Best Bethesda RPGs Ranked for Gamers

Few developers become so synonymous with a gaming genre that their name could define it. Yet Bethesda has perfected its signature open-world RPG formula to such a degree that we might as well call similar games "Skyrimlikes." Over three decades since The Elder Scrolls: Arena first launched, Bethesda Game Studios has grown into an industry titan - its immersive worlds earning legions of devoted fans, record-breaking sales, and even a $7.5 billion acquisition by Microsoft.

The Complete Bethesda RPG Ranking

From groundbreaking triumphs to disappointing misses, Bethesda's catalog spans generations of RPG evolution. With the recent (yet unsurprising) announcement of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, we're reassessing our long-held rankings of the studio's defining works. Since The Elder Scrolls VI remains years away from launch, this evaluation should remain relevant for the foreseeable future.

Before we begin, some ground rules: This ranking focuses solely on Bethesda's core single-player RPGs. Spin-offs like Battlespire, Redguard, or mobile titles (Fallout Shelter notwithstanding) don't qualify for inclusion. We're evaluating the sprawling, immersive sandboxes that define the true "Bethesda Game" experience.

9. The Elder Scrolls: Arena

While innovative for its time, Bethesda's 1994 debut suffers from the studio's growing pains. Originally conceived as a gladiator combat simulator, it transformed mid-development into a first-person RPG featuring randomized dungeons and complex, often frustrating systems. The awkward dice-roll combat and labyrinthine quests reflect its transitional nature from sports/Terminator games to RPG masterpiece.

8. Starfield

Bethesda's ambitious space epic demonstrates both the studio's strengths and limitations. Despite sporting the new "Creation Engine 2" label, it retains decades-old technical constraints. The procedurally generated planets grow repetitive quickly, fundamentally clashing with Bethesda's talent for hand-crafted environmental storytelling. A $200 million lesson that bigger doesn't always mean better.

7. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

This 1997 sequel remains one of gaming's most impressive technical achievements, boasting an 80,000 square mile world larger than Great Britain. While rough around the edges, it established series staples like skill-based progression and introduced unprecedented freedom - buying property, joining guilds, and facing real consequences for criminal actions.

6. Fallout 76

From disastrous launch to respectable recovery, this online experiment proves Bethesda can adapt. While lacking the narrative depth of single-player Fallout titles, post-launch updates (particularly Wastelanders) added essential RPG elements. It earns points for persistence, though remains overshadowed by superior MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online.

5. Fallout 4

The series' most commercially successful entry streamlined mechanics at the cost of roleplaying depth. While gunplay and settlement building shine, the simplified dialogue system and weaker writing demonstrate the risks of prioritizing accessibility over complexity - a tension that would only intensify in later releases.

4. Fallout 3

Bethesda's first take on the Fallout universe delivered revolutionary freedom alongside glaring flaws. The V.A.T.S. system brilliantly adapted turn-based combat to 3D, while the Capital Wasteland combined iconic landmarks with compelling environmental storytelling. However, technical limitations and narrative missteps (like the original ending) tarnished what could have been a perfect revival.

3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

The blueprint for modern Bethesda RPGs. While showing its age in character models and leveling systems, Oblivion perfected the studio's formula of cinematic quests and guild storylines. Its recent remaster preserves the charm while addressing key technical shortcomings, proving the game's enduring appeal.

2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The franchise's apex of mainstream success sacrificed some RPG depth for unparalleled accessibility and refined gameplay. From dragon shouts to Nordic landscapes, Skyrim's design encourages organic discovery while setting new standards for open-world immersion. A generation-defining title that remains endlessly replayable.

1. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Bethesda's boldest, most uncompromising vision. Morrowind rejects convention with its alien landscape, complex systems, and refusal to hold players' hands. The unparalleled freedom (including the ability to permanently alter the story) creates a uniquely immersive experience that later titles streamlined away. A masterclass in worldbuilding that still stands as the studio's creative peak.