Summary
- Bethesda's success stemmed from in-house projects post-2010, showcasing quality in 2000s titles.
- Wet offers Max Payne-inspired gunplay with acrobatic gunfights, despite lackluster presentation.
- Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth delivers Lovecraftian horror with engaging gameplay.
Bethesda has transformed from a fledgling company into a behemoth that has published some of the greatest video games ever made. From first-party franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout all the way to the stellar work done by the developers under their wing, there's no shortage of quality Bethesda games that fans can sink hours upon hours into.
However, it took a while for Bethesda's published games to become beloved by the masses. From 2010 onwards, the company hit its stride since the bulk of the heavy lifting was being done by their in-house projects. However, that shouldn't take away from the quality of some games released before this time, with Bethesda's best work in the 2000s leading to some stellar games that fans can easily get lost in.
5 Wet
A Max Payne Clone That Has Its Moments Despite Some Issues
WET
- Released
- September 15, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
Fans salivating for any game that would channel the brilliance of Max Payne's gunplay would've jumped at the chance to play Wet. While this game's audio mixing and presentation had some issues, a single shootout was enough to convince players that Wet was worth playing.
The acrobatic gunfights are a huge part of what makes the experience so special, and the gritty art style and likable protagonist ensure that players will have a great time with this title. It may not be a must-play release, but there's nothing wrong with games being okay experiences, and Wet does just enough to entertain players as they shoot down their enemies in style.
4 Call Of Cthulhu: Dark Corners Of The Earth
A Criminally Underrated Lovecraftian Survival Horror Game
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth
- Released
- March 24, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M 17+
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Stealth
Interest in Lovecraftian media has grown over time, and it wouldn't be a stretch to say that more people would be interested in Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth if it came out today. Despite having some bugs and issues, the narrative and atmosphere of this game a reoff the charts. Call of Cthulhu deserved better, and the fact that fans still talk about this title shows that it did something right.
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The combination of action, horror, and detective segments keeps gameplay fresh and engaging, while the narrative pays homage to Lovecraft's stellar body of work. While some aspects of the cosmic and otherworldly horror may not be as effective, the game is unique enough for survival horror fans to have a great time with it.
3 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
The Jankiness Is Just A Part Of Its Charm
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Released
- March 20, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Oblivion is an incredible open-world RPG, and fans were delighted to see the remaster be shadow-dropped and wow everyone with the impressive work put into this title. What really makes Oblivion's remaster so great is how it doesn't change the spirit of the original too much, allowing players to experience the surreal NPC conversations and weird bugs that have become a hallmark of most Bethesda titles.
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From the moment players leave the prison and take their first steps in Cyrodiil, the world is their oyster. From exploring the Imperial City to completing side quests while traveling on a horse, there's no shortage of ways for players to stray from the beaten path and take their sweet time through the main story, being hailed as the Hero of Kvatch at their own pace.
2 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Still The Iconic Elder Scrolls Narrative In The Eyes Of Long-Time Fans
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Released
- May 1, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Morrowind is easily one of the most important video games Bethesda has ever developed. The open-world formula pioneered here inspired many games after it, with players being hypnotized by this title's charms from the very moment they stepped off the boat and entered Seyda Neen. Unlike the games that succeeded it, Morrowind's writing is genuinely great and gets players invested in their quest to stop a Daedric plot, contracting deadly diseases in the process.
The game is also quite challenging and lacks the level scaling of later games, meaning that fans need to be smart about leveling up so that they aren't restricted from exploring other sections of the map. Joining the Blades, becoming grandmasters of their respective guilds, and helping hapless residents clear the rats in their basement are just some of the ways that Morrowind stands out as a memorable open-world RPG that fans still can't get enough of.
1 Fallout 3
The Shift To A Fully-Realized Open World For This Series Was Handled Expertly
Fallout 3
- Released
- October 28, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Fallout 3 was a bit of a risky proposition for Bethesda, which had made a name for itself by developing high fantasy open-world games. No one knew whether their take on a post-apocalyptic world would be as good, only for this title to come out and silence naysayers emphatically.
Sure, the RPG mechanics and storytelling may have taken a hit, but this game's enhanced freedom and immersion made it one of the best Fallout games in the eyes of many. Without this title, New Vegas wouldn't exist, which is just proof of how important Fallout 3 was for Bethesda and the gaming landscape as a whole. It helps that this is a fine video game that lets players uncover a ton of amazing content as they explore the Capitol Wasteland after leaving the safety of their Vault.
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