Summary
- The Elder Scrolls titles offer unique mechanics and gameplay variety across different genres.
- Battlespire is a standalone spinoff with online multiplayer and a focus on level design.
- Redguard ditches RPG elements for a self-contained action-adventure story in The Elder Scrolls world.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake is a fine addition to the Elder Scrolls series. With updated graphics and subtle quality-of-life changes, it's one of the best adventures in all of Tamriel. So, how does it hold up against the rest of the Elder Scrolls games? Is it truly the best one or are there games in the series that are just better?
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PostsEach Elder Scrolls title offers something different. Some give you exclusive mechanics to upgrade by traveling across the land, while others are more strategy-based with plenty of collection involved. From MMOs to card games, it’s time to rank them and see which is the best.
10 An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire
A DLC That Became A Standalone Spinoff
An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire Like Action RPG Systems Released December 2, 1997 ESRB m Developer(s) Bethesda Softworks Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks Engine XnGine Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise The Elder ScrollsWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAn Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire was originally intended to be DLC for The Elder Scrolls: Arena. However, it eventually fell somewhere between the cracks as a standalone spinoff. While there are some notable features missing, such as gold or merchants, it did set the stage for an online version of Elder Scrolls.
This game features online play for story mode co-op or fighting against other teams using the same battle mechanics from the single player. It also focused more on enhancing its level design, since the game itself is smaller in scope than the mainline titles.
9 The Elder Scrolls Legends
The Ultimate Elder Scrolls Card Game
The Elder Scrolls: Legends Like Digital Card Game Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 80/100 Critics Rec: 72% Released March 9, 2017 ESRB m Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks Engine Unity Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise The Elder ScrollsWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALFor a good Elder Scrolls mobile game, The Elder Scrolls Legends is where it’s at. Even if it’s not a traditional Elder Scrolls experience, the sound effects and backgrounds make you feel like you’re in a tavern playing this card game.
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PostsThe entire card game plays much like Hearthstone with a few added tweaks. This game is riddled with references to all the prior Elder Scrolls games, from cards that depict important characters to those that capture iconic events. It is best enjoyed when you have some understanding of the Elder Scrolls lore.
8 The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard
A Smaller Story In Tamriel
The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard Like Action-Adventure Systems Released November 16, 1998 ESRB m Developer(s) Bethesda Softworks Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks Engine XnGine Franchise The Elder ScrollsWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALEven without the RPG elements such as character customization, stat modulating, and skill selection, The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard is an interesting take like none other in The Elder Scrolls series.
This entry in the series treats itself like a self-contained action-adventure story set in the world of Tamriel. With more focus on third-person sword fights, you follow Cyrus the Redguard as he explores Hammerfell, fights pirates, and gambles his soul on riddles.
7 The Elder Scrolls: Arena
Brutally Difficult Yet Nostalgic
The Elder Scrolls: Arena
Like Action RPG Systems Released March 25, 1994 ESRB t Developer(s) Bethesda Softworks Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks Engine OpenTESArena Franchise The Elder ScrollsWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe Elder Scrolls: Arena is the first ever Elder Scrolls game. While it has a difficult learning curve, it is worth it just to experience the retro fantasy vibes, pixelated dungeons, and procedurally generated landscapes to make it feel larger. Unlike other games in the series, Arena doesn't focus on just one region within Tamriel, but various locations all across the continent.
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Posts By Andrew ScariatiThe game is still a pinnacle foundation for the fantasy genre. It has one of the first open worlds and an interesting day and night cycle which, for the time, was rare. If you can make it past the starting dungeon, you've officially taken your first steps into the world of Elder Scrolls.
6 The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall
Massive Leaps From The First Game
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
Like RPG Systems Released September 20, 1996 ESRB m Developer(s) Bethesda Softworks Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks Engine XnGine Franchise The Elder ScrollsWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe second Elder Scrolls game, Daggerfall, is a massive leap forwards from what Arena had to offer. It also feels more like a tabletop game in terms of character creation, since you can either choose a premade class to play as or create one from scratch.
Daggerfall has its fair share of upgrades from Arena. You can freely look around with the mouse this time and, for the first time, you can level up by repeating actions. This would become a staple for the series. It also focuses on specific regions between Highrock and Hammerfell.
5 The Elder Scrolls Online
From Zero To Hero
The Elder Scrolls Online Like Follow Followed MMORPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 71/100 Critics Rec: 39% Released April 4, 2014 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) ZeniMax Online Studios Publisher(s) Bethesda Engine proprietary engine, heroengine Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise The Elder ScrollsWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONThe Elder Scrolls: Online didn’t have the most graceful of entrances. With constant updates and changes to how the game works, this MMO managed to climb out of the darkest pits of Oblivion for a well-deserved comeback.
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Posts 2 By Suhaib AdeelFrom the snowy mountains of Skyrim to the strange mushroom-covered landscapes of Morrowind, ESO has plenty of new and familiar locations to explore. With multiple stories to tell, PVP, and classes to choose from, ESO captures the soul of the series as you journey alone or with friends across one of the most interesting fantasy worlds in gaming.
4 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
Closing The Gates Of Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Like Follow Followed RPG Systems Released March 20, 2006 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) Bethesda Publisher(s) Bethesda Engine havok, speedtree, gamebryo Franchise The Elder ScrollsWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONIn some ways, it’s difficult to get into The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion if all you’ve ever known is Skyrim, yet once you've taken those first steps out of the jail cell, there are many elements you wish were in the sequel. This includes a more in-depth create-a-class system, a dedicated spell-casting key button, and the ability to explore Oblivion itself.
The game is colorful and is more likely to make you want to attend a renaissance fair right after. From the moment you're freed from the jail and speak to Uriel Septim, the game does a great job of making you feel like you're on a grand quest.
3 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
So Good It Keeps Getting Remastered
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Like Action RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 81/100 Critics Rec: 83% Released October 28, 2016 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) Bethesda Game Studios Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks Engine Creation Engine Franchise The Elder ScrollsWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALEven if Skyrim can feel like it’s being force-fed to players with too many ports and special edition versions to count, it is still a very good game. Leveling up feels amazing with its way of forcing the player to perform actions to master them, and the sheer number of mods that are easily installed give it countless playtime.
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Posts By Alfredo RobeloDragon shouts are also a staple of Skyrim. Once you start using shouts, it’s impossible to imagine an Elder Scrolls game that doesn’t use them at all. The special edition version of the game even adds more customization and mechanics such as fishing.
2 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
Not Just Reheated Leftovers
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Like Follow Followed Action RPG Open-World Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 82/100 Critics Rec: 87% Released April 22, 2025 ESRB Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence Developer(s) Virtuos, Bethesda Publisher(s) Bethesda Engine Unreal Engine 5 Franchise The Elder Scrolls Number of Players Single-playerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remaster gives the original game a complete graphical overhaul while keeping all the mechanics that made it better than Skyrim. In fact, all the updates manage to topple Skyrim off the pedestal.
Leveling has been tweaked to be more flexible, sprinting makes it easier to get around, and the voice acting now varies from race to race instead of being reused. It’s a decent upgrade that makes an old experience feel fresh and a decent change to the constant barrage of Skyrim remasters.
1 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
A Strange World And The Best Lore
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Like Follow Followed RPG Systems Released May 1, 2002 ESRB T For Teen due to Blood, Violence Developer(s) Bethesda Game Studios Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks Engine Gamebryo Franchise The Elder ScrollsWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONMost of the other good Elder Scrolls games have more modern graphics and easier controls. However, The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind has one of the most interesting worlds in any fantasy game. This is due to how weird and almost alien everything in the region looks.
Morrowind is more than just a visual masterpiece, but it also stands out as having amazing worldbuilding. You can spend hours just rummaging through the game’s lore before going off on your adventure. With freedom and consequences, Morrowind takes the crown.
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