Every once in a while, a game comes along that is so powerful and immersive that it makes you rethink and redefine what you’re expecting from a particular genre. For FPS games, it’s Halo. For action games, it’s Grand Theft Auto III. For RPGs, look no further than The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for the game that redefines RPGs and sets a new bar for the genre.
The Gate Opens
Oblivion opens in Cyrodil’s Imperial City prison, where Emperor Uriel Septim VII is trying to escape an assassination at the hands of the forces of darkness. You’re in the cell where the emperor’s escape route is and you follow the Emperor out of the caverns and sewers. The Emperor falls, but not before giving you the Amulet of Kings—he trusts you enough to find the man who knows the location of Tamriel’s only remaining heir to the throne. You embark on a mission to restore the kingdom of Tamriel and place the prince on the throne…or you don’t.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is unlike many of the RPGs out there on the market and proves that America can have a fair share in participating a very Japan-dominated genre of games. First of all, Oblivion is primarily in first person view and in real-time, which makes for some compelling and visceral combat – melee combat, stealth kills, spell casting – you do all of it from the first person perspective. Not only that, but the combat is so well-balanced and the controls are so responsive that Oblivion’s best battles rival even the most intense FPSes on the market. Enemies are tough but fair and highly contrasting combat styles makes it all the more immersive and fun. If Oblivion had an online battle mode, it would somehow become even better than it already is.
Free Form Gameplay
Second, Oblivion does not require you in any way, shape, or form to participate in the main story except for the introduction; it is perhaps the most non-linear game in the history of the industry. Players can take an absurd amount of side quests, enroll in guilds, participate in the arena, or just wander aimlessly. The main story is wonderfully epic and intriguing and can be picked up after any amount of exploring/side quests/wondering is completed, which is another huge plus. In Final Fantasy and other JRPGs, the player is usually “locked†into the main narrative—but not in Oblivion, which can make the main narrative that much more interesting.
Third, the diversity in Oblivion gives the game an unreal and unbelievable amount of replay value. All of the different races, classes, and signs create a different gameplay experience each time around. No two classifications of any kind play exactly alike. Gamers are always asking for more customization and power over their gameplay experiences. Look no further than Oblivion for that. The other empowering part of Oblivion is that most of the time, players can attain any skill they want. Want to change from a melee fighter to a stealth combatant? You can do it; it’ll just take some time. In Oblivion, classes are not as restricting as they are in JRPGs; they just add to what skills you’ll be focusing on, not dominating your experiences.
The graphics in Oblivion are a sight to see and are leaps over what you’ve seen in Resistance and MotorStorm. Stunning backgrounds with well-detailed scenery, Tamriel is an imaginative world brought to life. There are some odd or ugly textures in the game, but they are few and easily forgivable in a game this beautiful. The world is so big as well — seemingly across countless acres of land — that it’s easy to get lost in it and just go exploring. Oblivion is a visual treat that’s sure to please any graphics aficionado out there.
Like A Beautiful Siren
The audio in Oblivion is simply amazing. From voice acting to sound effects to the game’s astoundingly pleasing soundtrack by Jeremy Soule, Oblivion does not fail at all in audio. Voice acting, from major characters to NPCs, has conviction and is completely believable, setting a bar across the industry. The sound effects are a treat as well. Swords clang together with vigor, and spells have the otherworldly casting sounds you’d expect. The standout piece of audio in the game, though, is Jeremy Soule’s original soundtrack. Soule makes powerful, brilliant music that compels the player to listen in without being loud. The original soundtrack perfectly compliments the game, from walking around in towns to fighting epic battles. Oblivion’s score is an instant put-it-on-your-MP3-player soundtrack.
Save The World, One Loading Screen At A Time
When you dive into the amazing world of Oblivion, though, there tends to be a good amount of loading. From what’s been said, it’s not the staggering load times present in the Xbox 360 version, but the load times are still there. The PS3 gameplay experience isn’t impeded by load times, but if you’re walking through doors a lot, the load times add up. The outside world has very few load times that don’t stop you from playing at all. Players can often keep on moving through the “Loading area” messages.
Forget About World Of Warcraft
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a video game tour de force. An RPG instant classic with endless depths of replay value, Oblivion will give any RPG fan of any kind an experience they’ve never had before. Amazing from top to bottom, gamers looking for something to justify their $600 purchase will find a good start in Oblivion. Gamers should be aware that Oblivion is powerfully addictive. If you are prone to video game addiction, Oblivion is not an ideal purchase; it’s extremely easy to get lost in the depth and ease-of-use that Oblivion has. Otherwise, go out and pick up Oblivion if you’re like me and you’ve never played it (or any ES game); it’s a must-own experience.
