Bethesda is a studio that fans usually have high expectations for. Their years of excellence in the video game industry means that fans expect the world from their games, which is why titles like Fallout 76 and Starfield felt so crushingly mediocre. These RPGs are great games in their own right, as long as they’re not compared to some of the greatest video games of all time.
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However, there are still times when Bethesda pulls out something special and wows players with how excellent their offerings are. The bulk of these titles originated courtesy of their publishing ventures, with the company doing a great job of overseeing some of gaming’s best surprises.
7 Indiana Jones And The Great Circle
Surprised Players And Became The Best Video Game Featuring This Lovable Archaeologist
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
Video game fans of Indiana Jones could finally rejoice with the launch of The Great Circle. Not only is it the best game featuring the lovable Indy, but it managed to earn this moniker while being under constant scrutiny from fans and critics alike.
At one point, fans felt that the first-person viewpoint and the recent failures of Wolfenstein: Youngblood made MachineGames unfit to handle the weight of this IP. All of these doubts were shattered upon release, when fans were treated to a whip-slinging adventure for the ages that is objectively better than any of the modern Indiana Jones movies.
6 Hi-Fi Rush
A Shadow-Dropped Game With Amazing Combat And Charming Visuals
Hi-Fi Rush
- Released
- January 25, 2023
- ESRB
- Rated T: Fantasy Violence, Language
The audacity of Tango Gameworks and Bethesda to shadow-drop one of 2023’s best action games made Hi-Fi Rush that much more special. This charming cel-shaded title was a huge improvement over Ghostwire: Tokyo and showed that this developer still had it.
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The action combat featured tantalizing gameplay elements from rhythm games to make for an audio-visual spectacle. Fans looking for a fun game with great music, combat, and visuals will love what Hi-Fi Rush brings to the table.
5 Prey
Despite Its Lack Of Fame, This Is Arguably The Best Arkane Game
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
Slapping the Prey IP on a totally unconnected sci-fi immersive sim was a misguided move that hampered the hype this game could’ve attained if it had released as a standalone title. The lack of searchability for this game makes players think that Prey was a forgettable title, but this is nowhere near the case.
Under Bethesda’s wing, Arkane Studios went all out in the creation of what might just be their best video game, which is no mean feat. It’s a shame that Prey didn’t sell all that well, and more people need this game in their library if they want to check out an eerie, immersive video game with a fun mix of action, exploration, and stealth.
4 Doom (2016)
A Reboot That Was Way More Compelling Than Fans Expected
DOOM
8/10
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
While players were interested in a DOOM reboot, they expected nothing more than a fun dose of nostalgia that let them enjoy the brutality of the Doom Slayer once again. What they didn’t expect was one of the best FPS games ever made, with tight gameplay mechanics and a show-don’t-tell approach to storytelling.
The fast-paced combat of 2016’s DOOM, coupled with open-ended exploration, helped this game achieve the best of both worlds. The amazing graphics of this game also shocked fans, while the brutal Glory Kills and old-school power-ups did a great job of keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging throughout its runtime.
3 Wolfenstein: The New Order
Another Classic FPS Series Made A Stellar Comeback Under Bethesda’s Watchful Gaze
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
Another legendary FPS series that witnessed a resurgence under Bethesda is Wolfenstein. This time, fans were expecting a fast-paced and violent shooter that didn’t hold their hands.
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What they didn’t expect was a narrative so engrossing that fans of the classic Wolfenstein games actually didn’t mind putting down the controller to get invested in the riveting tale this game had to tell. It’s one of the biggest gaming swerves that ended up paying off, with the narrative and characters of The New Order being one of its biggest strengths… along with the action-packed gameplay, of course.
2 Fallout 3
The Transformation Of This Beloved CRPG Series Into An Open-World Game Was Astoundingly Good
Fallout 3
- Released
- October 28, 2008
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
Translating the CRPG universe of Fallout to an open world wasn’t going to be easy in the slightest, and fans were worried that Bethesda would fall short of the mark. Instead, the amazing exploration and memorable quests of Fallout 3 ensured that fans would fall in love with this title in no time.
The Sole Survivor’s adventures to locate his father lead to several jaw-dropping revelations, while players also engage in their fair share of side quests along the way. Taking to a ghoul transforming into a tree and nuking an entire city are just a few of the many unforgettable moments in Fallout 3 that help it stand out as arguably the most important game in the Fallout series.
The Evolution Made By This Franchise Was Out-of-this-World And Set A Foundation That Later Titles Would Build Upon
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Violence
While players expected an improvement over Daggerfall with the third mainline Elder Scrolls game, fans had no idea what they were in for with Morrowind. The shift to a new engine and a smaller world that was hand-crafted ensured that Morrowind would leave a lasting impression on the minds of fans.
This game single-handedly turned The Elder Scrolls into a household name and set a foundation that future Bethesda games would follow. Fans had high expectations of Bethesda games ever since Morrowind came and left them floored with its amazing exploration, quest design, and storytelling.
- Date Founded
- June 28, 1986
- Headquarters
- Rockville, Maryland, United States
- CEO
- Todd Howard
- Parent Company
- Microsoft
- Subsidiaries
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Known For
- The Elder Scrolls, Dishonored, DOOM
