TheBethesdaname has become a landmark in the triple-A game industry. Giventheir lengthy history, the studio has come a long way from working on 16-bit games for archaic PCs. Though they’ve had a hand in countless publishing releases, the studio has earned acclaim for their development with the Elder Scrolls and Fallout series.
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Love them or hate them, you can’t deny theextensive library of video gamesBethesda has provided over the years. True, the company has earned a reputation for releasing products that are often buggy, yet that has done little to hinder their growth. So, let’s focus on what’s most important — the games.
This list will cover games developed by Bethesda. Published-only games will not be counted.
8Fallout Shelter
Fallout On the Go
Fallout Shelter
When players think of Fallout, they think of the infamous vaults — large underground bunkers filled with goodies and horror, where some of the most ruthless experiments were performed. For years, Fallout fans have wondered what it would be like to build and oversee one of their own.
Fallout Shelter offers players that chance in a mobile game simulator. On a single screen, you construct your very own vault, adding new floors and levels with varying functions. You also have the freedom to name, dress, and assign roles to your vault inhabitants. Depending on their skills, some are better off as scientists or engineers, whereas others are more suited to exploring the wasteland to collect gear and/or new residents. For Fallout players, it was a fun time waster, but like most mobile games, it loses its luster after a while.
7Fallout 76
“Take Me Home, Country Roads”
Fallout 76
Fallout is no stranger to switching genres. The once top-down series expanded into an open-world adventure with phenomenal success. So, Bethesda brought the franchise to a new playground withFallout 76, a massive MMO experience. Set in West Virginia, it’s been 25 years since the world was consumed by nuclear fire. Emerging from Vault 76, it’s up to players to rebuild an America inhabited by hostile factions and radioactive abominations.
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The game had its rough beginnings, hindered by an infamous launch, countless bugs, and a world devoid of NPCs. Since then, however, Fallout 76 has seen improvementthrough patches and added content. Fans who once disowned the game have returned with renewed interest. Though it lacks the storytelling and lore of the main games, Fallout 76 is enjoyable for players seeking mindless fun and customization, including the innovative C.A.M.P. feature, where you can construct your own base anywhere you choose.
6Starfield
Shooting For the Stars
Breaking away from the fantasy and post-apocalyptic genres, Bethesda went for a full sci-fiRPGadventure in their most ambitious project yet:Starfield. Blending role-playing elements with an expansive adventure in space, the game promised an operatic story about exploring new worlds and spaceship combat. Were it Bethesda’s first game, Starfield would be hailed as groundbreaking. Unfortunately, it shot for the stars, only tojustmiss them.
Starfield offers weeks of content in an interesting universe with impressive spaceship designs, but it’s not without flaws. Many players found the combat dull and uninspired. Plus, the overall game was hindered by bland side quests and lackluster characters. That doesn’t mean this franchise should be written off. Starfield has a lot of potential that deserves exploring, it just needs some fresh ideas. If all else fails, the community can always fix it with mods.
5Fallout 3
“I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire”
You’re the Lone Wanderer, roaming the ruins of Washington D. C. in search of your father. With danger and opportunity around every corner, your actions will forever impact the Capital Wasteland. It’s unfortunate thatFallout 3has become the forgotten black sheep of the family. Often overshadowed by its successors, Fallout 3 was responsible for rebooting the series and dragging it out from obscurity.
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The game was groundbreaking in completely revamping Fallout’s gameplay, adding FPS elements with an open-world wasteland to explore. Plus, it was the first successful Fallout game on consoles and served as a jumping-on point for new fans. Sure, the gunplay has not aged well, and the story ranges from decent to clunky at times, but its core features planted the seeds later games would expand upon. After all, were it not for Fallout 3,New Vegasmight never have happened.
4The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Prepare For Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Nothing puts the “class” into “classic RPG” thanElder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The gateways into Oblivion have been opened, and evil is pouring into the world. As the only one who can stop it, it’s up to you to close the gates and prevent a mad cult and their Prince of Destruction from conquering the world.
True, the game’s combat and dialogue are aging worse than an old man with serious dementia, but that’s part of Oblivion’s everlasting charm. You have free rein to go and do as you please. Be a hero who follows the law and protects the innocent. Become a menace and cause chaos among the populace. Explore, fight, and loot in an open-world adventure that put Bethesda on the AAA map for console RPGs.
Fun Fact: Oblivion was the first game in the Elder Scrolls series to receive an M rating.
3Fallout 4
“Cause I’m The Wanderer”
You’re a survivor out of time. Minutes before nuclear war destroyed the world, you and your family escaped into Vault 111, only to be frozen for 210 years. After a rude awakening, your child is kidnapped and taken to a harsh wasteland in need of change. Its plot is often considered the game’s weak point, but whereFallout 4excels is in gameplay and innovation.
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Not only was it the first Fallout to feature a fully voiced protagonist, but it was also the first to show fans life before the bombs. The combat system was revamped with faster battles, modifiable armor and weapons, and best of all, the Power Armor. Add in the fun settlement building, along with a crew of likable and romanceable companions, and you have one of the best Fallout games in the series. Being able to mod on consoles was a nice bonus too.
2The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Fulfill Your Destiny
Its graphics have aged like cheese and the gameplay is hard to get into. However, in terms of writing, Morrowind stands out among the Elder Scroll games as one of the best stories in Bethesda’s library. It’s a tale of prophecy and revenge. You must prove that you are the reincarnated Nerevarine and free Morrowind from the ruling demigods.
Though the combat can be challenging for modern players, it’s worth it for an experience that’sdeserving of a remake. Morrowind features weapons you no longer see in the Elder Scrolls, like spears and throwing stars. Just be prepared to miss a lot. The magic system, on the other hand, is an impressive feature. Using Spellmaking, you can experiment and forge custom spells, to the point where it becomes game-breaking. Newcomers will struggle, but Morrowind rewards those willing to put in the effort and focus on their builds.
1The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Dragonborn Comes
It feels unfair doing this, but you knew it was coming. Everyone and their grandmother has played this game.No, literally. Yes, the endless re-releases and special editions have overinflated its fame, but it goes without saying thatSkyrimremains Bethesda’s magnum opus. Anyone who’s dipped their hands into the RPG pool has touched Skyrim more than once. You’re probably playing it now as you’re reading this.
After all these years, the gameplay is still fun — dungeon crawling, battling dragons, and undertaking quests for factions. The soundtrack represents the peak of fantasy music. When you’re not venturing into a vast winter world and shouting bandits off cliffs, you’re exploring towns and mingling with a roster of notable characters, before heading home to your spouse and adopted kids. And that’s only one outcome out of a thousand possibilities. Skyrim is adventuring YOUR way.
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