All Elder Scrolls Games in Order (Chronologically & by Release Date)

For over three decades, The Elder Scrolls series has enthralled gamers with its immersive open-world tales set in the magical realm of Tamriel. From the initial game to the recently announced ‘Oblivion Remastered’, following all Elder Scrolls games in order, taking into account both their release dates and story chronology, provides a clear perspective on this renowned franchise’s progression. Whether you’re an experienced adventurer or just starting out with the series, knowing the timeline and history of releases adds depth to your exploration across Nirn’s expansive terrains.

I’ve consistently found myself captivated by Bethesda’s approach to creating rich RPGs that seamlessly combine intricate lore with the ability to freely explore. With the announcement of ‘Oblivion Remastered’, this seems like the ideal moment to delve into the entire collection of Elder Scrolls games, organizing them based on their release dates and their positions within Tamriel’s extensive chronology.

How Many Elder Scrolls Games Are There?

The Elder Scrolls series comprises a total of fifteen unique games, ranging from main series installments, spin-offs, and mobile versions. The recently released ‘Oblivion Remastered’ is the latest addition to this collection, which encompasses titles from as early as 1994 up to a 2025 remaster. This range includes both grand role-playing games and smaller journeys.

Elder Scrolls Games in Order by Release Date

1994 marked the beginning of The Elder Scrolls chronicle with Bethesda’s debut. Since then, this series has expanded significantly, encompassing main story games and various spin-offs over a span of more than three decades. Here is a list of each title in order of their initial release, including the recently announced ‘Oblivion Remastered’:

1. The Elder Scrolls: Arena (1994)
2. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (1996)
3. The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard (1998)
4. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)
5. The Elder Scrolls III: Tribunal (expansion pack for Morrowind, 2002)
6. The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon (expansion pack for Morrowind, 2003)
7. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)
8. The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine (expansion pack for Oblivion, 2006)
9. The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (expansion pack for Oblivion, 2007)
10. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
11. The Elder Scrolls Online (MMO, 2014)
12. The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard (expansion pack for Skyrim, 2012)
13. The Elder Scrolls V: Hearthfire (expansion pack for Skyrim, 2012)
14. The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn (expansion pack for Skyrim, 2012)
15. The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind (expansion for ESO, 2017)
16. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Special Edition (remastered version of Skyrim, 2016)
17. The Elder Scrolls: Legends (card game, 2015)
18. The Elder Scrolls: Blades (mobile game, 2019)
19. The Elder Scrolls VI (upcoming mainline game, TBA)
20. The Elder Scrolls V: Oblivion Remastered (remastered version of Oblivion, announced in 2020)

‘The Elder Scrolls: Arena’ (1994)
‘The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall’ (1996)
‘An 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 IV: Oblivion Mobile’ (2006)
‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’ (2011)
‘The Elder Scrolls Online’ (2014)
‘The Elder Scrolls: Legends’ (2017)
‘The Elder Scrolls: Blades’ (2019)
‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered’ (2025)

Elder Scrolls Games in Chronological Order

Arranging Elder Scrolls games according to their in-game chronology can be challenging since they cover various periods in Tamriel’s history. The series often leaps centuries forward, with ‘The Elder Scrolls Online’ being one of the earliest and ‘Skyrim’ among the most recent. For clarity, I have listed them below in order of their lore, providing details on each game and its corresponding timeline. Keep in mind that some side stories, such as ‘Stormhold’, ‘Dawnstar’, and ‘Shadowkey’, do not have a definitive timeline placement, so they are roughly placed within the Third Era based on assumption.

‘The Elder Scrolls Online’

As an ardent enthusiast, I find myself immersed in a captivating Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) that transports me to the Second Era. Here, I embody the Vestige, a hero devoid of a soul, engaged in a relentless struggle against the formidable Daedric Prince, Molag Bal. Launched in 2014, this game is brimming with quests that span the vast expanse of Tamriel, from the heart of Cyrodiil to the mystical lands of Morrowind. Expansions continue to add fresh territories and tales to this already rich narrative. The game’s scale is nothing short of colossal, offering the opportunity to join forces with fellow players or embark on solitary expeditions into the unknown.

In approximately 2E 582, this game is the oldest title in the series, unfolding about a millennium prior to many others. This means it takes place well before the Septim Empire, during an era marked by tumultuous alliances at war and intricate Daedric plots.

‘The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard’

Introduced in 1998, ‘Redguard’ is an action game centered around pirate themes, featuring the character Cyrus, a mercenary on the island of Stros M’Kai. Unlike many games from The Elder Scrolls series, it doesn’t follow the role-playing game format but instead offers a linear adventure filled with sword fights and puzzles. The narrative delves into the uprising of Hammerfell against the Empire.

In the year 2E 864, this story unfolds, happening several centuries after ‘The Elder Scrolls Online’. It portrays the ascent of Tiber Septim, paving the way for the imperial supremacy that characterized the Third Era and is later depicted in subsequent games.

‘The Elder Scrolls: Arena’

The initial Elder Scrolls game, debuted in 1994, casts you as a savior tasked with rescuing Emperor Uriel Septim VII from a confined dimension. It’s an iconic role-playing game that unveiled the diverse races and magic of Tamriel, setting the stage for the series’ distinctive open-ended exploration style. Despite being older, its immersive exploration laid the groundwork for the series’ characteristic tone.

3E 389 marks the beginning of the primary narratives that shape the Third Era. The story unfolds primarily in the Imperial City, where a significant event takes place – Jagar Tharn’s betrayal. This act paves the way for Uriel Septim to reappear throughout the subsequent events.

‘An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire’

1997’s spin-off, titled “Battlespire,” places you in the role of an apprentice Battlemage, engaging in battles against the forces of Mehrunes Dagon within the Daedric realm. Unlike open-world games, it concentrates on dungeon exploration with enhanced graphics for its era. The game presents a side story but offers intense combat sequences.

Approximately around the year 3E 398, it shares a timeframe with ‘Arena’ and paves the way for ‘Daggerfall’. Its emphasis on Daedric planes aligns it with the larger narrative of Oblivion’s impact on Tamriel.

This game, set in around 3E 398, is connected to both ‘Arena’ and ‘Daggerfall’. It also explores themes related to the influence of the Daedric realms, which are a significant part of the Oblivion story in Tamriel.

‘The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall’

First released in 1996, the game ‘Daggerfall’ showcases an expansive setting, featuring a narrative revolving around a spectral king and a cryptic artifact in High Rock and Hammerfell. Its character development based on skills and political machinations earned it a devoted fanbase, even with some minor technical issues.

In the year 3E 405, the story unfolds, taking place after ‘Battlespire’ and focusing on the Warp in the West – a significant occurrence that transformed the landscape of the Iliac Bay. This event is set during the early stages of the Third Era’s political changes.

‘The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold’

2003’s mobile game finds you as a captive within Stormhold’s dungeon, fighting monsters and revealing mysteries. It’s a simplified role-playing game designed for older phones, featuring randomly generated dungeons. The narrative may be modest but maintains the series’ theme of a prisoner-turned-hero.

This story seems to be from the Third Era, approximately between 3E 400 and 430, though its precise timing is uncertain. Its setting can be placed somewhere around the time of ‘Daggerfall’ or ‘Morrowind’, offering a smaller narrative within the broader series of events that shape Tamriel.

‘The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar’

2004’s mobile game ‘Dawnstar’ puts you in the role of a hero tasked with defending a northern town against betrayal by a traitor and the icy tribes. Similar to ‘Stormhold’, it offers turn-based combat and a limited scope, yet manages to embody the series’ adventurous essence.

In the Third Era, roughly between 3E 400 and 3E 430, I found myself in a time period that seemed to be on the brink of Morrowind. This era was filled with individual acts of bravery and heroism, all happening before the Oblivion Crisis struck.

‘The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey’

Launched in 2004 on the N-Gage, ‘Shadowkey’ is an action game set in Hammerfell where you play as a hero fighting against a shadow mage. Compared to other ‘Travels’ games, it’s more expansive, featuring multiplayer aspects and a captivating storyline, albeit somewhat constrained by its platform capabilities.

In the Third Era, around 3E 400 to 430, this story shares a similar timeline with ‘Stormhold’ and ‘Dawnstar’. Its connection to the Hammerfell region is reminiscent of ‘Redguard’, although it takes place several centuries later.

‘The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind’

2002 saw the debut of ‘Morrowind’, an iconic role-playing game that places you in the role of the Nerevarine, fated to thwart a malevolent deity-like figure, on the exotic island of Vvardenfell. The game’s unique landscapes, rich history, and boundless freedom earned it multiple Game of the Year accolades. Additional content such as ‘Tribunal’ and ‘Bloodmoon’ further enhance the experience.

In the year 3E 427, we find ourselves on the brink of ‘Oblivion’. The events surrounding the rise of the Nerevarine and the subsequent defeat of Dagoth Ur have sent shockwaves through the land of Morrowind, ultimately paving the way for the unrest that would later plague Cyrodiil.

‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’ and ‘Oblivion Mobile’

2006 saw the debut of ‘Oblivion’, where the character from Kvatch sealed Oblivion Gates to thwart a Daedric incursion in Cyrodiil. Its immersive environment and talking NPCs were trailblazing innovations. The mobile adaptation, too, was released in 2006, offering a streamlined RPG experience for smartphones. Additional content such as ‘Shivering Isles’ further enriched the narrative.

In the year 3E 433, it signified the closing of the Third Era as the Oblivion Crisis unfolded. The emperor’s demise and the Daedric incursion brought about significant changes across Tamriel, eventually giving rise to the Fourth Era.

‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered’

In the year 2025, ‘Oblivion Remastered’ was debuted, offering a modernized version of the 2006 original using Unreal Engine 5 for enhanced visuals, improved combat mechanics, and various user-friendly updates. This remake is the work of Virtuos, offering all DLCs such as ‘Shivering Isles’ and retails for $49.99 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S platforms.

Similarly, this version of the game, released in 3E 433, reenacts the same events of the Oblivion Crisis as the original. It maintains the same position in the timeline, offering a contemporary rendition of the Third Era’s dramatic conclusion.

‘The Elder Scrolls: Legends’

In 2017, I discovered a captivating card game that takes us through the rich tapestry of Tamriel’s history, delving deep into episodes such as the Dark Brotherhood’s downfall. Unlike traditional RPGs, it offers a strategic twist, but its campaigns are intricately woven into the larger narrative, providing a distinctive way to immerse myself in this enchanting world.

Across various time periods, the primary narrative typically unfolds during the Third or Fourth Era, approximately between 3E 433 and 4E 200. The Dark Brotherhood’s storyline links with that of Skyrim, serving as a connecting point in their respective timelines.

‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’

2011 saw the launch of ‘Skyrim’, a game that places you as the Dragonborn, battling dragons and navigating a snowy region’s civil war. Its user-friendly design and grand scale turned it into a cultural powerhouse, with additional content like ‘Dragonborn’ and continuous re-emergences ensuring its longevity.

In the year 4E 201, this is the most recent primary game, 200 years following ‘Oblivion’. The era’s chaos, marked by a weakened Empire and the return of dragons, gives it its distinctive character.

‘The Elder Scrolls: Blades’

2019’s mobile role-playing game casts you as a Blade, working on rebuilding a town while battling foes. It offers a more streamlined experience compared to its main series counterparts, blending dungeon exploration and urban development. Despite receiving mixed reviews, it adds depth to the world of Tamriel through new storylines.

Located during an unspecific time within the Fourth Era, possibly after the year 201, this timeline is flexible yet closely tied to the events of Skyrim. The reemergence of the Blades implies a later stage of recovery in the Fourth Era.

2025-04-23 14:46