The Elder Scrolls Travels

"The Elder Scrolls Travels" are a series of portable games in "The Elder Scrolls" series of video games published by Bethesda Softworks for Java-enabled cell phones, Nokia's N-Gage, and Sony's PlayStation Portable. The titles are "Dawnstar" (2004), "Stormhold" (2003), "Shadowkey" (2004), and "Oblivion" (TBA).

Dawnstar

"The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar" (2004) is a computer role-playing game developed exclusively for Java-enabled cell phones in the style and scope of its fellow The Elder Scrolls games. It is one of four mobile "The Elder Scrolls" games published by Bethesda Softworks.

tormhold

"The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold" (2003) is a computer role-playing game developed exclusively for Java-enabled cell phones in the style and scope of its fellow "The Elder Scrolls" games. It is one of four mobile "The Elder Scrolls" games and is published by Bethesda Softworks. According to GameFAQS, it was originally released August 1, 2003.

hadowkey

Infobox VG| title = The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey


developer = Vir2L Studios, TKO Software
publisher = Vir2L Studios, TKO Software
designer =
released = November 11, 2004
genre = First person role-playing game
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: Teen (T)
platforms = N-Gage
media = MMC Card
requirements =Nokia N-Gage or later model
input =Touchpad, action keys

"The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey" is a role-playing game developed exclusively for the N-Gage in the style and scope of its fellow "The Elder Scrolls" games. It is one of four mobile "The Elder Scrolls" games and is co-published and produced by TKO Software and Vir2L Studios, the sister company of Bethesda Softworks, [cite web | url=http://www.vir2l.com/about.php| title=The relationship between Vir2L studios and Bethesda Softworks| work=Vir2L's About Page | accessdate=2007-01-27 ] and released on November 11, 2004 [cite web | url=http://www.smarter.com/n_gage_games---ps--ch-8--pi-5112.html | title=Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey specifications & detail information | work=Smarter.com | accessdate=2007-01-27 ] .

Notable locations within the game

Dragonstar - The northern most major city within Hammerfell that was formed by an organization known as the "Merchant Captains" and led by the Violet family of traders. In 397 half of Dragonstar is also under the control of Skyrim forces (who are unaware that they are taking orders from Tharn). Most of the end game events of Shadowkey takes place in and around this city.

Lakvan's Stronghold - Named after the rogue military general of the same name. This military post is located in the mountains on the Skyrim side of the Hammerfell/Skyrim border near the town of Snowline. It is the staging area for the military elements involved in trying to destabilize the northern regions of Hammerfell as well as a base of operations for Tharn's representative in the region, Asuul. Though they work together, Lakvan and Tharn do not like each other.

Snowline - A small town located dangerously close to the Hammerfell/Skyrim border on the Hammerfell side of it. While there are no military elements located in this town, representatives of both sides of the current conflict reside here trying to sway the population to join one of the two warring groups. Snowline becomes a hub for much of the mid game quests.

Fearfrost - An underground town of peaceful Goblins who (during the course of the game) are starting to notice that their leader is beginning to break their peace treaty between the Redguards and themselves. Important events to the main story take place here.

Blackwater - The starting village for the player, this village is located in a small valley near the High Rock/Hammerfell border on the Hammerfell side. At the start of the game, this town will be under attack by an (at the time) unknown force of bandits and their army of giant Rats.

Gameplay

Gameplay is handled with the numeric touchpad on the right side of the N-Gage as well as the normal game action keys. Additionally, this game allowed (via Bluetooth) 2 player co-operative gameplay. The player or players could create or use characters from the Argonian, Breton, Dark Elf, High Elf, Khajiit, Nord, Redguard, and Wood Elf races in game (These are the names used in the game manual itself). The classes available are Assassin, Barbarian, Battlemage, Knight, Nightblade, Rogue, Spellsword, Sorcerer, and Thief.

Critical reaction

The reviews it received were mostly mediocre. Notable concerns from reviewers included a weak draw distance, constant pop up due to the draw distance, overall graphical quality, and janky combat. Still, reviewers generally praised the game for its large world, great sound and the large amount of content.

Oblivion

Infobox VG| title = The Elder Scrolls Travels: Oblivion


developer = Bethesda Softworks
publisher = 2K Games, Bethesda Softworks
designer =
engine=
released = TBA
genre = RPG
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB: Teen
platforms = PlayStation Portable
media = UMD
requirements =
input =The game was originally slated for a December 2007 release on the PlayStation Portable but there has not been any reference or knowledge of the game since, suggesting that the game might be on hold or even cancelled. The true releasing date is unknown.

References

*cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/issue/2/12 |title=The Escapist on Greg Gorden |publisher=The Escapist |last=Varney |first=Allen |date=2005-06-19 |accessdate=2007-06-17

External links

* [http://www.n-gage.com/en-US/games/gamedata/shadowkey.htm Nokia N-Gage's Official Shadowkey webpage]
* [http://www.vir2l.com Vir2L's Official Site]
* [http://www.elderscrolls.com/games/shadowkey_overview.htm Bethesda's Official Shadowkey webpage]
* [http://www.elderscrolls.net/docs/shadowkey_interview_eng.php Interview with Shadowkey designer Greg Gorden]