This is my first rpg on a pc and I've never played an elder scrolls game. The game, however, is brilliant! It's everything I was hoping it to be. However, I never thought I would ever say this about a game, but it's overwhelming. I'm simply not sure if what I'm doing is right. I seem to be dying quite a bit in caves/tombs (is that normal) and I am not sure when I should start working on professions, joining guilds, etc.. The quest log is a bit confusing too, because it really has no discription in it to remind you who gave each quest.

Now don't get me wrong, I DO NOT WANT AN EASY GAME -- I hate when casuals ruin a game. I'm just wondering if it's normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at times? Also, is there a real manual online, or are we just stuck with the small one that comes with the game? Thanks in advance.

This isn't as overwhelming as Morrowind, trust me. Just go at your own pace and you'll be fine. Practice on deer and foxes, follow quest markers, and just leave all that fancy guild and crafting stuff for later.

Yeah, played the other TES games, and to me this game is also overwhelming at times.

A good thing to do when entering a cave is to have some way to test the waters, preferably with ranged damage. If you're just taking a tiny sliver of health away from them, just run. No harm in running.

Regarding dying lots, depends on the enemy type. You shouldn't be dying against bandits or wolfs that's for sure. But there are caves with more powerful enemies and yes it's absolutely normal to die 3 or 4 times before you use your magic/weapons/shouts/shield effectively.

Regarding guilds, professions and sidequests - there is no right way to play. You will learn to love TES if you do it YOUR way. I could tell you the way I do it, but you'd try that and not like it so just do whatever you want, that's the beauty of an open world RPG with open ended gameplay to match.

Quest log isn't that confusing, it does have descriptions. Read the top of the screen on each quest tab. If you're looking under "miscellaneous" you're doing it wrong - these quests are just STARTING POINTS.

The trick is not to care. Enjoy it. Are you having fun? If yes then you're doing it right. The game is single player and wide open.

For myself I role play a character. If I am role playing a thief I try to sneak to the chest, a warrior I hit anything between me and the chest with a weapon, a mage I use magic. Go further and give your character a personality. Then decide what he/she would do. Act accordingly.

Or just say to heck with RP and play the game. It's your call.

Yes, it's very normal and even those of us that have played many open world games like this get overwhelmed at times. I've played for 15 hours and I'm still only familiar with the first city (although I did go to Winterhold for a bit).

Just remind yourself that it doesn't matter what you do. Do whatever is fun and if you're dying too much, there's no shame in turning down the difficulty if that makes it more fun for you (you can always change it back later if you want). There's no right or wrong way to play this type of game.

The wonderful thing about TES is that you play the way you want to play.

Just go at your own pace, don't let any of the guilds or anything pressure you or tempt you into doing things you not sure of.

Talk to people, pick flowers and mine ore, see what you enjoy doing, and do it (I like killing things!)