The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – 360 – Preview 2


Bethesda knows all about creating compelling role-playing titles for the PC and
with the creation of Morrowind for the Xbox, the franchise took a new spin into
the console markets.

 

Elder
Scrolls IV: Oblivion is the next-generation game, created to take full advantage
of the capabilities of the Xbox 360 platform. It is a tale that does not stray
too far from the general feel of the Elder Scrolls saga, and yet manages to
streamline some gameplay areas from the last Bethesda adventure into the console
market.

 

“We
wanted it to feel similar,” admitted Bethesda’s Pete Hines, “but there were some
key things we wanted to do different.”

 


The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Xbox 360 screenshots

 

One of
the differences is that Oblivion was developed for the 360 and is not merely a
port of a PC title. The story follows a prisoner who is entrusted by a dying
king to deliver a talisman to his lost son. Incorporating dungeon battles as a
tutorial before working to the vast world above, Oblivion is a terrific journey
of discovery and creation – creation in the sense that there are no classes and
while players can pick from a pre-made class, they also have the option to
create their own class from the seven major class skills and 14 minor ones.

 

Armor
is a matter of learning to wear it and with the numerous armor choices in the
game, players will find creating a new look as close as the next chest they
discover (if they have the abilities to pick the lock, that is). And in the
grand tradition of RPGs, weapons are used and then discarded for better, and
players can learn some alchemy arts to craft potions that will prove vital to
their success in the game.

 


The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Xbox 360 screenshots

 


Character creation starts the ball rolling with a deep options package that
enables players to create a truly unique look in this single-player-only
experience. As players progress, they can collect different weapons, use a
stealth mode to sneak up on unsuspecting targets, and bind weapons, spells and
potions to the D-pad to create on-the-fly change-outs. The game can be played in
the first- or third-person perspective, as well.

 


Graphically the game was polished (Ok, a few rough spots remain, but it is not
quite finished), and the texturing in the environments was wonderful. The walls
of the prison reflected the little bit of light filtering through the window,
and the dungeons flickered in the orange glow of the torch. Targeting is crisp
and a little forgiving, and much of the player interface has been streamlined
and tightened up for a very intuitive experience. And if you are looking for a
rich soundtrack, Oblivion supplies that as well. Patrick Stewart is featured,
but Bethesda scored a coup by luring Terence Stamp into his first voice acting
role in a video game.

 


The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Xbox 360 screenshots

 


Oblivion looks to be one of those games that draw you in and then steals hours
from your day. With compelling graphics and sound, a rich and robust world, this
is definitely a game to look for after the launch of the Xbox 360.