The Elder Scrolls series has a special kind of magic—the kind that pulls us back, game after game, to wander mountains, solve prophecies, and “Fus Ro Dah” bandits off cliffs. It’s hard to overstate just how much these games have changed what we expect from RPGs. Looking at Skyrim alone, over 60 million copies sold means you’ve probably met more Dragonborns in the wild than people who haven’t heard “You’re finally awake…” The Elder Scrolls isn’t just a franchise; it’s a rite of passage for anyone who’s loved getting lost in a fantasy world, and a journey through the best Elder Scrolls games is a must for any RPG enthusiasts.
- It is known for deep lore, vast exploration, and player freedom.
Best Elder Scrolls Games: The Ultimate Series Ranking
Ranking the best Elder Scrolls games is a debate every fan seems to carry in their adventurer’s backpack. We’ve poured hundreds of hours into these worlds—sometimes binging quests for days on end, other times just climbing an impossible peak to watch the sunset over Tamriel. Whether you’re here for nostalgia or you’re about to enter this universe for the first time, let’s explore which Elder Scrolls titles truly stand above the rest.
Criteria for Ranking the Best Elder Scrolls Games
Before we dive into our picks for the top Elder Scrolls games, it’s only fair to share how these judgments are forged at the fires of the RPG gods. Here’s the shortlist we considered:
– Gameplay depth and mechanics: Does the combat feel good? Is there freedom in how you approach the world?
– Storyline and lore richness: Can you lose hours diving into books, legends, and conspiracies?
– World-building: Think lively cities, sprawling wilderness, and quirky NPCs.
– Cultural impact and fan reception: What’s the buzz? Are there memes, mods, or midnight releases packed with fans?
– Modding and community support: Some games never really “end,” thanks to devoted fans.
- The games feature rich worlds filled with NPCs, quests, and factions.
Remember, ranking the Elder Scrolls series is subjective! What makes one game the best Elder Scrolls game for us might just be another’s first trip through Tamriel. Be sure to let us know your own rating at the end.
The Best Elder Scrolls Games (Ranked or Highlighted)
We’re going on a little adventure together through the best Elder Scrolls games. Each one on this list has given us a unique story worth sharing.
1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
We probably all saw this coming. Skyrim is the Elder Scrolls game you can’t escape—re-released on almost every platform (even Alexa, remember?), always ready to welcome you back to its frosty peaks. It’s a world where you can ignore the main quest for days just to collect sweet rolls or become a werewolf. The thrill comes from personal stories: the first dragon battle in Whiterun, stumbling into Blackreach, or shouting goats off cliffs with Dragonborn power.
- Players take on the role of the Dragonborn, a hero destined to defeat the world-eating dragon Alduin.
- Its dynamic combat includes melee, magic, archery, and powerful dragon shouts.
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is truly one of the best open-world RPGs ever made.
What sets Skyrim apart is how alive its world feels. The open-ended quests, the sprawling modding community (seriously, there are mods for everything), and gameplay advances like Dragon Shouts and dual-wielding—this all makes it stand tall in any Elder Scrolls series ranking. Not to mention, Skyrim memes alone may outlive the actual dragons.
2. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)
Oblivion was my first step out of Seyda Neen’s marshes and into a lush, living world. For many, it’s the top Elder Scrolls game because it blends deep, branching questlines with technological leaps that wowed us back in 2006. Cyrodiil was bright, vibrant, and full of secrets.
- The game follows the hero’s quest to stop a demonic invasion from the Oblivion realm.
- Oblivion featured voice-acted dialogue for all characters, a major leap for its time.
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is truly a great predecessor to Skyrim.
If you’ve ever heard someone rave about the Dark Brotherhood quests, you know the level of narrative genius tucked inside Oblivion. The game also introduced a new Radiant AI system, which meant even NPCs had lives of their own. Around every corner was another reason to get sidetracked—a tradition that has persisted with every new Elder Scrolls title, further entiching the experience of the best Elder Scrolls games.
3. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)
For many purists, Morrowind is the best Elder Scrolls RPG. It doesn’t hold your hand, and maybe that’s why the world feels so rewarding. The first time we stepped out of the Census Office and saw the mushroom towers of Vivec, we knew we weren’t in generic fantasyland anymore.
- It offers rich lore, complex politics, and a uniquely alien fantasy setting.
- The game emphasizes freedom, letting you explore, steal, or join powerful factions.
- Morrowind’s powerful modding community has kept it alive for decades with visual upgrades and new content.
Morrowind is both mystical and gritty, building a lore-heavy tapestry few games have managed to replicate since. Sure, its systems can be a little tough for newcomers, but the atmospheric music, deep alchemy, and sheer weirdness of Vvardenfell make it a fan favorite in almost any Elder Scrolls game comparison.
4. The Elder Scrolls Online (2014)
Opening Tamriel’s gates to massive multiplayer adventure was a bold move, but Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) has become a core part of the franchise’s modern era. We’ve watched friends gather for dungeon crawls or epic PvP in Cyrodiil—ESO might not replace the single-player classics, but its expansion packs (like Blackwood or Summerset) let us explore corners of the continent we’ve always wanted to visit.
- It allows players to explore iconic regions like Morrowind, Skyrim, and Summerset with others.
- The game offers flexible class systems and deep character customization.
- Players can join guilds, craft gear, buy homes, and even become vampires or werewolves.
The real-time updates, player housing, and thriving online community help keep the Elder Scrolls spirit alive while we await TES VI. It’s also the best Elder Scrolls game ranked as an MMO, hands down.
5. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (1996)
Let’s go old school for a moment. Daggerfall’s map is so huge, it’s still legendary—a world so big, modern games pale in comparison, a testament to its ambition among the best Elder Scrolls games. Not many of us have truly finished Daggerfall, but almost everyone who has played it carries at least one wild story from Tamriel’s pixelated past.
- It features one of the largest game worlds ever, with over 15,000 locations.
- Players can join factions, own property, and even become a vampire or werewolf.
- Its main quest involves unraveling the mystery behind a dead king’s ghost and a powerful golem.
Daggerfall’s ambitious mechanics—randomly generated dungeons, a staggering number of quests, and a sprawling main story—showed the world what an open-world RPG could be. Even with its quirks, it cemented the Elder Scrolls’ place in history.
6. The Elder Scrolls: Arena (1994)
Without Arena, there would be no Skyrim or memes about mudcrabs. The very first Elder Scrolls game was a wild experiment, a sprawling dungeon crawl set within the bones of a continent soon to become legend. It’s the place where so many Elder Scrolls features began: radiant quests, spellcrafting, and massive landscapes.
- Originally planned as a gladiator-style game, it evolved into a full, open-world RPG.
- The main quest involves recovering the Staff of Chaos to defeat the evil sorcerer Jagar Tharn.
- It featured real-time combat, spellcasting, and a vast variety of enemies and quests.
Although it can feel dated today, Arena is like the first key pressed on the melody that still plays today, and that earnest ambition is why it deserves a spot among the top Elder Scrolls games.
Honorable Mentions: Redguard & Battlespire
While we’re here, let’s not forget the side-adventures. Redguard and Battlespire may not make many “best of” lists, but they contributed to the expanding lore and universe we love. Redguard, as a swashbuckling adventure, tried something different; Battlespire, on the other hand, focused on dungeon-diving and tighter combat. Each one added a brushstroke to the Elder Scrolls mural, even if they aren’t always considered among the best Elder Scrolls games.
What Makes an Elder Scrolls Game “The Best”?
Many things come together: maybe for you, it’s the deep modding scene in Skyrim, or perhaps it’s the janky charm and hidden lore in Morrowind. Some of us can’t get enough of Oblivion’s quests, while others still get lost in Daggerfall’s sprawling map.
There’s no “right” answer, which is part of the series’ magic. We’d wager nostalgia and the time you played influence every Elder Scrolls game comparison. For some, the perfect Elder Scrolls moment is simply watching the sun rise from a mountaintop after a night spent chasing Daedric secrets.
- The Elder Scrolls VI is currently in development, eagerly awaited by fans around the world.
Future of Elder Scrolls: What Fans Can Hope For
Excitement is building for The Elder Scrolls VI, even though we haven’t seen much more than a teaser. With the leaps in technology since Skyrim, we can only imagine what’s coming: maybe entire continents to explore, enriched AI, or new combat mechanics nobody sees coming. Will it become the top Elder Scrolls game? Only time will tell.
Bethesda is tight-lipped, but if the past is any indication, the future holds more than just dragons and dungeons—it holds stories we’ll tell each other for decades.
Final Words: The Eternal Legacy of Elder Scrolls Games
Each game in the Elder Scrolls series is a portal—not just to Tamriel, but to a chapter in our own gaming lives. These worlds have grown with us, letting us play the hero, the villain, or the humble alchemist blending potions by moonlight. Any discussion of the best Elder Scrolls games is a celebration of adventure, freedom, and imagination. We invite you to share your own Elder Scrolls stories and personal rankings below. Dust off your copy of Oblivion, take a trip back to Vvardenfell, or finally give Arena a try—after all, Tamriel will always have space for one more adventurer. Ready to set out on your next adventure? May your road lead you to warm sands, traveler.
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FAQs
1. Are Elder Scrolls games good for newcomers to RPGs?
Absolutely! Skyrim and Oblivion are especially beginner-friendly thanks to their intuitive controls and helpful quest markers, while Morrowind is perfect for those who want a challenge.
2. Can I play Elder Scrolls games on modern hardware?
Yes. Most titles, including Skyrim Special Edition, Oblivion, and Morrowind, are available on PC and selected consoles. Bethesda frequently updates its games for newer platforms.
3. Do Elder Scrolls games require online play?
Only The Elder Scrolls Online is an MMORPG. The rest of the series offers a purely single-player experience, though modding communities add new layers of fun.
4. Which Elder Scrolls game has the largest world map?
That honor goes to Daggerfall, with a map so vast it’s famous for being one of the largest in gaming history—even today!
