The combination of an open-world and role-playing into a single game is eye-opening. Role-playing games are some of the most prominent names in the industry, and in an open-world setting, players can traverse landscapes, fulfilling quests from various NPCs. Freedom of choice has proven to be one of the most desirable aspects of a video game. Role-playing games offer that and more.
In the open-world role-playing game genre, there are few games as recognizable as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The adventure kicks off in a heated battle with a dragon (no pun intended). Putting Skyrim aside, there are plenty of games under the same category that offers confounding experiences. These are the 10 best open-world RPGs that aren't Skyrim.
10 The Elder Scrolls Online
Chances are, you're like many people who've beaten Skyrim and played the extras. The Elder Scrolls VI couldn't come soon enough. We received an announcement trailer at E3 2018, but since then, there hasn't been much news other than Bethesda telling us it will be a while before it releases.
In the meantime, The Elder Scrolls Online is an open-world MMORPG that will keep you busy for hours on end. Unlike other MMORPGs, The Elder Scrolls Online has realistic combat that isn't turn-based. The result is fluid gameplay, which is why we recommend The Elder Scrolls Online.
9 Fallout: New Vegas
Before Fallout 4 released, Fallout: New Vegas was considered the best Fallout game available. To many, that never changed as Fallout: New Vegas has one of the most intriguing stories in the series. Without trying to spoil anything for those who haven't played it yet, the way the story starts off is amazing. Playing as a Mojave Express courier proves to be an unbelievable experience.
Rival sordid factions play a significant role in the game. We won't easily forget some of the game's memorable NPCs like Veronica Santangelo and the nightkin Lily Bowen.
8 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Bethesda Game Studios is one of the best developers around when it comes to making immersive open-world role-playing games. Possibly their best example is The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. While games like Skyrim have a bigger landscape, Morrowind is quaint.
It has all the elements of an excellent role-playing game, and the quest variety is spectacular. It could be the most immersive The Elder Scrolls game of the series. The storytelling is a masterclass, and with the addition of mods, you can forge your path in the game.
7 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Some would say that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is not a role-playing game, but the degree to which it incorporates role-playing elements makes it partially a role-playing game. Fans are calling it like Skyrim because of its open-world exploration and mountainous regions.
According to nintendotoday.com, "Breath of the Wild took four years to develop and employed 300 developers at Nintendo." As one of the best (if not the best) games on the Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be called an open-world role-playing game that isn't The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
6 Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Open-world exploration has become more than we could hope for with the Assassin's Creed franchise. Worlds are considerably more massive, and the graphics are jaw-droppingly beautiful. This latest installment could be the best in the series. Assassin's Creed Odyssey is set in a vibrant and expansive world filled with plenty of content.
In some ways, it's like Skyrim because of its mountainous slopes and role-playing elements. Rather than being drawn out, Ubisoft has proven that Assassin's Creed is still a good franchise.
5 Middle-earth: Shadow of War
The second entry in the Middle-earth game series is filled with more action than the first and relies more on RPG elements. In the first game, stealth was a huge part of the game. In Middle-earth: Shadow of War, however, player customization plays a larger part.
This scenic open-world game is unlike The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, but it does have an open-world set in the hilly region of Middle-earth. Swords and enemies with supernatural powers are present in both games. This Lord of the Rings video game is one of the finest examples of an open-world role-playing game done right.
4 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
It would be near-impossible to leave The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt out of this list. It won numerous game of the year awards and is one of the most impactful role-playing games of all time. The sheer amount of content will keep players busy for hours on end.
Playing as Geralt of Rivia, players are tasked with locating Geralt's missing adopted daughter. The game has a substantial learning curve, but if you manage to get through it, you'll find yourself in the middle of a riveting open-world role-playing game.
3 Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Inquisition may have better graphics and a more refined combat system, yet the story of Dragon Age: Origins is better overall. Dragon Age: Origins. It's one of those games you can play for countless hours without batting an eye.BioWare is one of the most talented development companies when it comes to making role-playing games.
Dragon Age: Origins is unlike Skyrim, but it does have a few similarities. As a game that is available on both console and PC, it's a game you have to experience.
2 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
We've heard time and time again how excellent The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is, but we have barely talked about its predecessor, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. When The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings released, it was exclusive to Xbox 360 and PC. It didn't have a wide release like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Still, the game is fantastic, and the combat system is very polished. It has less of an open-world than The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but it's every bit as enthralling.
1 Fallout 4
The way the game begins sets the tone for the rest of the game. Fallout4 is set in a barren wasteland in the year 2287. The role-playing elements of Fallout 4 leave the way for a ton of player customization.
Through a device called the Pip-Boy, players can upgrade a wide variety of skills. Made by developer Bethesda Softworks, the same company behind Skyrim,Fallout 4's spacious open-world can be both terrifying and beautiful.