
All Elder Scrolls games listed in order of their release date and in a chronological timeline.
Bethesda
Few fantasy realms are as richly developed and intricate as Tamriel from the Elder Scrolls series. We were first introduced to this franchise in the early '90s, and now we eagerly anticipate Elder Scrolls 6 to unveil the next chapter in this saga. While we wait for this upcoming video game to arrive on our PCs and consoles, we enjoy revisiting the existing titles to observe their evolution and immerse ourselves in the lore. Much like the GTA games, if you believe there are only five Elder Scrolls titles currently available, you’re missing out on more than half of the games in the series. Surprisingly, every single installment is regarded as canon and plays a role in the ongoing narrative of the world. While jumping into whichever game seems most appealing is always an option, we recommend playing them either in release order or chronologically. Below is the official order for the entire Elder Scrolls series, organized by both release and chronological order.
All Elder Scrolls games in release order
Bethesda
The Elder Scrolls is an established franchise that has experienced numerous developments throughout the years. One thing that has remained constant is the ambitious nature of these RPGs. Each installment has pushed the boundaries of open-world gaming, RPGs, and simulations, albeit not without their share of bugs and glitches. Most of the main titles are set in specific regions or provinces of Tamriel, though some cover larger areas or have expansions that allow players to explore new locales.
Although the earliest games on this list may not look as polished, playing them in release order highlights the remarkable progression of this series from one game to the next. For those interested in experiencing the Elder Scrolls games in release order, here's how to proceed:
Note: We will list only the original release for games that come in multiple versions; otherwise, half the list would consist of Skyrim.
The Elder Scrolls Arena (1994)
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (1996)
The Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire (1997)
The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard (1998)
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold (2003)
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar (2004)
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey (2004)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
The Elder Scrolls Online (2014)
The Elder Scrolls: Legends (2016)
The Elder Scrolls: Blades (2020)
The Elder Scrolls VI (TBA)
All Elder Scrolls games in chronological order
Bethesda
One of the appealing aspects of epic fantasy series is that they often come with their own calendars. While this isn't the case for the Zelda games, it is true for The Elder Scrolls, allowing us to easily determine the timing of each game. Although it may sound exciting to play the series in the correct historical order, doing so can be quite complicated. Since every game is considered canon, you'll need to find some very old PC and mobile games. Aside from the significant events, it’s not necessary to understand the entire timeline or history of the series before playing the latest installment if you choose not to. However, those who dedicate time to exploring the lore will find themselves rewarded. If you're ready for the challenge, here's the official timeline for The Elder Scrolls.
The Elder Scrolls marks significant periods in Eras (E) followed by years.
The Elder Scrolls Online (2E 582)
The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard (2E 864)
The Elder Scrolls Arena (3E 389 – 3E 399)
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey (3E 397)
The Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire (3E 398 – 405)
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (3E 405 – 3E 417)
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (3E 427)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (3E 433)
The Elder Scrolls: Legends (4E 175 – 201)
The Elder Scrolls: Blades (4E 180)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (4E 201)
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold and The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar (Unknown)
The Elder Scrolls VI (TBD)
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