The 'classic' Mac OS is the original Macintosh operating system that was introduced in 1984 alongside the first Macintosh and remained in primary use on Macs until the introduction of Mac OS X in 2001. Apple released the original Macintosh on January 24, 1984; its early system software was partially based on the Lisa OS and the Xerox PARC Alto computer, which former Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Operation Nemesis is the result - both a riveting read and a profound examination of evil, revenge, and the costs of violence. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY MAR 16, 2015 Fans of Bogosian's one-man shows (Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead) will recognize his provocative sensibility in this book's very first paragraph, in which he recalls being. Note: The headings on this list indicate the Macintosh System bundle names; the bullet points indicate the version of the System File included in that bundle. This is to make it clearer for people searching for specific bundle versions as opposed to System File versions. Finder File versions are not indicated. 1 Classic Mac OS 1.1 Macintosh System Software (0 - 0.3) 1.1.1 System File 1 1.1.2. Find games for macOS like Friday Night Funkin', Cold Shot, Dying of Thirst, Wrong Floor, Tidetale on itch.io, the indie game hosting marketplace.

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Which Mac operating system is the best is a topic of numerous debates among Apple fans.

Since the mission of this blog is to refute myths and legends around Macs, it’s time for me to provide my 2 cents about the issue on hand. While everything below is just my opinion, as a long-time Mac user and veteran software engineer, I hope my opinion worth something.

The best Mac OS version is the one that your Mac is eligible to upgrade to. In 2021 it is macOS Big Sur. However, for users that need to run 32-bit apps on Mac, the best macOS is Mojave. Also, older Macs would benefit if upgraded at least to macOS Sierra for which Apple still releases security patches.

How to Tell Which macOS You Are Running

To find out which macOS is currently running on your Mac, follow these steps:

  1. Click on Apple logo in the top left corner of the menubar
  2. In the dropdown click on the first item: About This Mac
  3. The first line in the Overview tab is the name of the current OS.

What Version of OS Can My Mac Run?

Not all Macs can be upgraded to the latest OS version. For instance, old Macs powered by PowerPC CPUs cannot run OS intended for Intel-based computers. Also, some versions have hardware limitations.

For instance, Mojave cannot be installed on MacBook Pro earlier than Mid 2012 model.

Check below to know exactly what version of OS your Mac can run.

Which OS is Best for my Mac

Anytime someone asks me which OS is best for them I always suggested going with the latest. Things have changed recently, however.

Should I Upgrade to macOS Catalina or Big Sur?

While personally I like macOS Big Sur and have it installed on my MacBook Pro, it comes with serious breaking changes.

The first issue is compatibility.

Big Sur is a transition OS which is designed to help Apple to move from Intel processors to their own chips on ARM.

After I installed Big Sur on my MacBook Pro mid 2020 (pre-Silicon), most of my apps, including Microsoft Office, were working as expected.

However, my VMWare Fusion 11 does not start anymore, so I have to purchase a new license if I want to keep using it (or roll back to Catalina). Luckily, I took a full backup before the upgrade.

The second breaking issue is the lack of 32-bit app support.

macOS Catalina and Big Sur can only run 64-bit apps.

If you wondering whether you should upgrade to macOS Catalina or Big Sur, first verify that you don’t have any 32-bit apps. But first, take a back up, so you can go back in case something breaks after the upgrade.

For instance, I had to remove uTorrent after upgrade. And I didn’t know that uTorrent is 32-bit!

How to Know If App is 32-bit or 64-bit

To find out whether the app on your Mac is 32-bit or 64-bit follow these steps:

  1. Click on Apple logo in the top left corner of the Mac screen
  2. Click on About This Mac option
  3. Click on System Report button in Overview tab (first one)
  4. Scroll down to Software -> Applications
  5. Find the app and check Kind

Which macOS Should I Use

If you have an older Mac which is not eligible to upgrade with some latest software or hardware, I’d suggest upgrading at least to Sierra (or better High Sierra) for the following reasons:

  • Sierra is still supported by Apple, and it gets security updates
  • APFS file system is available
  • It supports Siri
  • Significant security improvements

The most important point when choosing the best OS is the ability to get security updates. While Apple generally does not announce the OS end of life dates, it is possible to know when they stop releasing security updates from this page.

For instance, according to the page, the last security update for OS X Yosemite was released on September 12, 2017. The last update for OS X El Capitan was in July 2018, and Carnegie Mellon University confirmed that El Capitan’s end of life date was August 2018.

Snow Leopard Myth

I know that some users on forums believe that the best OS version for Macs was Snow Leopard. But that is a myth. And I know how such myths get created.

Once I worked in the company, which was selling a 20-year old product. And customers were still using and didn’t want to switch to new versions, because the old one was rock solid.

I then talked to the engineer who worked on the project, and he revealed that the product was a total disaster when it was first deployed. Engineers had to work on-site for almost a year in order to fix all bugs.

After five or so years of polishing the product, it becomes virtually bug-free, and nobody now remembers how bad it was when it was first rolled out. A similar thing happened Snow Leopard, and it was recognized as best mac os version after some time.

How to Update to the Latest Version

There are two ways to update to the latest OS version on Mac:

  • From the Software Update section in System Preferences
  • Use a download link

Using Software Update

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This is by far the best option, but it only available if you have Yosemite, or later OS installed already. If you enabled automatic updates, then Mac will inform you that the next macOS is available.

Just open System Preferences, go to Software Update and click on the Upgrade Now button.

This method is also best if wondering how to check if you have the latest version of OS installed on your Mac. Only the version compatible with your hardware will appear here.

For instance, my the latest version for Mac Mini 2012 is Mojave, I can’t install anything newer than that.

If you are having problems with updates or having issues post-upgrade check my post about troubleshooting macOS.

Using download links

For older systems or in case you need to downgrade, you have to download a standalone installer in DMG format. DMG stands for disk image, similar to ISO, just different formats.

After downloading the installer, just double click on it and follow instructions. Again, do not forget to take a backup before the upgrade.

Mac OS Comparisons: Requirements, Features, Compatibility, Download Links

Following is a high-level description of all Mac operating systems as early as Mountain Lion.

You can refer to those descriptions when deciding which operating system is best for your iMac, Mac Pro, Mac mini, or MacBook.

With each OS description, I included a list of Macs supported. However, you can use Mac OS compatibility checker for more detailed information.

macOS 11 Big Sur

macOS v11 (codename Big Sur) is the latest version of the operating system for Apple computers.

Release date: October 13, 2020

Hardware Requirements: RAM requirement 4GB. Big Sur is the first OS to support new Macs using ARM technology (in the future).

Mac

Features

  • The biggest design refresh since macOS X.
  • Support for new ARM processors.
  • Safar improved performance and power consumption.
  • Time Machine supports backup to APFS volumes.
  • One-click translation for 7 languages.
  • Redesigned maps

Software Compatibility Issues

Only 64-bit apps are allowed to run on Big Sur.

How to install

There are two ways to install Big Sur: enable automatic updates in System Preferences or download by using the following link.

Or check my post with tips on installing macOS on unsupported devices.

List of Apple computers compatible with macOS Big Sur

  • MacBook (2015 and later)
  • MacBook Air (2013 and later)
  • MacBook Pro (2013 and later)
  • Mac mini (2014 and later)
  • iMac models (2014 and later)
  • iMac Pro (2017 and later)
  • Mac Pro (2013 and later)

macOS 10.15 Catalina

Release date: October 7, 2019

Hardware Requirements: RAM requirement increased from 2GB to 4GB.

Features

  • Introduced Sidecar, which allows for Macs to use an iPad as an external display.
  • iTunes was replaced by separate apps: Music, Podcasts, and TV.
  • Find My Mac and Find My Friends have merged into one app.

Software Compatibility Issues

macOS Catalina is the first Mac operating system that does not support 32-bit applications. Only 64-bit apps are allowed to run on Catalina.

How to install

There are two ways to install Catalina: enable automatic updates in System Preferences or download by using the following link.

List of Apple computers compatible with macOS Catalina

  • MacBook (Early 2015 or later)
  • MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or later)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or later)
  • Mac mini (Late 2012 or later)
  • iMac models (Late 2012 or later)
  • iMac Pro (All models)
  • Mac Pro (Late 2013)

macOS 10.14 Mojave

Release date: September 24, 2018

Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 18.5GB free space on disk

Features

  • The main feature of Mojave is “Dark Mode”
  • FaceTime adds group feature which allows chatting with up to 32 people
  • News, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Home apps were ported from iOS to Mac.

How to install

If your Mac is eligible to update to Mojave, then the easiest way to install it is by enabling automatic updates. Downloading a standalone Mojave installer could be a little tricky.

List of Apple computers compatible with macOS Mojave

  • MacBook (Early 2015 or later)
  • MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or later)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or later)
  • Mac mini (Late 2012 or later)
  • iMac (Late 2012 or later)
  • iMac Pro (All models)
  • Mac Pro (Late 2013 and 2010-2012 models with upgraded GPU)

macOS 10.13 High Sierra

Release date: September 25, 2017

Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 14.3GB free space on disk

Features

  • APFS (Apple File System) becomes the default file system in High Sierra. It’s a significant upgrade from the older HFS+ in terms of speed, size, and security
  • iCloud support of Messages which allows sync messages of the account across multiple devices
  • Mail app uses 35% less storage space due to optimizations

List of Apple computers compatible with macOS High Sierra

  • MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
  • Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)

How to install

Here is a High Sierra download link.

macOS 10.12 Sierra

This is the first macOS version. Previous OS versions for Macs were called OS X (X stands for 10).

Release date: September 20, 2016

Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 8GB free space on disk

Features

  • Siri was introduced to Macs
  • Optimized storage with iCloud sync
  • Auto-lock feature allows unlocking MacBook with paired Apple Watch
  • APFS preview available
  • Disk Utility can manage RAID sets again
  • Significant security improvements

How to install

Here is a Sierra download link.

List of Apple computers compatible with macOS Sierra

  • MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
  • Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
  • iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)

OS X 10.11 El Capitan

Last OS X version.

Release date: September 30, 2015

Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 8GB free space on disk

Features

  • System Integrity Protection – a security feature that protects even when the root user executes the process
  • Performance improvements: open PDF files four times faster, Mail is twice faster, launching apps 40% faster
  • Notes app similar to the app in iOS

Macs compatible with OS X El Capitan

same as OS Mountain Lion.

How to install

Here is El Capitan download link.

OS X 10.10 Yosemite

Release date: October 16, 2014

Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 8GB free space on disk

Macs compatible with OS X Yosemite

Same as OS Mountain Lion.

Features

  • Major user design overhaul
  • Introduction of Handoff and Continuity features
  • Photos app replaced iPhoto and Aperture

How to install

Here is Yosemite download link.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks

First free Mac OS. Previous OS versions vary from $19.99 to $129.

Release date: October 22, 2013

Hardware Requirements: 2GB RAM and 8GB free space on disk

Features

  • Compressed Memory feature automatically compresses inactive apps when approaching maximum memory capacity
  • Timer coalescing is a feature that reduces CPU usage by up to 72 percent
  • App Nap puts apps that are not currently visible to sleep

Macs compatible with OS X Mavericks

Same as OS Mountain Lion.

How to install

OS X Mavericks installer is not available on Apple Site. Follow instructions here to install Mavericks.

OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

Must be purchased. Fixed many bugs introduced in OS X Lion.

Release date: July 25, 2012

System Requirements: 2GB RAM and 8GB free space on disk

Features

  • New apps: Notification Center, Notes, Messages, Game Center
  • AirPlay mirroring allowed to mirror Mac screen to Apple TV
  • Application updates automatically install from the App Store

List of Apple computers compatible with OS X Mountain Lion

  • iMac (Mid-2007 or newer)
  • MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
  • Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
  • Xserve (Early 2009)

How to install

Mountain Lion installer is not available on Apple Site. Follow instructions here to install OS X Mountain Lion.

List of older Mac OS Versions

Following Mac OS versions are still running on older Macs, but Apple does not support them anymore, and there is no point to upgrade (or downgrade) to them:

  • OS X 10.7 Lion
  • OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
  • Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
  • Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
  • Mac OS X 10.3 Panther
  • Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar
  • Mac OS X 10.1 Puma
  • Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah

Skyrim was a one-of-a-kind title that blew the collective minds of gamers from day one. Here are some games like Skyrim that match the feeling.

So, you’ve started a new game in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrimfor the 150th time, and you think to yourself, “surely there are other games like Skyrim that I can play?”

And the answer is no, there aren’t any games exactly like Skyrim, but here’s a list of some games that are similar and just as good in their own right.

Fallout 4

When talking about games similar to Bethesda’s Skyrim, you can’t look past the developer’s other flagship series, Fallout. Affectionately known to fans as “Skyrim with radiation”, the game shares the same open-world, action role-playing conventions.

While there’s a bit of a difference between the magic and swords of Skyrim and the guns and atom bombs of Fallout, there’s one key part of the game that links them above all else: the character customisation options (and the giant, scary bugs). You can travel freely wherever your Vault-Tec clad feet take you, engaging in whatever quests you feel like as you level up and take on the post-apocalyptic world.

Fallout 4 is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

One of the top picks on this list is Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Aside from the fact that the game is absolutely stunning with amazing gameplay, Breath of the Wild has fantastic similarities to everything we know and love about Skyrim. Open-world? Check. Magic? Double check. Cool swords? Triforce check.

Many, many side quests to lose yourself in while you stubbornly ignore the looming main quest? You know it.

Run, ride horses, and glide across Hyrule as you take down monsters and complete quests at your leisure – as long as you can ignore Zelda’s frequent distress signals. Save civilians, dress up in funky little outfits to protect yourself from the extreme climates, and ignore everything bad in the world as you try to figure out how to cook something that won’t just turn out as more Dubious Food.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is available for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is stacked with Skyrim-worthy moments. While there isn’t as much flexibility in character customisation and there are many, many more cutscenes, The Witcher still fits in this list very well. Rather than the wide, open-world sandbox of Skyrim, this game is story-driven in a way Bethesda’s title isn’t.

Players traverse the map between plot points, able to hunt wildlife and gather ingredients for alchemy and health restoration. The playable magic is also more limited than in Skyrim, but if you’re a fan of more heavy hitting characters with big swords, the melee combat is definitely for you. The Witcher 3 really matches Skyrim’s aesthetics, above all else. Beautiful views, horrifying monsters, heaps of leather armour and shiny weapons… the list goes on.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age: Inquisition is a semi-open world action RPG, coming third in BioWare’s Dragon Age franchise. The game’s open world isn’t quite as free range as Skyrim, but the map is made up of extremely large regions, each with their own purpose.

Inquisition allows for a lot of character customisation, from race to appearance, character class, combat style, and attributes. You can even customise your followers. Just like Skyrim, players have the ability to craft their own weapons and armour, and while there is a core plot with a linear timeline, players have a lot of options as to how they get there.

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Inquisition is also a very popular game due to its lore aspects, characters and the possible relationships. To top it all off, as you might guess from the title, it’s got dragons!

Dragon Age: Inquisition is available on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Legend of Grimrock 1 and 2

I’ll be honest; the Grimrock games are not like the others on this list. They’re not open-world, the character creation is pretty basic, and there’s no real character interactions to speak of. What they do have going for them, however, are their dungeons.

The first thing that pops to mind when you see these stone walls, metal spikes, giant spiders and other various baddies is the Skyrim dungeons. You even play prisoners in both Grimrock and Skyrim. As stated in the trailer, “the balance between exciting combat, thought-provoking puzzle work, and open-ended exploration is stellar.”

Legend of Grimrock is available on Microsoft Windows, Linux, and iOS. Legend of Grimrock 2 is available on Microsoft Windows and OS X.

Horizon Zero Dawn

In Horizon Zero Dawn, you play as Aloy, a hunter in a world where nature and machines are intertwined on the deepest level. As you explore the open world of Colorado and Utah in the 31st century, you can discover new and interesting locations, take on side quests, and try to uncover the mystery of Aloy’s past.

While there isn’t a lot of character customisation available for Aloy, players can use scavenged resources to craft within the game, modifying weapons, outfits, and various other items. The game is set on a pre-determined plot, but you can choose how you get there. Where you go, what you fight, how you interact with the NPCs – it’s all up to you.

One of the differences to Skyrim that fans discovered is the lack of romance options within the game, but that’s just something that comes with playing a pre-set protagonist.

Horizon Zero Dawn is available for PS4 and Microsoft Windows.

Divinity: Original Sin 2

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is an open-world RPG where you fight against the Void to become the next Divine. While the style of game is quite different to Skyrim, in that it’s a turn-based game with the option of playing solo or with a party of up to four, it definitely matches Skyrim’s vibes.

A character with powers laying dormant within, travelling across the wide map to level up and become the closest thing to a God on the mortal realm? Feels like a Dragonborn to me. You can choose from five different races for your characters, with different play styles and combat abilities among them.

The character interactions within the game are also another positive point: “every member of your party can be [a] romantic interest, ally, friend… or foe”. The game is massively open-world, with the ability to go anywhere on the map you want, interact with the NPCs however you want, and find your way though the game how you want to play, rather than following a set plot.

Divinity: Original Sin II is available on Microsoft Windows, PS4, Xbox One, macOS, and Nintendo Switch.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

When you talk open-world gaming, you would be remiss to leave Assassin’s Creed Odyssey out. Not only is the map huge, it’s filled with various quests here and there for you to complete… or avoid. There is a main quest, but you can still plug hours of fun into the game while keeping to the spirit of Skyrim and ignoring it.

While Kassandra – or Alexios, if you choose – isn’t throwing fireballs around or summoning Atronachs, the play style is diverse and adaptable. You can play as a long range archer, sneak around with your assassin stealth skills, or just go full-on warrior and charge in with your Legendary Hammer of Jason and a war cry.

Take sides in the civil war with the Imperials or the Stormcloaks – I mean the Athenians or the Spartans – or stay as impartial as possible while still kicking major butt. Customise your weapons and armour, find insane enemies to fight, and try not to fall off too many cliffs. While there are no dragons, you can have a horse, and there are quite a few romance options if you’re a fan of them. One of the best parts of the game is your ship, where you can pick who to have on board and what colours you fly as you sail along to the lovely sound of your singing crew.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, and Google Stadia.

Shadow of the Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus is not a conventional open-world game, and it exists in this list less as one of the games like Skyrim, but more-so as a game that must be mentioned. Unlike Skyrim, where the open world revolves around the Dragonborn, in Shadow of the Colossus, the world almost exists as a character of its own.

Every aspect of the game exists to make the character seem small. The Colossi themselves, the dilapidated shrines, mountain ridges, fields and even the trees are all there to make you feel insignificant. For its time, the map is quite large, and every aspect of it is designed to make it feel gargantuan. You will never reach those mountains in the distance, and you are always travelling between fights, but there’s just something about this game that gives players the same feel as Skyrim.

Originally released in 2005 for the PS2, the Shadow of the Colossus remastered version is available on PS4.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

As we continue this list, how could we not mention Skyrim’s predecessor, Oblivion? It’s an open-world, RPG developed by Bethesda in 2006. While the graphics aren’t quite at Skyrim level, it’s a quality game.

Set in Cyrodiil as opposed to Skyrim, you aren’t burdened with the title of Dragonborn. Oblivion is known for its quality plot and thoroughly interesting storylines and character interactions. The character creation is just as great as Skyrim’s and the diverse abilities you can play around with are just as fun to explore. Sometimes when you love a game as much as Skyrim, you’ve got to go back to its roots and see where it started to appreciate it even more. Or maybe you’ll jump camp and find yourself an avid Oblivion fan!

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion can be accessed on Microsoft Windows, PS3, and Xbox 360.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

By Alys Oldham

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning shares plenty of similarities with The Elder Scrolls franchise, with Oblivion’s lead designer Ken Rolston even being involved in its creation. It might be one of the only games released by 38 Studios before they went bankrupt, but the developers sure did put everything into this fantasy RPG.

The central story is pretty dramatic – you feature as the Fateless One who has been resurrected into a ravaged world to change fate itself – but the mechanics of the game will feel familiar to any Skyrim fans. Similarly, this open-world adventure has extreme potential for character customisation, rich storytelling, immersive combat, and significant player choices, so there’s endless possibilities to explore.

While the original game was released in 2012, mere months after Skyrim, a remastered version aptly titled Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is now available if you want a throwback RPG that has more refined gameplay and visuals.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is available on Windows, PS3 and Xbox 360, and Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is available on Windows, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

By Alys Oldham

There is one very obvious element that Skyrim and Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen have in common – dragons. You play as the Arisen, who has been resurrected to defeat the dragon who stole their heart. With plenty of fantasy creatures to take on as you explore plentiful dungeons, naturally including the titular dragon, this game is perfect if you didn’t get enough dragon hunting in Skyrim.

Winged beasts aren’t where the similarities end, however. Lovers of character customisation can be sure to find plenty of options to perfect your character’s look, with a familiar system involving various factions to choose from with unique combat systems.

This third-person, open-world game by Capcom is full of exciting combat and endless side quests, so the expansive fantasy world is sure to keep you occupied with plenty of entertainment much akin to Skyrim.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is available on PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, and Windows.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

By Alys Oldham

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a lot closer to reality than Skyrim, yet it still feels similar. This action RPG fits more so into the historical fiction genre rather than fantasy, despite not representing any real events.

The story-driven open world includes all the typical elements of an immersive RPG game, placing players into a medieval setting filled with realistic threats facing the fictional Kingdom of Bohemia. It essentially takes Skyrim‘s classic formula and adapts it to create a more authentic historical depiction of Europe during the Holy Roman Empire.

While the first-person gameplay feels reminiscent of Skyrim, the dedication to realism extends to a nuanced combat style and additional survival mechanics. Being released in 2018, Kingdom Come: Deliverance has clearly learned from the RPGs that came before and built upon them to create a mature interpretation of the typically fantasy-filled genre.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is available on Windows, PS4, and Xbox One.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War

By Alys Oldham

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is set in the fantasy world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings franchise, so you know it’s going to be a massive adventure filled with magic and monsters alike. The action-adventure RPG is the sequel to Shadow of Mordor, and follows its narrative with the addition of the Nemesis system to generate endless possibilities for the personalities, traits, and stories of enemies you might face.

Much like in Skyrim, you can expect to encounter all kinds of characters across the open world, from elves to orcs. Each of these unique NPCs can have surprising levels of charm despite often having no impact on the main story, often starring in their own unexpected adventures that the player can influence.

It goes without saying that Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is definitely worth playing (alongside its predecessor) for fans of Skyrim who are also interested in delving deeper into the dark, fantastical world created by the Lord of the Rings novels and movies.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is available on PS4, Xbox One, and Windows.

The Elder Scrolls Online

By Alys Oldham

If you want to be immersed into the world of Skyrim on a bigger scale than before, The Elder Scrolls Onlineis a no-brainer. Some RPG enthusiasts might be hesitant to step into the world of MMORPGs, but there’s no better transition game than one that features such a familiar, beloved universe.

The game still has all the features you expect from a great RPG – the expansive fantasy world is just populated with players from all across the real world. You can expect just as much customisation of your character’s appearance, skills, weapons and style of play as in Skyrim, with even greater variety in who you encounter and the stories you can create together.

Since a rough entry to the realm of online games in 2014, Bethesda have worked hard to continuously refine the system and create an epic MMO world to rival any other. Skyrim loyalists can feel confident knowing the game’s perspective, fonts and user interface have been carried through to the online game, as well as notable game elements like the races, combat and questlines, so this vast online world is simply expanding a familiar adventure.

The Elder Scrolls Online is available on PS4, Xbox One, Windows and Mac OS.