Even though there has been a ten-year gap between the two series, we've decided to put them to the test and see which one has the upper hand in terms of quality and popularity. Both the Soulsborne and Elder Scrolls series have produced games that are sure to go down in gaming history.

After more than a decade, Skyrim continues to be a mainstay in any discussion about the best role-playing games of all time. This article was updated on March 28, 2023 by Lucas Ellinas. We did a comparison of these two titans of fantasy gaming not long after the launch of the game, and Elden Ring emerged victorious, albeit by a razor's edge. It seems like the right time to take another look at how two of the best role-playing games released in recent years compare to one another, now that the first piece of downloadable content for Elden Ring has finally been announced. The Special Edition does, on occasion, receive patches, but they typically only contain bug fixes of a relatively minor nature. If you want to get more out of your experience, you're going to have to get some assistance from the modding community.

Skyrim: Those Who Follow

After some time, exploring the vast worlds of Skyrim and the Lands Between can make one feel incredibly isolated. On the other hand, Skyrim has all of your bases covered. When deciding who should accompany you on your journey, you will have a wide variety of options to choose from. These options include fan favorites like Serana, as well as characters that people love to hate (looking at you, Lydia). The map of Elden Ring is superior to that of Skyrim in almost every way, starting from the lush vegetation of Limgrave and going all the way down to the underground Siofra River.

Not only is there a greater variety of locations to investigate in order to obtain some incredible drops, but Elden Ring's map does not leave you wanting with large expanses of nothingness either. Instead, there is a foe around every corner, in addition to hidden areas and spots that are easy to miss, which are things that you simply do not experience with Skyrim's map.

Skyrim's History and Lore Explored in Great Detail
The lore of Elden Ring is unquestionably multifaceted, profound, and well-thought-out; however, there are some aspects of the lore that remain obscure and unexplained to this day.

But the history and lore of The Elder Scrolls have been developed since the series' very first game, and Skyrim has shown us more about how the world of Tamriel operates than any other game in the series. You, the enigmatic Dragonborn, will have access to a vast library of books as well as living sources that are as old as time, such as Paarthurnax, your dragon mentor. In general, the lore of Skyrim is extremely thorough in its attention to detail and is just as realistic and approachable as any history book.

Elden Ring: Multiplayer
In a manner analogous to that of Dark Souls 3 and Bloodborne, Elden Ring provides you with the opportunity to call upon your companions for a round of cooperative play.

Skyrim: More Mods Everywhere You Look
Even up to this day, the modding community for Skyrim is thriving, and fortunately, there does not appear to be any sign of it slowing down anytime soon.

There are some modifications that are on the verge of being completely hilarious, such as replacing all of the spiders in the game with wacky versions of Spider-Men or transforming all of the dragons in the game into versions of Thomas the Tank Engine. However, at the moment, nothing can compare to the formidable presence that is Skyrim's modding community.

There is no other activity that provides the same level of gratification as defeating your foe, be it with an electrified boulder or an arcane greatsword. Even though you have the ability to control fire and lightning in Skyrim, Elden Ring's best sorceries are far superior due to the level of intricacy and originality they display.

More Conversational Choices Are Available In Skyrim
Skyrim offers a greater variety of conversational choices when compared to Elden Ring. When you engage in conversation with Elden Ring, you will be presented with two choices: either "do" or "do not," or a "yes" or "no" scenario. Absolutely, there are times when it comes down to a simple "yes" or "no" decision.

Combat of the Highest Order in the Elden Ring
When it comes to fighting, Elden Ring is at the top of the food chain. Each type of weapon, from those that require dexterity to those that require strength to wield, has its own unique move set and, in some cases, a special skill. In comparison to Skyrim, the combat in Elden Ring is significantly more intricate and expertly executed. This is understandable given the insurmountably challenging foes you will face throughout the game.

Skyrim: More Peaceful Exploration
Skyrim offers a significantly less frenetic and more tranquil environment in which to discover its many breathtaking locations, in contrast to Elden Ring. Even though this doesn't change the fact that there are some foes lying in wait to best the Dragonborn, you have a much lower risk of dying while traveling through the countryside.