Games Like Skyrim That Aren’t Fantasy RPGs

Skyrim is a truly remarkable game that has had a lasting impact. While it’s beginning to feel dated compared to newer open-world RPGs, and isn’t without flaws, it still offers a beautifully crafted world, enjoyable combat, and diverse character customization. Though its main storyline isn’t the strongest, the game is filled with fantastic side quests and compelling stories. Despite being re-released numerous times, Skyrim remains popular thanks to its dedicated fans and the thriving modding community.

If you love Skyrim but are looking for something different, what games can fill the void until the next big release? Here are a few options that share some of Skyrim‘s appeal. Each game was chosen for a specific reason – they might offer similar RPG features, deep character customization, engaging worlds, or even take what Skyrim does well and make it even better.

As we said before, we’re leaving out games that mix fantasy and role-playing, because those are often too straightforward. You’ll find games from other genres instead, like science fiction. Also, not every game on this list will be open-world, so be prepared for variety.

The Outer Worlds

Plenty Of Roleplaying Opportunities And Companion Shenanigans

The original The Outer Worlds had some limitations. It isn’t a truly open-world game, so don’t expect a massive, sprawling world to explore. Straying from the main paths often isn’t very rewarding, as the areas off the beaten track tend to feel empty. However, if you enjoy completing quests where your decisions have a real and noticeable impact on the story and the game world – something that doesn’t always happen, even in games like Skyrim – then you’ll likely love this game.

The conversations in this game are more fun and unusual compared to Skyrim. It’s set in a vibrant sci-fi world with really creative details. The story centers on powerful corporations that have exploited the planet’s resources and people, and how they continue to do so while finding ways to excuse their actions. If the game feels a little old, it’s worth checking out The Outer Worlds 2, which I’ve heard has some significant upgrades. As someone who enjoys Skyrim, I particularly appreciated the depth of role-playing possibilities in the first game.

Cyberpunk 2077

Excellent Buildcrafting And Next-Level Questing

If you enjoy the vast exploration of Skyrim but wish its characters were more engaging, you should check out Cyberpunk 2077. While it had a rocky start, the game has improved dramatically and is now a visually stunning open-world RPG. The quests and characters feel much more realistic, with believable animations and natural-sounding conversations.

Both the main game and the Phantom Liberty expansion offer hours of engaging gameplay, similar to the experience of playing Skyrim with its DLCs. If you love experimenting with powerful character builds, you’ll find plenty to explore here. You can customize V with cybernetic upgrades to create the mercenary you envision, specializing in melee combat, sniping, firearms, or even remote hacking – which adds a really unique and enjoyable element to battles. It’s a more detailed and advanced take on the open-world RPG formula than Skyrim, and like that classic game, it’s truly innovative.

Valheim

Open-World Survival Craft Gone Viking

If you’re not a fan of sci-fi and prefer a medieval world, I definitely suggest checking out Valheim. It has light role-playing game features – similar to Skyrim, your skills improve as you use them, so it’s a natural progression without needing to manage skill points like you do in Skyrim.

Okay, so imagine a huge open world, kinda like Minecraft in that you can roam freely, but it doesn’t look blocky at all. The main thing is you move from area to area by taking down the boss of that zone – so there’s definitely a fantasy vibe with magic, fighting, and all that. But honestly, what really hooked me was the building and surviving. It reminds me of how Skyrim added Survival Mode and the Hearthfire DLC later on. If you’re not big into following quests and just want to build your own story and do your own thing in a really open world, you absolutely need to check this game out.

Red Dead Redemption 2

The Peak Of Open-World Games

Many gamers have fond memories of when Skyrim first launched – it was truly groundbreaking, despite some criticism. The game’s world felt remarkably immersive and realistic for its time. Later, Red Dead Redemption 2 arrived and redefined what open-world games could be. It’s a beautifully crafted game, made with obvious passion, and sets the standard for the genre. If you loved Skyrim when it came out, I highly recommend playing Red Dead Redemption 2.

Few games offer this much detail and realism as you explore and interact with the world. Although you play as a specific character, Arthur Morgan, the game gives you a lot of freedom to shape his personality through your choices and actions, thanks to the Honor system. Even small things you do impact how people react to you. If you enjoyed the immersive world of Skyrim, you’ll likely be captivated by the depth of this game, with its many side quests and activities – you might even find it hard to go back to Skyrim after experiencing it. Consider yourself warned!

Mass Effect Trilogy

The Most Cinematic Story Experience

If you enjoyed Skyrim and are looking for another immersive role-playing experience, Mass Effect is a fantastic choice. While you play as a predetermined character, you can customize their appearance. What really makes the game special, though, are the companions – they’re incredibly detailed and well-developed, adding a lot of depth to the story.

Does it ever get old hearing the same lines from a game companion? While many games feature companions, Mass Effect stands out because its characters feel genuinely lifelike. They evolve alongside you as you play, and the game world changes with your actions. Like Skyrim, you’re a powerful hero, but Mass Effect lets you define what kind of hero you are, thanks to its Paragon and Renegade choices.

Fallout 4

If It Looks And Feels Similar, It’s Because It Is

If you enjoy Skyrim but want a change of scenery—something less focused on fantasy—Fallout 4 might be ideal. It uses the same core game technology as Skyrim, so you’ll find many familiar elements in the interface, along with some improvements.

This game offers everything players loved about Skyrim, including immersive environments, interesting characters, extensive crafting options, and a vast, desolate world to explore. The world of Fallout 4 is packed with secrets, mysteries, and unexpected discoveries, making it a treasure hunter’s paradise. Plus, with two downloadable content areas to explore, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy in the Commonwealth for a long time.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

A More Grounded Medieval RPG

Fans of realistic sword fighting, especially those who enjoyed melee combat in Skyrim, will love Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. While Skyrim’s combat has some depth, KCD2 takes it much further, offering a truly immersive and realistic experience. The game is set in a believable medieval world, and you’ll play as a specific character named Henry – you can’t create your own.

Like Red Dead Redemption 2, this game gives you a lot of freedom in how you play and lets you build a reputation based on your choices. The world feels more immersive than Skyrim, with characters that seem more realistic and responsive – they’ll even react to things like whether you’re dirty or drunk, and you can actually talk back! It’s worth checking out – you might just get completely hooked.

2026-01-05 02:37