Related: The best Skyrim features we want to see in Starfield
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
The first entry on this list might not embody all of the fantasy aspects of Skyrim, but Valhalla exhibits the same Nordic aesthetic and background that Skyrim was inspired by. Playing as an assassin in the late ninth-century Viking England has never been more satisfying.
Don’t let the absence of magic in Valhalla deter you from trying it out. The combat systems in the game are very similar to Skyrim, with an interesting overarching plot to follow while you assassinate your targets. The game takes place at the start of the Viking raids on the British Isles, so be prepared for a lot of raiding and non-stop fighting wherever you go.
Baldur’s Gate 3
The most recent entry on this list, Baldur’s Gate 3 shares the most similarities with Skyrim. The high fantasy setting of the game coupled with the variety of environments set in the dark ages should make for quite a nostalgic setting for Skyrim players. Throw in elements of Dungeons & Dragons and you have a perfect game for fantasy enthusiasts everywhere.
The vast open world is populated with dozens of interesting characters, some of which will join your party and others who might lead you to make painful choices. This makes every playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3 seem fresh and interesting, especially with different origin stories and races to choose from.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Bioware’s latest entry in its critically-acclaimed Dragon Age series is Inquisition. This third game in the series ties up the plot of humanity’s war against the darkspawn. Compared to the previous entry, Inquisition is closer to Skyrim in terms of fantasy gameplay elements, where you will have to fight off demon hordes and eventually, dragons.
The overarching plot in the game will see you unite all of Thedas to fight off the darkspawn and seal the mysterious Breach that spawns them, hovering high in the sky above the lands. You can choose your character archetype from a warrior, rogue, or mage and recruit other new and familiar faces on your journey to stop Thedas from becoming a demon spawning ground.
Fallout 4
From one Bethesda classic to another, Fallout 4 shares a lot of similarities with Skyrim. Even though the aesthetics of the game are completely different, with Fallout 4 having a post-apocalyptic theme and Skyrim sporting a fantasy-esque Norse kingdom in the dark ages, the games have a lot in common. The open world of Fallout 4 might seem bleak at first, but it’s filled with things to do.
Wading through radioactive waste will make your job a whole lot harder but there are ways to protect yourself in this harsh world. Make sure you have stocked up enough supplies before you go from one town to the other. This is because the world of Fallout 4 is pretty unforgiving and just about any creature, from mutated canines to other humans to the mighty Deathclaws, can take you out if you aren’t careful.
Dragon’s Dogma
Dragon’s Dogma is a criminally underrated game. It spits you into the massive world of Gransys after an ancient dragon rips out your heart and eats it right in front of you. Your quest for revenge will take you far and wide, and you’ll encounter scores of huge mythological enemies, like chimeras, hydras, and trolls.
Combat takes inspiration from Shadow of the Colossus with bosses being climbable so you can target their weak points. You can mix and match classes and perks easily, and build a diverse and powerful team to help you reclaim your stolen heart.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is FromSoftware’s masterpiece from 2022. Being the recipient of several Game of the Year awards, Elden Ring is the first true open-world game developed by the creators of the Dark Souls series. If you want hardcore open-world combat with deep character customization and progression akin to Skyrim, Elden Ring is a good choice for you.
Related: Elden Ring turns one: How do The Lands Between hold up a year later?
As is typical of FromSoftware’s games, Elden Ring doesn’t hold your hand at any point. Apart from basic tutorials, the game will throw you right into the fray and make you adapt to survive. By the end though, you’ll have the power of the Gods on your side.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Yet another post-apocalyptic world, Horizon Zero Dawn takes place over 1,000 years in the future where humanity has regressed to the stone age. Only ancient machines litter the lands as well. The concept of an ancient civilization constantly in battle with futuristic machines of war makes for a gripping story.
The interactions between humans, whose knowledge has been lost to time, and robotic animals beyond their understanding are fascinating to behold. Between all the battles going on, the protagonist Aloy learns about the downfall of humanity and how her species can survive as a whole.
Mass Effect
Bioware’s games always stand out for their excellent role-playing. Going from the medieval settings of Dragon Age, we head into the distant future with the Mass Effect series. The role-playing elements of the game are more advanced than Skyrim‘s. Here, every decision matters, creating a branching route in the main storyline that crosses three games.
Decisions in the older games will influence the outcome of the later games. You can even get to the point where you might lose your entire squad in the second game if you aren’t careful with your decisions. This is also our Managing Editor’s favorite series, so that’s a pretty good indication of how great it is.
Middle Earth: Shadow of War
Nothing screams fantasy world as much as The Lord of the Rings. The franchise has produced games of every genre, but the one that has arguably found the most success is the Middle Earth: Shadow series. Middle Earth: Shadow of War is the sequel to Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor and is the only game from the franchise to come close to how Skyrim fundamentally works.
Except here, instead of playing as the legendary Dragonborn, you play as a Talion, a slain Ranger of Gondor who has come back to life. After the slaughter of his family at the hands of Sauron’s Uruk-hai, Talion is kept alive by the spirit of Celebrimbor, the legendary Elf craftsman responsible for the creation of the Rings of Power. United in body and spirit, the two souls then become immortal.
Now unable to die, the Elf prince and the fallen Ranger embark on a journey of vengeance to take down the forces of Sauron and the dark lord by turning his armies against him. Take down powerful fortresses and make them your own as you slowly gain more and more power.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The final game in this list takes us from one fantasy dark-age world to another. Initially adapted from the six-book series created by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher series of games has always stood out for having an original plot and unique fantasy monsters, eventually culminating in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The main character of the series, Geralt of Rivia, is known as the iconic White Wolf and a legendary monster-slayer.
Related: Here’s what CD Projekt Red needs to change in The Witcher Remake
The gameplay of The Witcher 3 is quite similar to Skyrim, with Geralt being proficient in using both weapons and magic. The enemies in this game are quite varied as well, from powerful monsters to human factions, each presenting their own challenge. Even though Witchers are said to be the true neutral in any situation, Geralt finds himself having to take sides in several dilemmas across all three games.
