There's nothing quite like the first time you explored Skyrim. From the moment you narrowly escaped your grisly execution in Helgen and stepped into the vast wilderness of this legendary RPG, you're met with an adventure that offers unparalleled freedom. It's this sense of boundless exploration that has captivated millions, drawing them back to Skyrim's cold, untamed landscapes for over a decade.

However, after years of immersing ourselves in the various editions of Skyrim, many of us are on the lookout for new games to satisfy our craving for fantasy adventures. As we eagerly await the much-anticipated Elder Scrolls 6, we've curated a list of top games that share the spirit of Skyrim and are available to play right now.

1. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion

Image credit: Bethesda SoftworksDeveloper: Bethesda Game Studios | Publisher: Bethesda Softworks | Release Date: March 20, 2006 | Review: IGN's Oblivion review

Starting with an obvious choice, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion offers a similar experience to Skyrim in terms of style and scope. As Skyrim's predecessor, Oblivion retains the core elements that made its successor so beloved. You begin as a prisoner thrust into a world embroiled in conflict with demonic gods, fiery portals to hellish planes, and the assassination of Tamriel's emperor. Your journey takes you across Cyrodil, where you're free to explore, complete quests, join factions, and develop your character with a range of skills, weapons, armor sets, and spells. It's a quintessential Elder Scrolls experience, perfect for keeping the Tamriel adventure alive while waiting for Elder Scrolls 6. Oblivion is available on PC and can be enjoyed through Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One's backward compatibility feature.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: March 3, 2017 | Review: IGN's Breath of the Wild review

A flagship title for the Nintendo Switch and one of the finest fantasy RPGs ever created, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild embodies the essence of open-world exploration. This reinvention of the iconic series features a world brimming with secrets, physics-based systems for creative problem-solving and combat, engaging quests, and a visually stunning art style.

Breath of the Wild empowers you with complete freedom. After descending from the Great Plateau, you can explore Hyrule at your leisure, whether it's hunting for lore, scaling mountains, or challenging the final boss right away. If you're seeking a game that echoes Skyrim's freedom and unguided exploration, Breath of the Wild is an excellent choice. It's exclusive to Nintendo Switch, and fans can also dive into its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for a similar experience.

3. Dragon's Dogma 2

Image credit: CapcomDeveloper: Capcom | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: March 22, 2024 | Review: IGN's Dragon's Dogma 2 review

A recent addition to our list, Dragon's Dogma 2 is a sprawling RPG that places exploration at its core. Set in the realms of Vermund and Battahl, you step into the role of The Arisen, a warrior whose heart was stolen by an ancient dragon. Your mission is to track down and slay this dragon, leading you on a journey through a vast, untamed world.

Like Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma 2 emphasizes exploration, with a landscape filled with secrets and monsters that create thrilling encounters and unique stories. The game also offers deep RPG mechanics, including various classes, a wide range of weapons and armor, and a unique party system where you can recruit allies crafted by other players. If you're craving a fantasy RPG on the scale of Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma 2 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Image credit: CD ProjektDeveloper: CD Projekt Red | Publisher: CD Projekt | Release Date: May 19, 2015 | Review: IGN's The Witcher 3 review

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a top-tier RPG that offers over 100 hours of gameplay. Set in a dark, Slavic-mythology-inspired world, this game is renowned for its expansive open world, challenging battles, morally complex decisions, and compelling narrative. As Geralt, a seasoned monster hunter with a mission to find his surrogate daughter Ciri, you'll navigate through a world of mythical creatures and political intrigue.

Similar to Skyrim, The Witcher 3 provides you with the basics and then sets you free to explore and shape your own journey. Whether you focus on the main storyline or engage in side quests and monster contracts, the game offers a deeply immersive experience. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC, The Witcher 3, along with its expansive DLCs, is a must-play for Skyrim fans.

5. Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Image credit: Deep SilverDeveloper: Warhorse Studios | Publisher: Deep Silver | Release Date: February 13, 2018 | Review: IGN's Kingdom Come Deliverance review

Shifting from fantastical realms to a more grounded medieval setting, Kingdom Come: Deliverance captures the essence of Skyrim's freedom in a realistic historical context. This cult favorite tells the story of Henry, a blacksmith's son seeking vengeance after his parents are killed during a Cuman invasion.

Set in 15th-century Bohemia, the game offers a vast open world filled with authentic locations, open-ended quests, and a complex combat system. Kingdom Come: Deliverance focuses on immersion, with survival mechanics that require you to manage food, sleep, hygiene, and armor. If you're looking for a more grounded RPG experience, this game is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. Additionally, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, released in February 2025, further enhances the experience.

6. Elden Ring

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

Elden Ring is a challenging yet immensely rewarding RPG that excels in exploration. FromSoftware's latest offering is a masterclass in creating a living, breathing world filled with hidden paths, rewarding secrets, and formidable challenges. Every area is meaningful, and every exploration is fruitful, making you feel like you're carving your own path across a vast, unforgiving landscape.

With the addition of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and the upcoming standalone adventure, Elden Ring Nightreign, slated for May, there's no better time to explore The Lands Between. If you're looking for a new world to conquer after Skyrim, Elden Ring is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

7. Fallout 4

Image credit: Bethesda SoftworksDeveloper: 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, making it a great choice for fans of Bethesda's open-world RPGs. Set in a post-apocalyptic Boston, you play as the Sole Survivor on a quest to find your kidnapped son amidst the ruins of civilization.

Fallout 4 offers a vast open world to explore, with a focus on character building, environmental exploration, and diverse quests. Instead of battling mythical creatures, you'll face mutant abominations and navigate a world filled with alternate-history corporate propaganda. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, Fallout 4 is an excellent option for those seeking a different yet familiar Bethesda experience.

8. Dragon Age: Inquisition

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

Dragon Age: Inquisition offers over 80 hours of fantasy RPG gameplay, tasking you with saving the realm of Thedas from mysterious rifts. As the leader of The Inquisition, you'll explore expansive open-world maps, battle monsters, and unravel a compelling story.

Like Skyrim, Inquisition allows you to customize your character, choose your class and race, and embark on your adventure. As you progress, you'll recruit party members, complete quests, and make decisions that impact the story and Thedas itself. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, Dragon Age: Inquisition is a great follow-up to Skyrim, and you can continue the journey with 2024's Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

9. Baldur's Gate 3

Image credit: Larian StudiosDeveloper: Larian Studios | Publisher: Larian Studios | Release Date: July 29, 2023 | Review: IGN's Baldur's Gate 3 review

While Baldur's Gate 3 differs from Skyrim in gameplay mechanics, it's an exceptional fantasy RPG that offers a similar sense of freedom and choice. As a top-down CRPG, it focuses on strategic combat and party dynamics, but it excels in crafting a world that reacts to your decisions.

Baldur's Gate 3 offers a vast, immersive world filled with tactical combat, engrossing narratives, and quests that evolve with your choices. The game encourages experimentation, allowing you to mix and match classes, races, and backstories to create a unique playthrough. If you enjoy Skyrim's open-ended nature, Baldur's Gate 3 is a must-play, available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

10. Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning

Image credit: EADeveloper: Big Huge Games | Publisher: EA | Release Date: February 7, 2012 | Review: IGN's Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning review

A cult classic revitalized by its 2020 remaster, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is a fantastic choice for those seeking a new fantasy RPG. You play as the Fateless One, a resurrected corpse freed from fate, tasked with saving the world of Amalur from a destructive force.

Set in the Faelands, the game offers a large world to explore, filled with quests, dungeons, and formidable enemies. You can customize your character, choose a class, and embark on your adventure. Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.

11. The Forgotten City

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

Originally a Skyrim mod, The Forgotten City stands out with its unique premise. The game begins in modern-day Italy, where you're transported back in time to Ancient Rome, trapped in an eternal time loop governed by the "Golden Rule."

The Forgotten City transforms the core elements of Skyrim into a detective game, focusing on dialogue, clue-finding, and uncovering the city's mystery. While combat is minimal, the game retains the essence of Skyrim's exploration and choice. If you're looking for a fresh take on the formula, The Forgotten City is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.

12. Outward: Definitive Edition

Image credit: Deep SilverDeveloper: 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 ordinary person tasked with paying off a debt within five days. However, your journey quickly escalates into a large-scale open-world adventure across Aurai, where you'll face harsh environments and survival challenges.

Outward emphasizes realism and consequence, with survival systems that require managing hunger, sleep, and environmental hazards. Quests can fail if not completed in time, and there's no fast travel, adding to the game's immersive challenge. If you're seeking a game that captures Skyrim's sense of exploration with added realism, Outward is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.

13. The Elder Scrolls Online

Image credit: Bethesda SoftworksDeveloper: ZeniMax Online Studios | Publisher: Bethesda Softworks | Release Date: June 9, 2015 | Review: IGN's The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited review

If you're ready to continue your Elder Scrolls journey with friends, The Elder Scrolls Online is the perfect choice. This MMO lets you explore various realms of Tamriel, including Skyrim, Cyrodil, Morrowind, and new locales like Elsweyr and Summerset.

You can team up with other players to tackle enemies, complete quests, and build unique characters. With numerous updates and DLCs over the years, The Elder Scrolls Online offers a rich and evolving Elder Scrolls experience. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, it's a great way to expand your adventures in Tamriel.