You've played Skyrim seventeen times, overloaded it with mods until it crashes on launch, and now you’re sitting there wondering how to fill that void. I was there too back in 2011 when Skyrim came out—it completely changed my idea of open-world RPGs. But there are games that capture the same magic, and sometimes even surpass it in areas Bethesda never dared to.
Here's a selection of open-world RPGs similar to Skyrim that understand what made Skyrim special: freedom, consequences, worlds that react to your choices, but each of them brings something unique. Some focus more on challenge, others on storytelling.
Elden Ring
🖥️ Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
⏳ Playtime: ~60 hours (main story), ~100 hours (with extra content), ~135 hours (100%)
FromSoftware took everything they learned from Dark Souls and said, “What if we just… remove the walls?” The result was a huge, brutal masterpiece that doesn’t hold your hand and doesn’t apologize for killing you over and over.
Elden Ring gives you an open world where danger lurks around every corner, but the same goes for discovering hidden caves, crumbling ruins, bosses that will crush you if you’re not ready.
The plot here is classic FromSoft—mysterious. You are the Tarnished, called back to the Lands Between after the shattering of the Elden Ring (a powerful artifact that held reality together).
The goal of the game is to become the Elden Lord by collecting the Great Runes from demigods who have gone mad. George R. R. Martin helped flesh out the lore, and you can see it in every location, every boss, every NPC.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| In this world, you really want to look under every stone, and the game rewards you generously for it. | Sometimes the game will ruthlessly test your nerves, which won’t be for everyone. |
| The hits feel juicy and heavy, and once you get used to the combat, you won’t be able to stop. | Performance issues on some systems. |
| Huge variety in builds and replayability. | To understand the story, you’ll need to dig deep into the lore. |
| Co-op and PvP add a whole new level of fun | Running to bosses after every death can get really tiring |
| Mounted combat and world traversal are done really well | Quest tracking is intentionally made very vague |
Is Elden Ring worth playing?
If you’ve ever looked at a cliff in Skyrim and thought, “I wish falling from here actually killed me,” Elden Ring was made just for you. The game doesn’t waste your time and lets you tackle challenges in any order, but it expects you to earn every victory with sweat and blood. No markers pointing to your next objective. No difficulty sliders. Just you, your weapons, and the harsh world.
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
🖥️ Available on: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
⏳ Playtime: 33 hours (main story), 60 hours (with side content), 112 hours (100% completion)
This game is unique in its own way. When Dragon’s Dogma first came out, it flew under the radar for many gamers, but over time it built a loyal following for a good reason — fighting in it is incredibly fun.
You create the main character (the Arisen) and a customizable AI companion called a Pawn, then borrow Pawns from other players to build your team. It sounds weird, but in practice this mechanic works amazingly well.
The plot is classic fantasy: a dragon attacks your village, rips out your heart, and somehow you survive to track it down. But the most important part here is the journey itself. The world is dangerous, especially at night, when undead and giant monsters emerge from the shadows.
You can climb on giant enemies, cast powerful spells that take a long time to prepare but wipe out everything in their path, or play as a stealthy archer and take out targets from a distance. The Undead's journey through Gransys is a harsh story of survival and adaptation.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| The combat system is top-notch, and climbing gigantic monsters is incredibly fun. | The graphics are already noticeably outdated. |
| The companion system is unique and much more thought-out than it seems at first glance. | The plot probably won’t surprise anyone. |
| Free class switching allows you to constantly try something new | Fast travel is heavily limited in the early stages |
| The game runs great even on old hardware | There's no full multiplayer, only partner exchange over the network |
| Post-story content will make you stay in the game for a long time | Character voice acting is hit or miss in some places |
Is it worth playing Dragon’s Dogma today?
I vividly remember my first night battle with the Chimera in the forest. The lantern barely lit up the area around me, my companions were yelling about danger, I climbed onto the monster's back to strike a weak spot, and at that moment the Griffin crashed down from the sky. This kind of chaos perfectly captures the essence of Dragon’s Dogma. It’s messy, unpredictable, and absolutely thrilling when all the elements come together.
Gothic
🖥️ Available on: PC, Nintendo Switch
⏳ Playtime: 22 hours (main story), 30 hours (with extra content), 42 hours (complete playthrough)
Here I’ll allow myself a little lyrical digression. The first 'Gothic' was one of the first RPGs in my life that clearly showed that projects can be more than just a fairy tale about an all-powerful savior.
The game is old, sometimes clunky, and can be really frustrating until you get used to its pace. But once you get the hang of it, it’ll give you one of the most memorable adventures. And the third part, despite its troubled launch, now plays great thanks to fan patches.
You play as a nameless convict thrown into a mining colony, sealed off by a magical barrier. The kingdom is at war, and criminals are sent there to mine ore for the front lines.
What starts as a simple struggle to survive quickly turns into faction intrigues, uprisings, and the awakening of ancient powers. The ore you came there to mine is just the tip of the iceberg.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| The world really lives its own life: characters have a daily routine | The graphics are hopelessly outdated |
| Every choice carries weight and affects future events | The local combat system takes a long time to get used to |
| Unmatched atmosphere for its time | Tough early challenges will scare off many newcomers |
| The game runs smoothly even on the weakest computers | No multiplayer or romance options |
| The faction system is thought out down to the smallest detail | The controls take serious getting used to |
Who should try Gothic?
The first “Gothic” doesn’t make any compromises. At the beginning of the journey, your hero is incredibly weak and pathetic. A random wolf can tear you apart in a couple of seconds. But as you join factions (Old Camp, New Camp, or Swamp Camp), level up your skills, and earn respect in the colony, you really feel your progress. There’s no artificial difficulty spike through huge enemy health bars here. You literally feel your mastery grow with every level. If the freedom to create your own hero matters as much as the map, these RPGs with character creation explore that part of the experience in more detail.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
🖥️ Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
⏳ Completion time: 35 hours (main story), 60 hours (with side content), 100 hours (full completion)
Sometimes you just want to play something dynamic and not too overwhelming. Kingdoms of Amalur is exactly that kind of game — the fights here are colorful, fast, and a lot of fun.
The game doesn’t try to punish mistakes or make you spend hours poring over guides just to understand the basic mechanics. It’s designed to let you enjoy the process, and that’s its main strength.
You play as the Fate-Deprived — someone who died and came back to life without a predetermined path. In a world where you can literally see fate and prophecies dictate absolutely everything, you become the ultimate trump card. The main story revolves around stopping the immortal Tuath army led by Gadflow. But to be honest, side quests and exploring the world are where this game really shines.
By the way, there's a chance to start a romance with Sunhilda Lorelle if you complete her quest line, although it's still nowhere near the depth of BioWare games.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| The combat system is smooth and very spectacular. | The visuals lag far behind modern standards. |
| Tons of side quests and an interesting world story. | Part of the content becomes tiring over time due to its monotony, since it was originally designed as an MMO |
| Easy skill reset allows you to freely experiment with character development | Complete absence of multiplayer mode |
| Great entry point for those just getting acquainted with the RPG genre | The level design lacks memorable locations |
| The game is perfectly optimized for older computers | Boss fights turned out to be rather bland |
Is it worth spending time on Kingdoms of Amalur?
If after tough Elden Ring-style challenges you want to relax in a game that won't stress you out over every mistake, this option is perfect. The local class system is implemented excellently: You can reset your skills at any time, so experimenting with builds costs nothing. Want to switch from a tank warrior to a stealthy assassin in a couple of minutes? No problem.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
🖥️ Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
⏳ Playtime: 40 hours (main story), 80 hours (with side content), 130 hours (full completion)
In a way, it’s the complete opposite of Skyrim. No dragons, no magic, no saving the world from some universal evil. Kingdom Come: Deliverance throws you into 15th-century Bohemia as Henry, the blacksmith's son, whose life goes downhill after his village is burned to the ground.
The story is about Indrih's quest to take revenge on those who destroyed his home, but at the same time, it's a tale of survival in a world where a single missed sword strike can send you to the afterlife. The historical setting of Bohemia in 1403 is recreated with obsessive accuracy, and you can see it in every tiny detail.
The combat system relies on your personal skills: you'll need to memorize timings, move smartly, and anticipate your opponent's actions. Hunger, fatigue, and even dirty clothes affect how other people interact with you. The game won't be for everyone, but if you're looking for a serious game that doesn’t cut any corners, it's a great choice. 😉
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| The developers approached historical accuracy obsessively | The game is extremely reluctant to forgive beginners' mistakes |
| Your actions have real and long-term consequences | The events unfold very slowly |
| The battles are thoughtful, and every strike feels as realistic as possible | There’s no magic or fantasy elements at all |
| The reputation system is brilliantly implemented | The strict save system can be really annoying |
| The story is genuinely engaging and keeps you on edge | Optimization issues on older hardware |
Will you like Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
I won’t lie, the first few hours in Kingdom Come can feel tough. You’re weak, can’t do anything, and the game isn’t going to go easy on you. But as you train with Centurion Bernard, learn to read (yes, literally learn to read from books), and slowly turn Jindřich into a competent fighter, the reward is incredible. This is what proper character development looks like.
Outward: Definitive Edition — a Skyrim-style RPG with co-op
🖥️ Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
⏳ Playtime: 35 hours (main story), 60 hours (with extra content), 100+ hours (full completion)
In most RPGs, you play as the Chosen One destined to save the world. In Outward, it’s different: here you’re just a regular person, and your main goal is simply to survive. And that approach is really impressive.
You start the game deep in debt, your survival depends on managing hunger and thirst, having the right clothing, and carrying medicine for diseases. It’s a tough but engrossing open-world survival RPG.
No grand prophecies. You're just a simple wanderer trying to make ends meet in a world full of magic and deadly dangers. The main story revolves around paying off your family's debt, but how you approach it and which factions you join will radically change your adventure.
The co-op mode here is implemented superbly. Whether it's split-screen on the couch or online play, having a friend makes the hardcore difficulty fair, without turning the game into a walk in the park.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| The survival elements are well thought out and really affect the gameplay. | The interface can sometimes feel too clunky. |
| Playing with a friend is incredibly engaging, especially when planning joint actions. | Solo play can turn out to be pretty harsh. |
| Consequences matter since there’s no option to save manually. | You can’t develop romantic relationships. |
| A detailed and interesting crafting system. | The game is poorly optimized for low-end PCs. |
| Choosing a faction drastically changes the storyline. | The game doesn’t give any hints or hold your hand. |
Is it worth trying Outward?
The main feature of the game is that there are only autosaves. You won't be able to load an old save after a failure. Got ambushed and knocked out? You might wake up as a slave in a mine, without gear and far from where you need to be. Because of this, every decision is tough and makes you weigh the risks. Will you risk going through the forest at night to save time, or set up camp and use up precious supplies?
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
🖥️ Available on: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
⏳ Playtime: 16 hours (main story), 25 hours (with extra content), 40 hours (full completion)
The nemesis system is the main reason why Shadow of Mordor rightfully makes this list. Yes, it takes place in Tolkien's universe, and the combat system borrows a lot from Batman and Assassin’s Creed games. But the way the game builds your personal relationships with enemies is simply unmatched.
You play as Talion, a ranger whose family is brutally murdered, and who becomes bound to the wraith Celebrimbor (the very elf who forged the Rings of Power). Together, you carry out guerrilla warfare across all of Mordor, gathering an army and mowing down ranks of Sauron's forces. The story line feels like a solid Lord of the Rings fanfic, but the most interesting moments are generated by the game itself as you play.
That orc captain who killed you three times and keeps taunting you? He remembers every encounter with you, grows stronger, and gets scarred from your blows. And when you finally take him down, it means something more than just beating another boss.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| The Nemesis system creates a unique personal rivalry with the orc captains. | The role-playing system here is much simpler compared to classic games in the genre. |
| The battles are well-made and look really impressive | No co-op or multiplayer mode |
| Great integration into Tolkien's mythology | The story is okay, but nothing spectacular |
| Enemy AI constantly creates unique gameplay situations | No option to have romances |
| Excellent performance even on mid-range PCs | Over time, clearing the map can get repetitive |
Who would enjoy Shadow of Mordor?
I still remember an orc named Kuga the Defender. He killed me during a random skirmish, got promoted, found me again in new armor, and started mocking me. I tracked him down, turned his bodyguards to my side, and finally took him out during the siege of a fortress. The whole story arc happened completely organically. No scripts, just the nemesis system working so well. If you want a reason to settle down between expeditions, these RPGs with base building let you look for an adventure with somewhere to come home to.
ELEX
🖥️ Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One
⏳ Playtime: 27 hours (main story), 50 hours (with additional content), 80 hours (complete playthrough)
The creators of Gothic from Piranha Bytes made Goti… a post-apocalyptic sci-fi RPG, and it sounds just as strange as it plays. ELEX mixes jetpack flights, laser guns, swords, and magic in a world where somehow it all works together. It's rough around the edges at times, but absolutely captivating if you can overlook its technical shortcomings.
You play as Jax, a former Alb commander who was betrayed, losing access to Elex (a substance that gives superpowers but takes away emotions). As his human feelings start to return, you decide which faction to join and how to shape the future of this world. The setting combines a Mad Max-style aesthetic with elements of classic fantasy. Sounds crazy, but the developers managed to pull it off seamlessly.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| The world turned out to be truly original and interesting to explore | There are plenty of bugs |
| Jetpack flying adds really cool variety to exploration | The voice acting of characters is at times quite jarring |
| The faction system has real depth | No romantic relationships or multiplayer |
| Non-linear approach to completing quests | The combat system can feel a bit clunky |
| Runs fine on mid-range computers | Takes some time to get into the groove at the start |
Is ELEX worth giving a chance?
To be honest: ELEX is far from perfect. But if you loved "Gothic," you'll instantly recognize the familiar touch. The world doesn’t adjust to your level, exploration is generously rewarded, and your choices really change the story. Plus, where else can you jetpack to a hidden cave, find a cool plasma rifle, and then immediately fly to a checkpoint to escape a bunch of mutants because your level is too low? This is classic ELEX.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
🖥️ Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
⏳ Playtime: 60 hours (main story), 95 hours (with side content), 145 hours (complete playthrough)
Vikings, building your own settlement, and great dialogues — Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is currently Ubisoft's most RPG-heavy installment. You play as Eivor (you get to choose the gender), who leads their clan from harsh Norway to England during the Viking era. The game is huge, sometimes even too huge, but once you get into it, it completely draws you in.
The main story revolves around finding allies across England, interacting with the Hidden Ones, and hunting Isu artifacts. But the real heart of the game lies in the side content: raiding monasteries, developing your village, and romances.
There are plenty of relationship options here, including same-sex ones, and they’re integrated into the game much better than in previous series entries.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| A vast scenic world that you just want to explore | Side activities eventually turn into a routine |
| Developing your own settlement | The role-playing system here is much simpler compared to full-fledged RPGs |
| Lots of options for romantic relationships | Can't be bought on GOG |
| Strong main story and well-developed characters | The game can feel too drawn-out due to an abundance of activities |
| Flexible customization of the hero's appearance and equipment | No multiplayer |
Who would like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
This isn’t a hardcore RPG like Gothic or Outward. It’s a familiar and straightforward big-budget open-world project from Ubisoft, with added elements of character progression. Sometimes you just want to sail on a longship, raid a monastery, and return to camp to upgrade your buildings. The game looks great, is relaxing, and can keep you hooked for weeks.
Greedfall
🖥️ Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
⏳ Playtime: 22 hours (main story), 40 hours (with additional content), 55 hours (full completion)
Greedfall is a mid-budget project from the studio Spiders that delivers better results than you’d expect from a studio of its size. The story unfolds in a fantasy Age of Great Geographical Discoveries, throwing you into the whirlwind of colonial politics, local tribe cultures, and intrigues on the mysterious island of Teer Fradee.
You play as De Sardet, a diplomat trying to find a cure for a deadly plague, navigating between greedy factions and complex moral dilemmas.
I have a special connection with this game. Greedfall doesn’t try to pretend to be a massive blockbuster — it focuses on what really matters. The story is built around finding a balance between the colonizers and the natives, and your decisions here truly shift the balance of power. Push too hard defending the newcomers — the locals will declare war on you. Decide to protect the island’s secrets — you risk losing the support of powerful allies.
The romance lines are written wonderfully: you can start relationships with several companions, and the development of these relationships feels very natural and deserved, even though the romances themselves are rather short.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Gripping story | The game's budget sometimes shows in the form of technical rough edges |
| Well-developed companion romances | A completely single-player game with no multiplayer mode |
| Excellent implementation of faction and reputation systems | The combat system doesn't offer anything outstanding |
| Complex themes of colonialism are handled intelligently and without unnecessary moralizing | Frequent reuse of the same rooms for different buildings |
| World-building and lore are top-notch | The story loses a bit of steam in the middle of the playthrough |
Why should you pay attention to GreedFall?
I love Greedfall because it doesn't try to be just another Skyrim clone. It's an independent project — more intimate, focused, and not afraid of tackling complex themes. The way the game lets you solve problems through diplomacy, stealth, or open conflict, and how those decisions come back to affect you? That's exactly why we love the RPG genre.
So which game should you pick if you like Skyrim?
Now let's move on to my personal recommendations. Gothic holds a special place in my heart — it was one of the first RPGs in my life, and despite its age and rough edges, it taught me that games can demand respect and generously reward persistence. Gothic 3, now with a bunch of fan-made patches? It's truly amazing, even if it started out as a chunk of magical ore of less-than-great quality.
Greedfall is another one of my personal favorites. For a game with a modest budget, it perfectly handles what really matters: a great story and the illusion of choice that actually works. The lack of development funds is noticeable, of course, but the core game design is so good that you quickly stop noticing it.
Gothic holds a special place in my heart — it was one of the first RPGs in my life.
If you have a weak PC, go ahead and download Dragon’s Dogma, Gothic, or Kingdoms of Amalur. They’ll run perfectly and give you a ton of fun. If you’re looking for a great challenge for two players, Outward is simply unmatched among hardcore RPGs in the classic style. And if quality romances with characters matter to you, Greedfall and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla are just what the doctor ordered.
Each game on this list offers something of its own, but they all captured that same magic that Skyrim once gave us — they create worlds you want to get lost in for hours.
