What is the new game bigger than Skyrim?
Since the release of Skyrim, the Elder Scrolls series has become synonymous with vast, open-world games. Many have attempted to create something bigger and better, but none have yet to succeed. However, there have been a few notable examples that have dared to go beyond the limitations of traditional game design.
1. Starfield
Bethesda Game Studios’ new release, Starfield, is said to be significantly larger than Skyrim. Each of the game’s landing zones is approximately 19.63 square miles in size, which is larger than Skyrim’s entire map area of 15 square miles. With more than 1,000 planets to explore, the game boasts an enormous playable area that promises to eclipse Skyrim in terms of scope and size.
| Planet | Map Area |
|---|---|
| Starfield (Average) | 19.63 sq mi (50.81 km2) |
| Skyrim (Total) | 15 sq mi (38.76 km2) |
2. No Man’s Sky
Before Starfield, No Man’s Sky held the crown for having the largest explorable space in a single game. With an estimated 18 quintillion planets to explore, No Man’s Sky’s scope is astronomical, to say the least. While this might be overwhelming for some, for fans of the series and explorers alike, No Man’s Sky offers unparalleled opportunities to discover new worlds and resources.
| Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Star Systems | 18 Quintillion (18,000,000,000,000,000,000) |
3. Horizon Forbidden West
Not to be left out of the exploration mix, Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Forbidden West expands the world of Horizon Zero Dawn by approximately 35% compared to the first game. The game boasts a massive 4x larger map size, spanning 1,000 miles in diameter.
| Dimension | Size (Miles) |
|---|---|
| Horizon Zero Dawn | N/A (unknown) |
| Horizon Forbidden West | 4x larger (~1,000 miles or 1,609.34 km) |
4. Elden Ring
This new IP from FromSoftware, the developers of Dark Souls and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, presents a world larger than many classic open-world games like Skyrim. The game spans approximately 30.5 square miles or 79 square kilometers.
| Location | Size |
|---|---|
| Elder Ring | 30.5 sq mi (78.8 km2) |
Elden Ring’s denser gameplay
While not necessarily more expansive than others on this list, Elden Ring’s world may be one of the densest. The map is carefully crafted to deliver a cohesive experience, allowing players to explore a well-balanced and engaging environment. Compared to other large-scale open-world games, Elden Ring’s densely packed game world offers players a different type of gaming experience, with a strong focus on exploration and gameplay mechanics.
In conclusion, Starfield is the latest contender vying for the title of largest game, boasting approximately 19.63 square miles of explorable territory. No Man’s Sky still holds the record for sheer scale with an incredible 18 quintillion planets, while other games, such as Horizon Forbidden West and Elden Ring, offer unique twists on traditional open-world designs. It remains to be seen if Starfield’s larger explorable area can justify the extra space.