10 Best Elder Scrolls Games: Ultimate Verdict for 2026
The debate on which is the best Elder Scrolls game never ends, and I get why.
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 MMORPG A perfect blend of nostalgia and modern MMO fun.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim ACTION RPG A massive open-world with a thriving modding community.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
RPG
A perfect mix of plot and some of the best side content in the series.
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)
Release Year DLCs and Extra Content PC, PS4, Xbox One 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.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Best for Story & Exploration)
Release Year DLCs and Extra Content PC, Xbox 360, PS3 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?
Skyrim – Dragonborn DLC (Best Expansion for Epic Battles)
Release Year DLCs and Extra Content PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch 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!
The Elder Scrolls Online (Best MMO for TES Fans)
Release Year DLCs and Extra Content PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S 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?
Elder Scrolls Online – Summerset DLC (Best High-Fantasy Expansion)
Release Year DLCs and Extra Content PC, PS4, Xbox One 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.
gamekeys.deals team
Guides written and checked by the gamekeys.deals team against our own price data and the stores' published policies.