The Elder Scrolls: Arena

The main pros of the game

• Nostalgia and Historical Significance: Many players appreciate the game for its role in the origins of the Elder Scrolls series, making it a must-try for fans of the franchise.
• Gameplay Loop: The dungeon-crawling mechanics, including leveling, looting, and character progression, are often described as engaging and addictive, despite some frustrations.
• Open World Exploration: Players can explore a vast world, traversing different provinces of Tamriel, which adds a sense of adventure.
• Spell Creation System: The ability to create custom spells is highlighted as a unique and enjoyable feature.
• Charming Atmosphere: The game's retro graphics and music evoke a sense of nostalgia, appealing to fans of classic RPGs.

The main cons of the game

• Clunky Controls and Interface: The controls are often described as outdated and difficult to use, requiring players to remap keys for a better experience.
• Aging Graphics: The low-resolution graphics are frequently criticized, with many players finding them hard to look at for extended periods.
• Repetitive Gameplay: Some users note that the game can become tedious and repetitive, particularly in dungeon exploration and questing.
• High Difficulty and Punishing Mechanics: The game is known for its steep learning curve, with many players dying frequently, especially in the early stages.
• Bugs and Stability Issues: Players report various bugs and crashes, which can detract from the overall experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Comprehensive Tutorials or Guidance: Many players feel that the game lacks adequate tutorials or manuals to help new players understand its mechanics and controls.
• Diverse NPCs and Lore Depth: Users mention that the NPCs and towns feel generic, lacking the depth and variety seen in later games in the series.
• Improved Modern Features: Players express a desire for quality-of-life improvements, such as better inventory management, a more intuitive UI, and modernized graphics.
• Law and Order Systems: Some reviews pointed out the absence of a law system or consequences for actions, which could add depth to the gameplay.
• Variety in Quests: There's a sentiment that many side quests feel like filler and lack meaningful engagement, leading to a repetitive experience.

Summary

• Overall, while The Elder Scrolls: Arena is appreciated for its historical significance and engaging gameplay loop, it is also criticized for its outdated mechanics, difficulty, and lack of modern features that could enhance the player experience.

Summary generated on: November 18, 2025