Since arriving on the gaming scene all the way back in the late '80s, Bethesda has gradually crafted a solid reputation for its open-world gaming, with series such as The Elder Scrolls and Fallout becoming blockbuster phenomenons. Among their long lists of games are some that have managed to transcend the limitations of time, proving to still be remarkable efforts many years past their initial release.
Bethesda's commitment to world-building have garnered them considerable acclaim over the years, with their expansive settings often boasting immersive environments and fantastical landscapes. Better still, the story-telling in their games has frequently proven to be rich in lore and background, with colorful characters and tough player choices to make. The result of such hard work is that many of their games boast plenty of replay value, and impressive, engrossing narratives that keep players coming back to them for many years after the fact. Some of their efforts have even managed to sidestep the dreaded dated stamp, remaining timeless classics across multiple gaming generations.
6 Dishonored
This 2012 thriller impressed players at the time with its unique blend of action, stealth, and multi-layered storytelling. The story focuses on Corvo Attano, a bodyguard framed for the murder of the Empress he was protecting. Now on the run and operating as a deadly assassin, Attano must uncover the grim truth behind his framing. Set in an unconventional world that blends the Industrial Age, a grim plague, and a hint of the supernatural, Dishonored is a fascinating, often suspenseful gaming experience.
Emphasizing the importance of player control and decision-making, it manages to blend the thrills of stealth games such as the aptly-named Thief with the decision-heavy, more interactive vibes of Bethesda's work in RPGs such as The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series. While the polarizing closing stretch of the main narrative isn't for everyone, the general immersion, stealth mechanics, eye-catching design, and fast pace make this as fun to play now as it was at the time of its release.
5 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind Revitalized The Series
This seminal 2002 release saw Bethesda transition fully to a 3D, open-world RPG. The result was a fascinating journey through Vvardenfell, a mysterious island in Morrowind, that boasted intricate lore and excitingly diverse character customization options and progression.
The level of detail put into the setting, including a strong, emphasis on dungeon-crawling compared to earlier releases in the series, was nothing short of mind-blowing for players at the time. The atmospheric world on offer feels alive thanks to its unique range for flora and fauna, as well as its diverse range of complex civilizations and cultures. The main story remains an immersive treat, throwing players right into the heart of a deep conspiracy involves missing persons, prophecies, and Dwemer gods. With a variety of side quests and colorful supporting characters as well, Morrowind paved the way for later Elder Scrolls releases and remains one of the finest narratives and gaming experiences in the fantasy genre over two decades later.
4 Doom
The powerhouse Doom Slayer made his way to the eight generation of console gaming with Bethesda's 2016 Doom reboot. Capturing the action-focused, no nonsense spirit of the original, Doom is a rapid-fire paced spectacle for FPS fans to enjoy.
The rollicking soundtrack, crisp graphics, and all-action style make this a relatively simplistic, but incredibly fun thriller highlighting the superhuman space marine's war with the forces of Hell on Mars. Restoring the spirit of the original '90s games after Doom 3's controversial move into survival horror, The demonic entities on hand are suitably grim, lending a scary atmosphere to the action as players brutally shoot and kill their way through a seemingly endless array of monstrous hordes. With exceptional level design and plentiful modifiable gameplay, Doom remains an on-point first-person shooter and a satisfying overall gaming experience.
3 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
First released back in 2006, Oblivion saw Bethesda unleash hell on the world of Tamriel when a series of portals to the titular plain are opened. Following the assassination of the Emperor, creatures from Oblivion are able to invade the capitol, Cyrodiil, due to a seemingly broken agreement regarding a lack of an heir to the throne.
Boasting impressive visuals, a huge array of exciting quests and storylines, and an enormous cast of colorful, memorable characters, Oblivion remains a key entry in the fantasy RPG scene. Like so many exploration-focused fantasy games, there's plenty of engrossing dungeon-crawling to be done here as well, adding another layer to the already impressively expansive surface world on offer. With a wild third act, and great voice acting from established stars such as Sean Bean and Terence Stamp, Oblivion's twist and turn-filled lead storyline makes this an addictive piece of open-world fun. Of the DLCs, the Sheogorath-focused The Shimmering Isles adds even more depth, including a whole new map to explore, and a dark-yet-funny storyline that serves as a nice counter to the grand-scale drama of the main game.
2 Fallout 3
Bethesda's first entry into the retro post-apocalyptic thrills of the Fallout series saw a departure from the West Coast seen in earlier games. Throwing players into a dramatic series of events surrounding Vault 101, the action unfolds at a quick pace, with the Enclave, super mutant behemoths, and a potentially devastating virus all making appearances.
Combining gritty, harsh badlands fare with darkly comedic, zany sci-fi, Fallout 3 immerses players in the Capitol Wasteland, providing all manner of wild side quests along the way. As is customary with the Fallout universe, there are plenty of tough moral choices and engaging storylines to engage in, including five DLCs that succeeded admirably in continuing to expand the lore of the wild world on offer. Sporting everything from aliens to an AI President, Fallout 3 is a fun RPG that celebrates exploration. Its voice acting, character development and epic climactic stretch all lend to why it's just as fun now as it was at the time of its October 2008 release.
1 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Bethesda's 2012 journey to the icy north of Tamriel quickly established itself as a watershed moment in fantasy and open-world gaming. Boasting rich lore, compelling side quests, and an enormous array of exciting locations to explore, the adventures of the Dragonborn are a wild ride for players throughout the game's epic-sized playing time.
Improving considerably on Oblivion's combat mechanics, Skyrim maintains its predecessors' epic storytelling, this time focusing on the return of dragons to Tamriel. Along with the thrilling main plot, Skyrim boasts exceptional story telling in the add-ons Dawnguard and Dragonborn as well as in the much-loved, bloodthirsty Dark Brotherhood plot line. With plenty of character customization for RPG lovers to enjoy, the addictive high fantasy masterpiece continues to enjoy eccentric new content thanks to its sizable modding community. With lush landscapes and castles to marvel at, Skyrim still looks great over a decade later, and still packs a thrilling, fantastical punch for gamers.