Bethesda’s got a new Elder Scrolls game this year — just not the one you expected

The Elder Scrolls Blades is a new, free-to-play mobile game, set to be launched this fall.

Bethesda’s Todd Howard introduced the game tonight, describing it as “a pure Elder Scrolls game” and “a massive first-person RPG with console quality graphics.” It features touch-screen combat in crafted and procedurally generated dungeons, as well as outdoor arenas.

Players can battle enemies in melee as well as using range abilities and spells. Leveling up and character creation is also part of the game.

The mobile game can be played in portrait mode as well as landscape. Howard says he wants The Elder Scrolls Blades to be released on many platforms, including consoles and VR. Players will be able to play across platforms.

The Elder Scrolls Blades will feature several modes. The Abyss is a roguelike in which players fight for as long as they can. Arena features one-on-one battles against other players. The Town is a hub for story and quests.

The Blades are the empire’s top agents forced into exile, according to Howard. The Town is destroyed. A building mode allows players to rebuild, upgrading and decorating individual elements. In turn, this unlocks new NPCs and quests. Players can also visit their friends’ towns.

The Elder Scrolls is Bethesda’s successful. long-running role-playing franchise. This announcement comes three years after the company launched Fallout Shelter, a mobile game for Fallout, making this Bethesda’s second foray into games for mobile platforms.

The Elder Scrolls Blades is playable at E3. We’ll have more impressions from the showfloor.

Source: Polygon – Full