The Elder Scrolls: Arena cover
FranchiseThe Elder ScrollsSeriesThe Elder Scrolls

The Elder Scrolls: Arena

Critic score2 critics
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First release
Mar 25, 1994
Genres
Role-playing (RPG) · Sandbox, Open world, Action, Fantasy
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), DOS

The Elder Scrolls - Arena is the first RPG fantasy game of the Elder Scrolls series. The game takes place on a planet called Nirn in the empire of Tamriel. The emperor of Tamriel, Uriel Septim, is planing to gather the whole Nirn under the imperial flag. He allies himself with the mage Jagar Tharn who is unfortunately intent on stealing the emperor's throne. Jagar Tharn imprisons the emperor in another dimension and locks the key inside a dungeon under the imperial city. Your job is to find all the pieces of the key, reassemble it, kill Jagger Tharn and free the emperor.

Also known as Elder Scrolls 1, The Elder Scrolls Arena, Arena, TES Arena

Attributes

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Details

Storyline, release dates, time to beat, age ratings, modes, links, keywords

Storyline
The imperial battlemage Jagar Tharn betrays the Emperor Uriel Septim by imprisoning him in an alternate dimension, then assuming the Emperor’s identity and place on the throne. A lone prisoner must travel to Tamriel’s most famous and dangerous sites to collect the shattered Staff of Chaos, save the Emperor and free the Empire.Read more

The imperial battlemage Jagar Tharn betrays the Emperor Uriel Septim by imprisoning him in an alternate dimension, then assuming the Emperor’s identity and place on the throne. A lone prisoner must travel to Tamriel’s most famous and dangerous sites to collect the shattered Staff of Chaos, save the Emperor and free the Empire.

Release dates
DOS
Mar 25, 1994
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Apr 26, 2022
Game modes
Single player
Perspective
First person
Where to buy
Keywords
wizards, magic, death, procedural generation, 2.5d
… All 34, archery, freeware, slavery, racism, nudity, sword & sorcery, sexual content, attributes, customizable characters, human, goblins, werewolves, non-player character, treasure chest, questing, melee, real-time combat, mercenary, pickpocketing, escaping imprisonment, barbarians, sociopathy, ghoul, pseudo non-linear, negotiation, adamantium, jester, immersive, lgbtq+

At a Glance

Critic Score
88
OverviewHow it playsMediaCommunityBehind the gameRelated

Overview

Steam review summary

Steam users rate this Very Positive, 2,614 reviews in all languages, recorded 16 October 2026

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