While we eagerly await news of The Elder Scrolls 6, Bethesda has exciting news for mobile gamers. The Elder Scrolls: Castles, a mobile title inspired by Fallout Shelter, is set to launch globally on September 10th for iOS and Android.
Pre-registration is now open on the App Store and Google Play Store, allowing you to secure your spot for the game’s release. In Castles, you take on the role of a ruler’s trusted advisor, tasked with managing a castle and its inhabitants.
The gameplay draws inspiration from Fallout Shelter, offering familiar mechanics. You’ll customize your castle with various rooms, adjust the layout, and add decorative items for aesthetic appeal and bonus effects. For instance, a dragon painting can boost resident health generation, while a lantern can reduce oil consumption.
Strategic worker assignment is crucial, as you’ll need to place residents in roles that align with their skills and personality traits. As happiness increases, residents will start families, expanding your kingdom.
But your responsibilities extend beyond the castle walls. You’ll embark on quests for resources and engage in combat against enemies. Battles are streamlined for mobile play, allowing you to equip characters with appropriate tools and watch them fight automatically. However, the developers emphasize that mastery requires strategic planning.
Unlike Fallout Shelter’s focus on survival, Castles places a strong emphasis on assisting your monarch in governing. You’ll be involved in critical decisions, such as handling ogre raids, and the consequences of your choices can be significant.
Incorrect decisions or a decline in happiness can lead to the death of residents, including your monarch. Don’t fret, though, as you can always appoint a new ruler.
Castles also introduces a roguelike mode, offering endless combat and upgrade options. You’ll choose power-ups and battle enemies in an endless cycle, adding a new layer of challenge.
This isn’t Bethesda’s first foray into the Elder Scrolls mobile market. In 2020, they released The Elder Scrolls: Blades, an action-oriented game with engaging combat but marred by microtransactions. Castles, which had a surprise early access release in 2023, is finally seeing a global launch, and Bethesda is keen to showcase its features and gameplay to a wider audience.
