Top 10 Bethesda Games

Top 10 Bethesda Games They’re one of the biggest names in gaming, and these are their best. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten Bethesda games. For this list, we’ll be looking at our favourite Bethesda games, whether they were developed by Bethesda Games Studios or published by its parent company, Bethesda Softworks. We’ll be basing our picks on a combination of critical acclaim, commercial performance, and legacy.

#10: “Wolfenstein: The New Order” (2014)

Who knew that we needed a new “Wolfenstein” game so badly? Along with “Doom,” the “Wolfenstein” series of games were extremely influential towards the mainstream acceptance and development of first person shooters, but by 2009, the series was all but dead after that completely average reboot. Enter Bethesda and MachineGames, a winning combination which reinvented the series and told us all that, yes, we did need a new “Wolfenstein” game that badly. It was fast, brutal, surprisingly emotional, and above all else, a hell of a lot of fun.

#9: “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” (2006)

While some may argue that this is around the time that the “Elder Scrolls” series began to lose some of its muster, there’s no denying that it’s still an incredible experience. Over the years, some have argued against this game, bringing up its dull plot, simplified gameplay, and the infamous horse armor DLC. That said, it pales in comparison to the things it does right, including the varied quests, expansive game world, and the staggering amount of content. This is when the series started to veer more towards the mainstream, but it’s still an incredible title nonetheless.

#8: “The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall” (1996)

While it would undoubtedly seem dated today, there once was a time when “Daggerfall” was one of the most ambitious and jaw-dropping games on the market. When the game was released, critics and audiences alike immediately praised its vast and epic open world, complete with “Elder Scrolls” staples like political intrigue, guilds, and a seemingly endless area to explore. That said, it wouldn’t be a Bethesda game without some bugs, and “Daggerfall” had some real doozies. However, if you could look past the technical issues, this was a revolutionary title and showed the possibilities of what gaming could accomplish.

#7: “Fallout 4” (2015)

While some may argue about its less than stellar role-playing aspects, “Fallout 4” is still a great game, and a more-than-welcome addition to the series. Its world is arguably “Fallout’s” best and most varied, there’s a ton of content, and the combat is incredibly satisfying, no matter how you approach the game. On top of that, several pieces of stellar DLC have been released, which has significantly helped with its longevity. It broke Steam records on its launch day and continues to enjoy good player numbers, representing a huge win for the company and the series.

#6: “Dishonored” (2012)

At a time when originality was being questioned in video games, “Dishonored” was released and showed us all how it was done. The gameplay of “Dishonored” is easily its best aspect, as players have a wealth of options regarding how to approach the game, and as such, the already lengthy campaign is endlessly enjoyable and has tons of replay value. It also features a fantastic environment, inspired by 19th century Edinburgh and London, which players can manipulate and explore to their hearts’ content. “Dishonored” and its sequel are original, exciting, and gorgeous. The games are a breath of fresh air in a stagnating AAA market.

#5: “Doom” (2016)

Once upon a time, “Doom” was the leading name in gaming, as the original release was both a landmark title and highly controversial, sparking numerous debates about violence in video games. While this reboot isn’t a landmark title and hasn’t caused much controversy, it’s still a fantastic return to form for the series. It brings back the fast-paced, brutal combat that “Doom” was once known for and is arguably one of the best first-person shooters in a long time. It breathed new life into a dulling genre and reintroduced the kickass violence of “Doom” to a new generation in the process.

#4: “Fallout 3” (2008)

The hype for “Fallout 3” was massive: Bethesda was fresh off “Oblivion,” and when news was announced that they would be taking the “Fallout” reigns, fans clamored for an “Elder Scrolls” with guns. Fortunately, Bethesda did not disappoint. “Fallout 3” featured an epic and beautifully decrepit post-apocalyptic world, and the retro 40s and 50s music helped to set the mood. The game was also a blast, complete with the VATS system, which gave players a detailed view of heads exploding and limbs flying. It was a fantastic entry in the “Fallout” series, and cemented Bethesda as one of gaming’s most ambitious developers.

#3: “The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind” (2002)

Depending on who you ask, “Morrowind” may very well be the peak of Bethesda’s prowess: there’s simply so much to praise here that it gets exhausting. Its scope and graphics were breathtaking at the time, and the freedom you have, both in terms of gamplay and character creation, have arguably been unmatched by Bethesda. The story is also one of the company’s best, as it is long, complex, and in-depth, especially when you take into consideration the world and its characters changing with your decisions. While there were a few flaws, like the glitches and confusing journal, they’re not enough to detract from this otherwise stellar title.

#2: “Fallout: New Vegas” (2010)

Obsidian Entertainment took the reigns for “New Vegas,” and they created an expansive, fascinating, and well-written epic, despite numerous and potentially damaging technical issues. “New Vegas’” gameplay is the same “Fallout” we love, complete with improvements over the third entry, tons of content, a sprawling world, and the series’ most ambitious quests. That said, some still took issue with its numerous game-breaking bugs, including the inability to complete quests and the constant crashes. However, if you can get over the sometimes-abysmal technical issues, “New Vegas” is arguably the best “Fallout” experience you could have. There’s simply nothing like getting invested and immersed into its gorgeous and violent world. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

#1: “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011)

While it’s not without flaws, “Skyrim” is easily one of Bethesda’s best and most successful titles. While some may cry fowl at the simplified gameplay, and clunky combat system, others will praise nearly every aspect of the game. Its world not only takes you on a fascinatingly imaginative journey, but many new gameplay elements were added, like fighting dragons and dual-wielding weapons and magic, which made the game feel fresh even for long-time Elder Scrolls fans. It has sold over 30 million units, still sees strong numbers on Steam, and is often regarded as one of the best games ever. Now that’s what we call a success!