Bethesda has had a long history of both publishing and developing games. While some have garnered a lot more love than others, and many have been controversial, we’ve gathered the list of what we believe are the best Bethesda games. Any game published or made by Bethesda is fair game, so you’ll see some you may have forgotten Bethesda was involved with.
14 – The Elder Scrolls: Arena (1994)
The Elder Scrolls: Arena is one ofthe first titles in Bethesda’s game library.This is the entry thatgot Todd Howard to fallin love with the company. While it has its flaws, this early Elder Scrolls entry laid the foundation for the company’s expansive open-world RPGs. Players assume the role of the Eternal Champion, embarking on an epic quest tosave the world of Tamrielfrom an evil sorcerer.
Arena’s open-world gameplayletplayers explore huge towns and detailed dungeons in away that mostplayershadn’tseen outside of a text-based adventure. The game is heavily dated today, sure, but I did not regret trying it out for the first time last year. I highly recommendyou give it a try.
13 – Deathloop (2021)
Deathloop takes place on the mysterious island of Blackreef, where players assume the role of Colt Vahn, an assassin trapped in a death-and-rebirth cycle. Players can play as Julianna, a rival assassin, adding unpredictability to every playthrough.
The strength of Deathloop is its intricate level design and freedom of choice. Players can explore Blackreef at their own pace, engaging in immersive and strategic combat encounters while uncovering its secrets. The game’s narrative is a mix of suspense and dark humor as the characters’ motivationsslowly getrevealed.
12 – The Elder Scrolls Online (2014)
The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is a huge win for Bethesda because they were finally able tomovetheir Elder Scrolls experience to live service and they did it well. ESO offers a much bigger world than thenewElder Scrolls games and lets you see more of Tamrielthan you had before.In the past, players had to guess at the lore and how the world of the game used to be, but now they could actually visit the cities.
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The Elder Scrolls Online combines the single-player RPG experience of the main Elder Scrolls series with the social dynamics of an MMORPG. The biggest downside is that youcan’t really playit alone. I tried it, and thegame really punishesyou after the tutorial. It’s notreallysingle-player friendly.
11 – The Evil Within (2014)
The Evil Within blends horror elements and psychological twists ina really coolway. Through its unsettling atmosphere and gruesome imagery, it creates a sense of constant tension and fear. Detective Sebastian Castellanos investigates a gruesome murder case but finds himself trapped in a nightmare world filled with horrifying monsters and supernatural happenings.
There’s something about The Evil Within that keeps players onedge, and you’renever really sure what’s real or what’s just a product of the protagonist’s fractured mind. It’s a mix of survival horror and action with challenging encounters and limited resources, making you feel vulnerable. Yes, the plot takes a nosedive and by the end, you’re not really playing for thestory, butI’d say it’s still one of thebestgames in Bethesda’s library.
10 – Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014)
Wolfenstein: The New Order is set in an alternate history where the Nazis won World War II, and you’re a hero who wants to stop the Nazis. With a mix of stealth and gunfights, players can choose how to approach challenges. The levels are well-designed, with a variety of environments and strategies that add to its retro-futuristic aesthetic.
While it’s not the main reason people love the game, the story is incredible. We won’t spoil anything, but it offers crazy good consequences to what seems like no real choice. Meanwhile, it shows you the outcomes of what would’ve happened if the Allies hadn’t won in WW2, and it’s not pretty.
9 – Doom Eternal (2020)
Doom Eternaldoes a great job of capturingthetop-tier leveldesign that the original had while still keeping the high-action pieces. While thenewDooms haven’t been as loved, Doom Eternal is one of the favorites forfansbecause it feels like it was created by the old crew atIdSoftware.
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Doom Eternal lets players take on the role of the Doom Slayer, a formidable warrior tasked with saving the world from demons. There’s a lot of blood, guts, and gore, and it makes you feel like a total machine of destruction.
8 – Dishonored 2 (2016)
With its intricate level design and steampunk world, Dishonored 2 creates an atmosphere that players can’t get enough of. With two playable characters, Emily Kaldwin and Corvo Attano, each with their own unique abilities, the game is replayable and diverse. Through stealth or brute force, players can tackle missions in this open-ended game.
As they seek to reclaim the throne from an usurper, the game takes place in the fictional city of Karnaca. Game worlds are shaped by moral choices, political intrigue, and supernatural elements. Many fanshave wanteda sequel but that may not come soon.
7 – Fallout 4 (2015)
Fallout 4 is a huge change from previous Fallout games. Once, you could play a character with any background with any purpose or goal, now you’re set in being a mom or a dad looking for their kid. There’s also a definite ‘bad guy’ faction, and you’re set on helping the Minutemen whether you like it or not. Added to that is a very poorly done dialogue system that didn’t really tell you what you would say before you said it.
Fallout 4 is a good game, but it’s not better than the previous ones. It looks nicer, continues the story well, and is a lot of fun. As a matter of fact, it’s better than many games released during this period. It doesn’t mean, however, that the quality is on par with the previous games.
6 – The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was atrue-to-formfantasy RPG. The game immersed players in the fantastical world of Tamriel, where they embarked on a grand adventure. Its beauty lies in its rich narrative, which lets players create their own destiny as they explore a vast and diverse landscape.
There was nothing like this at the time of release, and if remade, it would be a contender for Game of the Year. There’s an endless amount of content and improvements available through the game’s modding community. Even though Oblivion has some flaws, its charm lies in how it transports players to a magical world and lets them live a life of their choice in it.
5 – Dishonored (2012)
Dishonored is widely regarded as a compelling and innovative game due to its unique blend of stealth, action, and storytelling. Playerstake on the role ofCorvo Attano, a bodyguard framed for murder in a city plagued by corruption and supernatural forces in a steampunk-inspired world. At the time, not many games made you think about killing the way Dishonoreddid, and thegame makes you think differently about stealth and combat.
While it’s not my cup of tea, it definitely has a huge fanbase, and it would be criminal not to have it low on this list.
4 – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, released in 2011, captivates players with its expansive open world, rich lore, and immersive gameplay. It transports you to the breathtaking province of Skyrim, a land filled with rugged landscapes, ancient ruins, and diverse cultures.The game’sstrength lies in its freedom. you may do anything you want and there is no ‘right’ way to play.
The game has been rereleasedmore than a fewtimes, so it’shardto say it’s notgood.There are many who have been introduced to the world of RPGs because of this game.
3 – Starfield (2023)
Starfield is generating excitement in the gaming world for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s got a lot of content thathas kept players entertained for real-world days worth of time.Eachlittlefeature, like shipbuilding or outpost-making, feels like a game in itself. It’s one ofthe best games Bethesda has released.
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However, in its attempt to include everyone in the fun, everything feelsgood,but not always great. It’s fun to play but it doesn’t break any barriers in terms ofhow good it is.It’s just good,always. Not the kind of game you’llput posters up for, but definitely a gamethat’salwaysreliable to give you a good time.
2 – Fallout 3 (2008)
Fallout 3 is a post-apocalyptic experience that immerses players in a desolate, immersive world. Set in a bombed-out Washington D.C., it combines RPG elements with an open-world environment, making exploration a big part of the game. As your character searches for their missing father, you learn more about the game’s lore and its people. You can ignore the objective and still play the game just fine because you’re free to do what you want.
Fallout 3 is known for its morally ambiguous choices, where players have to navigate a complex web of alliances and consequences. Retro-futuristic graphics, dark humor, and the iconic Pip-Boy device add charm to the game. It definitely looks dated but Fallout 3 still holds up today.
1 – Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
Fallout: New Vegasis hands down myfavorite Fallout game. It was made by Obsidian, the original creators of Fallout, and they used their ideas for wherethey would have takenthe series. There is no real bad guy, just thesidesyou pick, which other Bethesda games have trouble with. Due to its immersive storytelling and choices that lead to crazy and funny outcomes, it has earned a special place inthe hearts of many gamers.
Players assume the role of a courier left for dead, embarking on a quest for revenge and power. It offers a richly detailed post-apocalyptic world set in the Mojave Desert, teeming with unique characters and factions. What makes it stand out is its intricate storytelling and morally complex choices that shape the game’s outcome. The freedom to align with different factions and shape the wasteland’s future adds replayability. The game’s atmosphere is enhanced by its iconic soundtrack and voice acting, making every encounter memorable.
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Aggy has worked for multiple sites as a writer and editor, and has been a managing editor for sites that have millions of views a month. He’s been the Lead of Social Content for a site garnering millions of views a month, and co owns multiple successful social media channels, including a Gaming news TikTok, and a Facebook Fortnite page with over 600k followers.
His work includes Dot Esports, Pro Game Guides, Attack of the Fanboy, Try Hard Guides, Android Police, N4G, WePC, Sportskeeda, and GFinity Esports. He has also published two games under Tales and is currently working on one with Choice of Games. He has written and illustrated a number of books, including for children, and has a comic under his belt.
He writes about Starfield and CS2 for PC Invasion, among other things.
