If you've ever stolen a sweetroll, lost Lydia in a cave, or sworn you wouldn't become a vampire again (and then did anyway), you know exactly why Skyrim sticks with you. Finding the best games like Skyrim means chasing that same blend of freedom, chaos, and adventure that makes every playthrough unforgettable. But can anyone do it better than Bethesda?
Our list of games like Skyrim is packed with titles that go beyond medieval fantasy, venturing off into space or apocalyptic wastelands. So join us for some deep dives on our picks, as these RPGs will soon feel like home. In each entry, we'll let you know why it deserves a spot here, and most of all, how it runs on handheld platforms like the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, or even your mobile.
The best games like Skyrim on handhelds are:
1. The Witcher 3
When it comes to games like Skyrim, few titles deserve the spotlight more than The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. With over 30 award wins and 20 nominations, CD Projekt Red's masterpiece doesn't just rival Skyrim, it stands proudly beside it as one of the greatest open-world RPGs ever made.
Originally released in 2015, The Witcher 3 puts you in the boots of Geralt of Rivia, a hardened monster slayer for hire. You'll travel across war-torn lands and monster-infested swamps on a quest to find Ciri, the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon capable of changing the world's fate. Along the way, you'll take contracts, battle horrifying beasts, and master both steel and sorcery in one of the most richly detailed RPGs around.
It has all the magic and gutsy combat you'd want from monster slaying, but CD Projekt Red paints a world so rich with lore that it doesn't take long for you to be swept up by it. Oh, and you'll never want to put it down after playing Gwent for the first time. Whether this is your first time trying The Witcher games or returning to an old favorite, it doesn't get much better than this.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows Handhelds
2. Cyberpunk 2077
If this were 2020, you'd never see Cyberpunk 2077 anywhere near this list. It was a buggy mess, and many left it behind after years of waiting. But then the unexpected happened. CD Projekt Red patched Cyberpunk 2077 into one of the most impressive open-world RPGs of this generation. Now that the game runs smoothly, you can focus on what matters: chrome upgrades, branching storylines, and deciding whether to romance Panam or Judy on your way to rewriting V's fate.
In our Cyberpunk 2077 review, Kayleigh Partleton says that the Nintendo Switch 2 version cements "itself as one of the best Switch 2 games, giving you a massive triple-A experience that you can take with you on the go, and as the game runs incredibly well in both docked and handheld." But what is it about?
Veering away from the magical fantasy of The Witcher series, Cyberpunk 2077 throws you into Night City, a neon-soaked dystopia where corpo assassins, Netrunners, and cyberpsychos rule the streets. As V, a merc trying to carve out a legacy with Johnny Silverhand whispering in your head, played by none other than John Wick and The Matrix legend Keanu Reeves. Whether you're mantis-blading through Maelstrom, stealth-hacking security systems, or just cruising in your Caliburn at 200 mph, the game offers the same kind of freedom Skyrim fans love, just in a radically different world.
Once you've beaten the main story, the Phantom Liberty DLC is ready and waiting for you, too. It features Idris Elba, a banging soundtrack, and more action to get stuck into.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, and Windows Handhelds
3. Baldur's Gate 3
You must've known it would turn up here. Yes, Baldur's Gate 3 is a must-play. Larian Studios' 2023 RPG took the world by storm, and for good reason. Set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, it delivers the same freedom Skyrim fans love, deep character creation, sprawling quests, and choices that actually matter, but swaps real-time combat for turn-based strategy where every roll of the dice can change your fate.
Think of it as gathering your party before venturing into danger, but here you've got 12 classes and 11 races to choose from. It adds plenty of variety to your play styles and an exceptional amount of replay value for future playthroughs. Whether you roleplay as a noble paladin or lean into your inner Dark Brotherhood assassin vibes, the Forgotten Realms will bend to your choices.
Some of us on the Pocket Tactics team don't always get on with turn-based combat games. It's okay if you feel that way, too. If you're one of those newcomers who usually shy away from turn-based games, we reckon this is the perfect entry point. It's easy to pick up, but requires your time to master, and you'll be hooked on the story by that point.
Sadly, Larian Studios has yet to give us a Baldur's Gate 3 Switch version, but the good news is that Baldur's Gate 3 is Steam Deck verified. You can expect it to run smoothly on Valve's handheld as a result.
Check prices: Steam Deck and Windows handhelds
4. No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky is the closest thing to Skyrim in space, offering an endless galaxy where every planet holds the promise of adventure. What started as a rocky launch back in 2016 has since become one of the greatest comeback stories in gaming history, with Hello Games rolling out years of free updates that have completely transformed the experience. Now it's a vast, ever-expanding universe, built for exploration and discovery.
For Pocket Tactics, the beauty of No Man's Sky is in the freedom. You can forge your own path as a resourceful trader, a starship pilot, or even the architect of sprawling bases across multiple planets. Freighters help you lead expeditions to unknown regions, too. The game doesn't shove you in one direction; it hands you the tools, points you at the stars, and says, "figure it out." Just read our No Man's Sky review to see why.
What really seals its spot here is the sheer replay value. Every world is procedurally generated, meaning no two players' journeys are the same. Well, that's actually over 18 quintillion planets available to find at once. We've spent hours trying to find the perfect island paradise to build a base, and let us tell you, it can take a while. It's worth it, though. There's always something waiting to surprise you, a crashed freighter to salvage, an ancient ruin to uncover, or a space battle breaking out just above a planet's atmosphere.
The Nintendo Switch 2 port is also worth considering, especially as No Man's Sky crossplay lets you play with friends regardless of their platform. Pair it with No Man's Sky multiplayer cross-progression, and you can pick up where you left off, be it on PS5 and Steam Deck.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
5. Avowed
Avowed absolutely deserves a mention on this list. No, we're serious. Obsidian's RPG might not have Bethesda's name on the box, but this is the same studio behind Fallout: New Vegas, a game we still argue is the best Fallout ever. It may have got off to a middling launch, but there's a lot to love in Avowed.
Set in Eora, the same world as Pillars of Eternity, Avowed drops you into a first-person fantasy adventure brimming with magic, swordplay, and branching choices. Think of it as Skyrim's cousin: sprawling open areas to explore, a deep story steeped in lore, and the freedom to shape your character into whatever kind of hero (or villain) you want. Where Bethesda excels at giving you endless sandboxes to lose yourself in, Obsidian doubles down on meaningful choices and reactive storytelling.
It's got all the things Skyrim fans love: atmospheric dungeons, flashy spellcasting, factions to deal with, and a world begging to be explored, but with Obsidian's trademark writing giving it a sharper edge. If you've ever wanted Elder Scrolls with more narrative punch, Avowed is exactly that. I like that Avowed Steam Deck action is possible thanks to Xbox Game Pass, meaning I don't even have to install it. However, if you do decide to let it take up space on your SSD, it's fully Steam Deck verified.
Check prices: Steam Deck and Windows handhelds
6. Fallout: New Vegas
We're going to say it: Obsidian can do Fallout games better than Bethesda. Is that a hot take? Maybe. Is it true? Definitely. Fallout: New Vegas shipped just 18 months after Fallout 3, riding on the hype of Bethesda's genre-defining entry. Yet, somehow, Obsidian cooked up another RPG that goes even harder. But why is New Vegas considered the gold standard for Fallout titles?
It's easy, really. Fallout: New Vegas's writing is leagues above Fallout 3, with complex webs weaving between each narrative beat, be it encountering Caesar's Legion or the bizarre lore of Robert House. Complimenting that is refined gameplay, taking what made Fallout 3 unmissable, and elevating it to the next level. This especially shines on the combat end of things, as gunning down rivals feels excellent, and arguably remains the standard for the series.
If Microsoft's support of the Nintendo Switch 2 continues, we'd love to see a collection of older Fallout games get some remaster love on the handheld. However, we might be waiting a while for that to happen. Nevertheless, you can play it just fine on your Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, or Lenovo Legion Go. If you want to explore a different kind of apocalypse, then our games like The Last of Us list can steer you in the right direction.
Check prices: Steam Deck and Windows handhelds
7. Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact might surprise you, actually. Yeah, it's flashy, over-the-top anime style can be too much at times, but Hoyoverse knows what makes a great RPG experience tick. Rather than crafting one lonesome character and switching saves to make another, Genshin Impact lets you command a whole squad of characters, many of whom you can win by engaging with the game's gacha system.
It keeps things fresh, as each character brings a new playstyle to experiment with. The game constantly rewards you for poking around, solving an environmental puzzle, or finding a new view that makes you stop just to soak it in. And since the developer keeps adding new regions and storylines, there's always another adventure around the corner. In Ruby Spiers-Unwin's Genshin Impact review, she says that she "can certainly see and feel the similarities Genshin Impact has to Breath of the Wild, but each character introduced brings a different mood, each town has a lived-in, natural atmosphere that is a joy to explore."
We know, it isn't the type of game you'd think of first when it comes to Skyrim. Yet, Hoyoverse's knack for crafting a decent RPG experience isn't to be scoffed at. As the barrier to entry is free too, there's no risk in trying out Genshin Impact. You can always move on to another game or delete it if it isn't for you. We can help you get started, though, thanks to our handy list of Genshin Impact codes.
Play for free: Android, iOS, and Windows handhelds
8. Hogwarts Legacy
There have been loads of Harry Potter games over the years, but we think it's safe to say that Hogwarts Legacy is the best of the lot. Look, we've got a lot of love for shouting Flippendo repeatedly in the Philosopher's Stone, but Avalanche Software's Potterhead fantasy hits different. It dominated the gaming charts in 2023, earning over $1 billion and several awards along the way. Not bad for a game that doesn't actually have Harry Potter in it.
It's also one of the games readily available for the Nintendo Switch 2. In our Hogwarts Legacy review, Callum says that "Hogwarts Legacy feels better than ever before on Nintendo Switch 2, and honestly, it's my go-to version for a quick tour around Hogwarts' iconic vistas." It arguably runs better than the Steam Deck version, too, in case you were wondering.
Hogwarts Legacy is a different kind of story for the series. You create your own budding Hogwarts student, choose which house they belong to, and embark on an adventure to understand why you can see and wield ancient magic. A pretty typical year at Hogwarts, if you ask us. As the game is set hundreds of years before the books and movies, there's room to explore aspects of this universe we've not seen before. Don't worry, though, there are plenty of nods and easter eggs for fans to uncover - but we won't spoil them here.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
9. Kingdom Come Deliverance
Ah, the adventures of a noble blacksmith-turned-knight. Set in the 15th century in the Kingdom of Bohemia, Warhorse Studios' enormous RPG plants the action in the heart of its homeland, the Czech Republic. Although you'll meet a few historical faces along the way, you inhabit the life of Henry of Skalitz, who is thrust into a path of revenge, self-discovery, and maybe a bit of redemption, too. It's a sprawling story that is less fantastical than Skyrim, but still just as exciting.
Sadly, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 isn't available on the Nintendo Switch, but that's alright. Kingdom Come Deliverance, like The Witcher 3, is a miracle to see running on the handheld. Not just from a technical perspective, but from a mechanical one, too. Out of all the games on this list, Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers the most depth. The game is full of robust mini-systems, from layering your clothing to period-correct armaments, making sure your food doesn't spoil, or creating medicines to cure ailments.
Combat isn't just straightforward slashing, either. You'll need to master intricate movements and attacks, with skill points unlocking advanced maneuvers later in the game. If you are curious about the sequel, though, you can check out our Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Steam Deck guide to get you started.
Check prices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows handhelds
That wraps up our top picks for the best games like Skyrim. There's something for everyone on here, and hopefully you'll find an adventure that you think is worth embarking on. However, there's always a chance we may have missed your favorite pick or an underrated gem.
If that's the case, feel free to jump into Pocket Tactics Discord and give us a nudge. If you want your adventures to take you beyond the realm of RPGs, be sure to check out our guides to the best Switch games, the best Steam Deck games, and the best mobile games, too.