The Elder Scrolls series is not just Skyrim and Elder Scrolls Online, but an iconic gaming franchise full of history with many spin-offs, mobile games, and DLCS, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year in 2024.
Blades is a mobile-first game set in the Elder Scrolls universe for Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS. It allows you to take on the role of a member of the Blades, tasked with rebuilding their hometown and undertaking various quests and combat scenarios. The game is free to play and receives regular updates. However, it has simplified mechanics compared to the main titles in the series, repetitive gameplay, and heavy microtransactions.
The Elder Scrolls: Legends is a collectible card game set in the Elder Scrolls universe. You build decks from a pool of cards and compete in turn-based matches. It offers strategic depth, a variety of cards and strategies, and compelling single-player campaigns. However, it has a niche appeal compared to the main series, relies on microtransactions, and has a smaller player base.
Set in the Battlespire, a training facility for Imperial Battlemages, Battlespire requires you to navigate through interconnected levels to stop a Daedra invasion. The game features a unique setting with an emphasis on dungeon crawling and combat, and is rich in lore. Its drawbacks include limited exploration compared to the series' main titles, clunky combat, and numerous bugs.
In The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard, you follow Cyrus, a Redguard mercenary, as he searches for his missing sister on the island of Stros M'Kai. The game is known for its strong story, detailed world, and engaging characters. However, it suffers from linear gameplay, dated graphics and controls, and limited replayability.
The first game in the series, The Elder Scrolls: Arena, introduces you to the huge world of Tamriel. Beginning as a captive, you must explore a series of dungeons and towns to assemble the pieces of the Staff of Chaos and defeat the evil wizard Jagar Tharn. Arena is notable for its groundbreaking open-world design, with a massive game map and a vast array of quests, but it has dated graphics and mechanics, and its difficulty can be quite unforgiving.
Set in the Iliac Bay region, The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall features an even larger world than Arena. As you explore the mysteries surrounding the death of King Lysandus and the appearance of the Mantella, you will face political intrigue and supernatural threats. Daggerfall has been praised for its massive game world, extensive character customization, and deep lore. However, it also has numerous bugs and glitches, complex and often confusing quest mechanics, and a steep learning curve.
The Elder Scrolls Online is an MMORPG set in the Elder Scrolls universe, allowing you to explore Tamriel in a different time period. The game has a broad narrative arc, with regular updates and expansions adding new content and regions, so there is always something new to explore. The game can be overwhelming for new players, and some content can feel repetitive. However, with regular updates, an expansive world, the ability to explore Tamriel with friends, and compelling PvE and PvP content, it is a great experience for Elder Scrolls fans.
Set on the island of Vvardenfell in the province of Morrowind, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind challenges you to fulfill an ancient prophecy. An incredible milestone in video game graphics at the time (the water!), Morrowind is known for its deep storyline, unique world design, and open-ended gameplay. It offers a rich and unique setting, complex lore, a high degree of player freedom, memorable factions and quests and an incredible soundtrack. It really set the sails for a new generation of role playing games.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion follows your journey to defeat the Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon and his invasion of the province of Cyrodiil. The game features a central storyline involving the reopening of the Gates of Oblivion and an open world filled with diverse quests. Oblivion is known for its improved graphics and mechanics from Morrowind, a gripping main story, a brilliant AI system, and a more accessible gameplay experience. Its quests were creative, compelling, and varied, making it one of the best RPGs of all time.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim takes place in the North Province of Skyrim and casts you in the role of the Dragonborn, a heroic figure called upon by prophecy to save the world from the return of the dragon. The game features a massive open world, rich lore, and a high degree of player freedom. Skyrim is praised for its stunning visuals, high moddability, accessible gameplay, engaging main story and side quests, and enduring popularity with multiple re-releases.
Celebrating its 13th birthday this year, Skyrim has defined generations of gamers, and we are more than excited to see what The Elder Scrolls VI has in store.
Did you know that the Elder Scrolls series has 15 installments? This includes not only the main games, but also spin-offs and mobile games like The Elder Scrolls Travels. Here are the top 10 main installments, ranked from worst to best.
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