When one talks about some of the greatest video game franchises of all time, it's only a matter of time before The Elder Scrolls comes into this conversation. From its earliest iteration in the form of Arena to the genre-defining RPG that was Skyrim The Elder Scrolls franchise houses some of the most popular RPGs of all time, and could arguably be seen as the series that put Bethesda on track to become one of the biggest and most influential gaming companies of all time.

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So, it's only a given that the hype surrounding The Elder Scrolls VI series is immense, and fans can't wait to sink in hours upon hours into another brilliant title that would whisk them away to another wondrous land of fantasy and magic. However, if the wait is too unbearable, then here are ten story-heavy games that will help gamers pass the time until the next Elder Scrolls finally rears its much-awaited head.

10 Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout NPC

It was only a given that a game that borrows heavily from The Elder Scrolls' engine would be featured on this list. While Bethesda themselves might not have developed Fallout: New Vegas, there's no denying the fact that Obsidian did a brilliant job of carrying forward the progress made by Fallout 3 while simultaneously allowing for endless role-playing opportunities.

The game was heavily criticized on launch for the sheer amount of bugs it had, but mods and patches have improved the experience significantly and allowed for an experience that is truly one-of-a-kind.

9 The Outer Worlds

The Outer Worlds

Obsidian Entertainment had clearly found themselves in their comfort zone after the tumultuous development period of Fallout: New Vegas, which is what led to the creation of The Outer Worlds.

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While some may argue that this product is somewhat simplified from a role-playing point of view in comparison to Fallout: New Vegas, there's still no denying the fact that The Outer Worlds is a brilliant interstellar adventure that any fan of story-rich RPGs should definitely not miss out on.

8 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Breath of the Wild - Giliding through the open-world

While most people might consider Breath Of The Wild's story to be almost nonexistent, players who actually found the memories and read the diaries present in this title were treated to a rich — and somewhat saddening — narrative that was just beautiful in its simplicity.

It certainly helps that, just like most games in the Elder Scrolls series, there's pretty much something or the other to discover in the world, which makes for a rather personalized experience as well.

7 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Deus Ex Mankind Divided

While the Deux Ex franchise might not lean heavily towards the role-playing side of things as one might expect, there's still no denying the fact the gameplay freedom present in these titles is excellent in its own way.

Out of all the titles in the franchise, Mankind Divided is the only title that allows players to roam around a hub of sorts that constantly evolves as the player goes through the story, making for a brilliant experience indeed.

6 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Geralt of Rivia game art

Of course, it would be impossible to talk about story-heavy RPGs without mentioning the masterpiece that is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. CD Projekt Red definitely put themselves on the map with the release of this genre-defining title that is still considered by many to be one of the greatest video games ever made.

Geralt's story spans a 100+ hour journey that ends in the most satisfying manner possible, making for a gaming experience that no fan should miss out on.

5 Final Fantasy XV

Final Fantasy XV

The tumultuous development period of Final Fantasy XV is something that is quite well-known in today's gaming circles, which is what makes the eventual success of this title all the more satisfying.

It's certainly true that Final Fantasy XV is rife with a number of flaws, but people who choose to look past these problems and heavily invest themselves in the plot of this game will find an experience that is reinvigorating and exhilarating at the same time.

4 Horizon Zero Dawn

horizon zero dawn - Aloy on a tree

The idea of a AAA company taking risks in today's market is almost unheard of, which is what makes the success of Horizon Zero Dawn all the more refreshing. The idea of a new IP being such a massive success and paving the way for a new franchise is definitely brilliant in every sense of the word.

Horizon Zero Dawn was definitely a console seller, featuring a unique world and brilliant combat that needs to be experienced in its entirety. With its recent release on PC, there's no better time to experience this absolute masterpiece.

3 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

epic games store free games february 13

Warhorse Games might not be a developer with a ton of experience, but one really can't say that after seeing Kingdom Come: Deliverance in all its glory. While it's true that the game had a ton of issues upon launch, there's still no denying the fact that Kingdom Come is an excellent open-world RPG that any fan of these sorts of games should definitely check out.

It definitely helps that the game has an excellent story that will keep fans hooked right up until the very end, although the ending itself might not be up to everyone's tastes.

2 Dragon Age: Origins

Dragon Age: Origins

It was only a matter of time before the Dragon Age series would come into the picture when talking about games similar to Skyrim. After all, just like Skyrim, Dragon Age features a heavy dose of fantasy, action, and a ton of dragons.

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BioWare might not be the brilliant company that everyone thought it to be anymore, so people who want to get a glimpse into the developer's brilliance should definitely check out Dragon Age: Origins sooner rather than later.

1 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

An NPC in Morrowind

 

It might be a cop-out to add an Elder Scrolls game on a list of games similar to the franchise, but there's no denying the fact that the best game to scratch the itch left by an upcoming Elder Scrolls game, would be another Elder Scrolls game.

Oblivion or Skyrim could've been valid contenders in this regard, but even the most ardent fans of both games will agree to the fact that The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind has a superior story to both these titles.

NEXT: The Elder Scrolls 6: 5 Rumors We Hope Are True (& 5 We Hope Aren't)