The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey

Official Nokia packshot (Europe)

Developer	Vir2L Studios, Bethesda Softworks (USA)
Publisher	Bethesda Softworks
Released	2004-11
Status	Released
Genre	RPG
Multiplayer	Bluetooth (4 players)
Product code	6R51

A first-person action RPG set in the Elder Scrolls universe, developed by Vir2L Studios with TKO Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, released exclusively for the N-Gage in November 2004. Players explore the war-torn Western Reach borderlands between Hammerfell, High Rock, and Skyrim, seeking seven Star Teeth crystals to defeat the shadow entity Umbra'Keth — with the choice of nine character classes and eight playable races from the established Elder Scrolls canon.

Shadowkey was produced by a 15-person team drawn from four organisations — Vir2L Studios (art and production, Washington D.C.), TKO Software (programming and design, Dallas), Nokia (production and localisation), and Babel (QA) — over approximately nine months. Artists from the Morrowind team contributed visuals to ensure consistency with the broader series, and the game reused music from Morrowind's soundtrack. It remains the only Elder Scrolls title released on a Nokia platform and one of only three Elder Scrolls Travels games, alongside Dawnstar and Stormhold for J2ME. The game's lore is considered canon within the Elder Scrolls universe. Up to four players could explore cooperatively via Bluetooth — unusual depth for a handheld RPG of the period. Critics praised the co-op and world detail but criticised short draw distance and unwieldy controls; Metacritic aggregated a 59/100 (GameSpot: 6.1/10, 1Up.com: 6/10).

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Gameplay

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Official Nokia Description

In the fantasy empire of Tamriel, Shadowmage Skelos Undriel is on the run and hotly pursued by agents of Battlemage Jagar Tharn. Driven from the heart of the empire, Undriel flees to the Western Reach to find refuge -- and instead finds himself in the middle of The War of the Bend'r-mahk, a fierce conflict between the regions of High Rock, Hammerfell, and Skyrim. Undriel hides himself in the chaos enveloping the region of Dragonstar, where he hatches a desperate plan: collect the Shadowkeys -- magical objects strewn about the area -- and gather enough strength to overcome Tharn's agents, then face the terrifying shadow power of the Umbra' Keth.

Your village has safely remained just out of reach of The War of the Bend'r-mahk, but now danger strikes from another direction. You must save your village from marauders who are but pawns in the struggle to capture Shadowmage Skelos Undriel, who himself is but one more piece in a darker and more sinister game. You'll journey through rugged terrain, despoiled temples, bandit lairs, and murderous caverns. You'll fight many foes in your search for the power of the Shadowkeys and the Star Teeth, and your journey will lead you to the ultimate test, deep in the Crypt of the Heart.
- A completely new Elder Scrolls storyline exclusively for N-Gage, built to impress both long-standing Elder Scrolls fans and newcomers alike
- Choose from the classic Elder Scrolls characters classes including Assassin, Barbarian, Knight, Nightblade, Rogue, Spellsword, Sorcerer, and Thief
- Design your character from a selection of classic Elder Scrolls races: Argonian, Breton, Dark Elf, High Elf, Khajit, Nord, Redguard, and Wood Elf
- Discover dozens of spells and weapons - you'll need them when you encounter over 50 monster types
- 13 dungeon levels in a detailed and open-ended fantasy setting -- ancient temples, bandit lairs, and more
- Explore 5 additional levels of rugged 3D terrain, each with questsand adventures of their own
- Artists on the Morrowind® team ensured that Shadowkey's visuals have not only the look-and-feel of the award-winning series, but also the quality and level of detail
- Play co-operatively with your friend over a wireless Bluetooth connection

Original All About N-Gage Description

Read Lassi's Review on All About N-Gage.

Screenshots:

The Elder Scrolls