The Elder Scrolls: Blades
A reasonable mobile adaptation, but the shallowest combat and smallest scope of anything in the series. Worth a look if you're already a fan, not the place to start.
The Elder Scrolls: Castles
Fun on its own terms as a city builder, but it's barely an RPG. Ranks above Blades mostly for doing something genuinely different with the license instead of a smaller version of the same thing.
The Elder Scrolls: Arena
Historically essential, genuinely rough to actually sit down and play in 2026. It earns respect more than playtime at this point.
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The ambition is still staggering. The Daggerfall Unity fan project makes it far more playable today than the original release ever was, which is the only reason it ranks above Arena.
The Elder Scrolls Online
The most content in the entire franchise, and genuinely great if you want the MMO experience. Ranks below the single-player mainline entries here mainly because it's a different kind of game, not a lesser one.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Some of the best guild questlines in the series, wrapped around combat and AI that show their age more than Skyrim's do. Still an easy recommendation.
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
The most unique setting the series has ever built, and the game most hardcore fans will argue should actually be first on this list. Ranked second here only because it asks more patience of new players than Skyrim does.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The most polished, most accessible, and most supported entry in the series, over a decade after release. It's the default answer to "what's Elder Scrolls" for a reason.
Agree or disagree with the order? Grab whichever one you're missing.
Shop The Series →New to the series and not sure where to start? Read our guide to every Elder Scrolls game in order, or go back further with the full history of Bethesda Game Studios.