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 hand-crafted, it had some pretty fun combat and building options, and aside from the main plot, which left a lot to be desired, it had tons of great missions and storytelling packed into it. Over the years it has been released far too many times, but it continues to thrive thanks to a loyal fan base and modding community.

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

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

The outer worlds

Lots of role-playing opportunities and companions

Look, the first one The outer worlds was, well, limited. It's not an open world game, so don't jump into it expecting anything big and grand in terms of exploration. In fact, wandering off-path tends to be a bit of a letdown in this game, as the wilderness is a bit empty most of the time. That said, if you love questing and like your choices to actually affect the world and story outcome in big, tangible ways (which unfortunately isn't always the case in Skyrim), this is definitely the game for you.

The dialogue is a little more lighthearted and more subtle than in Skyrimand it has a colorful sci-fi world with some pretty unique world building. Everything focuses on the governance of big corporations and how they have basically stripped the world of resources and happiness, and how they continue to do this and justify it. If this game feels a little dated to you, it's worth jumping in too The Outer Worlds 2and while I haven't had the chance to try it yet, I've heard it has some much-needed improvements. As one Skyrim heck, I really liked the first one because of the roleplaying options.

Cyberpunk 2077

Excellent Buildcrafting and next-level Questing

If you really like the open world aspect of the Skyrim and love to explore, but always found the characters in Skyrim a bit dull, try Cyberpunk 2077. The game was in a bad shape at launch, but it's come a long way, and it's one of the most gorgeous open-world RPGs out there right now. Questing feels absolutely next-level here, with NPCs that move and animate in a completely believable way and conversations that sound genuinely human.

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

Valheim

Open-World Survival Craft Gone Viking

Okay, so maybe you don't like futuristic environments, and you'd rather be in something more medieval coded. If so, I highly recommend going in Valheim. It has some very mild RPG elements. As Skyrimperforming certain tasks and activities will raise your skills in that department, so it's pretty intuitive and you don't have to play around with skill points (unlike in Skyrim).

There is an open world to explore with different biomes, minecraft-stylebut without the blocks. The goal is to advance 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, but that was added Skyrim a little later with Survival Mode and Hearthfire DLC. If you're okay with no questing and just want to create your own path and story in a more sandbox environment, then this is the next game for you to try.

Red Dead Redemption 2

The pinnacle of Open-World Games

Most people remember how incredible Skyrim was when it first came out. Sure, it had its fair share of haters and doubters, but there just 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 commitment, this is the current benchmark for the open world genre, and is, in my opinion, a must-play for anyone who has experienced Skyrim upon release.

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

Mass Effect Trilogy

The most cinematic storytelling experience

Back to sci-fi settings, another great example of a game series that does RPG well and is sure to please Skyrim fans who crave that extra layer of character immersion Mass effect. Again, you have to play a fixed character, but you get to change Shepard's appearance to your liking, so there's at least some aesthetic leeway. The most important and wonderful part though are all the companions and how much detail and depth they have.

Have you ever gotten a little tired of hearing Lydia tell you the same thing over and over again? Although it happens in most games with companions, at least in Mass effectthe characters really feel like real people. Even better, they evolve and grow with you, and as you go out and explore, so does the world. As in Skyrimyou get to be the ultimate hero, but unlike i Skyrimyou also get to decide which hero you are, thanks to the Paragon and Renegades system.

Fallout 4

If it looks and feels similar, that's because it is

Maybe learning a whole new, different game is too much for you, and you'd like something very close Skyrimbut a different type of environment that is not great. In that case, Fallout 4 is the perfect choice for you. It's basically the same game engine, so many interfaces will look somewhat similar, with a few key upgrades here and there.

All good from Skyrim can be found here, from really crisp, excellent environmental stories to funky companions, to building to your heart's content and exploring a desolate open world map. And explore you will, because Fallout 4's the world is full of darkness, mysteries, secrets and surprises. It's a troll troll's dream come true, and with two DLC sub-locations to go through, you won't be bored with Commonwealth anytime soon.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

A more grounded medieval RPG

Melee weapon lovers from Skyrim can rejoice now, because Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a dream come true for anyone desperate for realistic swordplay. Even in SkyrimMelee can be a little tricky when managing your stamina, but this KCD2 takes it to a whole other level. It's a grounded, medieval open world where you play as Henry, so unfortunately you have to deal with a fixed character.

Like I said, you have a lot of freedom, like that RDR2in how you progress through the game, and you will get to build a reputation by performing certain actions. The world feels like it's a step up from Skyrim'swith NPCs a little more alive and intelligent, commenting on your choices and actions. Are you smelly and drunk? People will take note of it, and you can even reply back, unlike i Skyrimwhere we are all at the mercy of guards who make fun of our lost sweetrolls. Give it a try, and it might even become your next big obsession.