Top 10 Games like Skyrim

Finished Skyrim for the fourth or fifth time now?
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim garnered many praises when Bethesda released it in 2011. Today, it remains a classic title that you can get lost in over and over again when the latest games won’t cut it.
It’s so popular that you’ll find a port on almost every device possible. In fact, its latest iteration is for the Nintendo Switch only came out in 2017, more than half a decade after the game’s original launch.
That’s how big of an impact it made in the gaming industry. It’s a huge leap from the previous titles. Now, the whole community is expecting big things for the next installment.
There are talks of The Elder Scrolls 6, but it seems that there’s still a long way to go before we see it. In the meantime, try these games like Skyrim to tide over the wait.
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt
This title is the last installment of the series by CD Projekt Red, featuring the witcher Geralt of Rivia in search of his adopted daughter. Many of the loved characters from the previous titles are back, and there are many to meet for the first time, as well.
The 800 awards and “Game of the Year” titles speak for the quality of this game. The open world is huge with plenty of side stories to discover. You can shape your own story depending on the choices you make, and the storytelling is pretty solid, too.
For a 3-year-old game, the visuals still stand out today. The landscapes are especially beautiful, and everything from the monsters down to the fabric that the peasants are wearing is well-detailed.
The Witcher III: Game of the Year Edition may be the most similar title to Skyrim Legendary Edition. You can lose over 250 hours in this game, exploring, crafting armors, and killing monsters. Then we have the trusty swords, a crossbow, and a little bit of magic to help you get through.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Inquisition is the third installment in BioWare’s RPG franchise. Released in November 2014, the game still holds its ground against the recent titles. While the previous games have Dungeons & Dragons-inspired mechanics, this one is more open-world.
The title takes the players to the land of Thedas with lots of kingdoms to explore. With plenty of side missions, it doesn’t take much to distract you from the main quest, but that’s not even a bad thing.
The beginning is similar to Skyrim, wherein you can choose what race and class you play as.
It also lets you modify your appearance. Then, it lets you loose to do as you want – be that to battle some dragons or continue with the main quest involving the ramifications of Dragon Age II.
The conflict between the Templar Order and the Circle of Magi sets the main tone here but there is a deeper, more sinister twist working behind the scenes.
One of the best things about it is that you also make an impact on the storyline. The ending you’ll get depends on your choices on the game’s Decision Points.
Not only that, but your choices also elicit different responses from your companions. If they don’t agree with you, it may also affect your attempts to romance them.
Horizon: Zero Dawn
This one is a recent title that only showed up in 2017, but when it showed up, it crushed the competition. Compared to the 2 titles above, Horizon: Zero Dawn is rather short with around 30-50 hours of game time. Nonetheless, those hours will make you beg for more.
With the female protagonist Aloy taking the lead, you discover the open world riddled with murdering robots, mysteries, and remnants of the old age. You learn how humanity progressed after going back to zero with predators that are, in essence, dinosaurs with lasers. With a bow as your weapon, you learn how to battle each robot animal that’s too smart for their own good.
If you’re looking for something like Skyrim, this game will give you more in terms of story and graphics. Note that the choices of armors and weapons are pretty limited, though. The number of side missions is scarce in comparison, as well.
Guerilla Games has not yet confirmed a sequel. The reception almost cements the release of another Aloy adventure, though. The ending keeps the option open, too, so that’s a good start.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
This is a yet another fantastic title that almost everyone who played the game loved. EA and 38 Studios released it in 2012, but if you don’t have a PS3, you can still play it on PC.
If you like great action sequences, this game is for you. Its combat mechanics are one of the best things about this game. Add to that plethora of characters and the evil forces to battle.
The five regions have a lot of stories to tell, too. You can drop 200 hours into this game and still won’t be able to finish every side mission. The main quest alone can take 25 hours.
One thing you’d like to know is that Ken Rolston, one of the lead designers of The Elder Scrolls III and IV, also worked on this game. If that doesn’t entice you, the man behind the lore may make you buy it right now.
R.A. Salvatore wrote the game’s lore. He’s the same man behind the Legend of Drizzt novels in the Dungeons & Dragons franchise.
What does that mean for you? Well, that means you better get ready for an exciting and wonderful adventure.
Fallout 4
This game takes place in a world befallen by a nuclear apocalypse. You play as a survivor and your quest is only to survive – at first. As you explore the world, you discover different factions and their different views.
It has elements that borrow from Skyrim to a great degree. Its lock-picking system is identical, and it gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to crafting and cooking.
Some animations might strike you as familiar as well. This might be because it comes from the same developer as Skyrim.
What’s different is the setting, though, which makes for different sceneries. Even in a post-apocalyptic world, the game also lets you be able to stop for a while and appreciate the work Bethesda has put into this.
The characters also have compelling stories to tell. While there are no dragons, there are enemies that may be worse than the flying beasts.
Overall, it’s a great, well-rounded game, and if you liked Skyrim, there’s a high chance you’re gonna love this, too.
Dragon’s Dogma
This hack and slash video game came out in 2012, but the game developers have since ported it to PC, PS4, and Xbox One. The new version, called Dark Arisen, provided extra content and some technical improvements. While the original game is not lacking, the upgrades were welcome.
Before you start the game, it lets you choose between 9 classes. Then, you take the role of a human tasked with the job of defeating a dragon who stole your heart. Along the way, you can explore dungeons and meet new people to aid you with your quest.
The open world aesthetics are Skyrim-esque, although it has a smaller map. It has better battle mechanics, though, allowing you to play up your strategies. It even allows you to climb on enemies and perform advanced attacks.
This game will give you the exploration elements of The Elder Scrolls 5. However, expect to face more challenges. It’s tougher than the Bethesda title, but it isn’t less enjoyable by any means.
Final Fantasy XV
Like the recent Final Fantasy titles, FF15 turns away from the turn-based combat system of the first JRPG games in the series. There is a slower mode available, however, that lets the players take a breather and plan out their next moves.
The game highlights Noctis, the crown prince of the kingdom Lucis. With his 3 long-time friends, he sets out in the huge world of the kingdom. Of course, there are dungeons and monsters to encounter along the way.
Its combat elements are quite good, allowing you to perform combo attacks with your party. Because they have equal fighting abilities, these attacks are well executed. Camping is a huge thing in this game, and soon you’ll learn the best ways and times to travel.
The backbone of this game, however, is the brotherhood. You’ll not only travel with Ignis, Gladiolus, and Prompto, you’ll get to know them, too. By the end of the game, you’ll have formed a kinship with the 4 characters.
This is what sets it apart from Skyrim, but the open world elements are still reminiscent of the game.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is the sequel to Shadow of Mordor. It’s a direct continuation of the narrative in its predecessor. It occurs in the Middle Earth that J.R.R. Tolkien introduced to us through The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings novels.
It features a huge world, which is much bigger and more immersive than in Shadow of Mordor. You get access to more weapons, abilities, and experiences. At the same time, it still has what you loved in the first game.
If you liked the dragons in Skyrim, this game has some, too. Even so, they’re not as crucial to the story as in The Elder Scrolls 5.
Aside from the exploration elements and some similar enemies, though, the game is different than Skyrim in almost every aspect. Still, it gives you the same feelings of accomplishment.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Done with the Skyrim Switch version? Try The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild next. That’s right, it’s the latest installment in Nintendo’s franchise.
Like in all the other games, you play as Link, whom you may know as the Hero of Time, the Hero of Legend, the Hero of Light, or other titles. In this game, he’s the Hero of the Wild. Of course, he comes back with Zelda and Ganondorf as the 3 are forever bound to cross paths again and again.
What sets this apart from the previous games, and what likens it to Skyrim, is the open world that’s as easy to get lost in. There’s a lot of nooks to explore, secrets to uncover, and items to collect. If you’re tired of riding on a horse, you can use your glider to see Hyrule from above.
While Skyrim tends to feel dark, Breath of the Wild is bright, which we see in the landscapes, design, and the enemies. The graphics are great in a high fantasy sense, but don’t let the colors fool you. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic era.
Aside from the exploration, this game also offers entertaining combat mechanics. Weapons break easily and you’ll have to master different weapon types to survive. Quests are aplenty as well, but there’s a fewer number of enemy types than in Skyrim.
It also has a unique cooking system. This is a masterpiece of a game and is a great choice if you want kids to get involved too.
The Elder Scrolls Online
Here’s another title from the same franchise, but this time, it’s MMO. This takes away many of the RPG elements you’ve come to love in The Elder Scrolls 5. The developers toned down exploration a bit; you won’t have dialogue options that change the course of the game, you won’t find powerful weapons lying around, and you can’t enter dungeons on your own.
You’re not the Dragonborn anymore or even the hero that saves the world. Since it’s an MMO, there are many others like you in this game.
Still, it’s an Elder Scrolls title, which means many of its features are already familiar to you. Its combat mechanics are alike for the most part, and the crafting system is still in place. The races are the same, as well.
There are a lot of quests to keep you busy, and the story is something that will draw you in. The cutscenes are great, letting you know more about this world.
The Elder Scrolls Online is a great way to extend your experience in The Elder Scrolls universe. Don’t think that its MMO nature will restrict you; rather, it allows you to do more things. Bethesda is also always updating the game with new places to explore and things to do.
Discover More Games Like Skyrim
These are some games like Skyrim in one way or another, but there are more that can scratch your Elder Scrolls itch.
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