Skyrim and Fallout iv are considered to exist incredible open-globe masterpieces that are frequently compared to one some other. Bethesda Studios created both titles, creating similarities that would somewhen lead to them being stacked side by side. Despite their similarities, Skyrim and Fallout 4 vary from each other in many different means.

Gamers dearest discussing which game is the better take on the open-world formula, and for good reason. This article examines whether Skyrim or Fallout four is the better of the two by comparing various criteria such as level design, exploration and even modding potential. Read on to find out which game managed to score the win.

Updated Nov 8, 2021, by Anastasia Maillot: With Bethesda'south sights on its brand-new upcoming sci-fi themed RPG Starfield, it's a good time to talk most the studio's two nigh epic games that have defined the last decade of video games: Fallout 4 and Skyrim.

Skyrim has its 10th-year ceremony around the corner and is often considered one of the major titles of the last decade for pushing the boundaries as an open-globe RPG. Withal, Fallout 4 remains extremely underrated and is without a doubt the best-looking RPG Bethesda has released so far, with the exception of Fallout 76. Here'due south how the two compare.

22 Fallout iv: Meaningful Factions

Fallout 4 Brotherhood Leader Arthur Maxson

A trouble quite often experienced in Skyrim is that the Dragonborn can simply join all the factions without any issues and become this all-knowing and all-seeing god-like creature. This doesn't happen in Fallout iv, where the factions negate each other in one case the player has picked a side.

For some players, this can be frustrating, because information technology means starting a new playthrough to experience other paths in the game. Withal, information technology'southward also incredibly boring to just exist able to do everything in one playthrough, with no consequences. It definitely makes Fallout 4's earth feel more than realistic, with higher stakes.

21 Skyrim: Truly Unique Weapons

Skyrim picture of Wabbajack Daedric Artifact. From Nexus Mods.

Both games take unique weapons, but Skyrim wins by a slight margin when information technology comes to truly unique weapon design. While it'south true Fallout four has some crazy, wacky weapons like the Nuka Nuke Launcher and Alien Equalizer pistol, they merely don't compare with something like the Wabbajack from Skyrim.

Moreover, since Skyrim is a medieval fantasy setting, there's more than variety in terms of weapon types and graphic symbol builds. There are far more things players can accomplish in combat, simply by using the Sanguine Rose to summon a Dremora friend to their side.

20 Fallout 4: Voiced Main Character

Fallout 4 sole survivor character maker

This part might divide fans in terms of opinions, but hear this out first. While a voiced main grapheme might feel like limiting inventiveness and imagination, information technology can actually aid players feel more continued to their primary character. The issue with the silent Dragoborn is that not only does he have fewer dialogue options (addressed later in this list), but he also but remains silent, which takes away a huge part of his personality.

Plus, who doesn't love the sarcastic wiggle vocalization lines spoken by the voice actors in Fallout four? Those moments are pure comedy gilded while deep in a serious playthrough. Despite what fans might experience or think, the voice acting of the Sole Survivor in Fallout 4 is pretty adept.

19 Skyrim: Buying Houses

Skyrim Hjerim Home in Windhelm

Building aside, which is something Bethesda introduced in both games, where Skyrim beats Fallout 4 is in its housing feature. Sure, Skyrim isn't a post-apocalyptic world where such a thing probably wouldn't be possible, merely in that location were a few missed opportunities in Fallout 4 where fans could have bought a business firm (for example, in Diamond Metropolis).

Information technology'due south definitely a special feeling when players unlock those expensive houses in Skyrim's various locations, each with a ton of loot inside and a identify to showcase whatsoever armor and weapons they've gathered on their journey. That'due south something Fallout 4 simply can't compete with.

xviii Fallout 4: Survival Difficulty

fallout 4 patch 1.5 survival mode ps4 xbox one bethesda

A slap-up game is i that has a difficulty mode that'due south sure to keep the players busy for years to come. While Skyrim does have Legendary difficulty, information technology merely tin can't compare with the epic experience Fallout four's Survival difficulty is. Even though the community has added on to the survival experience through mods, playing the difficulty even on a vanilla version of Fallout 4 is a game-changer.

A Survival difficulty is precisely what seems to be missing from Skyrim, which is why so many mods have been fabricated after the release to reply to that need. Think Frostbite and Campfire, all opportunities the developers could take taken, but chose not to. And that'due south why Fallout 4 only reigns supreme in this category.

17 Skyrim: Unforgettable Soundtrack

Forelhost Exterior In Skyrim

Bethesda is known for going large on its soundtracks. A great RPG needs an epic soundtrack to go with, and both games accept shown that reliably. However, Skyrim's soundtrack is definitely amend known betwixt the two, and for a expert reason.

The work that went into making Skyrim'due south music is immense, and the dedication tin definitely be felt. The principal theme itself is so iconic that even those who take never played the game will recognize it easily. While Fallout 4 has an epic soundtrack as well, it's nowhere near the grandeur of Skyrim'due south music.

16 Fallout 4: Slightly Better Exploration

Fallout 4 Environment

Exploration is a big factor in Bethesda games, and both Skyrim and Fallout 4 tackle the concept very well. There's a lot to see and discover, and that extends the length of the gameplay while calculation new experiences. It's difficult to call a winner betwixt the two when it comes to exploration, but Fallout 4 holds a razor-thin reward.

In that location's something particularly fascinating almost exploring a world ravaged by a nuclear state of war. Effectually every corner is a relic of humanity's bygone days and a globe that once was. Abandoned bunkers, museums, and underground passageways contain not only a wealth of boodle only echoes of the by. Skyrim does the same, only Fallout four does it just a little fleck better.

15 Skyrim: Incredible Temper

Skyrim Modded Environment

Both Skyrim and Fallout four successfully replicate a feeling of fantasy and post-apocalyptic wasteland, respectively. Bethesda succeeded at crafting two very immersive game worlds littered with all the details that go into the making of either realm. Immersion and atmosphere are huge reasons why both games stand and then tall with fans.

Still, information technology's hard to deny Skyrim'southward slight advantage over Fallout four, given how well it nails the fantasy feeling. This goes double (mayhap triple) for a modded copy that adds texture and environment detail, new music, and nature mods that mankind out the game. It's the closest one can get to wandering around a Lord of the Rings-style world without actually getting inside Tolkien'south head.

14 Fallout 4: Meaningful Choices

Fallout 4 Dialogue

Questlines and character development are a part of both games, and there are forks in the road that allow players to dictate how the story progresses. This is yet some other reason why fans adore both titles, simply they're not entirely the aforementioned in how they dish out option.

Skyrim definitely has a decent amount of decision-making strewn throughout the story, but Fallout four'south decisions create a much bigger affect, specially if one has the DLC content. In that location are a lot more moments in the game where players are forced to consider the consequences of their actions, for amend or worse.

13 Skyrim: Improve Modding

Skyrim Dragonborn Outside

Bethesda games are made to be modded, and both Skyrim and Fallout four are two of the accented biggest platforms in the entire scene. Mods are plentiful, and they range from texture upgrades to weapon and armor mods and fifty-fifty make new locations that extend the size and scope of the game.

Skyrim still has an advantage when it comes to modding. The Special Edition version of the game is very stable and much more forgiving than Fallout 4. Fifty-fifty veteran modders take trouble dealing with Fallout iv's tricky compages. Mods that affect navmeshes are particularly troublesome and can either break the game or plague it with massive FPS drops.

12 Fallout 4: Postal service-Apocalypse Retro Amuse

Fallout 4 Sole Survivor's Home

Skyrim is all nigh spectacle and immersion, and it sells the fantasy attribute of its world and lore in such a way that is incomparable. Withal, Fallout four has Skyrim vanquish when information technology comes to overall charm and quirkiness, and information technology's easy to see why. Afterwards all, the game takes place in an alternate future where America never really left the 1950s.

Though not perfect, there'due south no denying the amuse of that decade and the impact information technology had on an America that had only exited the worst war in history. The music, the décor, and the expert former-fashioned family unit values are utterly charming and captivating, even if they're juxtaposed past a futurity world inhabited by the worst dredges of humanity.

eleven Skyrim: Heady Side Quests

Skyrim Tree inside a cave

Something that makes Skyrim stand out from Fallout 4 is the incredibly interesting side quests. Both games have them, but Skyrim's are more memorable, perhaps due to the fantasy-friendly approach Bethesda took to the game.

Whether it's joining the Thieves Guild, taking out the Dark Brotherhood, or running errands for the various Jarls, the story in Skyrim never seems to finish. It's all thank you to a side quest system that makes the game compelling and rewarding, fifty-fifty during multiple playthroughs.

10 Fallout iv: The Settlement Creation Feature

Fallout 4 settlement

In Fallout 4, Bethesda implemented a completely new feature that allows players to customize their own settlements around the map. This was a function that allowed gamers to get very creative when information technology came to edifice, defending, and managing each settlement's resources.

In many means, this was calorie-free years alee of Skyrim's rather disappointing Hearthfire DLC pack which allowed players to (sort of) craft their own dream abode. Fallout 4 went in a higher place and beyond with a level of personal customization that Skyrim couldn't hope to match, fifty-fifty if it tried.

9 Skyrim: Grapheme Customization

Skyrim character customization

Skyrim's replay value is practically legendary at this point. It all starts with character customization that helps players craft their perfect avatar for some in-game immersion. The inclusion of multiple races isn't merely there for the sake of personal gustatory modality - information technology also plays a role in how the game'south story unfolds.

The grapheme cosmos system may be farther expanded on with the use of several mods that increase the number of customization players may do to the face up and body, too as other mods that touch perks, strengths, and weaknesses based on the biological makeup of each race.

eight Fallout four: The Main Story

Fallout 4

Fallout 4 has a better main story than Skyrim for a few reasons. First, Fallout 4's chief fix of quests assist build suspense all the way upwardly to the climatic catastrophe in a much better and more organic way than Skyrim managed to reach.

Late game missions are besides full of twists and surprise turns that make for a fun and interesting gameplay feel. Fallout 4's main story also includes different factions that can be joined which bear on the story progression, and with it, multiple endings.

7 Skyrim: Map Variation

Skyrim

Both Skyrim and Fallout 4 offering upward two amazing maps to explore. In regards to which map has more variation, Skyrim offers a more varied experience past mixing upward snowy mountain peaks with green grasslands and rustic caves. Fallout 4 takes place in a rather static world that is less about fantasy, and more well-nigh exploration.

This gives Skyrim a definitive edge for players who don't want to come across the aforementioned types of terrain over and over again. Even the DLC content helps expand the game's environmental offerings in a way that Fallout 4'south past-the-books content does non.

6 Fallout 4: Weapon Mods

Fallout 4 weapon mods

Fallout four goes above and across when it comes to modding and customizing each weapon to your liking. Every gun can be customized with various add-ons and materials in social club to craft precisely the weapons all-time suited to each histrion.

Modding doesn't just affect the harm done - it can also completely change the mechanics of the weapon with scopes, suppressors, and other add together-ons. Skyrim has enchantment options for weapons, but it's quite limited in scope and functionality compared to Fallout 4'southward weapon organization.

5 Skyrim: Add-Ons (DLC)

Skyrim Dawnguard

Both Skyrim and Fallout 4 have a sizeable amount of quality DLC content that expands upon the vanilla base of operations championship. Skyrim has three DLC packs, but Fallout 4 doubles that amount with six different downloadable content pieces.

Less is more than when it comes to this department because it feels every bit though Skyrim's DLC had a little more thought put into them as opposed to Fallout 4. Being able to fight (or become) vampires was an incredible experience while traveling to the island of Solstheim to fight another Dragonborn was a neat twist on the story.

4 Fallout four: Combat

Fallout 4 gameplay

Bethesda worked on making Fallout four's gameplay more than accessible and refined compared to what they did with Skyrim. It was released four years later on than Skyrim, and various touch-ups to the interface and gameplay mechanics inside the Creation Engine are evident.

Taking on a group of enemies feels more natural than it does in Skyrim, and switching between melee and ranged gainsay feels very smooth. Enemies react to what kind of approach players take when it comes to the choice of both weaponry and tactics.

3 Skyrim: Magic & Shouts

Skyrim shouts

Being the Dragonborn in Skyrim comes with enough of cool perks that tin brand gameplay experience very unique. Upgrading and using certain shouts tin can exist a very useful and entertaining way of fighting, whether information technology be using force shouts to hurl enemies away, or using a shout to set them on fire.

The magic in the globe of Skyrim helps drag it higher up its predecessors, especially when it comes to the Dragonborn tongue. This singular linguistic communication creates an entirely new way of approaching battles and other challenges that go far beyond what other games have to offer.

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