GAME DESCRIPTION: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is the most richly detailed and vibrant game-world ever created. This new chapter uses next-generation technologies to create a fully immersive gaming adventure. After the mysterious and untimely death of the Emperor, the throne of Tamriel lies empty. With the Empire ready to crumble, the gates of Oblivion open and demons march upon the land. To end this growing darkness, you must find the lost heir to the throne and unravel the sinister plot that threatens to destroy all of Tamriel. Next-generation graphics for lifelike towns, dungeons, and the most realistic forests ever created in a game — optimized for high-definition TVs.
Features:
* Open-Ended Game Play – The world of Oblivion is massive and completely open to exploration — filled with shorter challenges like ighting bandits, mixing potions, creating magic items and persuading friends
* Create and play any character you can imagine, from the noble warrior to the sinister assassin to the wizened sorcerer
* All-new 1st-person combat and magic systems for a new level of intensity
* Groundbreaking AI where NPCs will make their own choices – they’ll even eat, sleep, and complete goals all on their own
* More than 1000 NPCs come to life like never before — complete with facial animations and unscripted conversations
* Create and play any character you can imagine, from the noble warrior to the sinister assassin to the wizened sorcerer
* All-new 1st-person combat and magic systems for a new level of intensity
* Groundbreaking AI where NPCs will make their own choices – they’ll even eat, sleep, and complete goals all on their own
* More than 1000 NPCs come to life like never before — complete with facial animations and unscripted conversations
* Open-Ended Game Play – The world of Oblivion is massive and completely open to exploration — filled with shorter challenges like fighting bandits, mixing potions, creating magic items and persuading friends
PLAY: Oblivion is a massive game that is the best release since last year’s Civ IV. Not only does Oblivion take the Elder Scrolls series to the next level but ups the ante for all games released from this point forward.
The hardest part about playing Oblivion is putting the controller down. You get lost in the massive map and the constant quests. On top of the main quests there are also some very interesting side tasks that will keep each level moving along. And then there are the numerous items to grab, sell, use, and more.
The game can be played in different perspectives: from above your character and then there is the first person perspective. One of the most interesting aspects is the way you see the different weapons carried. If it’s a two handed weapon they are always in the right hand corner of the screen—its annoying at first however you realize that is exactly the way you’d see it were you the person carrying the weapon.
Another interesting and amazing aspect of the game is the physicality. When you kill a goblin you can still chop them and watch their body move when they are lying dead on the ground. It is truly amazing physics. In Oblivion everything is brilliantly executed.
The combat is wack, wack, wack—for a while. Then you must use some intelligence and figure out how to defeat seemingly undefeatable enemies. One instance found us running away from a well armored goblin only to trap him in a gated room where we were able to attack him at will. That doesn’t mean the enemies are without AI. In fact the monsters are smart, swift, and relentless.
There are occasions where stealth can be used to catch a monster off guard. You can also turn invisible and yet the AI is so good that monsters will fight blind and hack thin air hoping to make contact.
Each city or area has a plethora of interactive characters. Some give interesting information while others have wares to sell. An interesting addition is the mini-game in which you try to persuade the character to become friendlier with you so that it’s easier to negotiate. Each character is unique and that helps add to the volume of game play. Because each player is unique and has something different to say you’ll want to talk to everyone.
When trying to go from town to town you can either walk or teleport. It sounds like an obvious move to teleport however there are areas along the way that offer mini quests where you can earn gold, gain weapons, and experience points. And don’t forget to forge through the woods. There are a lot of goodies in the hidden caves!
GRAPHICS: The only possible thing to complain about is the loading times. Outside of the loading times Oblivion is gorgeous. If you can find a better looking game we’d like to see it. Oblivion must be seen on HDTV!
SOUND: The voice of the emperor is marvelously done by Patrick Stewart. The dialogue throughout is amazing.
FRANKLY: Oblivion takes a week to conquer if you play it consistently. There were tasks that can be avoided which will drive you back for more. We played Oblivion a few times just to see how different the game was with different characters with their different skills and abilities. Another reason you might go back and play another round is that you can follow the chosen quest or do something completely different like being bad and steal and more.
+ Richie Wright
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