Play The Elder Scrolls: Arena first if you want to follow the series in release order: Bethesda identifies it as the first chapter, released in 1994, followed by Daggerfall in 1996. If Daggerfall’s story is the stronger draw, it is also a reasonable place to start. Both are available as free downloads through Steam according to Bethesda Support, and Daggerfall has an optional community-made modernization.
Which game should you play first?
For a chronological first playthrough, start with Arena, then play Daggerfall. Bethesda lists Arena as the saga’s first chapter, released in 1994, and Daggerfall as its second, released in 1996. That recommendation is about release order, not a claim that one is easier or mechanically better.
You do not have to play Arena to understand the basic premise of Daggerfall. Choose based on which story you would rather begin with:
- Choose Arena first if you want to begin at the series’ first chapter and follow its release sequence.
- Choose Daggerfall first if its story about a murdered king’s spirit and the golem Numidium is the more compelling hook.
How do their stories differ?
Arena: a prisoner and the Staff of Chaos
Arena follows a lone prisoner seeking the shattered Staff of Chaos to save the Empire from Jagar Tharn. Bethesda’s official listing describes it as the series’ first chapter. Read Bethesda’s Arena page.
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Daggerfall: a king’s spirit and Numidium
Daggerfall centers on the murder of the King of Daggerfall, whose spirit haunts the land, and the struggle over the ancient golem Numidium. In Bethesda’s summary, Emperor Uriel Septim VII sends his champion to High Rock to put the king’s spirit to rest and keep the golem from falling into the wrong hands. Read Bethesda’s Daggerfall page.
How to choose based on your priorities
| What matters most | Suggested starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Playing in release order | Arena | Bethesda identifies it as the first chapter, ahead of Daggerfall. |
| A story about a murdered king and Numidium | Daggerfall | Those are the central hooks in Bethesda’s official story summary. |
| A community-made modernization | Daggerfall Unity | The project offers a modern Unity-based recreation of Daggerfall, with fixes and quality-of-life features. |
| Trying one without paying | Either | Bethesda Support says both are available on Steam as free downloads; check the current listings. |
The available official descriptions support a comparison of release order, story premise, and ways to access the games. They do not establish which game is easier, has better combat or quests, or is the better choice for every player.
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How to play them on a modern PC
Get the original games
Bethesda Support lists both Arena and Daggerfall among the games available through Steam and says readers may find them as free downloads. Store availability can change, so confirm that each current listing is accessible in your region before relying on it. See Bethesda Support’s Steam availability information.
GOG also lists Daggerfall as a free Windows game that runs through DOSBox. Its listing says stability and Windows 10/11 compatibility were validated in a changelog dated November 13, 2024; that statement applies to GOG’s edition, not every distribution. Check GOG’s Daggerfall listing.
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Use Daggerfall Unity if you want a modernized route
Daggerfall Unity is an open-source community recreation made by Daggerfall Workshop, not an official Bethesda remaster. Its June 1, 2024 announcement describes support for Windows, Linux, and macOS, along with fixes, quality-of-life enhancements, and mod support. It requires the original DOS Daggerfall files for game assets, which are available free from supported sources. Read the Daggerfall Unity 1.0 announcement.
This is an option for Daggerfall; the sources here do not establish a comparable modernized Arena project.
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Should you buy a physical collection?
Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls Anthology page describes a premium PC box set containing all five games, beginning with Arena, plus official add-ons. It is relevant if you collect physical editions, but the page does not establish current stock, price, or seller quality. See Bethesda’s Anthology page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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