It’s rare that a developer becomes synonymous with a single genre, but Bethesda has its signature style so locked down that it’s a wonder we don’t just call the entire field of first-person open-world Western RPGs “Skyrimlikes” or “Oblivionvanias.” In the three decades since The Elder Scrolls: Arena debuted, Bethesda Game Studios has emerged as a juggernaut in the triple-A space, earning a rabid fanbase, massive sales, and a $7.5 billion acquisition by Microsoft, solely on the strength of its tried and true design principles.
Bethesda’s journey has been marked by both monumental successes and notable missteps. The recent release of The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Remaster has reignited discussions about the studio’s legacy, prompting us to reassess our rankings. With The Elder Scrolls VI still a distant promise, now is an ideal time to revisit Bethesda’s catalog. This list focuses solely on the studio’s signature RPGs, excluding spinoffs like Battlespire and Redguard, as well as mobile titles such as The Elder Scrolls Blades and Fallout Shelter, though the latter’s dark humor remains a personal favorite.
Let’s dive into the rankings, starting with the humble beginnings of the franchise:
9: The Elder Scrolls: Arena
The first entry in the series, Arena, isn’t last because it’s bad; it’s last because it was a pioneering effort by a studio that had primarily worked on sports and Terminator games. Initially, Arena was a mix of medieval gladiator battles and sidequests, but the developers soon shifted focus to a more immersive RPG experience. The result was a groundbreaking first-person RPG with complex systems and randomized loot, though it was hindered by clunky movement and frustrating combat mechanics. Despite its flaws, Arena laid the foundation for Bethesda’s future success, boldly setting the stage for an expansive saga.
The Elder Scrolls: Arena
Bethesda
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8: Starfield
With each new Bethesda Game Studios (BGS) release, there’s speculation about whether it will finally move beyond the aging “Gamebryo” engine. Starfield did not, despite the rebranding to “Creation Engine 2.0.” While the NASApunk setting was a refreshing change from the typical locales of Tamriel and the Wasteland, it didn’t fully leverage Bethesda’s strengths in crafting interconnected worlds. Instead, Starfield introduced 1,000 procedurally generated planets, which often felt repetitive and lacked the depth and charm of Bethesda’s handcrafted environments. Despite its ambitious scope, Starfield’s execution fell short of the high expectations set by its predecessors.
Starfield
Bethesda Game Studios
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7: The Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall
Daggerfall showcased Bethesda’s early prowess in procedural generation, creating a world of staggering size—80,000 square miles, comparable to Great Britain. Despite its vastness, the game was filled with 15,000 points of interest, including dungeons and towns, spread across nine climates and 44 political regions. While the combat and navigation were still rudimentary, Daggerfall introduced the series’ signature skill-based progression system and offered deep immersion through guild memberships and criminal activities. It was an ambitious leap forward, even if its execution was sometimes overshadowed by its scale.
The Elder Scrolls: Chapter II -- Daggerfall
Bethesda
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6: Fallout 76
Fallout 76’s inclusion on this list may raise eyebrows, given its initial launch as a live-service, multiplayer looter-shooter rather than a traditional RPG. Its early days were marred by numerous issues, from the lack of NPCs to controversial monetization practices. However, subsequent updates, particularly the Wastelanders expansion, added voiced characters and improved the overall experience, transforming it into a more robust RPG. While it may not reach the heights of other Bethesda titles, Fallout 76 has carved out its own niche, especially following the success of the Fallout TV series.
Fallout 76
Bethesda Game Studios
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5: Fallout 4
Fallout 4 stands as the most commercially successful game in the series, selling over 25 million copies. Its streamlined gameplay and quality-of-life improvements made it more accessible, but at the cost of depth and complexity. The game excelled in its polished presentation and engaging combat mechanics, introducing a settlement-building system that added a new layer of interactivity. However, its narrative and dialogue system were criticized for lacking the richness of earlier Fallout titles. Despite these shortcomings, Fallout 4 remains a testament to Bethesda’s ability to craft engaging worlds and experiences.
Fallout 4
Bethesda Game Studios
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4: Fallout 3
When Bethesda acquired the Fallout franchise in 2004, the announcement sent shockwaves through the gaming community. The resulting game, Fallout 3, was a bold reimagining of the series in a first-person, open-world format. It introduced the iconic V.A.T.S. system, which brilliantly adapted the series’ turn-based combat into a dynamic, time-paused mechanic. While the Capital Wasteland was filled with memorable locations, the game struggled with repetitive encounters and a divisive ending. Despite these flaws, Fallout 3 marked a significant evolution in Bethesda’s approach to RPGs, blending their environmental storytelling with Fallout’s anarchic spirit.
Fallout 3
Bethesda Game Studios
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3: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Oblivion is often considered the blueprint for modern Bethesda games, setting the stage for everything from Fallout to Starfield. It introduced many of the elements that would become hallmarks of Bethesda’s style, from the iconic zoom-in conversation mechanic to the dominance of stealth archery. The main storyline, featuring a Daedric invasion and a Sean Bean-voiced protagonist, was cinematic and engaging, but it was the sidequests that truly shone, offering deep and varied experiences. The Oblivion Remaster modernizes the game with improved graphics and a more forgiving progression system, yet retains its unique charm and quirks.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Bethesda Game Studios
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2: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim streamlined many of the Elder Scrolls’ core elements, making it more accessible but less deep than its predecessors. The game’s improvements to moment-to-moment gameplay, including dual wielding and shouts, made it a joy to play. Skyrim’s world, with its varied landscapes and intricate geography, felt more cohesive and immersive than ever before. Its success transformed the Elder Scrolls from a niche RPG series into a mainstream phenomenon, striking a balance between accessibility and depth that resonated with a wide audience.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Bethesda Game Studios
+4
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Honorable Mention: Fallout: New Vegas
While not developed by Bethesda, Fallout: New Vegas deserves recognition for its masterful blend of old-school Fallout sensibilities with Bethesda’s open-world design. It’s a testament to the potential of the franchise and remains a beloved entry for many fans.
Fallout: New Vegas
Obsidian Entertainment
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1: The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Morrowind may not be the most polished or accessible game, but it embodies the essence of pure freedom that defines the Elder Scrolls series. Its lack of quest markers and reliance on a dense journal encouraged exploration and immersion. The spellmaking system allowed for creative and powerful combinations, and the game’s dialogue was rich and extensive. Vvardenfell’s unique, otherworldly setting set it apart from traditional fantasy RPGs, offering an experience that was both challenging and rewarding. While subsequent games streamlined many of these elements, Morrowind remains a beloved classic for its uncompromised vision and depth.
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Bethesda
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