Games Like Skyrim That Aren’t Fantasy RPGs

Skyrim is a bit of a phenomenon. Sure, it's starting to show its age, and it's by no means a perfect game in an era where open-world RPGs are starting to push the boundaries of what we knew was possible before. It has its limitations, but its world was handcrafted, it had some pretty fun combat and build options, and aside from its main plot, which left a lot to be desired, it had a ton of awesome quests and storytelling packed into it. Throughout the years, it's been released far too many times, but it continues to prosper thanks to a loyal fanbase and modding community.

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So if you're a fan of Skyrim, but you don't want to play a fantasy RPG for some reason, what options are out there to tide you over until something new and better comes along? Well, there are games that might scratch a certain itch. Each game selected here has a slightly different reason for why it fits. They might have Skyrim-like features, like solid RPG elements, cool buildcrafting, immersive worlds to explore, or they might even improve on something Skyrim does.

As mentioned, we'll avoid games that combine both fantasy and RPG, as that would just be too easy, so expect to see other genres like sci-fi here. These won't all necessarily be open-world games, either, so keep an open mind.

The Outer Worlds

Plenty Of Roleplaying Opportunities And Companion Shenanigans

Look, the first The Outer Worlds was, well, limited. It's not an open-world game, so don't jump into it expecting something big and grand in terms of exploration. In fact, wandering off the beaten path will usually be a slight disappointment in this game, since the wilderness is mostly a bit empty. That said, if you love questing and like your choices actually affect the world and the story's outcome in major, tangible ways (which isn't always sadly the case in Skyrim), this is definitely the game for you.

The dialogue is a bit more lighthearted and quirkier than in Skyrim, and it features a colorful sci-fi world with some pretty unique worldbuilding. All of it focuses on the rule of major corporations and how they've basically stripped the world of resources and happiness, and how they continue to do this and justify it. If this game feels a bit dated to you, it's worth also jumping into The Outer Worlds 2, and while I haven't had the chance to try it yet, I hear it does have some much-needed improvements. As a Skyrim fan, I really liked the first one because of the role-playing options.

Cyberpunk 2077

Excellent Buildcrafting And Next-Level Questing

If you're really into the open-world aspect of Skyrim and love exploring, but always found the characters in Skyrim a bit lackluster, try Cyberpunk 2077. The game was in a bad state at launch, but it has come a really long way, and it's one of the most gorgeous open-world RPGs out right now. Questing feels absolutely next level here, with NPCs moving and animated in a completely believable way and conversations that sound genuinely humane.

The story and the Phantom Liberty DLC will keep you immersed and occupied for hours to come, kind of like Skyrim and its two robust DLCs, and if you're someone who enjoys coming up with broken builds, this is a gold mine for you. With cybernetic enhancements, you can make V the type of mercenary you want. There's melee, there's sniping, there's a variety of different firearms, and most importantly, there's remote hacking, which can make for some pretty fun combat. It's a nice futuristic step up from Skyrim, with a lot more depth to it, and like Skyrim, it definitely revolutionized the open-world RPG genre.

Valheim

Open-World Survival Craft Gone Viking

Okay, so maybe you don't enjoy futuristic settings, and you'd rather be in something more medieval-coded. In that case, I highly recommend getting into Valheim. It has some very mild RPG elements in it. Like Skyrim, performing certain tasks and activities will level up your skills in that department, so it's pretty intuitive, and you don't need to play around with skill points (unlike in Skyrim).

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By Eduardo Ariedo

There's an open world to explore with various biomes, Minecraft- style, but without the blocks. The goal is to progress from one area to another by beating the local boss, so there's a bit of fantasy in there, too, with magic, combat, enemies, and such. The main charm is the building and survival, though, which was added to Skyrim a bit later on with Survival Mode and Hearthfire DLC. If you're okay with no questing and would just like to make your own path and story in a more sandboxy environment, then this is the next game for you to try.

Red Dead Redemption 2

The Peak Of Open-World Games

Most people remember just how incredible Skyrim was when it first came out. Sure, it had its fair share of haters and doubters, but there simply wasn't anything like it at the time. The world felt incredibly alive and real. However, Red Dead Redemption 2 soon came in to challenge everything we knew about gaming and its limits in general. A true work of love and dedication, this is the current benchmark for the open-world genre, and is, in my opinion, a must-play for anyone who experienced Skyrim at release.

It's hard to find anything that comes close to this level of detail and realism as you interact with the world. While you're confined to playing a set character, Arthur Morgan, you have a lot of leeway when it comes to defining what kind of man you become, thanks to the Honor system. Your casual actions in the world actually affect your personality, and NPCs will respond to this. If you loved how alive Skyrim felt, you'll definitely fall in love with the depth in this game, thanks to the dozens of side quests and casual activities, and might find it a bit difficult to return to Skyrim eventually. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Mass Effect Trilogy

The Most Cinematic Story Experience

Going back to sci-fi settings, another great example of a game series that does role-playing well and will definitely please Skyrim fans itching for that extra layer of character immersion is Mass Effect. Again, you do have to play a set character, but you get to change Shepard's appearance to your liking, so there's a bit of aesthetic leeway at least. The most important and wonderful part, though, is all the companions and just how much detail and depth they have.

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By Gerardo Molina

Ever found yourself a little tired of hearing Lydia say the same thing to you again and again? While that does happen in most games with companions, at least in Mass Effect, the characters truly feel like real people. Better yet, they develop and grow with you, and as you go out questing, so does the world. Like in Skyrim, you get to be the ultimate hero, but unlike in Skyrim, you also get to decide the flavor of hero you are, thanks to the Paragon and Renegades system.

Fallout 4

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

Maybe learning a whole new, different game is too much for you, and you'd like something that's very close to Skyrim, but a different kind of setting that isn't all fantastical. In that case, Fallout 4 is the perfect choice for you. It's essentially the same game engine, so a lot of UI will look somewhat similar, with a few key upgrades here and there.

All the good stuff from Skyrim can be found here, from really crispy, excellent environmental storytelling to funky companions, to buildcrafting to your heart's content, and exploring a desolate open-world map. And explore you will, because Fallout 4's world is full of darkness, mysteries, secrets, and surprises. It's a loot goblin's dream come true, and with two DLC sub-locations to go through as well, you won't be getting bored with the Commonwealth any time soon.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

A More Grounded Medieval RPG

Melee weapon lovers from Skyrim may rejoice now, because Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a dream come true for anyone desperate for some realistic swordplay. Even in Skyrim, melee combat can be a bit tricky as you manage your stamina, but this KCD2 brings it to a whole other level. It's a grounded, medieval open-world where you play as Henry, so unfortunately, you do have to deal with a set character.

That said, you have a lot of freedom, similar to RDR2, in how you go through the game, and you'll get to build yourself a reputation by performing certain actions. The world feels like it's a step up from Skyrim's, with NPCs a bit more alive and intelligent, commenting on your choices and actions. Are you smelly and drunk? People will make a note of that, and you can even reply back, unlike in Skyrim, where we are all at the mercy of guards making fun of our lost sweetrolls. Give it a try, and it might even become your next big obsession.