The Elder Scrolls: Blades

 Switch
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

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. elijahlape
    Jun 3, 2022
    5
    For what it's worth, Blades is a rather boring, yet smooth and simple dungeon crawler game. Microtransactions are absurd, and endgame is not interesting at all. Since it's a free-to-play game, it's a fun game for a day or two, but nothing more.
  2. 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 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.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 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.    … Expand
  3. ArtistM
    May 16, 2020
    7
    For a free to play game it's actually quite addicting. If this wasn't a Bethesda game and an extension to such a popular franchise I think it would actually be well received.

    Having said that, for this to be released with such enthusiasm when everyone is waiting for the next Skyim...well...it's a choice. Hopefully they can gain customer confidence back but what a misstep.
  4. doodlerman
    May 20, 2020
    5
    It's mediocre, but I find myself coming back to it to pass time, so I guess that says something. I doubt I'll ever see everything due to paywalls/wait periods - or maybe I have? In the few hours I've played, I've seen the same map layouts multiple times. Lots of bugs.
  5. Aluk
    Feb 8, 2022
    7
    Good game to be free. Certain Missions are too difficult.
    Buen juego para ser gratis. Ciertas Misiones son demasiado difíciles.
  6. mompkin
    May 19, 2020
    5
    Pretty mediocre even for a freemium game. I've gotten pretty into quite a few freemium games, including some on the switch like gems of war, so the issue isn't that it's not TES 6. The issue is that it's not compelling for what it is - a simplistic old school dungeon crawler crudely taped over a store selling chests and gems. The repetition gets old so incredibly fast and the waiting gamePretty mediocre even for a freemium game. I've gotten pretty into quite a few freemium games, including some on the switch like gems of war, so the issue isn't that it's not TES 6. The issue is that it's not compelling for what it is - a simplistic old school dungeon crawler crudely taped over a store selling chests and gems. The repetition gets old so incredibly fast and the waiting game for upgrades kicks in early. I mean, it's free, so you might as well try it but don't expect much.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. GameMAG
    Sep 14, 2020
    30
    Bethesda clearly cannot decide on priorities, grabbing everything in a row and rushing from one extreme to the other. As a result, we get a crooked, boring and ugly semi-finished product - The Elder Scrolls: Blades on Switch. Yes, the game is F2P, but spending time in it is physically unpleasant. At the same time, a full-fledged version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is available on the Nintendo Switch, which makes Blades completely unnecessary. Well, unless you want to spoil your impressions of the cult franchise.
    Read full review
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. Vandal
    May 29, 2020
    45
    Blades doesn’t live up to the expectations players have for this franchise. It has some interesting features, but its gameplay and an old-fashioned free-to-play design make it very forgettable.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »