Video Game Review: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

If you liked Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind then you probably couldn't wait to get your hands on the newly released sequel, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. I know I couldn't wait. I had my copy reserved months in advance!

The game starts with you in the Imperial city prison. For some reason, your cell happens to be home to a hidden escape passage from the Emperor's palace. The Emperor (voiced by Patrick Stewart from X-Men and Star Trek) is being chased by assassins. His guards are trying to help him escape through the passage hidden in your cell! This is where you get to follow them. For some reason the Emperor feels this was your destiny and allows you to tag along. But the assassins attack and strike the Emperor. Before he dies, he entrusts you with an amulet and tells you to find the lost heir to the throne. Without an emperor, the gates of Oblivion will open and the daedra will run amuck throughout the land. You must find an heir to the throne to get the gates of Oblivion to close!

In Oblivion, you get to create your own character. First, you decide on the look of your character. The customization possibilities are endless. It probably took me a good hour to decide. Customize hair color, skin color, hair style, and all facial features! When I said all... I mean all... eyes ears, nose, mouth, chin, etc. You also decide on a race, skills, birth sign, and other attributes that decide how your character will level up and what he/she specializes in.

Visually, Oblivion has the most impressive graphics of all time. The environment looks as if it is living and breathing. Day turns to night, plants grow, rain falls, etc. Just looking at the extreme detail put into the game will make you gasp.

Their are hundreds of NPC's (non playable characters). Each NPC has a look of their own, along with a schedule that they follow. Each NPC will be doing different things at different times of the day. Actions you take during the game affect how each NPC reacts to you. This is because Oblivion features the new Radiant AI system.

The game has a huge open environment. You can go anywhere you please and do as you please. You don't even have to take on the main quest until you deem to do so. I couldn't get over how beautiful everything looked so I just wandered around for a while. NPC's greeted me as they past by. Some were talking to other NPC's. Others were doing chores, riding horses, etc.

About the horses. Horses are new to the Elder Scrolls game. They are also a much welcomed addition. They make for a much faster and safer travel. Since the world is so massive, I recommend getting one.

Other than saving the world, there are other side quests, missions, etc. You can also join factions such as: The Thieves Guild, Mages Guild, Fighters Guild, etc. How do you go about saving the world? Kill the baddies, make potions, cast spells, repair armor... you can even steal things to make your life easier. Just don't get caught. Jail time sucks.

Oblivion has an ESRB rating of T for teen. This is because the game features blood, gore, violence, use of alcohol, and sexual themes. It is available for either PC or XBOX 360. An enormous game guide is available for those of you who need a bit a help. By enormous, I mean huge! It is more like a book! It has a whopping 368 full colored pages!