View source for The Elder Scrolls: Castles

{{Short description|2023 video game}}
{{Infobox CVG
| title = The Elder Scrolls: Castles
| image = The Elder Scrolls Castles.webp
| alt = 
| developer = [[Bethesda Game Studios]]
| publisher = [[Bethesda Softworks]]
| series = ''[[The Elder Scrolls]]''
| producer = 
| designer =  
| programmer = 
| composer =  
| engine = 
| released = September 10, 2024<ref name="PocketGamer">{{cite web |last1=Astle |first1=Aaron |title=The Elder Scrolls: Castles is out now as a "spiritual successor" to Fallout Shelter |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/the-elder-scrolls-castles-is-out-now-as-a-spiritual-successor-to-fallout-shelter/ |website=[[Pocket Gamer.biz]] |publisher=Steel Media Ltd |access-date=April 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911055457/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/the-elder-scrolls-castles-is-out-now-as-a-spiritual-successor-to-fallout-shelter/ |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |date=September 10, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| genre = [[Construction and management simulation]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| platforms = [[Android (operating system)|Android]],<ref name="Engadget"/> [[iOS]]<ref name="IGN release"/>
}}
'''''The Elder Scrolls: Castles''''' is a 2024 mobile [[video game]] published by [[Bethesda Softworks]]. It is similar to the game ''[[Fallout Shelter]]''.<ref name="Engadget">{{cite web|first=Will|last=Shanklin|url=https://www.engadget.com/the-elder-scrolls-castles-is-like-fallout-shelter-but-skyrim-212404049.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929034554/https://www.engadget.com/web/20230929034554/https://www.engadget.com/the-elder-scrolls-castles-is-like-fallout-shelter-but-skyrim-212404049.html|title=The Elder Scrolls: Castles is like Fallout Shelter for Skyrim fans|website=[[Engadget]]|archivedate=September 29, 2023|date=September 28, 2023|accessdate=April 8, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
''The Elder Scrolls: Castles'' is a game in which the player trains their subjects, and performs other functions such as naming heirs and maintaining order so that their kingdom grows.<ref name="IGN release"/> The player takes the role of several different kings and queens that rule a royal dynasty and its castle.<ref name="kotaku"/> The player may customize the castle layout and can add and expand rooms, as well as decorate them and place monuments, and is also able to assign workers to stations.<ref name="Engadget"/> Each real life day spans over a full year in the game.<ref name="IGN release"/><ref name="Engadget"/> Aside from humans, the game world is also populated by High, Dark, and Wood Elves, Khajiit, Orcs, and Argonians.<ref name="Pocket Gamer Review"/> Players may also create heroes to send on quests to defeat foes from ''Elder Scrolls'' games to collect valuable items.<ref name="IGN release"/><ref name="Engadget"/> Combat involves various weapons and makes use of different skills.<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/>

==Development==
''The Elder Scrolls: Castles'' was released in [[early access]] in September 2023.<ref name="kotaku">{{cite web|first=Zack|last=Zwiezen|url=https://kotaku.com/elder-scrolls-castles-mobile-fallout-shelter-ios-beta-1850886941|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929184454/https://kotaku.com/elder-scrolls-castles-mobile-fallout-shelter-ios-beta-1850886941|title=Surprise, Bethesda Just Released A New Elder Scrolls Game|website=[[Kotaku]]|archivedate=September 29, 2023|date=September 2023|accessdate=April 8, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IGN release">{{cite web|first=Alex|last=Stedman|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/a-new-elder-scrolls-mobile-game-just-dropped-and-it-looks-a-lot-like-fallout-shelter|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928225411/https://www.ign.com/articles/a-new-elder-scrolls-mobile-game-just-dropped-and-it-looks-a-lot-like-fallout-shelter|title=A New Elder Scrolls Mobile Game Just Dropped, and It Looks a Lot Like Fallout Shelter|website=[[IGN]]|archivedate=September 28, 2023|date=September 28, 2023|accessdate=April 8, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> The game was later officially announced in January 2024 and was [[soft-launched]] in the Philippines the same month.<ref>{{cite web|first=Welsey|last=Poole|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/bethesda-finally-announces-the-elder-scrolls-castles-three-months-after-quietly-releasing-it|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118135350/https://www.ign.com/articles/bethesda-finally-announces-the-elder-scrolls-castles-three-months-after-quietly-releasing-it|title=Bethesda Finally Announces The Elder Scrolls: Castles Three Months After Quietly Releasing It|website=[[IGN]]|archivedate=January 18, 2024|date=January 18, 2024|accessdate=April 8, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> The game was released globally on September 10, 2024.<ref name="PocketGamer"/>

==Reception==
{{over-quotation |section=y|date=June 2025}}
{{Video game reviews
| GRadar = 2.5/5<ref name="GamesRadar Review">{{cite web|first=Rollin|last=Bishop|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/the-elder-scrolls/the-elder-scrolls-castles-review/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925193359/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/the-elder-scrolls/the-elder-scrolls-castles-review/|title=The Elder Scrolls: Castles review – "A retooled Fallout Shelter with more options and the same problems|website=[[GamesRadar]]|archivedate=September 25, 2024|date=September 2024|accessdate=April 8, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
| PG = 4/5<ref name="Pocket Gamer Review">{{cite web|first=Jack|last=Brassell|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-elder-scrolls-castles/review/|title=The Elder Scrolls: Castles review - "An enchanting kingdom sim|website=[[Pocket Gamer]]|date=September 16, 2024|accessdate=April 8, 2025|archive-date=April 8, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250408151027/https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-elder-scrolls-castles/review/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''Multiplayer.it''
| rev1Score = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web|first=Giorgio|last=Melani|url=https://multiplayer.it/recensioni/the-elder-scrolls-castles-recensione.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922173744/https://multiplayer.it/recensioni/the-elder-scrolls-castles-recensione.html|title=The Elder Scrolls: Castles, la recensione di un gestionale nel mondo di Tamriel|website=Multiplayer.it|language=it|archivedate=September 22, 2024|date=September 2024|accessdate=April 8, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

''[[GamesRadar+]]'' said "The Elder Scrolls: Castles promises to put you in charge of your own castle and dynasty, and it certainly does, but managing your subjects, making rulings, crafting gear, and venturing outside to fight only to do all of the above again and again and again makes the new Elder Scrolls title lose its sheen sooner rather than later".<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/>

''[[Pocket Gamer]]'' said "If you love Fallout Shelter and are looking for something to hold you while you wait (and wait) for Elder Scrolls VI, this game is for you".<ref name="Pocket Gamer Review"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|https://elderscrolls.bethesda.net/en/castles}}

{{The Elder Scrolls}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elder Scrolls: Castles, The}}
[[Category:2024 video games]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:Bethesda Game Studios games]]
[[Category:Bethesda Softworks games]]
[[Category:Early access video games]]
[[Category:The Elder Scrolls|Castles]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games set in castles]]