Even after the Starfield disaster, Todd Howard is one of the most reputed names in the video game industry. Known for his expertise in video game design, direction, and production, Howard has been responsible for many games.
While many of his games have been incredibly successful, others have not been at the same level. Hence, these are the top picks for the best games worked upon by the industry veteran.
#6 Fallout 76
Fallout 76 was released in an incredibly deplorable state. It was a buggy mess, and playing it was probably one of the worst experiences for every fan of the video game series.
The gameplay was incredibly one-sided and had nothing to offer regarding nuance. In short, the game got boring fast. Not to mention, the outdated graphics and the incredibly flimsy narrative made things worse for it. While the TV series’ popularity got the game to beat its record in terms of peak numbers, it is still one of Howard’s weakest works.
#5 Fallout Shelter
There won’t be a fan who wouldn’t like the experience of building their own vault and managing it. Fallout Shelter was a title that started amazingly, especially for a game that was first released on mobile devices. But the problem with it was that it became tedious after a point. Nothing new happened, and the game just went on.
It felt like you were repeatedly going around in circles and crossing the same point. That is something expected out of hyper-casual mobile titles, but one of the reasons why it felt off was because it was a Bethesda game, and people expected more from it.
#4 Starfield
Starfield was, indubitably, the most ambitious game from Bethesda. Howard described it as “Skyrim in Space.” But it was incredibly far from it. Everything about its marketing came crashing down after release, from emphasizing that it was the first new IP for the studio in over 25 years, to its extent and grandeur.
The game wasn’t executed properly. It wasn’t one you could pick up and get into, unlike some of the other top contenders on this list. It felt meaninglessly empty; however, at first glance, it feels like Shattered Space may fix that.
#3 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Because of being dated, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind doesn’t play like later titles in the series. It is closer to the pure definition of a tabletop RPG than an action RPG.
Gamers may find Morrowind very different from its immediate successor, Oblivion. It is less accessible and requires much more patience than other entries in the series, but if one gets the hang of it, there is no going back, and players will be hooked on the game. Despite its age, it is worth a shot in 2024.
#2 Fallout 3
This game is probably the strongest in the series, barring New Vegas, which was not developed by Bethesda, but by Obsidian Entertainment. Despite substantially switching concepts from its predecessor, it got many things correct. From changing the trimeric projection perspective to a first and third-person view, players could switch on the fly.
It was a title that made players feel like they were living vicariously through their custom protagonist. The game world was living and breathing; the quest design was incredible. From numerous factions to political elements, the game was incredibly ahead of itself, making the franchise a phenomenon.
#1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
There are a couple of reasons why this game is number one on this list: it aged incredibly well, and it was a title that didn’t need players to become RPG enthusiasts to enjoy it. One could pick it up and start playing. It was the kind of game that one could even recommend to friends and individuals who weren’t gamers.
It was a great form of media and an excellent piece of art. It also became the title that introduced new mechanics that weren’t popular with RPGs then. It became an indispensable part of pop culture and gave birth to many references that run rampant on the internet today. That is precisely why it is most likely that there will never be any other game like it.
We would love to know what you think of our ranking. Do you agree or disagree? Would you change the ranking or swap a game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
