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  5. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

Overall Rating: 3.27 • 113 reviews

Step into the richly woven tapestry of The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, a sprawling RPG universe where every decision shapes your adventure. Journey across the vast land of Tamriel, where your quest to uncover dark secrets and hidden treasures knows no bounds. For gamers who cherish immersive storytelling and endless exploration, Daggerfall offers an escape into a world where time stands still, and every corner beckons with mystery. Discover why this iconic classic continues to captivate adventurers who seek the thrill of the unknown in a land where magic, intrigue, and danger await.

Details

Some of the particulars and information about The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall.
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Release Date: August 30, 1996
How Long to Beat: 32 hrs

Ratings

Some of the ratings and scores for The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall.
-- Metacritic
NR IGN
-- Our Score

Genres

Systems

Here's where you can find The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall and play.

ESRB: Mature

Content Rating
Partial Nudity
Realistic Blood
Animated Violence
Overview
Why Play?
How Much Time?
Overview

Journey into the vast, open world of The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, a pioneering title in the RPG genre that continues to captivate gamers with its expansive universe and rich narrative depth.

Why Play?

Whether you're a longtime fan of the series or new to the world of Tamriel, Daggerfall invites you into an expansive sandbox where every decision feels impactful.

How Much Time?

This classic RPG offers an epic journey across one of the largest virtual landscapes ever created, providing players with countless hours of exploration, questing, and character development.

Uncover the Realm

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall offers an expansive world teeming with mystery and adventure. Set in the intricate universe of Tamriel, this installment brings the High Rock and Hammerfell provinces to life with a level of freedom rare for its time. Players can explore dungeons, partake in political intrigue, or simply roam the wilderness, making it a perfect choice for those who savor getting lost in sprawling landscapes. With its procedural generation, the game creates a unique experience for each journey, providing countless hours of exploration without ever feeling repetitive. Step into the shoes of a hero tasked with unraveling the mystery behind the ghost of King Lysandus, all while managing personal choices that shape the game’s world.

Immersive Role-Playing Mechanics

In The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, players can dive into deep role-playing mechanics that define their characters. From choosing skills and class to developing reputations with various factions, the game allows players to craft their own unique stories within the lore-rich universe. The open-ended questing system gives players the freedom to ignore the main storyline if they wish, focusing instead on guild quests or personal exploration. This flexibility means players can focus on what intrigues them – whether battling monsters, discovering ancient relics, or mastering spellcraft, ensuring an experience that aligns with personal playstyles.

A Classic Adventure Revisited

The timeless appeal of The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall lies in its pioneering design that still captivates gamers today. The game paved the way for future entries in the series, establishing a foundation of player agency and a vast, living world. Despite its age, Daggerfall’s ambitious scope and complexity continue to attract new generations of players seeking a vintage gaming experience with modern discovery. Its open world remains one of the largest in any RPG, a testament to its groundbreaking ambition. Returning to such a classic adventure offers a nostalgic escape into a game that shaped the open-world landscape.

Dive into Unmatched Exploration

For gamers seeking a truly expansive adventure, The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall offers an unparalleled exploration experience. The sheer scale of the game world is mind-boggling, providing players with over 15,000 towns, dungeons, and cities to navigate. This enormity invites an incredible sense of discovery, as each new location presents fresh opportunities to uncover hidden stories, recruit allies, and encounter unique events. The vast, open world of Tamriel ensures that no two adventures are the same, making every session a new chapter in your personal epic.

Creative Character Development

In The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, personalization is key, offering players an extensive range of ways to build their characters. Choose from a myriad of races and classes, enhancing your gameplay with specialized skills and abilities tailored to your preferences. Whether you favor stealth, magic, or physical prowess, the game’s flexible progression system allows for extensive customization and experimentation. Engaging with different guilds or factions adds further depth to character development, influencing the narrative and providing a genuine sense of agency and influence within this enchanting universe.

Engaging Quests and Storylines

Beyond its open-world prowess, The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall shines with its intricate questlines and compelling narratives. The main storyline, centered around political intrigue and supernatural elements, serves as the entry point into a world brimming with tales to be told. Side quests provide variety and depth, each offering its own narrative arc that can affect your standing in the realm. Whether embarking on missions for guilds or uncovering personal mysteries, these quests cater to the player’s curiosity, promising a rich and rewarding narrative experience that captivates from start to finish.

Estimating Game Completion Time

Delving into the world of The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall is a commitment that can span numerous hours, thanks to its expansive open-world design that offers freedom of exploration across countless towns and dungeons. For those eager to complete the main storyline, players might invest approximately 30 to 40 hours, depending on how focused they remain on narrative objectives. This timeframe allows players to unravel the complex plot centered on the ghost of King Lysandus while navigating political and mystical elements that enrich the storyline.

Exploration and Side Quests

The allure of The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall often lies in its abundance of side quests and exploration opportunities. Adventurers who thrill at the prospect of uncovering hidden caves, engaging with factions, and tackling guild-related missions will find hundreds of hours awaiting them. The game’s procedural generation ensures endless variations and fresh content during each playthrough. Enthusiasts keen on fully immersing themselves in every possible narrative and challenge should prepare to dedicate significantly more time, potentially reaching well over 100 hours.

Balancing Time and Engagement

For the average gamer with limited time, crafting an experience in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall that balances storyline progression with personal exploration is essential. Prioritizing the main quests but leaving room for engaging with a few side activities can offer a satisfying middle ground. Players who adopt a more focused yet flexible approach can enjoy the rich depth of the game world without feeling overwhelmed or pressed for time. This balanced approach allows one to savor the enchanting universe of Tamriel at a comfortable and enjoyable pace.

Trailer

A Quick Look at The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

Curious what The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall is all about? The trailer gives you a great first look at the world, the vibe, and the kind of story you're stepping into.

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall Trailer
Videos

Related videos for The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

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Screenshots

Screenshots of The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

Want to see what The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall actually looks like in-game? These screenshots will hopefully give you a feel for what the world of The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall is like.

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
Articles

Read More About The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall.

December 17, 2025

How Long Does It Take to Beat Every Elder Scrolls Game?

The Elder Scrolls series has always stood apart from other RPGs because of its incredible sense of freedom. These games never rush you. They do…

Frequently Asked Questions

Have Questions About The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall?

How do the gameplay mechanics and controls work in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall?

In The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, players navigate a vast open world using a combination of keyboard and mouse controls typical of classic RPGs. Combat involves a unique system where swinging the weapon is controlled by mouse movements, requiring players to master timing and direction for effective attacks. The game also features an extensive character creation system with numerous skills and attributes to tailor your character’s abilities.

What are the system requirements and performance considerations for The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall?

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall was originally released for MS-DOS, so modern players often use DOSBox or similar emulation software to run it on new systems. The game is not demanding by today’s standards, but players may encounter occasional bugs or crashes typical of older games. Community patches and mods are available to improve stability and enhance the gameplay experience.

What can players expect in terms of story length and replay value in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall?

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall offers a main quest that can be completed in several hours, but the true appeal lies in its enormous, procedurally generated world, which offers countless side quests, dungeons, and guilds to explore. The sheer scale and randomness provide immense replay value as each playthrough can vary significantly based on the player’s choices and exploration.

Does The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall have any multiplayer or online features?

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall is a single-player game and does not include any multiplayer or online components. The focus is on providing an expansive solo experience with a deep story and a richly detailed game world to explore. However, the community around the game remains active, sharing mods and experiences which can enrich the single-player adventure.

On which platforms is The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall available, and where can it be purchased?

Originally released for MS-DOS, The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall can now be played on modern systems through emulation. It is available for free through the Bethesda website and can also be accessed on platforms like GOG and Steam, where it often comes bundled with easy-to-use launchers and mods for improved compatibility.

Franchise

Explore More From The Elder Scrolls

There's more to The Elder Scrolls than The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. Check out some of the other games in the franchise.

The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
The Elder Scrolls: Arena
Learn More About the Franchise
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