Summary
After the launch ofThe Elder Scrollsfranchise in 1994 withArena, Bethesda’s rise to the top happened rather quickly. The success of that debut title allowed them to build a massive portfolio of games from nearly every genre one could think of. Instead of limiting themselves to dragons and wizards, Bethesda has developed and published a huge,varied roster of video games. From horror to science fiction, all the way to apocalyptic shooters and casual card games, Bethesda has proven that they are anything but a one-trick pony.
Within this wide catalog, they have also managed to produce some of the most fun, engaging games of all time. Whether players are roaming the world ofSkyrimor destroying Super Mutants inFallout, they all add up to some of the most fun one can have in a Bethesda game. These titles have been ranked based on their minute-to-minute gameplay, game design, and overall fun factor.
The world of H.P. Lovecraft andhis twisted cosmic horrorshave influenced video games for years, but one of the most forgotten contributions to the genre isCall of Cthluhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, which Bethesda published in 2006. Developed by Headfirst Productions,Dark Corners of the Earthmakes excellent use of Lovecraft’s mythology. Despite using theCall of Cthulhuname, the game’s plot is a very loose adaptation of the novellaThe Shadows Over Innsmouth.
Dark Corners of the Earthis the story of Jack Walters, a private investigator who travels to Innsmouth, a sinister town that has isolated itself from the rest of the world. It is very much a shooter of the era, but while it may be retro, it doesn’t feel dated at all. It is still a fantastic experience, with some excellent shooting and mission design. It perfectly blends the world of Lovecraftian horror with compelling shooter and detective gameplay.
After showcasingFallout 4in a massive presentation at E3 2015, Bethesda would launch the next chapter oftheir post-apocalyptic RPGjust four months later. It was an effective strategy, as the wait time between seeing how incredible the game was shaping up to be and being able to play it was shorter than normal.Fallout 4took everything that Bethesda had accomplished with their previous entries and improved upon it in some remarkable ways.
The frantic, fast-paced combat from Bethesda’s otherFalloutentries was present and accounted for, as the VATS system was more entertaining than ever. By exploring the origin of the nuclear disaster, as players control a figure ushered into a vault when the bombs drop, it creates a unique and compelling narrative that is a blast to watch unfold. It also introduced one of Bethesda’s most popular new mechanics in the form of settlement building. It’s easy to drop a massive number of hours into this game, as constructing these bases and defending them is fantastic.
After the launch ofDoom 3, the next entry in the franchise would find itself languishing in development hell. The development was taking so long that, in the meantime, id Software was acquired by Bethesda, published a 2016 reboot simply titledDoom. Seeking to return toits boomer shooter roots, the team that developedDoomstudied exactly what made the 1993 classic so much fun, which was high-octane, no-nonsense demon killing.
Utilizing the cutting-edge technology of id Tech 6,Doomis full of gore, blood, and all sorts of delightful violence. Movement is perfect, guns feel powerful, and the glory kill system makes the player feel strong without slowing down the action.Doomwas a massive moment for the franchise, as it returned the series to prominence, in addition to revitalizing the boomer shooter genre for a new generation. A prequel,Doom: The Dark Ages, is set for release on July 23, 2025.
3The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
By Azura, By Azura, By Azura!
The Elder Scrollsfranchiseproduced some brilliant RPGs during the 1990s and early 2000s, but with the launch ofOblivionin 2006, Bethesda produced what is still one of the most breathtaking open-world RPGs of all time. Taking place in the imperial province of Cyrodill, this incredible adventure tasks the player with helping a man named Martin Septim light the Dragonfires and seal the gates of Oblivion. Roaming the sprawling world of Cyrodill is simply wonderful, as it is dotted with a huge number of towns, dungeons, caves and hidden locations to explore.
The game continues Bethesda’s tradition of offering up huge fantasy worlds and letting the player run wild, but it’s the amount of varied content inOblivionthat makes it so special. Players have a lot of options within the open world. They can join the Dark Brotherhood, take on a powerful sorcerer named Umaril in theKnights of the Nineexpansion, or use their wits to close the Oblivion gates that populate the map. AnOblivionremake is on the horizon, which would be a fabulous way for anyone to experience this timeless classic in the modern day.
Indiana Jones is no stranger to video games, but his greatest interactive adventure came under the umbrella of Bethesda and developer MachineGames. They releasedIndiana Jones and the Great Circleon Xbox and PC in 2024 to rave reviews. It would later be released for PS5, but no matter where one plays it,The Great Circleis a treat for any fans of the Indy character.Indiana Jones and the Great Circletakes place in 1937, between the events ofRaiders of the Lost ArkandThe Last Crusade, and finds Indy on a quest to uncover the truth about a series of archeological sites around the world that are connected.
Utilizing a dazzling mix of first and third-person perspectives,The Great Circlecombines vicious hand-to-hand combat with puzzle solving and exploration, as well as giving players access to Indy’s iconic whip. Combat feels outstanding, as Indy’s punches have a hefty weight to them. Players can also use items picked up around the environment, which stays true to the character’s resourcefulness under pressure.Indiana Jones and the Great Circleis an incredible experience, combining the charm and magic of the films with a kinetic, fast-paced combat system and truly challenging puzzles.
Leading up to the launch ofThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimin 2011, Bethesda’s mantra was “you are who you play,” which was remarkably accurate.Skyrimprioritized what the player was doing, whether that was swords, magic, or archery, and used that toinform the character’s statsand growth. It’s this level of freedom that makesSkyrim’shuge open world as tantalizing as it is, as it is still one of the most impressive and compelling game environments of all time.
To this day, people are still playing hours and hours ofSkyrim, and for good reason. It is still one of the most infinitely playable, engaging open-world RPGs on the market, even a decade-plus after launch. Spells and magic are spectacular, as being able to dual-wield different attacks on each hand is massively fun. Swords and archery are also improved fromOblivion, and the game lets each playstyle feel fun and unique. It makes playing a mage feel destructive, while sneaking around and killing enemies with a bow is immensely satisfying.Skyrimis available on every platform that one can think of, and is well worth playing today, whether it’s for the 100th or the first time.
