Home News Top Bethesda RPGs Ranked: A Gamer's Guide

Top Bethesda RPGs Ranked: A Gamer's Guide

Author : Aaliyah May 18,2025

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

PC

Rate this game

Related Guides

Overview

Walkthrough

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

Xbox Series X|SPC

Rate this game

Related Guides

Overview

Walkthrough

Side Missions Walkthroughs in Starfield

Starfield Console Commands and Cheats List

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

PC

Rate this game

Related Guides

Overview

Daggerfall Tips/Information

PC Cheats

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

PlayStation 4PCXbox One

Rate this game

Related Guides

Overview

Things to Do First

Things Fallout 76 Doesn't Tell You

Tips and Tricks

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

PlayStation 5Xbox Series X|SPCPlayStation 4Xbox One

Rate this game

Related Guides

Overview

Walkthrough and Quest Guide

Cheats and Secrets

Bobblehead Locations

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

Xbox 360PCPlayStation 3

Rate this game

Related Guides

Overview

Basics

Main Quest

Side Quests

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

Xbox Series X|SPlayStation 5PC

Rate this game

Related Guides

Overview

Character Building Guide

Things to Do First in Oblivion

Things Oblivion Doesn't Tell You

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

PlayStation 5Xbox Series X|SNintendo SwitchXbox One

+4

Rate this game

Related Guides

Overview

Main Quests

Side Quests

Locations

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

Xbox 360PCPlayStation 3

Rate this game

Related Guides

Overview

Walkthrough: Main Quest

Walkthrough: Side Quests

Things to Do First in Fallout New Vegas

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

PCXbox

Rate this game

Related Guides

Overview

Introduction

Races

Classes

Latest Articles More
  • "Haikyu!! Fly High: New Volleyball Sim Launches Based on Iconic Anime"

    *Haikyu!! Fly High* is an exciting new mobile game inspired by the globally beloved anime series *Haikyu!!*, and it’s now open for worldwide pre-registration. Developed and published under Garena’s global banner, this upcoming title promises to bring the spirit of competitive volleyball to your fing

    Jul 01,2025
  • Mario Kart World Preorder Now Open for Switch 2

    Mario Kart World is a highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive title set to launch alongside the new console on June 5. As an open-world racing experience, this game brings together iconic characters, customizable vehicles, and expansive regions from the Mushroom Kingdom for players to explore

    Jul 01,2025
  • Hades 2 Release Date: Developer Insights

    The critically acclaimed dungeon crawler *Hades*, developed by Supergiant Games, is on the verge of receiving a highly anticipated sequel. With *Hades II* entering early access in 2024, fans are eager to know when the full version will arrive and what details the developers have shared regarding its

    Jul 01,2025
  • The Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5080 Gaming PC Is Now Available for $2,399

    Starting today, Dell is offering a powerful Alienware Aurora R16 gaming PC featuring the brand-new GeForce RTX 5080 GPU for just $2,399.99 with free shipping. This is one of the most competitive prices currently available for a prebuilt system equipped with the RTX 5080, especially considering that

    Jun 30,2025
  • Elite Challenges Return in Conflict of Nations: World War 3

    Conflict of Nations: WW3 is bringing back one of the most anticipated and beloved features in its latest update — Elite Challenges. This fan-favourite mode returns with a fresh twist, promising balanced, skill-focused gameplay that rewards strategy over spending.Elite Challenges are high-stakes, cla

    Jun 29,2025
  • Pokémon Go's First Stamp Rally in Paris This September

    Big news is hitting the *Pokémon GO* universe as the first-ever Go Stamp Rally outside of Japan heads to Europe this September! This exciting event will take place in Paris, offering trainers a unique opportunity to collect stamps and immerse themselves in a special blend of physical and digital exp

    Jun 29,2025