Summary
- Bethesda has evolved into a major video game company known for top-notch RPGs, now under Microsoft.
- Games like Deathloop, Dishonored 2, and Wolfenstein: The New Order showcase Bethesda's quality.
- The company's iconic titles like Skyrim and Fallout: New Vegas continue to captivate fans with their depth and storytelling.
Bethesda has transformed from a developer of amazing western RPGs into one of the biggest video game companies around, which was acquired by Microsoft in a blockbuster move. The company has made a name for itself by developing and publishing some of the greatest video games players can get their hands on.
The many first-person games under Bethesda's umbrella are in a class of their own, featuring action-packed gameplay loops and riveting stories that will keep fans coming back for more. For players looking to explore their catalog, these are some of the best first-person titles in their library.
8 Deathloop
Players Must Execute Eight Visionaries In A Single Loop
Deathloop
- Released
- September 14, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Arkane Studios is known for developing some stellar immersive sims, and Deathloop, published by Bethesda, is no exception. Players step into the shoes of Colt Vahn, a protagonist caught in a time loop who must kill eight Visionaries in one run to escape this predicament.
Death can be frustrating in this game, but it also serves as a learning experience and encourages players to experiment with their approach in later runs. Players will love how satisfying it feels to carry out a bunch of kills in quick succession without being spotted, something that Arkane excels in.
7 Dishonored 2
An Excellent Sequel With Stellar Level Design
Dishonored 2
- Released
- November 11, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
It's a shame that Dishonored 2 wasn't as successful as its predecessor, since the level design and gameplay are top-notch in this title. The addition of two protagonists enhances the game's replayability too, encouraging players to use the diverse suite of powers for both protagonists to make the most of the game's level design.
From the moment players go through the imaginative Clockwork Mansion, they'll realize how magical Dishonored 2's level design is. More immersive sim fans need to check out this title, since they're missing out on something special.
6 Wolfenstein: The New Order
An Action-Packed Shooter
Wolfenstein: The New Order
- Released
- May 20, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
Fans expected breakneck shooting action in a Wolfenstein reboot, and The New Order certainly delivered in this regard. Going akimbo with two shotguns and obliterating enemies in mere seconds never ceases to be engaging.
However, what really surprised fans about The New Order was its sublime storytelling. Fans would have scoffed at the idea of B.J. Blazkowicz being the protagonist of a story-heavy adventure, but the excellent writing and direction of The New Order turned its story into one of the game's biggest highlights.
5 Indiana Jones And The Great Circle
The Best Video Game Starring Everyone's Favorite Archaeologist
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Released
- December 9, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
MachineGames was tasked with developing an Indiana Jones game, which worried fans since a first-person adventure starring Indy seemed like an odd choice. It didn't help that Wolfenstien: Youngblood left many fans disappointed and worried about the future of this developer.
All of these complaints were silenced when The Great Circle came out and comfortably established itself as the best Indiana Jones game ever made. The manner in which both the main story and the side quests tied together was brilliant, and it helped that MachineGames' writing elevated both the funny and serious moments of this title.
4 Doom (2016)
A Return To Form For Everyone's Favorite FPS Franchise
DOOM
- Released
- May 13, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Fans were over the moon when they got their hands on the 2016 Doom reboot, a game that surpassed all their expectations. The game combined classic arcade shooting action with modern gameplay advancements to make for a delicious and bloody cocktail full of gore and violence.
Players were encouraged to be mobile and land Glory Kills to refill their health in frenetic, action-packed set pieces. Their skills evolved naturally over the course of the game as their arsenal of weapons expanded, allowing combat to reach new heights as the Doom Slayer was hounded by hellish demons who wanted to stop this monster by any means necessary.
3 Prey
Arguably One Of The Best Immersive Sims Ever Made
Prey
- Released
- May 5, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Prey is easily one of the most underappreciated video games ever made, featuring what just might be the best gameplay, story, and atmosphere present in an Arkane Studios game. Players control Morgan Yu, a scientist trapped in a social experiment who breaks free from their prison and must traverse the desolate and sinister halls of the Talos I Space Station to find his brother.
What makes Prey so much fun to play is how it doesn't hold a player's hand, and instead assumes that they'll understand how to manipulate the game's tools to their advantage. Enemy variety may be lacking in Prey, but that's a small price to pay for the incredible gameplay that will keep fans hooked till the very end.
2 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
A Legendary RPG That Needs No Introduction
Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
To this day, Skyrim stands out as one of the greatest western RPGs ever made that fans still can't get enough of. The Dragonborn is dropped into a massive world full of endless possibilities as they step into Whiterun and initiate a quest that establishes them as the hero of the tale.
Despite its flaws, there's something about Skyrim's magic that keeps fans coming back for more. It helps that the active modding community has enhanced the title's longevity, ensuring that players will have a great time exploring the massive world of Skyrim and the wealth of content it has to offer.
1 Fallout: New Vegas
Bethesda Gave Obsidian The Funding They Needed To Shine
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- RPG
New Vegas is arguably the greatest Fallout game ever made, combining both old and new elements of this genre to make for a delightful time. The sheer number of permutations and combinations stemming from the game's role-playing opportunities ensure that fans will keep coming back for more.
The Courier's simple journey to deliver a package transforms into a grand plot to take over New Vegas, with several pretenders to the throne asking the Courier to help them out in this goal. Of course, the player can go rogue and team up with Yes Man to take control of New Vegas for themselves if they wish, enhancing the suite of options at the player's behest when it comes to the main story.
- Date Founded
- June 28, 1986
- Headquarters
- Rockville, Maryland, United States
- CEO
- Todd Howard
- Parent Company
- Microsoft
- Subsidiaries
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Known For
- The Elder Scrolls, Dishonored, DOOM