EDIT:
This review is largely based on the fact that when I bought this collection, it was like $38. Odds are, it is NOT worth the price it probably is now.
If you can find this collection for around the same price as buying all of the games on Steam or GOG, then sure, go ahead and pick it up. If it's still $120, give it a hard pass and just get the games on GOG and Steam, unless owning it physically or having the maps is a MUST for you.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
This is a long review. If you don't want to hear me ramble on about how great these games and set they come in are, just scroll right on by.
Now, The Elder Scrolls is probably my favorite video game series out there, so when I saw this set about a month ago for less than $40, it was an instant purchase for me. I even paid an arm and a leg for 2-day shipping on it. After not being able to pry myself away for a good month, I think I'm ready to review this set.
Just as a disclaimer: this review is from the point of view of a diehard fan of the series. If you're new to the Elder Scrolls and you like RPGs, I definitely recommend it. If you're not into roleplaying games, you're in the wrong place.
What you get:
Included in this set is every main series Elder Scrolls game along with every expansion and DLC.
Sadly, this set doesn't include Redguard and Battlespire, which is a bit disappointing,
Now, I'll start with the physical aspect of the set:
Packaging:
The game was shipped in a large envelope which protected the game nicely enough. Once opened, you can slide the plastic cover off and set the box up on display. It really does look wonderful.
The Set Itself:
The box looks wonderful. It's simplistic and really looks great on display. To access the discs, you pull the actual book of discs out of the top. Each of the games has a page all to itself (Morrowind has 2) and they fold out to reveal the disc and a few screenshots from the games themselves. In the back, there is a grey insert with some safety and warranty information, along with a link to the full game manuals and a (As in one) Steam code for Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim with all DLC from each.
However, my favorite part of this set is the maps. You get 5, one for each reigon the games are set in.
The first is a map of Tamriel, including all the main cities of each province.
The second map is of the Illiac Bay, complete with labeled areas.
The third is of Vvardenfell, and it looks gorgeous. Very well detailed.
The fourth is of Cyrodiil. It's basically the same map included in Oblivion, but without the edge borders.
The fifth is of Skyrim. Sadly, it's not made of that great parchment that was seen in the original release.
Now, let's get on with the games themselves:
1 - The Elder Scrolls Arena:
Arena was very easy to set up as it included an auto-installer. That's right, no fiddling around with DOSbox in this set.
When I first played Arena, i was very put off by the control scheme. You either use the arrow keys or click on the sides of the screen to move, and there is no mouselook. Normally, this wouldn't be so bad. However, you cannot rebind the controls ingame.
Now, once I got used to the clunky controls and the relatively harsh difficulty, (I'm too ashamed to admit how many times I died in the first dungeon) I was greeted by a massive world. This isn't your average-sized overworld, no sirree. If you want to travel to another town without using fast travel, you might want to pack a few sandwiches.
The dungeons might not be as detailed as later games, but that is for a reason. Allow me to introduce you to the fantastic Passwall spell. You see, each dungeon is basically made of blocks. Passwall allows you to dissolve a block of wall that's in your way. This is how you win.
Overall, Arena is a good game that's pretty rough around the edges. It's definitely the clunkiest of the games in this set, but if you can get past that, it's pretty good.
Overall: 3.5/5
A great game, once you can stomach the dated controls and design.
If you want to try the game out, it's also available for free on the Elder Scrolls website, but you will have to use DOSbox to install it.
2 - The Elder Scrolls Chapter II: Daggerfall:
Oh. Yes.
Daggerfall is my favorite Elder Scrolls game. While it may not be anywhere near as detailed as later games, the scope of the game and the amount of dungeons to crawl through is staggering and crawling through said dungeons is very fun. This game also has a overworld even larger than Arena's, so you might want to rethink going out to that dungeon on foot. The game is about as hard as Arena, but if you find it too difficult, you could always set the reflexes on the lowest setting.
This game is equally simple to install on Windows. Just run the auto-installer and you're all set. However, I was left with the subpar SoundBlaster Pro sound card setting, so I had to go into DOSbox and change to the infinitely better MPU-401 sounds.
Overall: 5/5
An amazing game. I'd recommend it to any Elder Scrolls fan who hasn't played it.
Daggerfall is also available for free on the Elder Scrolls website, but again, you'll have to use DOSbox to install it.
3 - The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind:
Ah, Morrowind. This game needs no introduction. Any Elder Scrolls fan worth his salt has played Morrowind. The world is vast and detailed, the music is breathtaking, and the gameplay is top-notch. Just expect to suck when you start the game.
This set also includes the Construction Set, a modder's resource, and both of Morrowind's expansions, Tribunal and Bloodmoon. Both add a large amount of content to the game. Mournhold and Solstheim are a joy to explore and both have a plethora of quests included.
Morrowind is easy enough to install from disc. Just pop it in, install, and do the same for the two expansions. This is the first game in the pack that you get with the included Steam code. Just enter the code in to play Morrowind without the disc.
Overall: 5/5
What else needs to be said?
4 - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion:
Oblivion was my first Elder Scrolls game, and I couldn't have wished for a better entry to the series. It's simple enough for a newcomer to enjoy and is packed with loads of stuff to do. My only qualm is the dialogue assignment. For example, if you're talking to a beggar with the voice of a chain smoker and choose an option like "Rumors" or "The Gray Fox", you'll hear a much more manly, macho voice as opposed to a man who smokes 18 packs a day.
Oblivion also includes Knights of The Nine and Shivering Isles on disc two. If you download it from Steam with the code I mentioned before, you also get the smaller add-ons like Horse Armor and Frostcrag Spire. These add a lot of content to an already deep game and the Shivering Isles is my favorite Elder Scrolls expansion to date.
Installation is just like Morrowind. You can install from disc or download it from Steam.
Overall: 4.75/5
If you can get over the hilarious dialogue ("Hello" "I saw a mudcrab the other day. Horrible creatures." "I've heard others say the same." "Goodbye"), Oblivion is a fantastic game. I'd sooner recommend this to a newcomer to the series than any other Elder Scrolls game.
5: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim:
Skyrim is an alright game. It forgoes a lot of the more RPG-ey gameplay features from the previous games in exchange for a more involved gameplay experience. This doesn't always work, but it's an entertaining enough game.
If you're looking at this set, you're no doubt already familiar with Skyrim, so I won't go on about it for much longer.
Also included is the three DLC, Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn.
Installation is simple. You need to register Skyrim on Steam if you want to install from disc. I recommend just using the code to download it. It's much simpler.
Overall: 4/5
It's Skyrim, warts and all.
Overall, I am extremely satisfied with this purchase. This is easily over 500 solid hours of entertainment for less than $40.
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Reviews with images
♡Awesome game and Awesome deal! Great quality♡
Great game anthology. Great price, good quality product and gaming, arrived in decent time, and is a great value.Skyrim alone costs around $20 usually. So this is a great deal for all 5 games in physical disc format in a box set with maps. Very nice quality container/box/book. Nice texture with gold inlayed words and design.Skyrim requires Steam program to run/play. Steam is free. When you insert Skyrim in your PC to install, it will first install Steam. However it kept messing up every time it tried to install Steam saying error at that time. So I cancelled and went to the Steam website and installed through the site. Then I inserted Skyrim again and it worked perfect.When I entered my product key (found on the paper inside the book) Morrowind and Oblivion also showed up in my Steam game library, along with Skyrim. Since it's a bundled product. I don't think they require Steam to play hower ever. But I haven't tried them yet.I first played Morrowind on Xbox. Which is how I fell in love with the games. I am used to playing with a controller so I use a Wireless Windows Xbox 360 controller. Note to controller users who play: Turn Steam on Big Picture mode. This way you can change the settings for the controller with Steam. This is the only way you can take screenshots that you can post to your Steam. You can change which buttons you use to screenshot on Big Picture mode as well. It's basically for controller users I think.Steam allows players to connect with others who play the same games. You can purchase games on steam. They offer tons of games. You have a profile with your games library, screenshots, your artwork, badges, etc. Join and/make groups. Find workshops that give you MODS you can subscribe to. Which will install into your specified game. I've gotten lots of add ons for Skyrim including Harry Potter spells! Add and chat with friends. And much much more.Note for Steam use: Some Steam features will not be available to you. Unless you have already used Steam and purchased through them or been gifted a game/etc. You need to either make a purchase or get a gift and add it to your games. My friend sent me a game on sale for 0.14 and I accepted it and added it to my library. Then my Steam account had full access to everything. Such as: I have beta turned on and I wanted to broadcast my gameplay so friends could watch me play live. This wasn't available with my account due to restrictions. Restrictions that couldn't be removed until I had purchased a game etc. To gain full access. It's something to do with security and etc etc I forget exactly. Anyways, other than that little bit, it's been awesome and fun! I love Steam and connecting and sharing with people there. And I love these games! Been playing Skyrim and I love it (yes sometimes I use cheats lol) I really recommend this!!
Top reviews from other countries
Denis Bertin
So many classics in a great package
Reviewed in Canada on June 18, 2014
Connor
The Elder Scrolls Anthology! The series has never looked so good!
Reviewed in Canada on September 14, 2015