10 Best Elder Scrolls Games: Ultimate Verdict for 2025
The debate on which is the best Elder Scrolls game never ends, and I get why. The Elder Scrolls (TES) is beloved and it’s easy to see why: This title brings a whole lot to the table.
Having played a lot of Skyrim, I still remember obsessing over getting the rarest equipment. Collecting those dragon priest masks is some of my fondest in-game memories.
Some TES games throw you into a world where player agency is king, while others push you toward structured storytelling and unique handcrafted environments. I’ve broken down numerous entries in the series to find out which are the best and why.
If you’re an Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) player, you might be wondering which single-player TES title comes closest to ESO’s combat, mechanics, and world structure. If you’re a long-time fan, this ranking helps you see how each game stacks up. And if you’re an RPG enthusiast, you’re probably here to see how TES compares to The Witcher, Fallout, or Dark Souls.
Whichever you are, this list will have something for you. Apart from including the mainline titles, I’ve also added the best DLCs to this list. Let this guide be your ultimate roadmap to TES. I’ll also be linking to the best deals, so you can grab these games for cheap and start playing immediately.
Our Top Picks for The Elder Scrolls Games
Unfortunately for us, the TES franchise isn’t as big as some other beloved franchises. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve its own extensive and meticulous ranking. And don’t forget it has a lot of great DLCs and fun mods. Here are the top 5 titles that have elevated this series to the gold standard:
- The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind – Day One Edition (2017) – A perfect blend of nostalgia and modern MMO fun.
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Anniversary Edition (2021) – A massive open-world with a thriving modding community.
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) – A perfect mix of plot and some of the best side content in the series.
- Dragonborn DLC (2012) – Expands Skyrim’s world with a return to Solstheim.
- The Elder Scrolls Online (2014) – An MMO take on TES, featuring an evolving world and co-op play.
But this isn’t all of it – there’s twice as many to go. So, scroll down and read until the end. I’ll be giving you all the details you’ll need to know.
10 Best Elder Scrolls Games: 2025’s Full Ranking
If you’re looking for the best Elder Scrolls game, there’s no single answer. It depends on what you value most in an RPG. If you’re a lore enthusiast, nothing compares to Morrowind. Its deep world-building and distinct culture make it the most unique setting in the series. If you want endless exploration, Skyrim delivers. But, I digress. I’ll be addressing all the points in the full ranking below.
For the rankings, I evaluated each Elder Scrolls game based on several key elements:
- Gameplay: Combat, exploration, quest design, and more.
- Replayability: Mods, multiple endings, side quests. You know the drill.
- Graphics & Remasters: Modern accessibility, and visual improvements.
Let’s find out how each entry impacted the series and its thriving community.
1.The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind – Day One Edition (Best Expansion for Lore Lovers)
| Platforms: | Release Year: | DLCs and Extra Content: |
| PC, PS4, Xbox One | 2017 | Part of ESO expansions |
The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind takes players back to Vvardenfell, the legendary region from The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. This expansion injects new life into the Elder Scrolls Online by blending MMO mechanics with deep, lore-heavy storytelling.
If you’re an Elder Scrolls fan, this DLC brings a familiar world to a modern format. It has updated visuals, voice acting, and faction-based intrigue.
The new Warden class, PvP Battlegrounds, and a gripping main story make this one of the most immersive open-world games in ESO. Combat flows well, and the Morrowind nostalgia factor is off the charts.
The game’s quest design and role-playing mechanics keep the experience engaging for both ESO veterans and newcomers.
Get your copy of The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind – Day One Edition >
2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Anniversary Edition (Best for Infinite Replayability)
| Platforms: | Release Year: | DLCs and Extra Content: |
| PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | 2021 | Dawnguard, Dragonborn, Hearthfire |
If I had to choose a TES title that possibly everyone has played, it has to be Skyrim. I have lost countless real-world months exploring its colossal world. Skyrim’s vast open-world RPG allows you extensive customization. It offers hundreds of hours of exploration, storytelling, and absolutely beautiful in-game freedom.
It’s probably one of the greatest RPG games out there.
You know, it’s been about a decade and Skyrim remains the most modded game in history. That means it’s still fresh and very replayable. Combat has felt fluid from the start and you’re given endless choices. You can be an assassin, a mage, a warrior, or whatever. The addition of dragons, shouts, and faction quests also helps to keep every playthrough unique.
It’s truly a dynamo of a game you should play.
Get The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Anniversary Edition right now >
3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Best for Story & Exploration)
| Platforms: | Release Year: | DLCs and Extra Content: |
| PC, Xbox 360, PS3 | 2006 | Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine |
Oblivion strikes a perfect balance between plot depth and open-world adventure. You’d be happy to know that it has one of the best Elder Scrolls main quests. Seriously, the main quests are packed with so much drama. A lot of political intrigue, betrayal, and epic battles.
If you played Oblivion, you know how incredible action RPG game quest variety is. It has some legendary missions from the Dark Brotherhood’s storyline and some insane landscapes from its DLCs. I’ll get more into that later. So, the game introduced radiant AI, which made NPCs less NPC-ish.
The open-ended character progression also lets players build any type of hero they desire, so why not jump right in?
Buy The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion now >
4. Skyrim – Dragonborn DLC (Best Expansion for Epic Battles)
| Platforms: | Release Year: | DLCs and Extra Content: |
| PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | 2012 | Part of Skyrim’s expansions |
Dragonborn is the most thrilling DLC in Skyrim. It offers a whole new island to explore, epic dragon battles, and deep lore tied to the first Dragonborn, Miraak. This expansion doesn’t just add new locations, it elevates the gameplay with new shouts, weapons, and Lovecraftian horror influences.
Players can ride dragons, wield unique Daedric artifacts, and fight against cultists who want to claim your power. Solstheim, the new island, feels distinct from Skyrim’s mainland.
It has dark volcanic landscapes and ancient Nord ruins just waiting to be uncovered!
Get the Dragonborn DLC for Skyrim now >
5. The Elder Scrolls Online (Best MMO for TES Fans)
| Platforms: | Release Year: | DLCs and Extra Content: |
| PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | 2014 | Multiple expansions, including Morrowind, Summerset, Elsweyr, and High Isle |
The Elder Scrolls Online is the ultimate MMO for TES lovers, bringing Tamriel to life with real-time multiplayer action. Unlike traditional TES games, it features massive world events, guild wars, and a class-based system.
The world feels alive with factions, PvP battlegrounds, and ESO’s signature lore-rich storytelling.
Players can team up with others to explore dungeons, conquer massive world bosses, or simply roam the world at their own pace. While it’s different from a single-player RPG, it captures the spirit of the Elder Scrolls franchise in an online format. Over 22 million players worldwide still play ESO according to ZeniMax Online Studios.
If you’re in MMORPGs and you’ve been vibing with TES, then why not jump in?
Snag a cheap copy of Elder Scrolls Online now >
6. Elder Scrolls Online – Summerset DLC (Best High-Fantasy Expansion)
| Platforms: | Release Year: | DLCs and Extra Content: |
| PC, PS4, Xbox One | 2018 | Part of Elder Scrolls Online expansions |
The Summerset DLC elevates the Elder Scrolls Online experience. It brings gamers to the Summerset Isles. And by God, this video game expansion is a visual artwork. It’s got lush Elven cities, amazing hidden ruins, and a complex political landscape. If you want to explore a new stretch of Tamriel, you won’t want to miss this extra content.
Summerset also introduces the enchanted Psijic Order. It lets you master time-based magic (I got Harry Potter flashbacks from that. Games like Hogwarts Legacy come to mind). It also gives you deep faction choices.
Doesn’t matter if you’re an MMO veteran or you just enjoy open worlds, you’ll love this DLC from the Elder Scrolls series.
Get the best deals on Summerset DLC now >
7. Oblivion – Shivering Isles DLC (Best for Unique World-Building)
| Platforms: | Release Year: | DLCs and Extra Content: |
| PC, Xbox 360, PS3 | 2007 | Part of Oblivion expansions |
The Shivering Isles DLC is one of the most ambitious expansions in the Elder Scrolls series. Instead of just adding new quests, it throws players into Sheogorath’s realm (Daedric Prince). Enter a land of madness, split into Mania and Dementia. Everything from the architecture to the NPCs reflects the chaotic nature of the Daedric Prince.
If you love unique RPG settings, this franchise-defining expansion delivers a world to explore unlike anything in TES. It also features one of the best storylines in the series, as you work to gain Sheogorath’s favor and eventually replace him.
The unpredictable world and strange characters ensure that every moment feels fresh and full of unexpected twists.
8. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (Best for Hardcore Players)
| Platforms: | Release Year: | DLCs and Extra Content: |
| PC | 1996 | None |
For newbies and TES veterans who are interested in retro RPGs, Daggerfall might be your thing. It’s an enormous open-world experience that surprisingly still holds up today. Its sheer scale is insane. There are 15,000 locations and thousands of NPCs.
For a game from the 90s, it doesn’t fail at being ambitious. For its scale, it even gives newer titles a run for their money.
If you like deep RPG mechanics, classic branching narratives, and faction politics, then you’ve got that here. Combat’s pretty cool: real-time mouse-based swinging mechanics. A bit more interactive than newer entries.
Magic is flexible as you can make custom spells for your build. And it has around 150+ hours of content.
9. The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard (Best Retro Adventure)
| Platforms: | Release Year: | DLCs and Extra Content: |
| PC | 1998 | None |
Unlike most Elder Scrolls games, Redguard isn’t a traditional RPG. It’s a remarkable action-adventure game. This makes it very different from the main series, but it still delivers strong storytelling and world-building. If you enjoy third-person action, Redguard offers a cinematic, swashbuckling journey through Stros M’Kai, with parkour-style movement and swordplay.
The game dives into Yokudan and Redguard culture, a side of Tamriel rarely explored. While it lacks modern open-world freedom, it still has a world to explore, packed with secrets, puzzles, and a strong main quest.
It’s also the first TES game to introduce fully voiced cutscenes!
Grab The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard today >
10. The Elder Scrolls: Arena (Best for RPG History Buffs)
| Platforms: | Release Year: | DLCs and Extra Content: |
| PC | 1994 | None |
Props to the OG game that started it all. It gets a place on my list. Arena laid the very foundations of our beloved Elder Scrolls franchise. While it feels ancient compared to modern TES entries, it introduced the massive open-world concept, real-time combat, and deep magic systems that you enjoy in TES today. If you’ve played Arena, you know how ambitious it was for its time.
Unlike later TES games, Arena was more of a dungeon-crawling RPG than a fully open-world sandbox. However, it established core mechanics that still define the series today. The magic system was especially innovative, allowing players to customize spells like later games.
Its groundbreaking features paved the way for the epic scale and freedom we now expect from Elder Scrolls games.
FAQs
How many Elder Scrolls games are there?
There are 5 mainline titles and one MMO (Elder Scrolls Online). There are numerous spin-offs and mobile games.
What is the order of the Elder Scrolls?
The main series follows this order: 1. Arena (1994), 2. Daggerfall (1996), 3. Morrowind (2002), 4. Oblivion (2006), 5. Skyrim (2011), 6. Elder Scrolls Online (2014, MMO).
Are Oblivion and Skyrim connected?
Yes. Skyrim is set 200 years after Oblivion. The Oblivion Crisis shaped Skyrim’s world but the main stories are separate.
