Featured Image Credit: Donkey Crew
Topics: The Elder Scrolls, The Elder Scrolls 6, Bethesda, Valheim, PC, Steam, Xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PlayStation, PlayStation 5
Topics: The Elder Scrolls, The Elder Scrolls 6, Bethesda, Valheim, PC, Steam, Xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PlayStation, PlayStation 5
The Elder Scrolls VI is real but it arguably feels pretty intangible.
The project was first unveiled by Bethesda at E3 back in 2018 and it hasn’t surfaced again since.
It is still very much in development with Todd Howard recently revealing that The Elder Scrolls VI is playable internally, but he also confessed that launch is still a “long way off”.
We don’t know anything about the title, from where it’s set to what it's called. We don’t even know whether it’ll be available across all platforms.
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In the meantime then, you may find yourself looking for something that scratches the same kind of itch, so I’d like to direct your attention towards Bellwright.
Developed by Donkey Crew, Bellwright is an open-world survival RPG with the aesthetic and tonal feel of The Elder Scrolls but the gameplay loop of, say, Valheim.
It launched on PC in 2024 in early access, but it’s now been confirmed that Bellwright is also coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S soon.
“Establish and expand your own settlements, liberate the land and assist its villagers, and recruit others to your cause while learning more about a life you had to leave behind,” the synopsis teases.
“Command your forces, prove your valour through combat, and cement yourself as the hero of your people.”
You’ll assume the role of someone who’s on the run after being framed for the murder of a prince and sentenced to death.
Eventually, you find the contract of the assassin who did carry out the job. Was it bad luck that you were framed? Or are you part of a larger plan?
Bellwright sees players establish settlements and power as they attempt to rise up against the crown.
“Your recruits will help you build up the resources and might be needed for a stand against the Crown. Command your forces, prove your valor through combat, and cement yourself as the hero of your people.”
As you’ve likely gathered from the Valheim comparison, you’ll need to gather, hunt, build and craft as you manage resources, expand your settlements, grow your armies, and liberate regions from the crown.
When you free a settlement, you’ll assume control of it.
There’s also combat involved in Bellwright with players able to pick from a variety of medieval weapons including swords, axes, mauls, bows, and polearms.
At the time of writing, Bellwright boasts a ‘Very Positive’ review score on Steam - and it’s important to remember that the game is still in early access.
I will add the caveat that there are some AI placeholder voice files in the game at the moment but it will be fully voiced when Bellwright departs early access.
Let’s hope the upcoming PS5 and Xbox Series X/S ports are just as successful. They remain without a release date.