# The Elder Scrolls vs DREDGE

The clearest difference is ads: DREDGE at none against The Elder Scrolls's shown. DREDGE also leads on review sentiment (60% vs 49%). The Elder Scrolls's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (13K vs 1.1K). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. The Elder Scrolls sells 39 one-off in-app purchases and DREDGE sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

The Elder Scrolls holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Elder Scrolls has 13K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 49% of The Elder Scrolls's written reviews are positive against 60% of DREDGE's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

The Elder Scrolls ships an update every 2 weeks, DREDGE every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Elder Scrolls | DREDGE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-elder-scrolls-castles/id1594657136/reviews)** | [4.3 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dredge/id6526463862/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **13K** | 1.1K |
| Positive reviews | 49.1% of reviews | **60.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 686 MB | 785 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Bethesda](https://appshunter.io/developer/547109759) | [Black Salt Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1756207154) |

## What reviewers say

### The Elder Scrolls

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-elder-scrolls-castles/id1594657136)

Build and manage your own castle and dynasty across generations. Make crucial decisions, customize your stronghold, and send heroes on quests to protect your kingdom. Your choices shape your legacy.

**Highlights:** Build and customize your castle, Manage your dynasty across generations, Make impactful kingdom decisions, Train subjects and assign workstations, Complete epic quests with heroes, Equip heroes with epic gear

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (39)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Event Bundle | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pouch of Gems - 50% discount | $0.99 | one-time |
| Imperial Decoration: Discount | $1.99 | one-time |
| Legendary Shield Spellbreaker | $1.99 | one-time |
| Legendary Axe: Warlock Butcher | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pouch of Gems | $1.99 | one-time |
| Event Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Potions and Scrolls | $2.99 | one-time |
| Imperial Decoration | $3.99 | one-time |
| Witch-Hunting Reinforcements | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Starter Bundle | $4.99 | one-time |
| Emperor's Pass (7 days) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Sack of Gems | $4.99 | one-time |
| Magical Craftsmen | $5.99 | one-time |
| Legendary Event Subject Bundle | $6.99 | one-time |
| Redguard Bundle: New Blood | $7.99 | one-time |
| Holiday Feast Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Satchel of Gems | $9.99 | one-time |
| Potions and Scrolls | $9.99 | one-time |
| Dwemer Furnace Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Emperor's Pass (14 days) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Magical Craftsmen | $9.99 | one-time |
| Weekly Bundle: Silversmith | $11.99 | one-time |
| Put Your Dukes Up - Discount | $11.99 | one-time |
| A Bit of Everything | $11.99 | one-time |
| Decoration Pack | $12.99 | one-time |
| But make it fashion - discount | $13.99 | one-time |
| Emperor's Pass (30 days) | $13.99 | one-time |
| Large Starter Bundle | $14.99 | one-time |
| Weekly Bundle: It's Adore-able | $17.99 | one-time |
| Imperial Coffer of Gems | $19.99 | one-time |
| Weekly Bundle : A Noble Path | $19.99 | one-time |
| Weekly Bundle: A Mage's Touch | $19.99 | one-time |
| Biggest Bundle (Big Discount) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Emperor's Pass (1 year) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Strongbox of Gems | $19.99 | one-time |
| Put Your Dukes Up | $29.99 | one-time |
| Weekly Bundle: Silversmith | $29.99 | one-time |
| Imperial Coffer of Gems | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun and addictive gameplay
- 👍 Unique Elder Scrolls-themed mechanics
- 💡 Interesting character relationships and decision-making
- 🎨 Beautiful visuals and music

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
- 💰 Aggressive monetization with paywall-locked content
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and sync issues
- 🕹️ Clunky controls and UI

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to select rooms without selecting characters
- Accidental character movement due to poor UI
- Inconsistent resource collection when game is closed

**Requested features**

- Multiple save files or restart option
- More customization options for castle and characters
- Improved character management tools
- Deeper integration with Elder Scrolls lore and characters


### DREDGE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dredge/id6526463862)

Explore remote islands and their depths as a fishing trawler captain. Sell your catch, complete quests to uncover local secrets, and upgrade your boat. Beware of the dangers lurking in the dark.

**Highlights:** Explore remote islands and depths, Catch and sell diverse sea life, Complete quests to uncover secrets, Upgrade fishing boat and equipment, Survive nighttime dangers, Unravel a dark mystery

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Blackstone Key | $0.99 | one-time |
| The Pale Reach | $5.99 | one-time |
| The Iron Rig | $11.99 | one-time |
| Base Game Unlock | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great game
- 🚀 Excellent port to mobile
- 🎮 Supports controllers
- 🎨 Stunning graphics
- 🕹️ Intuitive controls

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive for a mobile game
- 🔍 Misleading 'free' description
- 📱 Text/UI too small on phones
- 🐛 Crashes and performance issues
- 🎮 Controller support needs improvement

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on startup
- Controller issues
- Inventory/menu navigation problems

**Requested features**

- Larger text and UI options
- Cross-save between devices
- More content and DLC
- Minimap or navigation aids
- Ability to walk around boat/town


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Elder Scrolls free?

The Elder Scrolls is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is DREDGE free?

DREDGE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, The Elder Scrolls or DREDGE?

The Elder Scrolls is rated higher. The Elder Scrolls averages 4.6 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while DREDGE averages 4.3 from 1.1K ratings.

### Do The Elder Scrolls or DREDGE have ads?

The Elder Scrolls shows ads; DREDGE does not.

### Which is updated more often, The Elder Scrolls or DREDGE?

The Elder Scrolls ships an update every 2 weeks, and DREDGE every 3 weeks. Most recently, The Elder Scrolls was updated on September 24, 2026 and DREDGE on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*