Forget Skyrim, this 80 Metacritic game is the best to play while waiting for TES 6 despite not even being made by Bethesda

There are tons of great fantasy RPGs out there that have been released since the last one Elder scrolls entry, Skyrimstaked its claim as one of the most beloved additions to the genre. Some of the best open-world fantasy RPGs of the past decade aren't even Bethesda-made, and while it's tempting to go back to Skyrim to prepare for The Elder Scrolls 6a title from 2023 is the better option: Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon takes Skyrim's First-Person Fantasy RPG formula and makes it its own

When it comes to strong first-person RPGs, there have been many options to choose from recently. Last year, Avowed tackled the fantasy genre, while Kingdom Dome: Deliverance 2 chose a more realistic, historically accurate approach. Both games are solid choices for Skyrim fans, though Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon balances dark fantasy and open world exploration in a way that makes it a game incredibly reminiscent of The Elder Scrolls while retaining its own unique identity. Between the game and the love of exploration, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is a wonderful love letter to the genre it aims to honor, and to those thinking of another Skyrim the game is worth picking up instead.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon brings a dark twist to the Arthurian Legend

The main story about Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon revolves around the legendary King Arthur. Taking place 600 years after his reign, the games help shape what his legacy looked like, offering plenty of freedom within a set premise. That's definitely not where player freedom ends, though. Players can create their character to be a completely unique citizen of Avalon, with skills and weapon variety that pave the way for a character build that ultimately peaks Skyrimpp.

Skyrim's combat feels limp, while Dirty Grail: The Fall of Avalon packs a meaningful punch

Even if Skyrim remains incredibly popular, Bethesda's latest fantasy RPG is definitely showing its age, and the feel of its combat only gets worse with time. Even when Skyrim first launched, the combat felt sluggish. Every swipe of a melee weapon felt like cutting through air, not an actual object, and thankfully, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon do not have this problem. Melee isn't the only fighting style that feels impactful either. Even spells can be felt properly, and when comparing the two, it's clear which game has the stronger combat mechanics. Over the years there have been many games that have had mechanics that are now better than Skyrimand Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalons combat is not only satisfying, but immersive, due to the heavy feel of each hit.

Skyrim's Map May Be Bigger, But Stained Grail: The Fall of Avalon's Close-Knit Map Works in its Favor

Skyrims map is huge. Not only is the size itself large, but the diverse terrain that covers the map makes it feel even more daunting, and while it's a world that's still wonderful for expansive exploration, there's something to be said for smaller-scale maps as well. Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon only has three main areas, but what it lacks in sheer size, it makes up for with hidden gems, a stronger story, and immersion-building features that make a player feel a part of Avalon, like fishing, forging, farming, or even journaling. The game's approach trades size and seemingly endless exploration for a more well-rounded overarching story, and it ultimately creates a world on par with Skyrim.

The three areas of Avalon

• Cuanacht Village

• Horn of the South

• Lost swords

Skyrim's Nine Major Cities

• Winter hold

• Windhelim

• Whiterun

• Loneliness

• The rift

• Morthal

• Markarth

• Falkreath

• Dawnstar

Skyrims cities are also just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to places to explore in the fantasy RPG's impressive map. The size and details of Skyrims map is one of its most famous features, even now. So, some will definitely see Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalons more modest size as a downgrade, but for those looking for a world that offers stronger narrative over aimless wandering, then it's an RPG worth diving into.

In Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon, Choices Have a Greater Impact on the Story

In addition to weak feeling battle, another issue facing Skyrim is its shallow storytelling and lack of truly meaningful choices. Skyrimthe main story is definitely not the star of the show, and while many players prefer it for its exploration over storytelling, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon has the advantage of offering both. There are many choices for players to make in Skyrimbut in the end only a few have any actual impact, like siding with the Imperial Legion or the Stormcloak. Overall, in-game decisions don't affect the story in any huge way, though Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon ensuring that choice is an integral part of the experience. Of course, it's not on par with fantasy RPGS-like Baldur's Gate 3but it's still a big improvement over Skyrim with regard to its main narrative.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is a special game that puts a wonderfully crafted dark fantasy world in the spotlight. The Elder Scrolls 6 release date is one of the biggest mysteries in gaming right now, and as Bethesda continues to keep its hands quiet, many fantasy RPG lovers are likely pining for something new. Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon may not be a Bethesda-made game, but it takes that familiar spirit off Skyrim and make it a more polished and compelling RPG.