Game · in order
The Elder Scrolls Games in Order
The five mainline Elder Scrolls games in release order, from Arena (1994) to Skyrim (2011). Each is standalone and set in a different province of Tamriel, so you can start anywhere.
The Elder Scrolls Games in Order — complete list
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Why this order?
The Elder Scrolls is a series of single-player open-world RPGs from Bethesda Game Studios. There are five mainline entries, and the most important thing to know is that you do not need to play them in any particular order. Each game tells a self-contained story set in a different province of the continent Tamriel, with its own hero, its own threat, and its own ending. They share a world and a continuous timeline, but no game requires knowledge of another.
The default release order runs Arena (1994), Daggerfall (1996), Morrowind (2002), Oblivion (2006), and Skyrim (2011). This order doubles as the rough in-world chronology, since later releases are also set later on the timeline, so following release order gives you both the franchise's evolution and its history at once. The early two games are sprawling, dated, and best left to the curious or the dedicated; the modern three are where most players live.
For newcomers, the practical advice is to ignore the numbers and start with Skyrim or Oblivion. Skyrim is the most accessible, polished, and widely available entry, while Oblivion (especially the 2025 remaster) is a strong alternative with a brighter, more classic-fantasy tone. Morrowind rewards patience with deeper, stranger world-building if you crave it.
Two things sit outside this list. The Elder Scrolls Online (2014) is a separate massively-multiplayer game with its own structure, not part of the mainline numbered series, so it is not included here. The Elder Scrolls VI was announced in 2018 and remains in development with no release date. If you enjoy Bethesda's open-world style, the studio's Fallout series scratches a similar itch in a post-apocalyptic setting.
Timeline 1994–2011
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
How many Elder Scrolls games are there?
There are five mainline single-player games: Arena (1994), Daggerfall (1996), Morrowind (2002), Oblivion (2006), and Skyrim (2011). The Elder Scrolls Online (2014) is a separate MMO, and The Elder Scrolls VI is in development.
What order should I watch The Elder Scrolls in?
There's no required order. Each game is a standalone story set in a different province of Tamriel along a shared timeline. Release order (Arena to Skyrim) also matches the rough in-world chronology, but you can start anywhere.
Which Elder Scrolls game should I start with?
Start with Skyrim (2011), the most accessible and widely available entry, or Oblivion (2006), which got a full remaster in 2025. Morrowind is a great pick if you want deeper, stranger world-building.
Do I need to play the earlier games before Skyrim?
No. Skyrim's story is fully self-contained. Knowing Tamriel's broader lore adds flavor, but every mainline game can be played and finished completely on its own.
Is The Elder Scrolls Online part of the main series?
No. The Elder Scrolls Online (2014) is a separate massively-multiplayer online RPG with its own structure and progression. It's set in Tamriel but is not one of the five numbered mainline games.
When is The Elder Scrolls VI coming out?
The Elder Scrolls VI was announced by Bethesda in 2018 and is still in development. As of 2026 there is no confirmed release date.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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