Review Roundup - Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (pc/xbox360)

It's out now! The reviews took a bit of time getting here, but this is one HUGE game!

IGN says:
Anyone who played through the previous The Elder Scrolls game, Morrowind, will remember the almost total lack of direction, a feature which turned many off. While in that game that main quest didn't even begin until around 15 hours after starting, Oblivion kicks off with a major plot development and thrusts you immediately into the main adventure. Once given your initial task to restore order to Cyrodiil and shut down the demonic invasion from Oblivion, you'll never have trouble figuring out what to do next.

This is mostly due to the intuitive map and easy to use quest log. Whenever you accept a task to perform or are assigned a duty, an entry is made in your journal. By clicking on the quest you can see a brief description and set it to "active." Any active quest in your log is highlighted on your map screen with an arrow. Red arrows mean you need to pass through a door, green ones mean you're in the right place, and the arrow also pops up on the compass at the bottom of your screen for extra convenience. Unless you're a total masochist, it's a much welcome improvement, making quest objectives and locations much easier to find.

Currently, it's as good as gaming gets on the Xbox 360. If you're an RPG fan, it's an incredible experience. If you regularly beat RPG fans with hockey sticks, you should still try this one out. It's got combat issues, the hotkey system could have been implemented better and some may be ticked off by the environmental loading stutters. However, none of those criticisms hold back Oblivion from being a thoroughly enjoyable, user-friendly, gorgeous experience with enough content to keep you returning time and time again.
They scored it a 9.3 (out of 10)


Gamespot says:
This is a rare and remarkable achievement--a huge, open-ended, complex, detailed role-playing game that's fun to play and a pleasure to behold. Oblivion not only delivers everything that earned the Elder Scrolls series the devoted loyalty of a huge following of fans, but also significantly improves on the weaknesses of its 2002 predecessor, Morrowind. Morrowind earned recognition for being one of the best role-playing games in years, but the immersive and long-lasting experience it provided wasn't for everyone. Oblivion is hands-down better, so much so that even those who'd normally have no interest in a role-playing game should find it hard to resist getting swept up in this big, beautiful, meticulously crafted world.
They scored it a 9.6 (out of 10)


Eurogamer says:
The overwhelming thing about Oblivion isn't knowing where to start, but when to stop. It's an adventure game in the purest sense of the word in its effortless capacity to give the player a seemingly infinite wealth of possibilities - full of intrigue, excitement, risk, reward and this continual sense of the unknown.
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Much of this was true of Morrowind, of course, but technically, things have moved on to a breathtaking extent. Stepping out of the game's introductory (and obligatory) dungeon, nothing can prepare you for the genuine sense of awe of entering Tamriel's outside world. The beautiful, sweeping vistas are, without question, the most beautiful game settings achieved to date. Whichever direction you cast your gaze, there are marvellous sights to behold at every turn; lush grass sways over rolling hills, deer bound through dappled woodland, once-proud temples lie crumbling in ruins, while towns of immense, stunning architectural majesty stands proud in the distance, beckoning you to explore their secrets.
They scored it a 10 (out of 10)


Team Xbox says:
While we’ve touched on all of the major aspects of Oblivion’s gameplay, we haven’t begun to even scratch the surface because there are so many other areas and action to talk about, such as different creatures you’ll run into (including vampires!), free-form quests, and the arena. Fans of the series are probably already 400 hours in and not looking back. Still on the fence on whether this title has what you want gameplay-wise? It probably does. It is an RPG set in a “middle earth”-type of land, but it is packed full of enough action and customization to win over almost any gamer. The sheer variety is stunning, and a true benchmark in RPGs. You may start out trying to accomplish a quest objective, but it is so easy to get distracted by all that there is to do; hours may go by before you wind up back on the track you started on in the first place. The flow of the game is natural, and truly feels like it evolves with your character.

Upon booting up The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for the first time, the game feels overwhelming. Massive…daunting…basically, any synonym for freaking huge works. This left us (as it may for most) a bit unsure as to where to proceed, the right choices to make, or even what on earth is going on. However, once some time is spent furthering the main quest, picking up some side quests here and there, working on leveling up your character (plus going for a horseback ride or two), you will be hooked. This title evolves as players get deeper and deeper, and it just keeps getting better.
They scored it a 9.5 (out of 10)


The Busted Controller's take so far?:

This is one of the most mindblowing experiences i've ever had with a video game. Immersion is not the word, this game has the potential to captivate a player far more than any Massively Multiplayer RPG ever could. It's a marvel of game design, with beautiful artwork and assets all around. The framerate issues alluded to do exist, but not nearly to the degree that some have cited - in fact i've been so enthralled that i haven't noticed a one. The "load Times" are akin to the original Halo's one second pauses as areas load into memory. And entering cities and towns isn't unlike the "zoning" you see in many online role players (like Everquest II or Final Fantasy XI).

What continues to amaze is the amount of depth put into each and every aspect of the game, from the brilliantly executed main quest to the deep, multi-layerd sidequests (no fetching here!) to the wonderful degree of customization offered to your central character.

A general rule of thumb in past "open ended" RPG's was that freedom comes at the cost of storyline - Apparently Bethesda didn't get this memo. Not once thus far (in 15 hours or so of gameplay) has Oblivion hearded or coerced me to follow any sort of set path, and yet the tale thse guys have woven is on par with the best of the fantasy RPG epics!

Graphically the game also shines, and the third person perspective does indeed work extremely well (and the camera is scaleable, despite what one of the above posted reviews states) for everything but ranged combat.I actually prefer playing from this perspective, switching to 1st person when i draw a bow or toss a fireball.

Oblivion is a true classic in every sense of the word. Morrowind was a solid niche game, endlessly open ended yet hamstrung by many technological issues, Oblivion has all of morrowind's strengths, and none of its weaknesses. Bethesda has really proven itself with this one, the degree of care and attention this game has recieved places it in the upper echelon. The rarest of the rare. Bethesda can stand tall with the likes of Blizzard, Bungie, or Id software, they have created a game for the ages, and have provided the polish and care to ensure it remains that way.

A full review will be forthcoming. The score will be high.