Skyrim and Fallout 4 are considered to be incredible open-world masterpieces that are often compared to one another. Bethesda Studios created both titles, creating similarities that would eventually lead to them being stacked side by side. Despite their similarities, Skyrim and Fallout 4 vary from each other in many different ways.
Gamers love discussing which game is the better take on the open-world formula, and for good reason. This article examines whether Skyrim or Fallout 4 is the better of the two by comparing various criteria such as level design, exploration and even modding potential. Read on to find out which game managed to score the win.
Updated November 8, 2021, by Anastasia Maillot: With Bethesda's sights on its brand-new upcoming sci-fi themed RPG Starfield, it's a good time to talk about the studio's two most epic games that have defined the last decade of video games: Fallout 4 and Skyrim.
Skyrim has its 10th-year anniversary around the corner and is often considered one of the major titles of the last decade for pushing the boundaries as an open-world RPG. However, Fallout 4 remains extremely underrated and is without a doubt the best-looking RPG Bethesda has released so far, with the exception of Fallout 76. Here's how the two compare.
22 Fallout 4: Meaningful Factions
A problem quite often experienced in Skyrim is that the Dragonborn can simply join all the factions without any issues and become this all-knowing and all-seeing god-like creature. This doesn't happen in Fallout 4, where the factions negate each other once the player has picked a side.
For some players, this can be frustrating, because it means starting a new playthrough to experience other paths in the game. However, it's also incredibly boring to just be able to do everything in one playthrough, with no consequences. It definitely makes Fallout 4's world feel more realistic, with higher stakes.
21 Skyrim: Truly Unique Weapons
Both games have unique weapons, but Skyrim wins by a slight margin when it comes to truly unique weapon design. While it's true Fallout 4 has some crazy, wacky weapons like the Nuka Nuke Launcher and Alien Blaster pistol, they just don't compare with something like the Wabbajack from Skyrim.
Moreover, since Skyrim is a medieval fantasy setting, there's more variety in terms of weapon types and character builds. There are far more things players can accomplish in combat, simply by using the Sanguine Rose to summon a Dremora friend to their side.
20 Fallout 4: Voiced Main Character
This part might divide fans in terms of opinions, but hear this out first. While a voiced main character might feel like limiting creativity and imagination, it can actually help players feel more connected to their main character. The issue with the silent Dragoborn is that not only does he have fewer dialogue options (addressed later in this list), but he also just remains silent, which takes away a huge part of his personality.
Plus, who doesn't love the sarcastic jerk voice lines spoken by the voice actors in Fallout 4? Those moments are pure comedy gold while deep in a serious playthrough. Despite what fans might feel or think, the voice acting of the Sole Survivor in Fallout 4 is pretty good.
19 Skyrim: Buying Houses
Building aside, which is something Bethesda introduced in both games, where Skyrim beats Fallout 4 is in its housing feature. Sure, Skyrim isn't a post-apocalyptic world where such a thing probably wouldn't be possible, but there were a few missed opportunities in Fallout 4 where fans could have bought a house (for example, in Diamond City).
It's definitely a special feeling when players unlock those expensive houses in Skyrim's various locations, each with a ton of loot inside and a place to showcase any armor and weapons they've gathered on their journey. That's something Fallout 4 simply can't compete with.
18 Fallout 4: Survival Difficulty
A great game is one that has a difficulty mode that's sure to keep the players busy for years to come. While Skyrim does have Legendary difficulty, it just can't compare with the epic experience Fallout 4's Survival difficulty is. Even though the community has added on to the survival experience through mods, playing the difficulty even on a vanilla version of Fallout 4 is a game-changer.
A Survival difficulty is precisely what seems to be missing from Skyrim, which is why so many mods have been made after the release to respond to that demand. Think Frostbite and Campfire, all opportunities the developers could have taken, but chose not to. And that's why Fallout 4 simply reigns supreme in this category.
17 Skyrim: Unforgettable Soundtrack
Bethesda is known for going big on its soundtracks. A great RPG needs an epic soundtrack to go with, and both games have shown that reliably. However, Skyrim's soundtrack is definitely better known between the two, and for a good reason.
The work that went into making Skyrim's music is immense, and the dedication can definitely be felt. The main theme itself is so iconic that even those who have never played the game will recognize it easily. While Fallout 4 has an epic soundtrack as well, it's nowhere near the grandeur of Skyrim's music.
16 Fallout 4: Slightly Better Exploration
Exploration is a big factor in Bethesda games, and both Skyrim and Fallout 4 tackle the concept very well. There's a lot to see and discover, and that extends the length of the gameplay while adding new experiences. It's hard to call a winner between the two when it comes to exploration, but Fallout 4 holds a razor-thin advantage.
There's something particularly fascinating about exploring a world ravaged by a nuclear war. Around every corner is a relic of humanity's bygone days and a world that once was. Abandoned bunkers, museums, and underground passageways contain not only a wealth of loot but echoes of the past. Skyrim does the same, but Fallout 4 does it just a little bit better.
15 Skyrim: Incredible Atmosphere
Both Skyrim and Fallout 4 successfully replicate a feeling of fantasy and post-apocalyptic wasteland, respectively. Bethesda succeeded at crafting two very immersive game worlds littered with all the details that go into the making of either realm. Immersion and atmosphere are huge reasons why both games stand so tall with fans.
Still, it's hard to deny Skyrim's slight advantage over Fallout 4, given how well it nails the fantasy feeling. This goes double (perhaps triple) for a modded copy that adds texture and environment detail, new music, and nature mods that flesh out the game. It's the closest one can get to wandering around a Lord of the Rings-style world without actually getting inside Tolkien's head.
14 Fallout 4: Meaningful Choices
Questlines and character development are a part of both games, and there are forks in the road that allow players to dictate how the story progresses. This is yet another reason why fans adore both titles, but they're not entirely the same in how they dish out choice.
Skyrim definitely has a decent amount of decision-making strewn throughout the story, but Fallout 4's decisions create a much bigger impact, especially if one has the DLC content. There are a lot more moments in the game where players are forced to consider the consequences of their actions, for better or worse.
13 Skyrim: Better Modding
Bethesda games are made to be modded, and both Skyrim and Fallout 4 are two of the absolute biggest platforms in the entire scene. Mods are plentiful, and they range from texture upgrades to weapon and armor mods and even brand new locations that extend the size and scope of the game.
Skyrim still has an advantage when it comes to modding. The Special Edition version of the game is very stable and much more forgiving than Fallout 4. Even veteran modders have trouble dealing with Fallout 4's tricky architecture. Mods that affect navmeshes are particularly troublesome and can either break the game or plague it with massive FPS drops.
12 Fallout 4: Post-Apocalypse Retro Charm
Skyrim is all about spectacle and immersion, and it sells the fantasy aspect of its world and lore in such a way that is incomparable. However, Fallout 4 has Skyrim beat when it comes to overall charm and quirkiness, and it's easy to see why. After all, the game takes place in an alternate future where America never really left the 1950s.
Though not perfect, there's no denying the charm of that decade and the impact it had on an America that had just exited the worst war in history. The music, the décor, and the good old-fashioned family values are utterly charming and captivating, even if they're juxtaposed by a future world inhabited by the worst dredges of humanity.
11 Skyrim: Exciting Side Quests
Something that makes Skyrim stand out from Fallout 4 is the incredibly interesting side quests. Both games have them, but Skyrim's are more memorable, perhaps due to the fantasy-friendly approach Bethesda took to the game.
Whether it's joining the Thieves Guild, taking out the Dark Brotherhood, or running errands for the various Jarls, the story in Skyrim never seems to end. It's all thanks to a side quest system that makes the game compelling and rewarding, even during multiple playthroughs.
10 Fallout 4: The Settlement Creation Feature
In Fallout 4, Bethesda implemented a completely new feature that allows players to customize their own settlements around the map. This was a function that allowed gamers to get very creative when it came to building, defending, and managing each settlement's resources.
In many ways, this was light years ahead of Skyrim's rather disappointing Hearthfire DLC pack which allowed players to (sort of) craft their own dream abode. Fallout 4 went above and beyond with a level of personal customization that Skyrim couldn't hope to match, even if it tried.
9 Skyrim: Character Customization
Skyrim's replay value is practically legendary at this point. It all starts with character customization that helps players craft their perfect avatar for some in-game immersion. The inclusion of multiple races isn't just there for the sake of personal taste - it also plays a role in how the game's story unfolds.
The character creation system may be further expanded on with the use of several mods that increase the number of customization players may do to the face and body, as well as other mods that affect perks, strengths, and weaknesses based on the biological makeup of each race.
8 Fallout 4: The Main Story
Fallout 4 has a better main story than Skyrim for a few reasons. First, Fallout 4's main set of quests help build suspense all the way up to the climatic ending in a much better and more organic way than Skyrim managed to accomplish.
Late game missions are also full of twists and surprise turns that make for a fun and interesting gameplay experience. Fallout 4's main story also includes different factions that can be joined which affect the story progression, and with it, multiple endings.
7 Skyrim: Map Variation
Both Skyrim and Fallout 4 offer up two amazing maps to explore. In regards to which map has more variation, Skyrim offers a more varied experience by mixing up snowy mountain peaks with green grasslands and rustic caves. Fallout 4 takes place in a rather static world that is less about fantasy, and more about exploration.
This gives Skyrim a definitive edge for players who don't want to see the same types of terrain over and over again. Even the DLC content helps expand the game's environmental offerings in a way that Fallout 4's by-the-books content does not.
6 Fallout 4: Weapon Mods
Fallout 4 goes above and beyond when it comes to modding and customizing each weapon to your liking. Every gun can be customized with various add-ons and materials in order to craft precisely the weapons best suited to each player.
Modding doesn't just affect the damage done - it can also completely change the mechanics of the weapon with scopes, suppressors, and other add-ons. Skyrim has enchantment options for weapons, but it's quite limited in scope and functionality compared to Fallout 4's weapon system.
5 Skyrim: Add-Ons (DLC)
Both Skyrim and Fallout 4 have a sizeable amount of quality DLC content that expands upon the vanilla base title. Skyrim has three DLC packs, but Fallout 4 doubles that amount with six different downloadable content pieces.
Less is more when it comes to this section because it feels as though Skyrim's DLC had a little more thought put into them as opposed to Fallout 4. Being able to fight (or become) vampires was an incredible experience while traveling to the island of Solstheim to fight another Dragonborn was a neat twist on the story.
4 Fallout 4: Combat
Bethesda worked on making Fallout 4's gameplay more accessible and refined compared to what they did with Skyrim. It was released four years later than Skyrim, and various touch-ups to the interface and gameplay mechanics within the Creation Engine are evident.
Taking on a group of enemies feels more natural than it does in Skyrim, and switching between melee and ranged combat feels very smooth. Enemies react to what kind of approach players take when it comes to the choice of both weaponry and tactics.
3 Skyrim: Magic & Shouts
Being the Dragonborn in Skyrim comes with plenty of cool perks that can make gameplay feel very unique. Upgrading and using certain shouts can be a very useful and entertaining way of fighting, whether it be using force shouts to hurl enemies away, or using a shout to set them on fire.
The magic in the world of Skyrim helps elevate it above its predecessors, especially when it comes to the Dragonborn tongue. This singular language creates an entirely new way of approaching battles and other challenges that go far beyond what other games have to offer.