C:\ArsGames
At Ars Technica’s content hub, our team shares a deep appreciation for games across all eras. In cooperation with GOG.com, we’ve crafted a dedicated store page showcasing a meticulously curated selection of favorite titles from GOG’s extensive library. Every month, we will refresh the list with a few new entries, maintaining approximately 50 games on display.
Twice monthly, we will present a personal retrospective focusing on one game from this curated list—these may highlight beloved retro classics or overlooked contemporary gems. Each selected title will be available in a DRM-free format through GOG. Our initial articles in this series include features on Star Trek 25th Anniversary and Descent.
While C:\ArsGames is intended, in part, to encourage game purchases, its primary purpose is to allow my colleagues and I to reminisce about the games that shaped our experiences. This feature, in particular, celebrates a title that’s entirely free, making it a fitting choice for those nostalgic reflections.
This time, I’ve opted to focus on The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall for several reasons. Recently, its co-creator Julian LeFay passed away, prompting a timely reflection on his contributions. Additionally, Daggerfall was pivotal in my formative gaming years, a title I’ve revisited multiple times.
Bethesda, the studio behind the game, has garnered both adoration and criticism over the years, and revisiting Daggerfall highlights elements of ’90s PC gaming that many feel have disappeared, while also illustrating why the industry has evolved away from those earlier sensibilities.
To be clear, I still cherish Daggerfall despite acknowledging that it may not resonate with everyone.
The kids don’t get it
It’s clear that I hold Daggerfall in high regard, and I suspect some readers of Ars Technica do too. However, there are many who find it unappealing.
You can find various YouTube videos voicing discontent with the game, including titles such as:
“I FORCED myself to play Daggerfall in 2025”
“Skyrim Player Tries Daggerfall (It Goes Terribly)”
“I really tried. But I can’t play Daggerfall anymore.”
Such criticisms can sting. While some of these videos find a silver lining, they still emphasize that Daggerfall may not be accessible for many.
Daggerfall emerged during a time when game design was about experimentation with programming techniques rather than the structured, formulaic designs seen frequently today. The game embraces unconventional mechanics that diverge from typical RPG frameworks, offering a bold vision rarely replicated in modern titles.
Daggerfall’s inclusion of unique features, such as climbing and its extensive, albeit often barren, world, contributes to its distinct nature. The faction reputation systems can be convoluted, while the character progression offers depth.
Among the challenges of Daggerfall, the lack of explanations for several mechanics stands out. During a recent playthrough to re-familiarize myself with the game, I was arrested multiple times for assault—an offense I could not comprehend. As I roamed the vibrant city of Wayrest, a guard approached and charged me, leaving me perplexed.
It turned out that galloping too close to wandering NPCs could prompt such arrests, an oversight that could easily confuse new players. This kind of experience serves as a significant barrier to entry, especially for those accustomed to more guided narratives in contemporary gaming.
Critics often highlight the lack of clarity in Daggerfall while overlooking similar issues in other popular titles. The disparity in treatment may stem from our willingness to tolerate obtuse mechanics based on our formative gaming experiences.
While new players might struggle with Daggerfall, it offers a wealth of potential for those willing to explore and learn. The patience involved can result in a richer gaming experience.
The unspoken spiritual successor
Concerns about accessibility and learning curves aren’t the only factors impacting opinions on Daggerfall. Many players find fault with the game’s procedurally generated quests and worlds, particularly when compared to the handcrafted environments of Skyrim.
While Skyrim incorporates “Radiant Quests,” Daggerfall’s content is largely comprised of these types of quests, lacking the meticulous design of major narrative arcs.
A current comparison can be drawn to Elite Dangerous, which functions more as a simulation devoid of significant storytelling elements. However, a closer modern parallel is Bethesda’s own Starfield, which evokes Daggerfall’s spirit in several ways.
Many players anticipated an experience akin to Skyrim in a space setting, but Starfield offered a very different encounter—one that reflects the procedural approach of Daggerfall.
Like Daggerfall and other titles, Starfield presents a less populated experience, emphasizing mood and atmosphere over constant action. Most of its environments are similarly randomized, focusing more on exploration and systems than flowing storylines.
While Daggerfall predates many of the creative figures currently associated with Bethesda, like Todd Howard and Emil Pagliarulo, it’s interesting to note the fusion of ideas between these projects. The gulf of expectation between veteran players familiar with Daggerfall and those seeking the fast-paced action of Skyrim is notable.
Despite mixed reviews, I personally enjoy both Daggerfall and Starfield, though opinions on these titles vary widely.
A pure expression of one of gaming’s oldest dreams
The dream of an ultimate game that allows players to experience a life of their choosing has been a persistent theme in PC gaming. Whether through marketing promises or player hopes, the allure of immersive simulated worlds capable of transporting players is undeniable.
Many of these ambitious titles were less about crafted fun and more focused on ambitious simulations, often eliciting stark reactions based on personal expectations. Recent examples like No Man’s Sky and Cyberpunk 2077 illustrate how lofty ambitions can clash with reality.
Daggerfall embodies this ambitious spirit. Though it may not appeal to everyone, it caters to a niche community enthusiastic about the unique risks it takes to deliver an alternate fantasy life, rooted in both imagination and gameplay.
I believe a game should be judged based on its capacity to deliver its intended experience rather than on external expectations. By this metric, Daggerfall holds a distinctive position, especially given the contemporary gaming landscape’s focus on high fidelity and proven design formulas.
The kinds of explorative and life-sim narratives central to Daggerfall are hard to replicate in today’s high-budget titles. Yet I find myself craving that depth of ambition.
While I appreciate well-crafted games, they do not linger in my memory as Daggerfall has. This journey into its world was a reminder of its maximalist philosophy—a deviation from the formulaic trends currently dominating the market.
For those intrigued by such concepts, Daggerfall is worth exploring. Utilizing the more user-friendly Daggerfall Unity remaster alongside the classic version available on GOG can enhance the experience significantly. Just be prepared to invest time into wikis and dedicate a few hundred hours to the adventure.
Oh, that doesn’t seem too daunting, does it? It could always turn into a fun retirement project.
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