The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim launched more than a decade ago, yet its impact on the world of gaming can still be felt to this day.

Offering unprecedented freedom, a diverse landscape to explore, and hundreds of hours of content, Skyrim remains one of the most ambitious games ever developed. Bethesda Softworks had already established a reputation for crafting elaborate open-world titles, but 2011's Skyrim took the studio to new heights — not only did it become an instant best-seller, but it also stands as the highest-reviewed Elder Scrolls game of all time.

Bethesda has ported Skyrim to a variety of new consoles over the years, including a recently released Anniversary Edition for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This improved its graphics and added a bit of new content, but the original experience remained largely intact. And since the game has been around for more than 10 years, most players have already discovered everything hiding in the dark corners of Tamriel. Thankfully, Skyrim's success sparked something of a revolution, and today there's no shortage of excellent games that capture a similar spirit.

If you're one of the many Skyrim fans looking for a new adventure, there are hundreds of games at your disposal. Most titles in Bethesda's catalog mimic Skyrim's free-roaming format, including Fallout 4 and The Elder Scrolls Online. You'll also find that strategic RPGs such as Dragon Age: Origins check many of the same boxes. Player choice is a core design principle of Skryim, and it's something that's been faithfully replicated by dozens of other developers.

Here are 10 games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim to play next, ranked by Metascore.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4)

Metascore: 97
Best for: Fans of sweeping narratives (and cowboys)
Where to buy:

Also available on: PC, Stadia, XB1

Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the few games that not only matches the scope of Skyrim, but may even surpass it. Earning universal acclaim from critics, the epic Western follows Arthur Morgan and the Van Der Linde gang as they trek across America and try to cling onto their outlaw lifestyle. Packed with memorable set pieces, tight gunplay, and a surprisingly robust online mode, Red Dead Redemption 2 continues to host a thriving community of players nearly four years after launch. When you're not out gunslinging, the game offers a variety of side activities such as hunting, gambling, and fishing.

"Red Dead Redemption 2 is a must-play for its entertainment value, its boundary-pushing, and its place as a landmark moment in video games." — Game Rant

Elden Ring (PS5)

Metascore: 96
Best for: Fans of unforgiving combat
Where to buy:

Also available on: PC, PS4, XB1, XBX

Elden Ring takes the visceral combat of From Software's past releases and merges it with a sprawling open world. After a brief tutorial, you're unceremoniously thrown into the Lands Between and told to gather the shards of the eponymous Elden Ring. Whereas Skyrim has no problem guiding players throughout their hundred-hour adventure, Elden Ring instead asks players to discover its world on their own. There's no quest log, no chat log, and little in the way of mission markers. If you don't mind seeking out your own adventures (and are up for one of the most challenging games of 2022), there's plenty of fun to be had in the Lands Between.

"Elden Ring is the culmination of all the Souls entries up to this point, creating a near perfect gameplay experience…and an insanely large world to explore." — GamingTrend

Horizon Forbidden West (PS5)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of unforgettable narratives
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Also available on: PS4

Its launch may have been overshadowed by Elden Ring (which arrived just one week later), but Horizon Forbidden West managed to pull down a Metascore that's every bit as impressive. Offering a story with more structure and cutscenes than Skyrim, the long-awaited sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn is an excellent combination of freedom and tight storytelling. Aloy is once again at the center of the narrative, which sees her traveling west to uncover a new mystery and stop a powerful force from laying waste to the entire planet. And just like the original game, this installment is filled with memorable characters, colorful landscapes, and hundreds of deadly, mechanical dinosaurs.

"Horizon: Forbidden West is a lock-the-doors sci-fi epic packed to the brim with fascinating characters and countless pleasures that will take players many hours to completely devour." — Screen Rant

Fallout 4 (PS4)

Metascore: 87
Best for: Fans of the apocalypse
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Also available on: PC, XB1

The Fallout universe is tremendously bleak, and that holds true for Fallout 4. You play as the last survivor of Vault 111, stepping out into a world ravaged by war. Few creatures have survived the nuclear event, and what remains is often mutated and hostile. Fallout 4 was developed by the same studio that brought you Skyrim, and much of its freedom and narrative structure carries over to this apocalyptic title. There's an intriguing main quest for you to discover, although most players tend to venture out on their own —unlocking futuristic weapons and meeting bizarre characters —  before finally getting to the meat of the adventure.

"Fallout 4 is a game that will spark conversation and a huge amount of love, and there's no reason it shouldn't follow in the footsteps of Skyrim as something of a cultural phenomenon." — AusGamers

Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut (PS5)

Metascore: 87
Best for: Samurai fans
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Also available on: PS4

While the base game (Ghost of Tsushima) earned favorable reviews, Sucker Punch upped the ante when it launched Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut. This brought graphical enhancements to current-gen consoles, the Iki Island expansion, and several new mini-games, stories, and enemy types. Taking place on the Japanese island of Tsushima during the Mongol invasion of 1274, Ghost of Tsushima offers a radically different world to explore than most others on this list. It does, however, offer the same degree of freedom, with the ability to wander off and get into sword fights as you see fit.

"Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut is this year's pinnacle of open world games. Iki Island is stunningly beautiful, and the technical upgrades make it even more enjoyable." — PlayStation Universe

Cyberpunk 2077 (PC)

Metascore: 86
Best for: Fans of dystopian worlds
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Also available on: PS4, PS5, Stadia, XB1, XBX

Cyberpunk 2077 is set in the futuristic Night City — a nightmarish landscape riddled with crime, violence, and deception. You play as V, a mercenary hired to steal a biochip from one of the city's most powerful corporations. Things go terribly wrong, however, and what follows is a twisting tale of revenge that's largely driven by your decisions. Offering tight gunplay, a variety of upgradable skills, and a world loaded with secrets and side quests, Cyberpunk 2077 is essentially a sci-fi version of Skyrim. There are still a few glitches and quirks the developer is working through, but it's an easy recommendation for fans of Bethesda's living worlds.

"Magnificent, confident and loaded with content that other games do not offer." — LEVEL

Dragon Age: Origins (Xbox 360)

Metascore: 86
Best for: Fans of strategic combat
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Also available on: PC, PS3

It's not quite an open-world epic, but Dragon Age: Origins is still a massive game. Set in the fantasy world of Ferelden, you'll be tasked with slaying evil creatures known as Darkspawn and forcing them back underground before they take over the entire realm. Driving the action is a unique, strategic combat system, which happens in real time but can be paused to make split-second decisions. It's one of the most tactical games on this list, and your decisions will have a significant impact on how the narrative unfolds. With dozens of customization options and legions of side quests, it's easy to lose track of time while visiting Ferelden.

"Dragon Age: Origins is fantastic and is a must play for any fan of the genre. Doubly so since it readily promotes multiple play throughs." — Gaming Age

Assassin's Creed Valhalla (PS4)

Metascore: 80
Best for: History buffs and open-world adventurers
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Also available on: PC, PS5, Stadia, XB1, XBX

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the latest entry in the series, this time letting players step into the shoes of Eivor — a Viking warrior out on a quest for revenge. The journey quickly becomes more complex than intended, and you'll set out on a globe-trotting adventure that sees you traveling across England and Norway as you explore historical re-imaginings of famous locales such as London, Winchester, and York. Whether you're slinking across rooftops, raiding castles, or sailing the seas, Valhalla offers unparalleled freedom to explore its handcrafted world. It doesn't do much to change up the established Assassin's Creed formula, but it's an entertaining romp, nonetheless.

"Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a triumph for Ubisoft, and one of the best games I've played all year. After almost 70 hours in Viking-era England, I still have more to explore and uncover." — MMORPG.com

The Elder Scrolls Online (PS4)

Metascore: 74
Best for: Fans of MMORPGs
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Also available on: PC, XB1

The Elder Scrolls Online didn't get off to a great start. Littered with bugs, built with a strange learning curve, and requiring a hefty $15 monthly fee, the game had a hard time winner over fans of the long-running series. In the following years, however, The Elder Scrolls Online has seen sweeping changes and is now one of the most popular MMORPGs around. You're free to create a character, roam a world larger than Skyrim, and partake in any number of activities. Most fans gravitate towards its competitive multiplayer or cooperative dungeon diving, although you can just as easily hunker down for a day of crafting or fishing on the coast.

"A remarkable MMORPG that keeps the essence of the original series." — 3DJuegos

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning (PS4)

Metascore: 72
Best for: Fans of fast-paced combat
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Also available on: PC, Switch, XB1

The original Kingdoms of Amalur launched in 2012, but it was resurrected for a new console generation in 2020. Created by R.A Salvatore, Todd McFarlane, and a designer from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Ken Rolston), Amalur is a unique mash-up of action-combat and open-world designs. Its fights move at a much faster pace than most games in the genre, and you'll be tasked with putting together combination attacks and cutting down hordes of enemies. It's a bit rough around the edges, but there's a lot of fun to be had in the striking world of Amalur.

"One of the best RPGs of the previous console generation, Kingdoms of Amalur, is back and as good as ever." — PlayStation Country