The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Reviews
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Despite the aforementioned issues (which are enough to give some pause), it's hard for me to resist recommending Oblivion to any RPG fan. Assuming one has a system with the muscle to run the game and the player is willing to accept some technical glitches, there simply isn't a better RPG experience available. After three iterations, the world-builders of Bethesda have come as close as anyone ever has to giving us a truly living, magical universe to play in.
The second is at GameSpy with an overall score of 4/5 for the Xbox 360 version:
Oblivion is a game with enough obvious, objective virtues that nothing will stop you from playing through and enjoying it if you really want to. Looking great and providing a ton of content are laudable qualities in a videogame, and this game delivers them like no other game before it (with the possible exception of Morrowind, the last game in the series). It's got plenty to recommend it, but apart from its unprecedented visual achievements this is not a life-changing, essential or fully "next-gen" experience. It's a good, solid RPG that doesn't break the mold but instead makes one that's bigger and shinier.
The third is at Boomtown with a perfect score of 10/10:
Here we have a game that is intelligent and uncompromising yet wonderfully easy to get involved with and enjoy. Yes there are problems with the levelling system, without these issues we'd be in danger of this actually being the proverbial perfect game. Perfection or not, Bethesda has created a milestone in gaming with Oblivion, a free-form adventure of such a high quality that I cannot do anything but offer our highest score. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is not perfect, but it's the best game in town, avoid it at your peril.
The fourth is at JustPressPlay with an overall score of 9.5/10:
While it may only be about a fourth as long as Morrowind at 25 or so hours, some may complain. But when you see how nice this game is, you can see why they didn't have time to put in another 75 hours of story.
The fifth is at GameDreamz with an overall score of 9.5/10:
A Bethesda rep told me that when crafting the land of Tamriel several of their developers went to study Geology and soil erosion. At the time I thought it was a convenient excuse for a vacation; but upon glimpsing the world of Oblivion you will know that that was no picnic those developers went on! They studied hard and it shows: Never in ANY game have I been set in a virtual world that looked so natural. Rock formations, clumps of boulders, and just the way in which the whole landscape seems bumpy and uneven lends the game an organic feel that you'll swear only tectonic plates could produce. Well that and an Ice age or two. There simply is no way for words to accurately portray just how unprecedented the jump is that Oblivion has made in terms of World design!
The sixth is at Foogaming with a perfect score of 5/5:
Even though the it's still early in the year, already the words, (Game of the Year), is being used to describe Oblivion. There's many games that will be great in 2006, but I'm adding Oblivion to my Game of the Year pick as well. Even after over 48 hours of game time put into the game, I'm just as excited playing the game as I was when I first entered the world. Suffice to say, Oblivion will be on my hard drive long after most other games get uninstalled.
And the seventh is at ComputerGames Romania with an overall score of 84/100:
The truth is that Oblivion will represent a very different experience for each and every one of you. Some will hate it, some will love it, others will abandon it after a while or wait for some fan made mods to entirely change the game experience. Oblivion isn't something that you can (study in the library) or (read about in books). You have to experience it for yourself and make your own opinion. I've made mine. And until Gothic 3 is released, I'm going back to Fallout 2 and Planescape Torment.
