The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim remains the best-selling traditional RPG ever, with more than 60 million copies sold across every console generation since 2011. Its open world is legendary for freedom—players can ignore the main quest for hundreds of hours of radiant adventures. Skyrim's 94 Metacritic score is slightly lower than the 96 of #5 Elden Ring, but its modding community and longevity are unmatched. The data shows it's still played by over 10 million active users in 2024. Bethesda's masterpiece may lack Elden Ring's combat precision, but it offers a warmer, more accessible fantasy that has endured for over a decade.