RPGs have come a long way since the original Oblivion dropped back in 2006. Games like Elden Ring, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Disco Elysium have become genre-defining, and games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 have taken the Bethesda formula and made it even deeper and more realistic.
But despite that,Oblivion Remasteredstill has that old-school open-world RPG vibe that still feels great and holds up well against its contemporaries. It’s got that perfect mix of fantasy, freedom to explore, and a cozy, nostalgic feeling. But once you’ve seen everything Cyrodiil has to offer, you’ll probably want something else that can provide a similar experience, and this list has you covered.
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Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire greatly improved on a bunch of stuff from the first game, which wasalready great as it is. One big thing was the quality-of-life improvements, which made it way easier to get around and manage your party.
The ship management and travelling around with your crew were also fun. The art direction stood out, too. Everything looked more vibrant and alive than in the first game. And while the game still had the tactical RPG combat, it felt smoother and more modern, once again thanks to those QOL improvements.
Avowed is more or less Obsidian’s version of an Elder Scrolls game, but that’s not to take away from it. The first-person fantasy combat and spellcasting can feel similar to the improvements made in Oblivion Remaster, although Avowed is a lot flashier.
Obsidian has its own original, super-rich fantasy world in the form of Pillars of Eternity, so it makes sense to make a first-person RPG in that universe since it’s got that rich lore and history behind it. Avowed also takes some elements from other Obsidian games like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, and these two games are also worth checking out if you liked Oblivion.
Before Larian hit it big with Baldur’s Gate 3, they made a very underrated CRPG that’s almost as good as BG3. Divinity: Original Sin 2 has great turn-based combat and a ton of ways to mess with the game world.
But what makes it special is how it lets you play however you want, like BG3, but the lore and worldbuilding are different, but just as interesting. The characters are also really well-written, and each of them has their backstory and reason for joining you. It’s not first-person like Oblivion, but it still gives you that same kind of freedom and immersion.
Both the Kingdom Come games lean hard into realism, but the series doesn’t hideits Bethesda-game-design inspirations, but goes far deeper with the realistic combat and other immersion and management mechanics.
You play as a definitive character, Henry, and the characters and storytelling in both games stand out a lot more than Elder Scrolls games. You form friendships and bonds with characters that feel genuine. The storytelling is also more structured and meaningful, and the cinematic presentation is taken to another level in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
The Forgotten City is a full-length, original game that is based on what originally was a mod for Skyrim. Oblivion has some Roman-inspired city designs and a few lore elements, so there’s even more overlap with this game.
But besides that, the game has a very unique hook. It’s a mystery game where you’re stuck in a time loop and have to figure out who’s breaking the laws of this strange, ancient city, as that’s the only way to stop the loop. The characterization and dialogue are strong, and its focused storytelling is just as good as some of the best faction questlines in Oblivion and Skyrim.
If you instead want to play a third-person RPG that still lets you explore a big, dark fantasy world, Dark Souls 2 is a great choice. It was a little divisive when it first came out, but the Scholar of the First Sin edition fixed a lot of those issues.
The atmosphere in this one is heavy, but it also feels strangely peaceful in certain locations, like the hub area of Majula. Plus, the three DLCs added a lot of good content and made the game even better.
Shadow of War might not be an RPG in the same style, but it’s a great open-world fantasy game. And since Oblivion’s fantasy roots trace back to Tolkien’s world, it just makes sense to check out one of thebest Lord of the Rings games.
Shadow of War is the follow-up to Shadow of Mordor, and it goes bigger and better with its gameplay and Nemesis system. Building your army and taking over fortresses was a great next step in the evolution of this system, and the combat is smooth, brutal, and satisfying.
Dragon Age: Origins is a cult-classic dark fantasy RPG. While Oblivion has a lighter tone with its greenery and art direction, Dragon Age: Origins is a great contrasting game with its dark and gritty atmosphere and mature storytelling.
The world is absolutely brutal and feels like it’s always on the edge of falling apart. The story is strong, full of hard choices that matter, betrayals, and complex politics. You get to pick your origin story in a lengthy playable prologue, which remains one of the best examples of choosing an origin in a game. It has you play out that origin in a way that matters and feels real by actually having you experience it.
