THE GOOD:
Breath-Taking Scenery
Tons of skills to build up
Many original pieces of armor, with many unique types
Mostly fun, and enjoyable quests
Side Quests to purchase, or buy as a bundle such as the Shivering IslesTHE BAD:
Load times
SUMMARY:
Although I've only played Oblivion via PS3, it has got to be one of the most breath taking games of this century. It's a game that makes you want to stop riding your horse, and just camp out and watch the sunset, fake, but pretty.
Well... Maybe I should go in-depth on that. In The Elder Scrolls:Oblivion, you start as a prisoner. When the Emperor and his royal guard enter you cell and open a passage in the wall, you have only one choice to freedom... Follow them. From there you escape, and choose your destiny. A long, but rewarding story in destroying the evil of Cyrodill. Becoming a master thief and restoring the wealth to the commonfolk. Joining some of the most famous knights and warriors all over the land. Being accepted into the Dark Brotherhood, a group of relentless murderers. Or roaming the Countryside, making your own destiny as you go.
Although there are constant load times, they are well worth it. Whether it be the Graphics, the interesting story, the thrilling fight, or interesting store you are about to enter, you will always find something to do in the next room. Oblivion takes place in the world of Tamriel. At the beginning you choose things such as your race, gender, hair and the such. After you follow the Emperor and his men, you will be given the chance to choose a class from the list, or make your own. If you choose to make your own class, you can choose from 7 major skills. Some of those may include...
Blade: The blade skill allows you to inflict more damage using a Bladed weapon such as a sword, dagger, or broadsword.
Blunt: Blunt skill allows you to inflict more damage using a Blunt weapon such as a hammer, mace, club or axe.
Marksman: Marksman is the skill of the bow. Depending on how your level is, the higher you will be able to hit on an enemy.
Armorer: Armorer is a non-combat skill that allows you to use a "Repair Hammer" on a piece of armor or clothing that needs repairs. This is convenient as you will be able to repair your battle-torn armor on the road.
Destruction: Destruction is one of the many skills of magic. Destruction spells and scrolls allow you to cast a spell that will allow you to inflict damage on your enemy, such as shooting a bolt of lightning.
Restoration: Restoration is another magic skill, allowing you to heal yourself in mid-combat or not. Very helpful, as you may need this to heal yourself in the middle of a fight, to keep you from dying.
Heavy Armor: Heavy armor is how well you use heavy armor to your ability. The higher your level, the less it will burden you and the longer it will stand against in combat. Heavy armor involves Steel, Iron and Daedric.
Light Armor: Light armor is just alike, but using armors such as fur, leather or Chainmail.
Speaking of Burden...
Burden is the amount of weight your allowed to carry in your backpack, and wearing on your body. The amount of weight allowed is effected by your Strength level. This is an attribute, and not a skill. The higher your Strength attribute, the more weight you can carry. Certain items can also effect the weight, whether it be negative, or positive. Certain items like Gauntlets of Greed may raise your power in combat, but lower the amount of weight you can carry. And the ring of lightness may let you walk on water, yes water. And will also let you carry some more.
Back onto the topic of Graphics... Some of the graphics are amazing, and some can be horrendous. The effects such as lighting and water ripples can look realistic at times. But sometimes the fire may get a bit choppy, as if you used a fire spell onto a wall.
The game also features in-game music. The music you hear most of the time, such as in stores, cities, out on the countryside when it is peaceful is very mellow and soft. However, music can also be dangerous sounding, and loud if you are in danger or there are enemies near by. so if your sneaking around in a dungeon, keep that music up, you never know when a Minotaur may be breathing down your back.
If you are into these genres such as RPG's, Action, and Adventure, your looking at a good 100-200+ hours of gameplay. In Oblivion you can basically do anything. Maybe polish up your old warhammer and go on a rampage, crippling citizens and guards alike.
On the topic of skills, we'll look back at those 7 Major skills that you'll pick. After leveling those skills up 10 times in any of the 7 major, you'll be ready to advance to the next level. (20 in total) But you can't advance to a new level in the middle of the woods, can you? To find a place to meditate, you must go to an Inn, or your house that you can purchase, and sleep on a bed. You will then get to choose some advancements to your attributes. (2 choices per Level-Up)
In the game if you'd like to complete the full story, you must do the main Quest. Restoring the heir of Cyrodill, and taking back the land from the evils of the Daedric Prince. However side quests such as helping a Farmer and his Sons protect a farm from Goblin attacks are not necessary. Although most side quests are there to benefit you.
And when you are in one of the guilds as mentioned above, you will be assigned missions. These may range from murdering someone in their sleep, to looking in on a recent drug deal and stopping it.
