The Best Bethesda Games Ranked
Bethesda Softworks, a video game publisher established in 1986, has launched hit titles including Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield in recent years. This is my Bethesda games ranked from worst to best of the games I have played so far.
Number 10: Elder Scrolls Online
The worst of my Bethesda games ranked is Elder Scrolls Online (affiliate link). The issue I have with Elder Scrolls Online (affiliate link) is that it is an MMORPG. Though it can be cheap to get started when compared to World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV. It suffers from the continuous grinding mechanisms to level up skills and levels. None of the other Elder Scrolls titles feel like grinding is at all necessary.
What it does have, however, is a larger world than the other Elder Scrolls titles. Instead of taking part in one country of Tamriel, the base game and expansions allow you to explore the majority of countries within the Tamriel continent.
There is a subscription service which provides quality-of-life improvements and access to all the DLC. Which I would recommend subscribing to if you want to make the most of the game.
Number 9: Fallout 76
Just like Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 76 (affiliate link) is a live service. However, it doesn't feel like it leans too far into the MMORPG genre. It feels less grindy and can be played with little intervention from other players. However, players can build bases which can be helpful if you need to buy or sell items.
Unfortunately, it doesn't feel as supported as ESO, with very few additions to the base game being made. The explorable land has remained fairly static and new content is small in comparison. This could be due to the botched release, where the lack of NPCs made the game feel empty.
Unlike ESO, I want to go play this game from start to finish. Simply because I love the Fallout universe and I'm running out of content to play and explore.
Number 8: Starfield
Starfield is my lowest-ranked single-player Bethesda game. I pre-ordered the title so I could play it early. While the early game looked promising the ship combat became repetitive. The characters were not interesting. The in-person combat was Fallout without VATS, and the game's atmosphere was non-existent.
The ship-building looked like it would make the game better. But with limited parts offering fairly little variance, it was as simple as just sticking on the best parts with no concern for aesthetics.
I also found it difficult to continue the main questline. I went off to work for other factions. But when I came back to the main quest I was already bored of the gameplay and the universe, I turned it off and haven't switched it on since.
Number 7: Wolfenstein: The New Order
Wolfenstein: The New Order is based on the concept that the Nazis won World War II. William “B.J.” Blazkowicz is the protagonist, an American soldier fighting for freedom. The combat is pretty standard, however, you don't just fight soldiers, but also mechs and tanks which makes the game far more interesting when compared to other WWII shooters.
There is also a branching storyline depending on a choice you make quite early in the game.
Number 6: Skyrim
In 2023, I finally completed the Skyrim main quest. And honestly, it was forgettable. All I remember is that you defeat a big bad dragon. I can't even recall any of the character's names.
The levelling up system however was great. Instead of gaining predetermined perks at skill milestones. The player could spend level-up points to unlock any skills that their character meets the requirements for.
Unfortunately, the game suffered from the stealth archer metaclass. Which could overpower the majority of enemies in the game. With little incentive to play as either a warrior or mage.
Number 5: Fallout 3
Fallout 3 was my first exposure to the Fallout franchise. I remember I hated the subway due to the ghouls that could quickly overpower you. It was also the only way to get to specific places within the capital wasteland. The atmosphere was horror-like and it didn't ever feel like your character was always going to win.
I've recently replayed it and have enjoyed it even more than when it was first released. There is so much lore to discover and understand. The characters are varied and interesting.
The DLCs were also grand adventures on their own. With one sending you into a UFO to battle aliens. The GOTY version made the game contain so much content that I feel like I've only played 75% of it.
Fallout 3 introduced VATS, or Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System. Which stops time and allows the player to select enemies to shoot and which body parts. Each body part has an overlay showing the potential chance of hitting that body part. The further away the enemy the smaller the chance of hitting the intended target.
The game had some issues with combat. Unlike most traditional shooters, combat in Fallout 3 heavily relied on VATS. The guns had very low accuracy, and the aiming system was poor. This was the only area where the game needed an update.
Number 4: Morrowind
Morrowind was my first experience with a Bethesda Softworks title. And it hooked me in very quickly. I originally purchased Morrowind for PC. I loved the exploration but disliked the difficulty. However, in recent years it has grown on me.
Unlike later Elder Scrolls titles, Morrowind does not hold your hand. There are no compass or quest markers. You have a journal that recounts quest details. Which you need to know to find the quest locations. There is a fast travel system, but you have to find either a silt strider (a strange creature) which will take you to important towns or use the Mage teleportation guides that will transport you to other Mages guilds. Which makes the area of Morrowind feel huge in comparison to Skyrim or Oblivion.
One of the best features of Morrowind is its magic system. There is a huge array of effects that you can cast from floating in the air to water breathing. Whenever I start up a new game of Morrowind I usually pick a mage due to the sheer number of spells.
One of the drawbacks of Morrowind is that skills don't just govern the damage of a particular attack. But also the chance of either successfully hitting an enemy, or the chance of casting a spell.
Number 3: Oblivion
Oblivion cut back on the spells when compared to Morrowind, however, the gameplay more than makes up for it. Bethesda also changed combat so that skills only determine the amount of damage a melee attach causes rather than the chance of a hit. This means you could defeat a high-level enemy with a low-skill weapon and a lot of persistence.
Unlike Morrowind, voice acting is common in Oblivion with every character having voiced lines. With some of the lines being voiced by Hollywood stars.
This is the only Bethesda title where I 100% the game. I enjoyed all of the guilds and the main quest. And one day I will go back to it again.
Number 2: Fallout 4
I honestly don't get the hate for Fallout 4. Yes, a lot of the role-playing elements have been diluted to suit a more casual gamer. But this instalment also made a lot of improvements to the franchise.
Unlike Fallout 3 and New Vegas, Fallout 4's gun combat is very similar to Call of Duty and other shooters. VATS can be deployed in emergencies, but shooting in Fallout 4 is more accurate.
The story just like the Fallouts before has a branching main quest where you can decide who you want to support. Which can be interesting once you start wiping out the other factions.
The only drawback I can think of is that since skills no longer exist, they can no longer be used in conversations to bypass combat or get a special item.
Number 1: Fallout New Vegas
This will probably be cliche but I found Fallout New Vegas (affiliate link) the best title in the Bethesda Softworks' catalogue. It takes all the great aspects of Fallout 3 and improves it tenfold.
The characters are memorable and so are the locations. I can remember The Strip, Primm and Goodsprings without needing any prompts.
The faction system also means you can align yourself with different factions and it is possible to be on good terms with multiple factions as long as their views don't oppose each other.
The main villain is Benny, a fancy tuxedo-wearing casino owner who shoots you at the start. By the climax of getting your revenge, you realise he is a small fry in a much bigger faction war between the NCR (New California Republic) and Caesar's Legion. Though NCR may not be the clear good guys the Legion are horrific with the way they treat others. Even the Stormcloaks from Skyrim pale in contrast to the Legion.
Fallout New Vegas (affiliate link), however, suffers from the same issues as Fallout 3. Gun combat is only slightly improved and relying on the VATS system is paramount to your survival.
Bethesda Games Ranked.
In conclusion, Bethesda Softworks has created an impressive array of games, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. From massive open worlds to intricate storytelling, their titles offer a wide range of experiences for gamers. While some games may have their flaws, there's no denying the impact that Bethesda has had on the gaming industry. Whether it's exploring the post-apocalyptic wastelands of Fallout or embarking on epic quests in the Elder Scrolls universe, Bethesda's games have left a lasting impression on many players, myself included. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this influential gaming company.
