Most people love both, but Bethesda fans are prone to arguing ruthlessly over whether Elder Scrolls or Fallout is better. The fans tend to lean towards Skyrim, which really grabbed the masses and skyrocketed the franchise to unprecedented mainstream success. As is par for the course with the Internet, this debate has manifested itself in countless memes debating the merits of both franchises, the funniest ten of which are highlighted below.
At the end of the day, both series are truly great, even if they have had their shares of ups and downs. To its credit, Elder Scrolls' worst days are behind it, while Fallout has angered fans in recent years with the disastrous Fallout 76.
10 Adjustment Period
The two series share several mechanics, but the aesthetics couldn't be more different. One is a fantasy setting taking inspiration from European locations while the other is a post-apocalyptic adventure through the United States after it was destroyed by the fires of nuclear war.
If one jumps between the two, a certain amount of time is required to acclimate to the different environments and weapons. This could work out to one's advantage. The last thing a dragon expects is a wasteland wanderer in power armor charging at it with a machine gun. Adversely, feral ghouls and raiders have no defense against magic spells.
9 Popularity Contest
Fallout 76 launched to dreadful reviews. Fan reception wasn't much better, either. The signs of its troubles were there from the beginning, however. A multiplayer experience without NPCs wasn't exactly what people wanted from the series. Elder Scrolls VI, on the other hand, already has fans' interests piqued with its teaser barely revealing anything.
The viewer difference in their trailers is a perfect meter to gauge fan interest. To be fair, no one knows how the sixth game in the epic fantasy series will live up to its predecessor until it comes out several years from now.
8 Recycled Beasts
Rarely does a whole game ruin a franchise, but the Fallout brand was put into deep mud with Fallout 76. Not only did it have problems functioning at launch, but its final boss was a monster from a prior Elder Scrolls. Did they think fans would be content seeing an enemy from a beloved title? Players decried this move as laziness.
It's not like they hid it very well either. Observant players were quick to point out this ruse. Hopefully, no mirelurks or super mutants show up in the next Elder Scrolls game. Sadly, this was just one of the many controversies surrounding the maligned online multiplayer title.
7 BUY SKYRIM
It is great to see Skyrim on so many consoles, but when does it become too much? At a point one wants them to stop porting the game and get to work on the next Elder Scrolls. It is old enough so most laptops and PCs can run it without issue. Having it on the Switch is a particular treat, however, just be sure to take a good look at your mom and dad if you get it as a gift on Christmas or whatever holiday one might be celebrating during the season.
If they bear a striking resemblance to Todd Howard, it's not a coincidence. Think Invasion of the Body Snatchers, only this time the allegory is Bethesda forcing people to buy Skyrim many times over.
6 Which One Is More Egregious
This hilarious Star Wars meme relating Todd Howard to Anakin Skywalker brings up a solid question - which series has done the more egregious thing? Sure, Fallout 76 tarnished the franchise's good name, but at least it is pushing things forward.
Elder Scrolls has been re-releasing the same game for more than seven years. Granted, it is a masterpiece of an RPG, but fans are begging for something new. At least they have Elder Scrolls Online to keep them entertained until the proper sequel. Fallout fans have a lackluster multiplayer experience until the fifth numbered entry hits shelves.
5 Masters Of Unlocking
Lockpicking has never been a favorite pass time of gamers. Even when it is fun for the first time, the intense repetition dulls the enjoyment over time, turning what was once a fun activity into a chore. Which title has the better way of doing it, though?
Regardless of which one is superior, they both come together in unity when it comes time to storm Area 51 and help all the brave fanatics infiltrate the secret scientific research facility.
4 Shots Fired
One serious complaint lobbied at Fallout 4 was how little it did to differentiate itself from Fallout 3. This seems to be the case on the surface upon first impressions, but deeper analysis and hands on experience tells a different story. The visuals are more colorful than the prior entry's varied shades of green. Additionally, the 2015 game feels more like a dungeon crawler rather than a narrative-driven western RPG, doing even more to change things up from the Elder Scrolls series.
Whenever fans of Bethesda's fantasy series bring this up, just point out how at least an upgrade with a different map is better than constant re-releases for more than half a decade.
3 Who Would Win In A Fight?
This meme argues that the world of Skyrim breeds fiercer warriors than the Commonwealth or Capital Wasteland. They ought to think twice before making such a claim, however. While the post-apocalypse does get off a little easier with technology like guns and grenades, Skyrim at least has some friendly faces.
Almost everything in Fallout is out to kill the player. Additionally, Tamriel is a society with an infrastructure. Post-nuclear war United States is in ruins, and simple necessities such as water can be hard to find at times.
2 Ported Everywhere
How many players would drop their quests and play Skyrim if it was ported to their Pip-Boy in Fallout? This would be akin to abandoning the main quest in Judgment to waste all the character's time playing Virtua Fighter 5.
Granted, they are both fantastic games, but it is an insult to the title when one would rather play the game within than the title itself. People who worked on the Fallout game would surely take it personally, but it would be their fault for including Skyrim in the first place.
1 Which Is The Worse Offense?
Both worlds take crime as serious as a heart attack. The most minor indiscretions can lead to an entire community coming down on the player like they were Frankenstein's Monster. Which series' townspeople are more aggressive?
There is only one way to find out. Someone has to mod the population of each game into the other and let them duke it out. That way, they can take their aggression out on each other while the player is free to commit all manner of crime.