5 Best RPGs That Aren't Skyrim

Among the best fantasy games of all time is "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim," an open-world action RPG developed and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game has players completely customize their character as they explore the titular medieval fantasy realm as it's torn apart by a civil war and fiery dragons. Gamers can then develop their skills and abilities while embarking on side quests and joining various guilds as they progress. With a breathtaking scope and level of freedom afforded to players, "Skyrim" also stands as one of the best open-world games ever made.

There are plenty of RPG experiences with their own memorable narratives and environments to explore, while offering players their own customization options. These titles each offer their own rewarding sense of progress and epic quests guiding players into their immersive worlds. With this list specifically, we're focusing on other action RPGs like "Skyrim," as opposed to turn-based RPG titles. With that in mind, here are the five best RPGs that aren't "Skyrim" to check out next.

Though this seems like an obvious inclusion, "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" did receive a remaster for modern platforms recently, priming it for a revisit. The original 2006 game takes place over 200 years before "Skyrim" on the entire "Elder Scrolls" timeline, albeit featuring its own standalone story — one whose climax sets the events of the later game in motion. The races and guilds are similar to the game's eventual sequel, though its environment isn't afflicted by dragons but hellish Oblivion Gates. Players must venture into these gates to seal them, preventing them from allowing monsters to invade the realm.

If you're looking for an action RPG with similar gameplay, scope, and aesthetics to "Skyrim," it doesn't get much closer than "Oblivion." The game's environment is more varied and less mountainous than that of "Skyrim," offering its own distinct environments to explore as compared to its sequel. The Oblivion Gate concept similarly adds some strong variance to the story and experience, as well as a healthy challenge for players to enjoy. Another strong title in the "Elder Scrolls" series, "Oblivion" is a tremendous amount of fun and a must-play for "Skyrim" fans.

When the "Dragon Age" series began with "Dragon Age: Origins" in 2009, it had much more pronounced RPG gameplay mechanics than its successors. 2011's "Dragon Age II" veered more into outright action while its 2014 sequel "Dragon Age: Inquisition" reintegrated several RPG elements into its experience. The game has the player control an Inquisitor out to repair tears in the Veil, an extradimensional barrier protecting the world from monsters from another realm. This pits them against several rival factions, as well as an ancient mage plotting a wider invasion of the kingdom.

More of a bonafide action RPG than its predecessors, "Dragon Age: Inquisition" is arguably the series' most underrated title. The balance in action and RPG gameplay brings the title closer to the franchise's roots while the story feels much more epic in comparison to "Dragon Age II." With this increased scope, players can explore several wide linear environments, each with their own set of side quests affecting the wider story. A return to form for the series overall, "Dragon Age: Inquisition" is enjoyably accessible to both franchise newcomers and returning players alike.

CD Projekt's "The Witcher" games have consistently provided an entertaining take on the fantasy world created by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. That said, 2015's "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" takes things to the next level, both in terms of gameplay and sheer scope. The game's story has wandering monster hunter Geralt of Rivia and his lover Yennefer of Vengerberg search for their long-lost adopted daughter Ciri. With Ciri being hunted for her magical potential, Geralt sets himself on an epic quest across the realm to keep her safe in the midst of a devastating conflict.

A vital chapter in the wider "Witcher" games' story, "Wild Hunt" provides players with an open-world environment full of memorable characters and quests intended to keep them coming back for more. Players are given a number of pivotal choices affecting how the narrative unfolds, encouraging a higher level of replayability in order to experience its full scope. The game has since received several DLC expansions, with another planned for 2027, each with their own rewarding continuation of the story. The high point of the "Witcher" series to date, "Wild Hunt" is a stellar fantasy game that's in a league of its own.

While it may not be what gamers first associate with them, the soulsborne video game genre, or the "soulslike" as it's also known, primarily consist of action RPGs. The best of the bunch, at least when it comes to titles comparable to "Skyrim," is "Elden Ring." This 2022 game has players control a customized hero, known simply as the Tarnished, who sets out to reform a mythical relic known as the Elden Ring. This places them against fearsome monsters corrupted by shards of the Elden Ring lurking in different regions of the vast open-world map.

"Elden Ring" is arguably the most accessible soulslike game and certainly one of the most epic of its genre. The game's open-world scope presents players with a more expansive experience than prior FromSoftware titles as they venture into regions filled with formidable adversaries laying in wait for them. This is only increased by the game's ambitious DLC expansion "Shadow of the Erdtree," which provides players with another vast open-world map to explore. The best soulslike game to date and a challenging action RPG in its own right, "Elden Ring" has earned its widespread hype.

Though the "Final Fantasy" series had moved away from turn-based RPG gameplay for a while, "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth" is among the best mainline "Final Fantasy" games ever. The 2024 game is the second installment in the "Final Fantasy VII" remake trilogy, picking up where its preceding title from 2020 left off. Cloud Strife and his companions move to stop the villainous Sephiroth from devastating the planet while learning about divergent timelines linked to their adventure. More than just exploring Midgar and its surrounding areas, the game offers players an open-world experience as they proceed with their quest.

Early previews of "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth" declared the game to be a truly special reimagining of the familiar story. This includes a sweeping scope as players explore several immersive environments, including a vast grassland area, each with distinct monsters, side quests, and activities. Beyond this, the combat mechanics have been extensively refined. The level of difficulty has similarly been upped considerably. A bold reinvention of its source material, largely for the better, "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth" and its freshened take on the action RPG rethinks what a "Final Fantasy" experience can be.