Since lighting up the open-world video game scene withArenaback in 1994,The Elder Scrollsseries has become a key figure in fantasy gaming. While Tamriel’s recurring need for achosen one-type herogets a tad repetitive, the series' rich world-building, theatrical antagonists, and colorful settings have maintained its fan favorite status for decades.
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Among the many exciting installments in the franchise over the years,some plot lines stand out far more than others. With almost 30 years of rich history to unpack, certain games pack a considerably more powerful punch in the plotting department.
6Dawnguard Revolutionized Vampirism In Tamriel
The first DLC to arrive for the highly acclaimedSkyrimessentially blew its parent game’s main narrative out of the water.Dawnguardintroduces the player to the diabolical vampire Lord Harkon, who intends to block out the sun with an ancient ritual. The Dragonborn must either side with Harkon and his vampiric cronies orjoin the Dawnguard, a team of vampire hunters, and put a stop to the madness.
The subsequent odyssey the player goes on proves to be one of the most thrilling, lore-building arcs the Bethesda crew have put together for this long-running franchise. Prior toDawnguard, vampirism had essentially served as a regrettable chore for anyone who contracted it inOblivion. That all changed with the upgrades this popular release made to the series' vampire lore.
5Elseweyr Is A Must-Play For Dragon Hunters
In a spot of great news forSkyrimfans,The Elder Scrolls: Onlinehad an entire Season of the Dragon to sift through. NoESOchapter more effectively captured the season thanElseweyr, a thrilling adventure that takes the player into the heart of Khajiit country.
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Full of canyons and rocky landscapes, the scenic Elseweyr is predictably chock-full of threats. From the dragon hordes to the native beasts of the region to the surprisingly large amount of necromancy, the game’s themes and action complement its story well. The war against the diabolical Empress Euraxia to free Elsweyr makes this funESOinstallment an engrossing, epic helping of fantasy action.
4Clockwork CityTakes The FranchiseIn A Mind-Bending Direction
The Elder Scrolls: Onlineupped the ante with this sci-fi plotline about a city that exists outside of space and time. Enormous in scale yet somehow hidden within a Celestiodrome no bigger than a human, the city is a compellingly odd, mechanical marvel for players to explore.
Sotha Sil, the creator of the city, makes for an intriguing figure for players to gradually uncover more about. Introduced all the way back inMorrowind, this Tribunal god’s curious decisions and tragic death are a key component in what makes this imaginative DLC’s core plot so engrossing.
3Summerset Lifts The Lid On The Mysteries Of The High Elves
WhileThe Elder Scrolls: Onlineproved jarring to devoted fans of the more standard format, its expansion of the Tamriel world has been commendable. Look no further than 2018’sSummerset, which finally gave players a look into the world of the mysterious high elves.
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The expansion kicks off with the borders around Summerset opening for the first time in history. Needless to say, all is not well in the Summerset Isle, as Daedric conspiracies are afoot. While some players were disappointed with the surprisingly low-key architecture and styling of the elven land, its plot is an engrossing, occasionally thoughtful take on a high society in crisis.
2OblivionTakes The Player On A Wild, Dimension-Hopping Ride
Patrick Stewart’s Emperor Uriel Septim VII kicks this classic entry off on a glum note, first losing all of his sons before ultimately getting assassinated himself. For the player, this grim tragedy is the set-up for an epic, apocalyptic adventure through an increasingly war-torn Cyrodiil.
Due to a pact involving Septim’s now-deceased heirs, the realm of Oblivion sets up shop in the area via a litany of interdimensional portals. With top tier villains such as Mankar Camoran and Mehrunes Dagon to tackle, and a variety of curious side quests andoddly hilarious tropesto discover,Oblivionis a seminal entry in the franchise.
1Morrowind Remains The Measuring Stick For All Elder Scrolls Games
Arguably the most beloved of allElder Scrollsgames,Morrowindthrows the player into the deep end from the get-go. The player character is a hopeless case initially, lacking the necessary skills and strengths to effectively navigate the perilous island of Vvardenfell.
The beauty ofMorrowindlies in its challenge to the player. Nothing is made easy or straightforward, and the game’s magic systemremains one of the most complex and well-developed in gaming history. The player must foster and grow their character as they discover an engrossing plot surrounding the demigod Dagoth Ur and his Sixth House followers. Frustrated with the Imperial rule sweeping the land, Dagoth Ur is among the series' most compelling antagonists and another key reason this fan favorite entry continues to be held in such high regard.
