The Elder Scrolls: Blades

 Switch
Metascore
42

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 13
  3. Negative: 6 out of 13
  1. Hobby Consolas
    May 28, 2020
    60
    Blades is a free to play dungeon crawler set in the Elder Scrolls universe, with some interesting ideas, but repetitive, even boring, levels and poor combat mechanics.
  2. Everyeye.it
    May 25, 2020
    60
    The most interesting feature is, in fact, the cross save that allows you to play indifferently on Switch or mobile devices.
  3. Multiplayer.it
    May 18, 2020
    60
    The Elder Scrolls: Blades is a simple dungeon crawler, with a nice progression system but repetitive gameplay during expeditions, that represent the core of the experience. The game's got lots of microtransactions since it's a free-to-play title, but the graphics are pretty outdated and there are no motion controls on Nintendo Switch.
  5. SpazioGames
    May 26, 2020
    55
    Only for hardcore fans of Bethesda fantasy games, The Elder Scrolls: Blades on Nintendo Switch is still, at its core, more of the same of the mobile version.
  6. Pure Nintendo
    Jun 1, 2020
    50
    The Elder Scrolls: Blades is a game with good ideas but bad implementation. While this story is scaled-down and has a unique twist to combat, this entry is riddled with bugs, monetization, and timers that can make this game a drag.
  7. Switch Player
    May 21, 2020
    50
    On paper, The Elder Scrolls: Blades proposes to deliver a light version of the seminal The Elder Scrolls RPG experience. Despite providing some solid gameplay mechanics, it is plagued by poor performance, an always-online limitation, and predatory microtransactions.
  8. Wccftech
    May 21, 2020
    50
    I don't hate The Elder Scrolls: Blades, at least conceptually. Bethesda's lightweight F2P Elder Scrolls game has all the hallmarks of the franchise but delivers them all in such a hollow way that it loses everything that makes the franchise beloved. You might find some enjoyment in the game, as I have done, but you will inevitably become weary of the dungeons, frustrated with the timers, and on Nintendo Switch, you will find the performance to be at times unbearable. Fans of The Elder Scrolls deserve better than this, but it's all they will get until The Elder Scrolls VI launches years from now.

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
2.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 69
  3. Negative: 51 out of 69
  1. belikejunkie
    May 22, 2020
    1
    Total garbage. Dungeon crawler with repetative annoying gameplay. Also Blades is scrapyard with pay to win mechanics.
  2. Sobriquet
    May 19, 2020
    2
    The idea of a dungeon crawler mixed with a town-building sim is wonderful, throw on an Elder Scrolls skin and it's even better. Unfortunately,The idea of a dungeon crawler mixed with a town-building sim is wonderful, throw on an Elder Scrolls skin and it's even better. Unfortunately, TES: Blades fails execution of this in every regard. Bad graphics, repetitive gameplay, and the same tired music on a loop are the high points, throw in predatory microtransactions and you might as well call this game what it is: garbage.… Full Review »
  3. Schwing007
    May 16, 2020
    7
    A lot of people complain that this isn’t the next Skyrim, and they’re right. What they don’t realize is that it’s not supposed to be, it’s aA lot of people complain that this isn’t the next Skyrim, and they’re right. What they don’t realize is that it’s not supposed to be, it’s a very good free mobile ES game, turned into a ‘ok-at-best’ Switch game. It’s not open world, it’s free, and it’s designed to take your money with in-game purchases. It’s it mind blowing? No. Is it even close? No. Is it a free Elder Scrolls game? Yes.
    The controls are simple, so anyone can pick this up, they are boiled down to the basics. In this case they seem to be TOO simple, why can’t we swing our weapons unless in battle? Why can’t we crouch? Why can’t we jump? It’s because none of those things are necessary here, it’s a bristling world, filled with almost nothing, it has a linear design, with no deviation needed. You go, you do, then you go and do again. And again. And again. Is it fun? Sure, for a bit. It’s a shadow of a full-on ES game, and boy does it feel like it. I find myself stepping away frequently, and returning some time later. Flat, one-dimensional NPC interactions don’t help it’s cause. For a free game, it’s damn good. For and Elder Scrolls game, it’s less so. Take it for what it is, and enjoy it until you get tired of it, then move on.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »