Research-backed game lineage

The Elder Scrolls

The Elder Scrolls is included in the Series Atlas after independent recognition and an authoritative game-by-game roster audit. Editions, simple ports, DLC, bundles, canceled projects, and cameo-only appearances are excluded.

12 curated games 1994–2025 release span 0 connected branches

An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire cover

The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard cover

Genre profile

Primary-root profile.

The researched entries keep a consistent primary-root profile.

Observed shapeRPG12 researched entries

Primary roots

RPG7

Frameworks

Open World3 Sandbox2

01Unclassified1994 02RPG1996 03Unclassified1997 04Unclassified1998 05RPG2002 06RPG2006 07RPG2011 08RPG2014 09RPG2016 10Unclassified2017 11Unclassified2020 12RPG2025

Subgenres representedWRPG 3 Action RPG 2 CRPG 1 MMORPG 1

Entry points

Starting points.

Use the researched chronology, ratings, and remake relationships to select a starting title.

Chronological startThe Elder Scrolls: ArenaMainline · 1994

Highest ratedThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special EditionRemaster · 2016

Most recent mainlineThe Elder Scrolls: BladesMainline · 2020

Remaster routeThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special EditionRemaster · 2016

Release chronology

All researched entries.

Ordered by researched series position, then original release date. Ports, DLC, and duplicate editions are intentionally excluded.

12 games in this lineage

Mainline1994

The Elder Scrolls: Arena

The Elder Scrolls - Arena is the first RPG fantasy game of the Elder Scrolls series. The game takes place on a planet called Nirn in the empire of Tamriel. The emperor of Tamriel, Uriel Septim, is planing to gather the whole Nirn under the imperial flag. He allies himself with the mage Jagar Tharn who is unfortunately intent on stealing the emperor's throne. Jagar Tharn imprisons the emperor in another dimension and locks the key inside a dungeon under the imperial city. Your job is to find all the pieces of the key, reassemble it, kill Jagger Tharn and free the emperor.

Mar 25, 199479/100

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Mainline1996

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

The Elder Scrolls - Daggerfall is the second fantasy RPG from The Elder Scrolls series. The game is situated in a city of Daggerfall and its surrounding areas. The emperor himself asked you, as your friend, to investigate the death of King Lysandus. The whole story is up to you. There is no straight line which you should follow. you have a number of options for character classes and numerous regions filled with cities, towns, and dungeons. Your journey starts on your way to the Kingdom of Daggerfall. Unfortunately your ship is wrecked in a storm and you end up in a small cave with only your bare life. Your first goal becomes to escape, and so your adventure begins. The game has a numerous options how to solve the crisis and numerous differed endings as well.

Aug 31, 199684/100

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Mainline1997

An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire

An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire is an action role-playing open world video game developed and published by Bethesda Softworks, set in the world of The Elder Scrolls.

Nov 30, 199752/100

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Mainline1998

The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard

You play as Cyrus, a Redguard in search for his sister, and a mercenary pirate. After receiving a letter from your old friend and Nord captain Tobias about your sister's disappearance, you sail to Stros M'kai, your sister's home, and site of the final clash between the Redguard Crowns and the Empire. The game begins when you arrive at the port.

Oct 31, 199858/100

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Mainline2002

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is an open-world first-person role-playing game and the third main entry in The Elder Scrolls series. Set on the island of Vvardenfell in the province of Morrowind, the player arrives as a released prisoner and becomes involved in the political and religious conflicts of the Dunmer people. Gameplay combines freeform exploration, real-time combat, and character customization across a vast landscape of ashlands, swamps, and volcanic terrain, with a main quest centered on an ancient prophecy.

May 1, 200274/100

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Mainline2006

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the fourth game in the Elder Scrolls story, is set within the province of Cyrodiil, the heartland and Imperial capital of Tamriel. Emperor Uriel Septim VII is assassinated in flight from his own palace, but just before he dies he passes on to you the mystic Amulet of Kings. The adventure proper begins with the quest to find Uriel's lost and illegitimate son who is the only heir to the throne. In a world where the forces of darkness seek their ultimate dominion over the ranks of man and mer alike, you alone stand between the future of Tamriel and the gates of Oblivion.

Mar 20, 200683/100

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Mainline2011

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Skyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose. Play any type of character you can imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.

Nov 10, 201184/100

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Mainline2014

The Elder Scrolls Online

Every legend starts somewhere and in The Elder Scrolls Online, it starts with you. Write your story into a vibrant chapter of Tamriel’s distant past that takes place nearly 1,000 years before the iconic TES V: Skyrim, and discover a world steeped in adventure and possibility.

Apr 4, 201471/100

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Remaster2016

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition

Skyrim special edition is a remaster of the classic from 2011. Now with upgraded visuals. Skyrim reimagines and revolutionises the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose.

Oct 27, 201685/100

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Mainline2017

The Elder Scrolls: Legends

The Elder Scrolls: Legends is a strategy card game that explores the series' characters, creatures, deities, and lore. Whether you have 10 minutes or five hours, Legends provides a variety of gameplay modes and challenges that are easy-to-learn but difficult to master. Built with all levels of players in mind, Legends offers accessible gameplay for beginners who want to get started quickly, and the game's depth keeps expert players engaged. With a wide variety of deck types and strategies, no two games are ever the same.

Mar 9, 201774/100

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Mainline2020

The Elder Scrolls: Blades

Take the Elder Scrolls anywhere you go with The Elder Scrolls: Blades. Revealed during the 2018 Bethesda E3 Showcase, Blades is an all-new Elder Scrolls game from Bethesda Game Studios. Launching in winter 2019, Blades will be free-to-play on iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

May 12, 202040/100

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Remaster2025

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

Explore Cyrodiil like never before with stunning new visuals and refined gameplay in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.

Apr 22, 202577/100

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Sources and method

Built from the public record.

Membership is researched from external official and independent sources. Mainline games, direct spin-offs, remakes, remasters, and standalone expansions are included; DLC, simple ports, duplicate editions, compilation-only duplicates, rumors, cancellations, and cameo-only crossovers are excluded.

database The Elder Scrolls collection — IGDB
IGDB maintains a distinct collection record for The Elder Scrolls and supplies the authoritative roster used for membership verification.
reference List of best-selling video game franchises
The independent catalog recognizes The Elder Scrolls as a multi-game franchise and supports its inclusion in this major-series research sweep.