The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most popular, most widely-ported roleplaying games of all time. So, if you’ve already bought Todd’s game on your Xbox 360, PS4, PC, Switch, and fridge, you might be looking for something similar. Here are a few games that should appeal to fans of Skyrim.
1. Dragon’s Dogma
Capcom’s fantasy epic Dragon’s Dogma was released way back in 2012, just a year after Skyrim. It’s since been ported to PC and Switch, and it’s well worth playing even almost a decade later. Dragon’s Dogma is a little more complex than Skyrim, being kind of a cross between the inscrutable worldbuilding and systems of Dark Souls, the large-scale creature battles of Monster Hunter, and the open-world freedom of an Elder Scrolls. It’s an interesting mix, and if you take the time to get familiar with how it all fits together, you’ll find a lot to love here.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
Ok, so it’s not a magical fantasy world, but Red Dead Redemption 2 does the open world aspect of Skyrim magnificently. Anyone looking for a well-told narrative paired with vast, explorable environments will likely enjoy Red Dead Redemption 2. Plus, it’s actually a prequel to Red Dead Redemption, so you can jump in without any previous familiarity with the series.
3. Enderal
Enderal: The Forgotten Stories is actually a total conversion mod for Skyrim, but it’s so different from the base game that it feels like a completely different game. You’ll find a Bethesda-esque open world here, but also all-new skills and gameplay mechanics, in addition to a more complex, psychological narrative that also plays with expectations about RPGs. And hey! It’s free if you already own Skyrim.
4. Dragon Age Inquisition
Dragon Age Inquisition has a lot in common with Skyrim — a customizable player character, large open areas to explore, and a slew of systems for homesteading, horse riding, and more. It differs in its focus on tactical combat — which can be paused at any time to assign actions to your party — and, of course, the trademark BioWare emphasis on social interaction. Inquisition features a large cast of compelling, distinct characters, each of whom has their own skills, backstory, and personality. It’s a huge game, and there’s plenty for Skyrim fans to sink their teeth into.
5. Fallout New Vegas
Taking it back to the past, Fallout New Vegas was published by Bethesda but developed by Obsidian Entertainment. The first-person Fallout games are in many ways the sci-fi counterparts of the Elder Scrolls series, with systems and aesthetics that will be familiar to fans of the latter. New Vegas is the most critically-acclaimed of the modern Fallout games, and for good reason — the writing here is top-notch, from the characters to the overarching narrative. If you can look past the slightly-dated visuals, New Vegas is essential playing for any fan of open world RPGs.
6. Divinity: Original Sin 2
Taking it back to medieval fantasy, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is more akin to an old-school top-down RPG ala Baldur’s Gate, in which players manage a party of characters through social interactions, exploration, and combat. It may not be as immediately immersive as the first-person perspective of Skyrim, but the tradeoff is that there’s actually a lot more freedom in battle and conversation here. It’s a slightly more traditional kind of game, but Divinity: Original Sin 2 offers similar fantasy storytelling and adventure to Skyrim’s, with some incredibly creative characters and a distinct world to explore.
7. The Witcher 3
Cyberpunk 2077 was finally released last year to a mixed reception, but CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher series is still a masterwork of roleplaying games. You don’t have the ability to create your own character here, instead playing as the Witcher himself, Geralt, but The Witcher 3 rivals Skyrim in its stunning vistas, inventive creatures, and deep systems. As each game is more or less a self-contained narrative, you can play The Witcher 3 without having played the first two games in the series.
8. No Man’s Sky
If you brushed off No Man’s Sky back when it first came out to disappointed reception, you should take another look. The game is one of the biggest turnarounds of the past decade, to the point that 2021’s No Man’s Sky is practically a different game. You can build bases. You can hop into your ship and blast off to a random planet and seamlessly land on and explore it. You can hang out with your friends. You can customize your character. Fans of Skyrim who are into sci-fi settings will find that No Man’s Sky presents an almost unimaginably vast world to explore, with secrets lurking around every corner.
