"13 Must-Play Games for Skyrim Fans"

The first time you ventured into the world of Skyrim, escaping a near-fatal execution at Helgen, was nothing short of magical. The vast, untamed landscapes beckoned you to explore every corner, offering unparalleled freedom that has kept millions of players hooked for over a decade. Yet, after years of revisiting various versions of Skyrim, you might be craving new adventures to satisfy your fantasy RPG appetite. While we eagerly await The Elder Scrolls 6, here's a curated list of games that echo the spirit of Skyrim and are available to play 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

Starting off with a classic, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion offers an experience remarkably similar to Skyrim. As a prisoner thrust into a conflict involving demonic gods and the murder of Tamriel's emperor, you embark on a journey across Cyrodil. With the freedom to explore, complete quests, and develop your character through skills, weapons, and spells, Oblivion provides more of the Elder Scrolls experience. It's available on PC and through Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One's backwards compatibility feature.

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

A standout title for the Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild redefines the series with its open-world exploration. From the moment you descend from the Great Plateau, you're free to explore Hyrule at your leisure, engaging with physics-based systems and uncovering secrets. If you seek the same sense of freedom found in Skyrim, Breath of the Wild is an excellent choice, available exclusively on Nintendo Switch. Its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, offers 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

For those craving a vast, exploration-focused RPG, Dragon's Dogma 2 is an excellent choice. Set in the realms of Vermund and Battahl, you play as The Arisen, seeking to reclaim your heart from an ancient dragon. With a world teeming with secrets and monsters, this game offers deep RPG mechanics and a unique party system. It's 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 celebrated as one of the greatest RPGs ever created, set in a dark, Slavic-inspired world. As Geralt, you embark on a quest to find Ciri amidst battles with mythical creatures and complex political intrigue. With its open world and impactful choices, The Witcher 3 offers a similar sense of freedom to Skyrim. It's 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 shifts the focus to a more realistic medieval setting, where you play as Henry, a blacksmith's son seeking revenge in 15th-century Bohemia. With an immersive open world and intricate battle mechanics, this game offers a grounded yet engaging RPG experience. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. The sequel, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, released in February 2025, further enhances this immersive experience.

6. Elden Ring

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

Elden Ring challenges players with its punishing gameplay, but the rewards are immense. Masterfully designed for exploration, every corner of its dying world holds secrets and rewards. With the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and the upcoming Elden Ring Nightreign, now is the perfect time to dive into The Lands Between. It's 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 elements with Skyrim. Set in a post-apocalyptic Boston, you play as the Sole Survivor searching for your kidnapped son. The game's open world and quest system offer a similar sense of freedom, albeit with a different thematic twist. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

8. Dragon Age: Inquisition

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

Dragon Age: Inquisition offers another expansive fantasy RPG experience, where you lead The Inquisition to save Thedas from mysterious rifts. With over 80 hours of gameplay, you can build your character, explore vast maps, and influence the story through your choices. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, with Dragon Age: The Veilguard released in 2024 for continued adventures.

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 different in gameplay style, Baldur's Gate 3 is an essential CRPG that offers a rich, expansive fantasy world. With strategic combat and quests that evolve based on your choices, it encourages players to explore and experiment. If you enjoyed Skyrim's freedom, Baldur's Gate 3 will captivate 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

A remastered cult classic, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning offers fun combat and a vast world to explore. As the Fateless One, you navigate the Faelands to stop a destructive force, building your character and completing quests along the way. It's available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.

11. The Forgotten City

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

Originally a Skyrim mod, The Forgotten City transports you to ancient Rome within a time loop. As a detective game, it challenges you to uncover the city's mysteries through conversation and clue-finding, offering a unique twist on the RPG genre. It's 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 offers a hardcore RPG experience, casting you as an everyday person trying to pay off a debt. With a focus on realism and survival, this game challenges you to navigate Aurai's harsh environment and manage resources. It's 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

For those wanting to continue their Elder Scrolls journey with friends, The Elder Scrolls Online is the perfect choice. Explore various realms of Tamriel, complete quests, and build your character in this expansive MMO. It's available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, with numerous DLCs to enhance your 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!