Summary
- Bethesda excels at creating iconic and memorable cities in their RPGs, offering players unique and beautiful locales to explore.
- Games like Dishonored, Morrowind, and Skyrim showcase Bethesda's talent for crafting detailed and immersive cities for players.
- Despite some issues, Bethesda's titles feature cities brimming with life and secrets, providing players with rewarding exploration experiences.
Bethesda has made a name for itself by developing big-budget RPGs that do a great job of letting players explore unique and beautiful locales. This extends to the settlements as well, which are as iconic and memorable as they come.
Fallout: Worst Things Done By The Brotherhood Of Steel
The Brotherhood of Steel might be Fallout's most iconic faction but they're also proof that in the Wasteland there are no heroes.
This isn't a sentiment that's limited to first-party Bethesda games either, with other titles published by this company doing a great job of the same. Players who love losing themselves in sprawling urban locales will love what these titles have to offer.
8 Dishonored
The City Of Dunwall Is Iconic
Dishonored
- Released
- October 9, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
Sometimes, a game doesn't need multiple cities for these structures to stand out. In Dishonored's case, the city of Dunwall is so beautiful and detailed that fans will be lost in this location from the very moment they set foot in it as Corvo Attano.
Exploring Dunwall is a highlight in Dishonored time and time again, with the city boasting everything from well-concealed secrets to gripping NPCs who are a joy to interact with. Corvo's work as an assassin is splendid, and it helps that he can use the verticality of this city to reach places that are usually guarded at the ground level.
7 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Despite Its Dated Visuals, The Cities Still Look Beautiful
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 one of the most iconic Bethesda games that was critical to help the Elder Scrolls series evolve. The sprawling world and the immense level of freedom in this game are something that fans are still joyous about.
Despite its dated gameplay and visuals, there's something about this game's magical exploration that will sit right at home with Elder Scrolls fans. This is especially true in the case of the massive and memorable cities, with locations like Vivec and Mournhold being easy examples to display Morrowind's architectural brilliance.
6 Starfield
The Handcrafted Futuristic Cities In The Game Look Amazing
Starfield
- Released
- September 6, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Starfield had its fair share of detractors who didn't appreciate the over-reliance on procedural generation in this game. However, that should take nothing away from the immense work Bethesda did in areas that are clearly hand-crafted.
The 5 Best Ships to Buy in Starfield
With so many options to choose from, it's hard to know which of Starfield's many ships is worth spending credits on.
New Atlantis, Akila, Neon, and The Key are all unique cities with an identity of their own that is palpable from the very moment players step into these titles. It's here that Starfield shines and shows just how much better it could've been if the game had prioritized the same level of love and care for the numerous planets players can explore.
5 Indiana Jones And The Great Circle
Indy Explores Several Beautiful Locations In His Travels
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Released
- December 9, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Seeing Bethesda publish the greatest Indiana Jones game of all time is not something that anyone predicted. Despite the first-person perspective alienating some fans, most people agree that Indiana Jones has never looked better than in this title.
As one would expect, Indy's adventures take him across several exotic locations, including Shanghai and the Vatican City. It's an adventure of a lifetime that channels the energy of the movies to great effect.
4 Fallout 3
The Settlements Are Memorable
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
Fans had high hopes for Bethesda's take on a Fallout game, and they didn't disappoint. Despite the writing quality taking a huge hit as compared to previous Fallout games, Fallout 3 shines courtesy of its unique setting, a massive open world, and a wonderful sense of exploration.
The cities players explore in these wastelands are comparatively brimming with life and serve as a palate cleanser after players have been mostly isolated throughout their adventures. Megaton is a great example of a wonderful city, which is why players may think twice before detonating the nuke at the center of this settlement.
3 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
Cyrodil is Jam-Packed With Several Memorable Cities
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
- Released
- April 22, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
Oblivion is one of the greatest video games ever made, and fans were glad to see that the remastered version will help them channel this nostalgia all over again. Even the jankiness and awkward interactions of Oblivion have a charm of their own, making it clear why fans can't get enough of this title.
8 Best Side Quests In Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion had some truly unique and interesting side quests, and these are the best and most memorable of them.
This remaster lets players look at the grandeur of the Imperial City, but other settlements in the game still measure up in their own way. This helps exploration feel rewarding as players traverse Cyrodil and figure out how to optimize their route so that they can find quests and uncover treasure along the way.
2 Fallout 4
Each City Feels Unique To Explore
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Fallout 4 has its fair share of issues, but there's no denying that the Commonwealth is a beautiful location to explore. The Sole Survivor will have their hands full trying to save Shaun as they also carve out an adventure of their own.
From the cozy vibes of Goodneighbor to the grandeur of Diamond City, there's no shortage of fun cities to find in Fallout 4. They provide a much-needed respite from the hostility of the wasteland, where very few people will actually go out of their way to help the Sole Survivor.
1 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
The Most Iconic Bethesda Game With Numerous Notable Cities
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
To this day, Skyrim stands tall as the greatest Bethesda game ever made. Its release was met with rave reviews as everyone loved the work done to bring the Nordic lands to life.
The frosty setting brought a sense of cohesion to the world, letting players appreciate the moments of greenery wherever they could. Whether it was the familiar city of Whiterun or the snowed-in location of Windhelm, players will love the many cities they encounter during their travels.
- 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