This game is actually amazing

[WindBlownLeaf]

It really does feel like a fantasy sim, way more than most other rpgs. I dont know what it is. Even with alternate start mods in oblivion/ skyrim, I dont quite get the same feeling of freedom as in daggerfall. Morrowind falls somewhat short there too.

I think the low stakes are part of it. You're tasked with laying the ghost of the emperor's old friend to rest which (at least on the surface) seems pretty... unimportant. I mean, the world isn't about to be destroyed by invading daedra or dragons, you dont have an ancient prophecy of an immortal's return, You yourself aren't extraordinary in any way, aside from being an aide to the emperor.

And then of course the 'personal letter' to the queen. When you step out into the world, there's very little urgency, because you're given almost no information on context (which is a good thing). Not like the ghost is going anywhere (being a ghost and all), and it's not causing much harm either. The emperor also makes it clear that the personal letter is just that, not some note containing the empire's secrets or whatever.

I love how big the world is. The quests that just randomly pop up (which are well-written and interesting despite how short they are. I actually found myself looking forward reading the quest text! Like the one shopkeeper who wants you to make sure his ex-wife is really dead, lol.)

TL;DR—I like Daggerfall. It might even become my favorite.

[lonetrav]

Originally posted by WindBlownLeaf:

... The quests that just randomly pop up (which are well-written and interesting despite how short they are. ...

"Short"? Please explain.

It's a standard feature of all TES games that you can play them "as you like", that you don't ever have to touch the main quest, unless you want to.
Have fun!

[WindBlownLeaf]

Originally posted by lonetrav:

Originally posted by WindBlownLeaf:

... The quests that just randomly pop up (which are well-written and interesting despite how short they are. ...

"Short"? Please explain.

It's a standard feature of all TES games that you can play them "as you like", that you don't ever have to touch the main quest, unless you want to.
Have fun!

I don't really agree in the case of Oblivion and Skyrim. When the fate of the world is concerned, mucking about in someone's garden picking potatoes just feels like pure stupidity.

[SpectatorBehold]

Originally posted by WindBlownLeaf:

I don't really agree in the case of Oblivion and Skyrim. When the fate of the world is concerned, mucking about in someone's garden picking potatoes just feels like pure stupidity.

True to some extent, but then again... In both of those games, if you leave the main quest be as soon as you've got the very first obligatory part of the quest done and over with, then you are going to see very few signs of the world being in a crisis as you travel it. Only as you play through the main quest will the crisis become well and truly 'imminent' as such...

[lonetrav]

Originally posted by WindBlownLeaf:

... When the fate of the world is concerned, mucking about in someone's garden picking potatoes just feels like pure stupidity.

Still, the choice is yours :-). And, like SpectatorBehold says, Oblivion doesn't mind. I could even say that you better don't touch Kvatch (if you're interested in the fate of the world).

[calenguile]

I found it hilarious how they slapped starting character face onto the body of your race. I was so put off at first when i saw my Khajiit dude without an outfit on. xD

[kkgobkk]

Agreed. I also like how you rarely get main quests one after the other like in newer TES games. The game gives you time to do your own thing and create your own story. The class creation system plays a big role in this too, allowing you to be whoever you want to be, while the size of the world makes every run unique, and makes you feel like the world is a real place and not just a theme park created just to make you feel like the main character

[Morn]

my favorite game of all time have played it since it came out in 1996 have 10s of thousands of hours as i play it at least 3 hrs every day and have been playing the unity engine since it came out by those blessed souls who worked so dutifully to preserve this game. after daggerfall bethesdda went down hill, then todd came and destroyed the elder scrolls all together by dumbing it all down for kiddie box.. but that did save the company as there was just not enough of us true role players to make it worth while. it does me good to see so many young folks who truly understand and appreciates this game. it is for those who truly understands that--- a role playing game is NOT to be beaten but experianced.

[Kobeth]

The main quest doesn't feel as threatening as in other TES games, but ironically there's a higher sense of urgency (not just in the main quest but in all quests in general) because there is a time limit which is not something you typically see again in another TES game.

[なかの31]

And don't forget the fact that your character also has a backstory (which influences your starting skill levels and maybe some items you have at start), instead of being just some random prisoner that was taken by fate to save the world.

[lonetrav]

Originally posted by Kobeth:

... there is a time limit ...

Sort of - many quests have time limits, but at least not all quests of the main quest series. For example (and if I remember correctly), Soul of A Lich doesn't have a time limit, but you have to complete it before you can complete the main quest.
Often you have to meet certain requirements (for example, reach a certain level), before the main quest continues.