Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Despite the fact that the game came out a year ago there are many out there who may not have had the opportunity to play it. In a console war it's always hard to gauge which system will do better than another so chances are good that many PlayStation 3 owners do not own an Xbox 360. If you fall into that category you'll be pleased to know that the game is still as great as ever though you're missing a few things the PC and 360 received.
This incarnation of Oblivion comes complete with the Knights of the Round expansion though the Shivering Isles is nowhere to be found. Also absent are some of the other updates to the game that Bethesda made available for download on the original platforms due to software limitations of the PlayStation 3. Don't feel dejected though, this is still one of the longest and most engaging games you'll ever play. It's just that the other versions of the game are superior in terms of additional content.
Like most RPG games Oblivion features a tale of good versus evil. The story is told through events that happen before your eyes and the sense of immersion is phenomenal. The game gets started in a dank prison cell where your character is rotting away but things become interesting when Emperor Uriel Septim shows up to use a secret passage found in your quarters. This provides you a means for escape and before long you're out and about looking for the Emperor's son and trying to seal several gates to Oblivion. The forces of darkness await you at every turn but it's the open-ended nature of the game; not the story, that will keep you playing.
To say that Elder Scrolls: Oblivion is one of the most involved RPG experiences you'll find would be an understatement. Few games allow you to explore the world to the level that you can here and the beautiful thing is that you're encouraged to. Every corner of the Cyrodiil has been painstakingly crafted by Bethesda and you'll find yourself sucked in every time you turn the game on. Despite the fact that this game came out a year ago it remains one of the best experiences on the market and is easily one of the best games for the PlayStation 3.
At its core Oblivion is an action/RPG. That means you'll essentially be running around killing things and gaining experience by doing so. To summarize the game like that hardly scratches the surface of what awaits you. With the vast amount of micromanaging and things to tinker with combat is only one piece in the Elder Scrolls puzzle.
Everything you do in battle affects your character in some way or another. If you attack with a sword you'll become more proficient and the same can be said for axes, ranged weapons, and bare knuckles, etc. If you use a shield then that skill will go up. When you get hit your armor proficiency will raise. When you walk your agility will increase. See a trend developing here? So many areas of your character will change the more you use them and before long you'll find yourself wanting to trek from one end of the map just to increase your level. It's a fine system but it can get a little annoying after a while. Just be prepared to do the same menial task over and over again in order to receive some merit.
Needless to say you can really customize your hero into whatever you want them to become. At the beginning of the game you pick a character class that gives you certain benefits but for the most part the sky's the limit when it comes to developing your abilities and increasing levels. Delving into this deep mechanic is one of the most addictive features in Elder Scrolls: Oblivion but there's still a lot more to see and do.
At every point in the game you're going to have an active mission to focus on. It may be related to the main story or it may just be running an errand for someone, but at every second your journal will be filled with things to do. This is what will keep you talking to people, keep you interested, and most importantly, keep you playing for the next 100 hours or so.
In keeping up with the freeform style of gameplay Bethesda also included the ability to do many things to make your character unique. Apart from missions and jumping around like an idiot to increase a skill you can do many things unheard of in linear RPGs. Collecting plants for potions, stealing from people's houses, and journeying to the corners of the continent in search of cool items will keep you occupied for hours. It's a satisfyingly open exploration system that rivals any MMORPG.
In addition to goofing around, saving the world, and completing missions across the globe there are guilds to join as well. This means that before long you'll be taking on guild assignments and performing various tasks for them. Every aspect of the game makes you want to get out and see the beautiful world of Tamriel and it's done so with great effect.
Whether you're playing it on the 360, PC, or PS3, Oblivion is quite honestly one of the best RPGs ever released. Every corner of the game has been painstakingly crafted to make you feel unchained and empowered to do whatever you want. The gameplay in this version is just as solid as the others though the lack of extra content stings a little bit. Getting Knights of the Nine included is nice and all but not having everything else is a let down.
Oblivion is one hell of a game to play, there's no denying that. In that department the PlayStation 3 version is just as strong as the others. In terms of the visual nature of the game it's hard to believe but this latest edition actually looks better than the previous ones. The game receives HD output at 480p and 720p resolutions and despite the lack of a full 1080p the game looks bloody brilliant.
Textures are richer, effects are bolder, colors more vibrant, and the world seems somehow more refined while walking around if that's even possible. The PS3 version stutters a little bit is with some pop up and framerate hiccups. These instances are slightly annoying more than anything else but they hardly take away from the experience.
Like the video presentation of Oblivion, the audio department shines at every turn. The voice acting is top notch with names like Patrick Stewart, Lynda Carter, Terence Stamp, and Sean Bean. The dialogue is deep and a seemingly endless amount of recordings are packed onto the disc. Throughout the game there are a few points where the voiceovers glitch but for the most part it's smooth sailing from start to finish. Like the acting in the game the sound effects and music come together to make a remarkable experience.
A year and another platform later and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is still one of the best games on the market. The gameplay is as rock solid as ever with so much depth that it's downright daunting at times. You'll find yourself sucked into the game because there is simply so much to do and the sense of accomplishment is satisfying. The graphics and sound are amazing as well though a few glitches can be found in both.
Is the PlayStation 3 version worth getting if you already own the game for the PC or Xbox 360? Sadly, no. The PS3 version only includes Knights of the Nine with nothing in terms of downloadable content or the Shivering Isles expansion. Therefore your experience is more complete with the original release from a year ago. That being said if you own a PS3 and don't have the ability to play the game on other platforms then buying this is an absolutely must. It's one of the best games for the system despite the fact that it's technically a year old. Highly Recommended