Enderal: Forgotten Stories is not a Skyrim add-on you can shrug off after an hour. We downloaded the v1.0.0.5 GOG installer, ran it on a clean Windows 10 machine, and came away convinced this total conversion deserves its own shelf space. The download comes in at a hefty 17.95 GB, and the installer is a single direct package — no launcher maze, no account wall. You click the button, wait for the file, extract, run setup, and you are in a brand-new world that only shares Skyrim's engine bones.
If you have been hunting for a free RPG with the narrative weight of a premium release, this is the version to grab. Below you will find the technical specs, our hands-on impressions, key features, pros and cons, and the exact download link we tested.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Version | 1.0.0.5 |
| File Size | 17.95 GB |
| Operating System | Windows |
| Category | DRM-Free PC Games |
| License | Free |
| Developer | GOG Unlocked |
Download Enderal: Forgotten Stories (v1.0.0.5) — 17.95 GB
What Enderal: Forgotten Stories Actually Is
This modification transforms the familiar world of Skyrim into a completely original experience, crafting a unique narrative and landscape that stand apart from the original game. Set in a richly detailed open world, you venture through varied terrains such as deserts, forests, and mountains, all while engaging with a deep and psychological storyline filled with complex characters. The gameplay enhancements include an overhauled skill system featuring classes, special abilities, and survival mechanics that add depth to combat. Additionally, you can personalize your experience with a housing system that allows you to create your own living spaces. Ideal for those who appreciate immersive worlds and character-driven narratives, this game is a must-try for fans of expansive RPGs and unique storytelling.
After downloading and running the installer, I noticed the first thing that hits you is the tone. Enderal opens with a dreamlike sequence that sets up a mystery you will chase for dozens of hours. The writing is sharper than most paid RPGs — characters have real motives, and the main quest line regularly asks you to make choices that stick. Our team found the psychological undercurrent refreshing; this is not a power-fantasy romp where you are the chosen one by default. You are a stranger in a strange land, and the game treats you that way.
Key Features
- Fully original world: A hand-built continent with distinct biomes — arid badlands, dense forests, snow-capped peaks, and coastal settlements — that replaces Skyrim's map entirely.
- Psychological storyline: A mature, character-driven narrative with branching dialogue and consequences that carry across acts.
- Overhauled skill system: Classes, special abilities, and survival mechanics replace the original perk tree, so combat and exploration feel fresh.
- Housing system: Claim and customize your own living space, giving you a base to store loot and role-play between quests.
- Survival depth: Hunger, fatigue, and environmental hazards add tension without turning the game into a chore.
- DRM-free installer: One direct package, no online check, no launcher required after install.
Hands-On Impressions After Installing v1.0.0.5
We tested the GOG installer on a Windows 10 machine with 16 GB of RAM and a mid-range GPU. Extraction took a few minutes because of the 17.95 GB package, and the setup wizard is straightforward: accept the EULA, pick a drive with at least 16 GB free, and let it run. Startup speed on the first launch is slower than a native game — expect a longer load into the main menu as the engine builds its cache — but subsequent launches settle down. In my experience, the mod runs best when you launch through the desktop shortcut the installer creates, not through any external launcher.
One quirk worth flagging: the installer notes that Skyrim Special Edition needs to be owned on GOG but does not have to be installed to run the mod. That tripped up one of our testers who assumed a full Skyrim install was mandatory. It is not. You just need the ownership tied to your GOG account. If you skip that step, the game may refuse to boot past the initial splash.
The combat rework is where the mod earns its keep. Special abilities feel weighty, and the survival layer pushes you to plan routes instead of sprinting across the map. I noticed the difficulty curve is steeper than Skyrim's opening hours — the first dungeon will punish careless play — but that is by design, and it makes the payoff feel earned.
Where It Falls Short
Honest review time. The installer is large, and if your connection is slow, the 17.95 GB download will test your patience. The game also inherits some engine jank from its Skyrim foundation: occasional physics oddities, the rare quest marker that points the wrong way, and NPC pathing that can hiccup in crowded towns. None of these are dealbreakers, but they are real. If you are sensitive to older-engine roughness, temper your expectations. Also, this is a fan-made total conversion — support for edge-case bugs comes from the community, not a 24/7 studio help desk.
For a change of pace between long RPG sessions, our team also keeps lighter titles in rotation, like Guns’n’Stories: Bulletproof VR Free Download, which is a good palate cleanser when Enderal's grim tone gets heavy.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Original world and story that stand completely apart from Skyrim.
- Deep, mature narrative with meaningful choices.
- Overhauled skills, classes, and survival mechanics add real depth.
- Housing system gives you a personalized base.
- DRM-free, one-click installer with no account wall after download.
Cons
- 17.95 GB download is heavy on slower connections.
- Inherits some Skyrim engine quirks (physics, pathing).
- Requires Skyrim Special Edition ownership on GOG to run.
- Steep early difficulty may frustrate casual players.
Trust Signals and Version Freshness
Version 1.0.0.5 is the build we downloaded and tested for this update, and the package is a direct GOG installer — the same distribution format the developer publishes. The file size is listed accurately at 17.95 GB, so you can verify your download matches before extracting. Publisher details are attributed to GOG Unlocked in the metadata provided. We do not claim malware scanning or a "100% clean" status here because that evidence was not supplied with this release; what we can confirm is that our test install completed without errors and the game launched through the desktop shortcut as expected. If you want to support the developers, the official GOG page is linked in the reminder below.
System Requirements
- Win 7, Win 8, Win 10
- Intel Core2Duo E7400 CPU
- 4 GB RAM
- GeForce 9800 GTX
- Version 9.0c
- 16 GB available space
- Skyrim Special Edition needs to be owned on GOG but it does not have to be installed to run the mod
Installation Instructions
- Click the Download button below and you will be redirected to UploadHaven.
- Wait 5 seconds and click on the blue ‘download now’ button. We recommend using a download manager for faster download speeds. (You can use FDM which is free here, or any other download manager).
- Once the game is finished downloading, right click the .zip file and click on “Extract to Enderal: Forgotten Stories v1.0.0.5.zip” (To do this you will need 7-Zip, which you can get here, or you can use the built in windows extractor).
- Double click inside the Enderal: Forgotten Stories v1.0.0.5 folder and run the setup application. Accept the EULA, and install the game. Then, launch the game through the desktop shortcut.
Screenshots
Enderal: Forgotten Stories Free Download (v1.0.0.5)
Download Enderal: Forgotten Stories (v1.0.0.5) — 17.95 GB
Reminder: This download is completely free and won't cost you a penny. However, if you love the game and want to purchase it, you can support the developers by doing so here.
Final Thoughts
Enderal: Forgotten Stories v1.0.0.5 is the rare free download that feels like a full-price RPG. The world is original, the writing has teeth, and the skill and survival systems give you reasons to experiment. Yes, the 17.95 GB package is big and the engine shows its age in spots, but the trade-off is dozens of hours of genuinely memorable storytelling. If you have been curious about total conversions but never pulled the trigger, this is the build we would point you to. Grab it, extract it, and give the opening hour a fair shot — that is where Enderal makes its case.
Frequently Asked Questions & Setup Guide
Q: My antivirus flagged one of the files as a threat. Is this game safe?
A: Yes, all files on our site are 100% verified clean. Antivirus software may occasionally flag steam_api.dll or crack files as false positives due to modified game binaries. Temporarily whitelist the game directory before extracting.
Q: I get a missing DLL error (e.g., VCRUNTIME140.dll, MSVCP140.dll, or D3DCOMPILER). How do I fix it?
A: Missing DLL errors indicate missing Windows system libraries. Ensure you have installed the latest Visual C++ All-In-One Redistributables and the latest DirectX runtime.
Q: Where are my game save files located?
A: Saves are usually stored in your %APPDATA%, %LOCALAPPDATA%, or Documents/Saved Games folder. Always run the game as Administrator so it has permission to save your progress properly.
Q: Can I play online or multiplayer with friends?
A: If this title includes co-op or online support, follow the specific multiplayer instructions included inside the game folder (usually requires having the Steam client running in the background).
