tried clearing cache etc restarting pc etc no go - after restarting pc - 1st time i try to run the game the error is as above thread except its asking please update these games first  "289130" then 2nd and further times I try to run it then is says please update these games first "Steamworks Commons Redistributables" I played it earlier this eve before purcashing the DLc and it ran fine.

Steamworks Common Redistributables is technically a game steam side which is what's causing the odd error message, It holds a bunch of Redists some of which are required by Endless legend to run, It should have a folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Steamworks Shared\_CommonRedist (assuming standard steam install)

From this Run DotNet 4.5.2, vcredist 2017 and DirectX Jun2010, If they are not there they can all be downloaded from Microsoft.

thanks CyRob, all those directories are there but they are empty, tried reinstalling dot net 4.5.2 but it had a refusal prob cos I;ve got windows 10 so have a more up to date version of dot net?

Should those directories have files in them ? 

Yes, Steam should download any that are required by installed games, it may be best to contact steam support about this as there would know more than me on how to resolve this.