With a slew of RPGs on the rise, the era whereSkyrimwas many players' picks for the top of the genre may have well and truly ended - but this doesn’t stop each game in theElder Scrollsseries from having its own merits and perks. These open-world games helped redefine what video games were capable of in the 2000s, and their legacy is still felt today in numerous aspects of how the gaming industry operates.
Players still engagingwith the series today do so not just because of the massive quests and storylines in each entry, but because of the smaller, more intimate moments. Taking time to experience the beauty to be found in everyElder Scrollsgame is a huge part of the experience, and among all the titles, these are some of the most scenic areas.
Appearing in bothSkyrimandElder Scrolls Onlineas a land of perilousdangers such as necromancersand vampires, the danger in this area is offset by it’s rugged beauty. It’s not just a land of forests but of high, windswept cliffs.
As one of the smaller Holds in Skyrim, players are able to see most of its sights without taking too much time, but it’s such a distinct and unique spin on typical forests that it’s sure to stick with them long after.
Stillinspiring games to this day,Morrowindshowcases the stark, alien beauty of Vvardenfell in incredible detail, and is then faithfully recreated byElder Scrolls Online. In particular, the grazelands are sparsely populated but fertile lands where there is much greenery.
This area is the perfect mix of the forests found in other areas of Tamriel with the unique flora and fauna that defines Morrowind for both its inhabitants and for the players.
This lush, golden land is aptly named, and is a fantastic sight for players both inOblivionandElder Scrolls Online.Oblivionis often rightfully criticized for compromising on the vision of Tamriel’s heartland, dismissing the unique cultures of Imperials like the Colovians or Nibenese for a glossy, unremarkable fantasy world.
The Gold Coast, however, is a unique placethat truly showcaseswhat the land of Cyrodiil is capable of producing, and is an excellent location for those that love wide, expansive plains.
5The Shivering Isles
A Fraught Land Utterly Unique To Oblivion
The Land of Madness is home toan incredibly strongDaedric prince and a landscape not seen in any other area of Oblivion or Tamriel both. The Shivering Isles has a stark and dramatic difference between the lands of Mania and Dementia.
While Dementia is the very essence of gloom, with purple-blue grass and perpetual rain, Mania is a vibrant, otherworldly realm of intense colours and sounds. It’s a fantastic dichotomy, and the two areas come together to make a beautiful realm.
4Falkreath Hold
Filled With Lush, Verdant Forests
When people think about the iconicSkyrimlandscape, the areas that have kept people playing for over a decade now and through countless editions, they’re usually thinking of Falkreath Hold. The dense, verdant woodland is some of the most picturesque depictions of a forest ever put to a game.
This only makes the discovery of a troll cave or a bandit stronghold feel that much more exciting as it is nestled in the depths of this lush landscape. This is the area that, for many people, really captures whatSkyrimis about.
The High Elveshave been witnessto some of the most awe-inspiring moments in Tamriel’s history, and their gift with nature is perhaps reflected in this truly one of a kind region, with bright, alien vegetation and ethereal architecture.
Summerset is an idyllic reflection to the land of the Dunmer, bright where Morrowind is dark, damp where Morrowind is dry, lush where Morrowind is barren. Every square inch of this isle reflects the long legacy of Altmer history that has occurred here, making it a venerated and beautiful place.
2Northern Elsweyr
A Warm, Exotic Land
The Khajiit have been one of the races tobenefit the mostfromElder Scrolls Onlineand its capacity to explore Tamriel in a way that standalone games could never hope to achieve. Being able to see the glittering lands of Elsweyr is an absolute treat.
This golden and exotic land is filled with jungles and steppes, it’s utterly unique from what is usually put forth inElder Scrollscontent, and beyond this, it’s a great representation of the untamed dangers that lie in wait for players.
1The Rift
Few Places Inspire Beauty Like The Rift
The perpetually autumnal forest of the Rift is an iconic and rightfully praised area of Skyrim, with a unique ecology and culture that differentiates it from other areas of the realm. This sun-dappled forest with leaves the color of honey really is the pinnacle of Skyrim’s beauty.
Players who are nearby will often go for strolls through the Rift’s forest even without a specific quest or job guiding them through - they’ll just take the time to experience this unique, verdant land for its own merits.
