7 Sandbox games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim that you should try

What brings it close to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. To that it adds a third-person camera and fantasy world. They part company on visuals and progression: this one brings loot and gear systems.

What brings it close to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and magic-based combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. To that it adds a medieval setting and single-player focus. They part company on setting: this one brings historical setting.

Same family as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to a third-person camera and fantasy world. Where they diverge is setting and visuals.

What brings it close to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and setting. Both also lean on fantasy world and single-player focus. The distance is in tone.

On paper it is what The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is — open world exploration, melee combat and fantasy world — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in setting and visuals — its own ground is loot and gear systems, and historical setting.

Shelved next to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for good reason: strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and magic-based combat. The common ground extends to fantasy world and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is progression and visuals: historical setting.

Shelved next to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for good reason: a sandbox world, magic-based combat and fantasy world. The common ground extends to skill tree progression and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: turn-based strategy.