Skyrim vs Fallout 4: Which One Is Better?

Skyrim vs Fallout 4, which one is better? That question might come across your mind as a gamer, especially if you love flagship franchises that Bethesda Game Studios are famous for. And when it comes to the best flagship franchises, sometimes it can be hard to pick between The Elder Scrolls and Fallout.

These last two decades, Bethesda Game Studios has released several versions of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. The last two versions that were released were Fallout 76 and the MMO’s Elder Scrolls Online. But aside from those two releases, the newest games from these franchises include Fallout 4 and Skyrim.

There are so many unique things that you will find in each game. And if you want to determine which one is the best, you need to compare those two games, which is what we are going to do. Here are some of the comparisons between Fallout 4 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Skyrim vs Fallout 4: What’s The Big Difference?

Although you will find a lot of differences between these two games, you will only find several main differences that stand out. So, the main differences that you will see in Fallout 4 and Skyrim include:

• The world. Skyrim has a fantasy world filled with colors, whereas Fallout 4 has a post-apocalyptic world.
• Combat. Skyrim focuses on magic and medieval combat systems, whereas Fallout 4 focuses on futuristic weapons and equipment.
• Crafting system. Skyrim’s crafting system is limited to creating spells, whereas Fallout 4 has a comprehensive crafting system, allowing you to create entire settlements.
• Transportation. Skyrim has a horse that allows you to travel quickly, whereas Fallout 4 only allows you to walk and fast travel.
• Skills. Skyrim allows you to increase your skills as you use them, whereas Fallout 4 allows you to level up your skills even if you do not use them.

Now that you know the main differences between those two Bethesda video games, let’s dive into those differences a little bit deeper.

Skyrim vs Fallout 4 Gameplay Overview

First of all, let’s talk about the gameplays of Skyrim and Fallout 4 since it is a very crucial part of each game. And to compare the gameplay between these two games, you need to compare the Skyrim vs Fallout 4 quest line. So, let’s see what Skyrim and Fallout 4 has in store for us to help us decide which one is more fun to play.

Skyrim

In Skyrim, you will play in a fantasy world called Tamriel. This incredible RPG game focuses heavily on many brilliant things, including conversation, combat, and exploration, which you will be able to do quite a lot in the game. If you want to compare Skyrim and Fallout 4, you need to compare Skyrim vs Fallout 4 map.

Once you play Skyrim, you will face an opening cinematic that leads to you fighting a giant dragon that breathes fire. However, you will end up running away from the dragon, considering how weak your character is at the time. There is no way a level 1 player in Skyrim could defeat a mighty dragon.

The next thing about Skyrim vs Fallout 4 regarding gameplay is that you will immediately get some weapons when you run away from the dragon. You will learn early on in the game about the basics of combat in Skyrim. Since the combat system is quite simple, you do not need to worry too much about that.

Of course, the game will provide you with a small dagger first. However, you will also be able to use many other weapons, including maces, broadswords, and axes that you will find throughout the game. If you are more of an archer or a magician, you can also choose to use bows and magic.

You will also become quite familiar with the conversation system in the game during the opening sequence. Like any other open-world game, you will be able to make many life-changing decisions for yourself that will affect the game world. Even after the first mission, you will have already chosen sides in the Skyrim civil war.

Keep in mind that every decision you make will have some sort of an effect in the Skyrim world. However, some of the most crucial decisions will lead to fun adventures and conversations that you will not find in other games, which is one of the best things about Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

There are so many exciting things that you will be able to do throughout your adventure in Tamriel. You can get a horse, later on, allowing you to travel anywhere faster. The ability to find a horse is one of the differences that you will find in the Skyrim vs Fallout 4 comparison since you will not find horses in Fallout 4.

In Skyrim, you will also be able to create your character with so many customizations that you can make. You can create a game character of many races, shapes, and sizes. Whether you want to have a human or an elf and an orc character, the choice is all yours.

Another unique thing about Skyrim is the many guilds that you will be able to find in this game. You will have the freedom to join any kind of guild that you can find, including the Thieves Guild, The Companion, Dark Brotherhood, College of Winterhold, and so many more.

By joining a certain guild, you will be able to have new quests that you can do. Each guild also offers unique stories that you will be able to enjoy. And you have the freedom to do whatever you want in the world of Skyrim.

You will also learn the magic system in Skyrim, which is one of the most unique things about this game. You will find a variety of different spells that belong to various “schools”. You will also be able to shout, which is a special skill that you can earn from dragons.

By leveling up your character, you will be able to get special abilities within any skill by using a perk point. However, you need to use your skill individually if you want to improve a particular skill. So, every time you cast a spell or use a weapon, you will earn experience in that specific skill.

Fallout 4

Next up in this Skyrim vs Fallout 4 discussion, let’s talk about Fallout 4’s gameplay. Just like Skyrim, Fallout 4 is an RPG that allows you to explore the world. However, you will play a character in the post-apocalyptic ruins of Boston, Massachusetts.

You will be able to explore and unlock many locations in Fallout 4, which is quite similar to Skyrim. Once you have discovered a certain location, you will be able to fast travel to that location by opening your map in the game. When it comes to Skyrim vs Fallout 4 map size, we feel that both maps are quite similar.

You will also be able to customize your character in Fallout 4. You can choose the sex of your character before modifying their appearance. However, the modifications that you can make to your character are purely cosmetic.

The game will introduce its conversation system to you early on. You will be able to give four responses to the many questions that you will receive in this game. You can either answer nicely yet sarcastically, rudely or just talk about something else.

After the tutorial ends, you will earn your first companion, which is a butler robot called Codsworth. However, you will be able to have more companions that will help you with combat and inventory throughout the game. You will be able to travel with only one companion at a time.

The combat in this game is unique, where you can choose to use ranged or melee weapons. You can fight your enemies in real-time or use the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (VATS) that allows you to slow time for a while. This is what differentiates between Elder Scrolls Skyrim vs Fallout 4.

Slowing time is not the only feature that you will be able to enjoy in VATS mode. This mode also allows you to attack certain parts of the body that will have different effects on your enemy. For example, if you choose to shoot an enemy’s leg, you will be able to cripple that leg, which will slow down your enemy.

In Fallout 4, your character will have seven stats that you can improve. These stats include strength, endurance, intelligence, perception, charisma, luck, and agility. Every time your character levels up, you can boost one of the stats in this game, allowing you to choose a perk that will strengthen your character.

Fallout 4 also has a very advanced crafting system, allowing you to craft weapons and other exciting things. You will be able to install many modifications to your weapons, which will add certain qualities to the weapons that you have modified.

One of the most interesting things about Fallout 4 is the fact that you will be able to use materials and junk to build settlements. You will only find several settlements early on in the game. This is one of the main differences when it comes to crafting Skyrim vs Fallout 4.

Skyrim vs Fallout 4: Story Comparison

A great video game has an exciting story. How about the stories in Skyrim and Fallout 4? Well, here are some insights about the story comparison between these two games.

Skyrim

If you love storylines that revolve around dragons, then you are going to love Skyrim. The main storyline of this game is about the dragons, where they came from, and why they suddenly reappear after being extinct for quite some time.

You will also see in this Skyrim vs Fallout 4 review that Skyrim also tells a story about a civil war. The war between the Imperials and the rebels has quite an influence on the story of this game.

Fallout 4

Fallout 4 has quite a different storyline, which is why you will find differences between quests in Skyrim vs Fallout 4. Like any other Fallout game, Fallout 4 tells a story after a nuclear bomb explodes. Everyone runs to the underground shelter, commonly known as a vault.

The story in Fallout 4 also revolves around your son, who is kidnapped after your partner gets killed. So, you wake up all alone, with a mission to find your son.

Skyrim vs Fallout 4: Graphics Comparison

Besides their gameplay and story, we also need to compare Skyrim vs Fallout 4 graphics. So, what about the graphics of these two games?

Skyrim

Skyrim has very incredible graphics. Although the graphics of this game looks a little bit dated, you will still be able to enjoy the beauty that they offer. You can see incredibly realistic objects, which add immersion points to the game.

Compared to Fallout 4, Skyrim has a fantasy world that has way more colors and gorgeous visuals. Because the game is set in a fantasy world, you will also be able to find more fantasy elements in the graphics of this game.

Fallout 4

Fallout 4’s graphics are quite identical with Skyrim, considering both games were made using Bethesda’s Creation game engine. However, since Fallout 4 is set in a post-apocalyptic world, this game has more bleak graphics compared to Skyrim.

The bleak graphics in this game make Fallout 4 look very realistic. So, when it comes to Skyrim vs Fallout 4 immersion, the result is certainly a tie.

Skyrim vs Fallout 4: Pros and Cons

Lastly, let’s talk about the pros and cons of Skyrim vs Fallout 4. Hopefully, you will be able to decide which game is more exciting for you to play.

Skyrim

Pros:

• Customizable character
• Has a variety of side quests
• Has a large and active mod community
• Has a large world with various lore

Cons:

• Outdated graphics
• Underwhelming combat

Fallout 4

Pros:

• Action-packed and fun combat
• Allows you to build settlements and grow factions
• Customizable character
• Has a variety of side quests

Cons:

• Outdated graphics
• Lackluster storytelling
• Bleak game world

Of course, you should consider the pros and cons of each game before you decide which one is the best for you. However, you would be glad to know that both games do not require much for you to play them. That is why there is not much difference between Skyrim vs Fallout 4 requirements.

FAQs

How big is the Fallout 4 map compared to Skyrim?

If you are looking for a game with a bigger map, then you need to go with Skyrim. Skyrim’s map is just under 15 square miles, whereas Fallout 4’s map is around 9 and 1/3 square miles. So, Skyrim’s map has a size of over 1.5 times the size of Fallout’s map.

What game is bigger, Fallout or Skyrim?

Fallout 4 is a much bigger game than Skyrim. If you want to install Skyrim on your computer, you just need to spare approximately 12 gigabytes of space on your hard disk. However, if you want to install Fallout 4, you need at least 30 gigabytes of space on your computer.

Are Skyrim VR or Fallout 4 VR better?

Skyrim VR is more optimized for lower-tier systems compared to Fallout 4 VR. Other than that, Skyrim VR also has better costs for all mods that you will find in the game. The skill upgrade system in Skyrim VR is also slightly better than Fallout 4 VR.

Fallout 4 VR provides a massive world with a less natural leveling system. However, you will be able to experience better combat because of the weapons that you will be able to use in this game and VATS. The user interface is more natural in Fallout 4 PR, which is thanks to Pipboy.

What’s the difference between Skyrim and Skyrim VR?

There is no huge difference between Skyrim and Skyrim VR. Skyrim VR is the VR version of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. With Skyrim VR, you will be able to feel like you are in the world of Tamriel.

You will be able to find Skyrim mods that you can also use in Skyrim VR. However, you will also be able to find other modes that you will only be able to find in Skyrim VR.

Final Thoughts

Skyrim and Fallout 4 are two of the best games that Bethesda Game Studios have ever developed. Because each game is very delightful, it can be very challenging to choose the best game for you. However, that can be a very easy choice to make once you have compared the two games.

Now that we have given you a complete comparison between Skyrim and Fallout 4, you already know how different the gameplay between those two games is. Other differences include combat, transportation, graphics, and so many more.

If you want to choose the best game for you, then you need to decide on your own. Our comparison article will help you make the best decision for you. And that is what you need to know about Skyrim vs Fallout 4.

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