The combination of an open-world and role-playing into a single game is eye-opening. Role-playing games are some of the most prominent names in the industry, and in an open-world setting, players can traverse landscapes, fulfilling quests from variousNPCs.Freedom of choice has proven to be one of the most desirable aspects of a video game. Role-playing games offer that and more.
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In the open-world role-playing game genre, there are few games as recognizable asThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.The adventure kicks off in a heated battle with a dragon (no pun intended). PuttingSkyrimaside, there are plenty of games under the same category that offers confounding experiences. These are the 10 best open-world RPGs that aren’tSkyrim.
10The Elder Scrolls Online
Chances are, you’re like many people who’ve beatenSkyrimand played the extras.The Elder Scrolls VIcouldn’t come soon enough. We received an announcement trailer at E3 2018, but since then, there hasn’t been much news other than Bethesda telling us it will be a while before it releases.
In the meantime,The Elder Scrolls Onlineis an open-worldMMORPGthat will keep you busy for hours on end. Unlike other MMORPGs,The Elder Scrolls Onlinehas realistic combat that isn’t turn-based. The result is fluid gameplay, which is why we recommendThe Elder Scrolls Online.
9Fallout: New Vegas
BeforeFallout 4released,Fallout: New Vegaswas considered the bestFalloutgame available. To many, that never changed asFallout: New Vegashas one of the most intriguing stories in the series. Without trying to spoil anything for those who haven’t played it yet, the way the story starts off is amazing.Playing as a Mojave Express courier proves to be an unbelievable experience.
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Rival sordid factions play a significant role in the game. We won’t easily forget some of the game’s memorable NPCs like Veronica Santangelo and the nightkin Lily Bowen.
8TheElderScrollsIII: Morrowind
Bethesda Game Studios is one of the best developers around when it comes to making immersive open-world role-playing games. Possibly their best example isThe Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.While games likeSkyrimhave a bigger landscape, Morrowind is quaint.
It has all the elements of an excellent role-playing game, and the quest variety is spectacular. It could be the most immersiveThe Elder Scrollsgame of the series. The storytelling is a masterclass, and with the addition of mods, you’re able to forge your path in the game.
7The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Some would say thatThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildis not a role-playing game, but the degree to which it incorporates role-playing elements makes it partially a role-playing game. Fans are calling it likeSkyrimbecause of its open-world exploration and mountainous regions.
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According tonintendotoday.com,“Breath of the Wildtook four years to develop and employed 300 developers at Nintendo.” As one of the best (if not the best) games on the Nintendo Switch,The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildcan be called an open-world role-playing game that isn’tThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
6Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Open-world exploration has become more than we could hope for with theAssassin’s Creedfranchise. Worlds are considerably more massive, and the graphics are jaw-droppingly beautiful. This latest installment could be the best in the series.Assassin’s Creed Odysseyis set in a vibrant and expansive world filled with plenty of content.
In some ways, it’s likeSkyrimbecause of its mountainous slopes and role-playing elements. Rather than being drawn out,Ubisofthas proven thatAssassin’s Creedis still a good franchise.
5Middle-earth: Shadow of War
The second entry in theMiddle-earthgame series is filled with more action than the first and relies more onRPG elements.In the first game, stealth was a huge part of the game. InMiddle-earth: Shadow of War, however, player customization plays a larger part.
This scenic open-world game is unlikeThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, but it does have an open-world set in the hilly region of Middle-earth. Swords and enemies with supernatural powers are present in both games. ThisLord of the Ringsvideo game is one of the finest examples of an open-world role-playing game done right.
4The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
It would be near-impossible to leaveThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntout of this list. It won numerous game of the year awards and is one of the most impactful role-playing games of all time. The sheer amount of content will keep players busy for hours on end.
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Playing as Geralt of Rivia, players are tasked with locating Geralt’s missing adopted daughter. The game has a substantial learning curve, but if you manage to get through it, you’ll find yourself in the middle of a riveting open-world role-playing game.
3Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Inquisitionmay have better graphics and a more refined combat system, yet the story ofDragon Age: Originsis better overall.Dragon Age: Origins. It’s one of those games you canplay for countless hours without batting an eye.BioWareis one of the most talented development companies when it comes to making role-playing games.
Dragon Age: Originsis unlikeSkyrim,but it does have a few similarities. As a game that is available on both console and PC, it’s a game you have to experience.
2The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
We’ve heard time and time again how excellentThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntis, but we have barely talked about its predecessor,The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. WhenThe Witcher 2: Assassins of Kingsreleased, it was exclusive to Xbox 360 and PC. It didn’t have a wide release likeThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Still, the game is fantastic, and the combat system is very polished. It has less of an open-world thanThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,but it’s every bit as enthralling.
1Fallout 4
The way the game begins sets the tone for the rest of the game.Fallout4is set in a barren wasteland in the year 2287. The role-playing elements ofFallout 4leave the way for a ton of player customization.
Through a device called the Pip-Boy, players can upgrade a wide variety of skills. Made by developerBethesda Softworks,the same company behindSkyrim,Fallout 4’s spacious open-world can be both terrifying and beautiful.
