When it comes to fantasy RPGs, few have had a legacy quite like that of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Even without Bethesda’s penchant for releasing new editions of the game, this open-world RPG remains popular for its open-world, endless side quests, and quirky charm. And while I’ll never tell you not to start another Skyrim playthrough, sometimes it’s worth checking out something new.
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Skyrim offers fun real-time combat, dragons, RPG mechanics, and a vast fantasy open world to explore. If you want to take a break from being the Dragonborn, but still want a game with similar elements, these fantasy RPGs will hit the spot. Before we dive in, one quick honorable mention. If you haven’t yet picked up The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, what are you waiting for? Given that it’s another Elder Scrolls game set in Tamriel, it’s going to give you that similar Skyrim feeling, but with a different plot. With that out of the way, here are my top non-Elder Scrolls fantasy RPGs for Skyrim fans.
5. Throne and Liberty
As an MMORPG, Throne and Liberty has a slightly different initial feel from Skyrim. But once you get used to seeing other players in the game, there’s definitely a similar vibe to it. You begin Throne and Liberty as a person with mysterious powers you don’t quite understand, which leads you on a quest across the lands. Sound familiar, Dovahkiin?
Like Skyrim, Throne and Liberty offers a vast open world. You can run across your fair share of random situations, thanks in part to the other players wandering around, making the gameplay equally diverse and entertaining. The story isn’t exactly the most riveting, and the characters are forgettable. But the fantasy lore and sense of exploration are still worth experiencing, especially given that Throne and Liberty is free-to-play. For the Skyrim fan on a budget, you could certainly do worse. As a relatively recent release, it’s also easy to access on current-gen consoles and PC.
4. Path of Exile
Path of Exile is another free-to-play option, but one with a longer history and more challenging combat. This ARPG doesn’t necessarily feel like Skyrim, with its more top-down graphics and faraway feel. But it’s a solid fantasy RPG, especially for those who wish combat in Skyrim was a bit more involved.
Path of Exile puts players into a dark fantasy world of Wraeclast, where they play as one of several classes. It offers in-depth character customization and a skill tree that puts Skyrim to shame. The world is a series of maps rather than a fully open-world feel, but surprises and enemies lurk in every corner. This one will challenge you, so if you’re ready to step up the grind after Skyrim, dive on in. Path of Exile is available on PC via Steam, as well as PS4 and Xbox One consoles. Gamers eager for a modern console version can try out Path of Exile 2, which is still in early access but has a similar overall feel.
3. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
Released just a few years after Skyrim, this fantasy RPG will definitely give you more opportunities to fight dragons. Dragon’s Dogma offers third-person, open-world gameplay like that of Skyrim (if you opt for the third-person option, as I always do). Your ultimate goal in this game is to stop a Dragon that signals the end of days, which might just ring a few bells for Skyrim veterans.
The overall fantasy world has been compared to that of The Elder Scrolls. Plus, the Dragon’s Dogma pawn system will remind you of the joys and perils of having Lydia and other companions tag along, though it’s a bit more of a party-based system. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is the enhanced version, which is the easiest to still access today as it’s available on Steam and Nintendo Switch, as well as prior-gen PS4 and Xbox One consoles.
2. Dragon Age: Origins
I know, I know. Another game with “Dragon” in the name feels like an easy pick for fans of the Dragonborn game. But it is what it is. Dragon Age: Origins is a solid fantasy RPG that has stood the test of time, much like Skyrim itself. The game offers a deep, choices-matter storyline that’s a bit less of a sandbox feel than Skyrim. Even so, there are plenty of side quests to lose yourself in.
Dragon Age: Origins isn’t open world, so it is going to feel different from Skyrim in that regard. But when it comes to exploration, you can still get a good sense of each different zone while you’re there. If you want to sink into a well-crafted fantasy world and get lost in the story, Dragon Age: Origins will deliver. Thanks to the Ultimate Edition, this one is easy to grab on PC via Steam.
1. Avowed
When Avowed first released earlier this year, many reviews, including our own, compared it favorably with Skyrim. And it’s not hard to see why. The game has a beautifully rendered fantasy world, single-player-driven gameplay, and an epic story that puts you in the role of helping defeat a massive threat. The game’s first-person combat also just looks like Skyrim, if you play it in first-person.
Avowed isn’t quite an open world, but the Living Lands nevertheless offer plenty of exploration. Combat is similar to Skyrim, letting players mix and match their skills using melee, ranged weapons, and magic interchangeably. And like in Skyrim, you can pick up companions, though they will be a bit more integral to the story than Lydia and company. Avowed was initially released as an Xbox Series X|S console exclusive and is also available on PC via Steam.
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