Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim routinely appears on lists as one of the greatest RPGs of all time. The game's open-world setting takes place in the province known as Skyrim. It's a rugged, mountainous region that is also referred to as the Throat of the World. Skyrim has a rich backstory that ties into the events of the game.
There have been some great RPGs over the years, but not all of them compare to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The foundation of an RPG is an intriguing story. The following games could've been masterpieces, but they fell short of expectations due to a weak narrative.
10 Kingdom Hearts III
Rather than be the conclusion to the Kingdom Hearts trilogy that fans deserved, Kingdom Hearts III wound up being too convoluted. It had the chance to finish the story, but it left loose ends untied with an ending that is up for interpretation. Sora's fate is unknown, which opens up the possibility for another sequel. In the end, the story doesn't measure up to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, one of the greatest RPGs of all time.
9 Diablo III
The Diablo franchise is acclaimed for addicting hack and slash gameplay. There is a story behind it all, but it doesn't quite measure up to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Looking at the series as a whole, it does tell an intriguing story about the Prime Evils. Diablo, also known as the Lord of Terror, is the main antagonist of the three Diablo games. However, it feels like the third sacrificed story for gameplay.
The Nephalem could have a more developed backstory. More character development could've made Diablo III a masterpiece. Instead, we get a short story that doesn't live up to Skyrim.
8 Mass Effect: Andromeda
The story of Mass Effect: Andromeda pales in comparison to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. To the credit of the game's creators, it did something exciting by bringing the series to our neighboring galaxy.
This is a story set between Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. With so much buildup to Mass Effect: Andromeda's release, it was a letdown of epic proportions. This spiritual successor was the first in the series not to allow character carryover. The decision to make a game with a blank slate did not have the effect we hoped for.
7 Chrono Cross
Although Chrono Trigger was an all-around awesome game, it's become clear that even developer Square is entitled to write a few bad stories. Chrono Cross is hailed as a phenomenal RPG, but the plot is not its strong suit. With alternate realities, it could have been a smashing success. There are too many characters, so players can't form a meaningful connection. Ultimately, Chrono Cross becomes too confusing, bordering on nonsensical with its ending.
6 Quest 64
As the first RPG on the Nintendo 64, Quest 64 had high expectations. The game turned out to be a commercial success, even if the story pales in comparison to RPGs like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The sequel game's story was revealed, but it was canceled before hitting the development phase. Considering Quest 64's narrative was its weak point, it's hard to blame the developers for wanting to scrap the sequel.
5 Fallout 4
At the beginning of Fallout 4, we are intrigued by this post-apocalyptic situation in which the protagonist loses his son. His husband or wife, depending on your gender in the game, is left for dead. As you get towards the middle of the game, monotonous side quests get in the way of a good story. It's almost as if you forget the premise, as it is seldom mentioned. Had Fallout 4 focused more on the main story, it could've placed among Bethesda's great games like Skyrim.
4 Jade Empire
It was games like Jade Empire that made the original Xbox a juggernaut platform. The game is set in a fictional kingdom known as the Jade Empire. It follows The Last Spirit Monk and has a robust cast of characters that keep the game interesting. Although Jade Empire is an excellent RPG, it doesn't have the expansive lore that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has. Jade Empire tells a beautiful story from Asian history, but it's unable to live up to a masterpiece like Skyrim.
3 South Park: The Stick Of Truth
South Park: The Stick of Truth is an excellent RPG, even if the plot fails to deliver a meaningful adventure. The turn-based combat of South Park: The Stick of Truth makes you want to return. However, the story goes to places never expected.
This game is borderline offensive, including an intense alien probing scene, racism, and more swear words than you can count. Could we have expected more in a South Park video game?
2 Fable III
Fable III doesn't have the solid foundation that the previous Fable games had. The story is lackluster, uneven, and it doesn't have the enchantment as previous entries. Had the topic of discussion been Fable or Fable II, an argument could be made for a better story than The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. You can be a king in Fable III, but that's one of the few things to appreciate.
1 Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition is a game with a unique story supplemented by grueling, addictive gameplay. The plot is difficult to comprehend since the game contains very little spoken dialogue.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Dark Souls are both RPGs with fascinating lore. Most of the lore is told through text but might be passed by word of mouth. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's storytelling is better, but Dark Souls might be more gripping. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim edges out Dark Souls for consistency.