Bethesda has delivered both massive hits and notable misfires along the way. With the unexpected (yet oddly predictable) release of The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Remaster, fans are revisiting their established rankings and rethinking long-held opinions. Given that The Elder Scrolls VI is still far from playable—likely remaining just a dramatic logo for years to come—it seems like the perfect time to take a fresh look at Bethesda’s core RPG titles.

Before we begin, let’s clarify that this list focuses exclusively on Bethesda’s signature RPGs. That means sidestepping co-op spinoffs like Battlespire, action-adventure detours like Redguard, and mobile experiences such as Fallout Shelter and The Elder Scrolls Blades. While some of those games have their charms, especially Fallout Shelter with its dark humor and iconic Vault Boy visuals, they don’t belong here.

This ranking celebrates the studio’s flagship titles—the expansive, immersive worlds that define what people think of when they say “Bethesda Game.” Now, let’s dive in, starting with a humble beginning…

9: The Elder Scrolls: Arena

The first entry in the series isn't ranked last because it’s bad—it simply reflects a team still finding its footing. In 1994, Bethesda was known more for sports titles and Terminator-licensed games than sprawling RPGs. Originally conceived as a gladiator combat simulator with side quests, Arena evolved mid-development to include city exploration, NPC interactions, and dungeon crawling—marking a major shift in direction.

What emerged was an ambitious first-person RPG rooted in the conventions of its era, drawing comparisons to Ultima Underworld and Might and Magic. It featured deep systems, randomized loot, labyrinthine sidequests, and movement controls that felt awkward even by early '90s standards.

Combat leaned heavily on stat rolls rather than skill, meaning you could land dozens of hits without dealing damage—a frustrating mechanic that likely contributed to the decision to drop the gladiator theme. Unfortunately, marketing had already gone to press, so the name stayed, with “Chapter One” added to suggest a larger saga.

Despite its flaws, Arena laid the foundation for what would become one of gaming’s most influential franchises. Its success—modest by today’s standards—was enough to set Bethesda on a path toward becoming the RPG titan it is today.

The Elder Scrolls: Arena
Bethesda
Jan 15, 1992

8: Starfield

Each new Bethesda Game Studios title sparks speculation about whether it will finally break free from the aging Gamebryo engine or at least modernize its limitations. Starfield didn’t deliver that change. Despite being marketed as “Creation Engine 2.0,” the upgrade mostly amounted to improved animation tools and visual polish while retaining the same clunky framework underneath—including frequent loading screens every time you enter a building.

Still, the NASApunk sci-fi setting was a refreshing change from the medieval fantasy of Tamriel and the post-apocalyptic Wasteland. Unfortunately, procedural generation doesn’t suit Bethesda’s strengths. The studio excels at crafting one cohesive world filled with hidden lore and organic discoveries. Instead, Starfield offers over 1,000 planets, many feeling repetitive and hollow.

Landing on a new planet often meant stumbling into yet another abandoned mine or cryo lab, which quickly grew tiresome. Unlike Skyrim’s varied dungeons where you could always find something interesting around the corner, Starfield often left players frustrated after completing tedious objectives only to return to their ship in defeat.

While it may seem harsh to place Starfield near Arena, it’s easier to forgive the shortcomings of an inexperienced debut than those of a $200 million project promising groundbreaking innovation—and falling short.

Starfield
Bethesda Game Studios
Sep 5, 2023

7: The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

One reason Starfield’s procedural generation feels underwhelming is that Bethesda has experience with it dating back decades. In fact, Daggerfall, released in 1997, remains one of the most impressive examples of algorithmically generated open worlds ever created.

To put it in perspective: Skyrim spans roughly 15 square miles, while Breath of the Wild and GTA V cover around 30 square miles. Daggerfall, however, stretches across 80,000 square miles, nearly the size of Great Britain. Walking across the map takes about 69 hours, though riding a horse speeds things up—if staring at a horse’s head for days is your thing.

Despite its vastness, Daggerfall isn’t empty. The Iliac Bay region alone features nine climates, 44 political zones, 15,000 points of interest, 4,000 dungeons, and 5,000 cities and towns filled with NPCs and quests. Yes, much of it is procedurally generated, but the scale is staggering.

Above-ground exploration marked a huge leap forward compared to Arena, offering opportunities to buy property, join guilds, commit crimes, and face consequences. While mechanics were relatively simple and opaque, the sheer depth of immersion made Daggerfall a standout experience.

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
Bethesda
Jun 24, 1997

6: Fallout 76

You might wonder why Fallout 76 makes this list, considering it leans more toward live-service multiplayer looter-shooter territory than traditional single-player RPGs. And if you haven’t played it recently, your skepticism is understandable. Launching in 2018, the game was plagued with issues—no hand-crafted dialogue, no NPCs, and a reliance on player-driven chaos that fell flat. Combined with loot limits, endless crafting loops, and questionable monetization, it was a critical and commercial disappointment.

But Fallout 76 has seen meaningful improvements. The Wastelanders update introduced voiced NPCs, significantly expanding the number of characters in the game—even if their dialogue quality varies. Loot systems were refined, and overall gameplay became less punishing.

Though it can’t compete with The Elder Scrolls Online—a more polished MMO developed externally by Zenimax Online