92
MobyRank
100 point score based on reviews from various critics.
3.7
MobyScore
5 point score based on user ratings.

Description

A lowly prisoner has been cast into the depths of the dungeon in the Imperial capital of the province Cyrodiil. The fate of this prisoner suddenly changed when the Emperor Uriel Septim descended into the prison with his guards, fleeing from unknown assassins who have already slaughtered his children. But even an emperor cannot escape his destiny. Before the last assassin delivered the lethal strike, the old emperor entrusted the prisoner with the Amulet of Kings and asked him to find his illegitimate son, the last of the Septim bloodline. The Septims and the Amulet are the last barrier between the continent Tamriel and the dark dimension of Oblivion, and the delicate balance is threatened by the Daedra Prince of Destruction, Mehrunes Dagon, the prisoner being Tamriel's only hope.

Oblivion is the fourth title in Bethesda's Elder Scrolls series. The game sticks to the style of its predecessors featuring action-based combat, first-person and third-person views, and vast free-roaming environments. The player's chosen race and class determine the abilities the protagonist has in the beginning. The game allows the player to develop multiple types of characters without being limited to a specific role.

The advancement system, as was the case in previous games, is based on skill usage. When the player repeatedly use one of the skills, it improves. NPCs offer training (for a price) to help in advancing to the next stage. In time the protagonist can become an Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert and Master and gain certain bonuses for the skill. The skills of the foes are "levelled" to be approximately equal to or slightly above those of the main character.

There are numerous side quests which help the hero advance his or her abilities as well as gain fame. The player is free to roam the world without a particular goal, exploring towns, forts, caves, mines, and old temple ruins. Visiting shrines scattered around Tamriel grants the protagonist specialized skills, some permanent and some temporary.

Weapons and armor wear out with use and need to be repaired either with the help of special non-playable characters or by using an appropriately trained Armorer skill. Enhanced items (weapons, armor, clothing, rings, amulets) abound in the game for protection, resistance, reflection and special activities like walking on water, exploring underwater, becoming invisible or lightening the load. It is possible to open the gates to the Oblivion realm to grab their sigil stones, which can be used to make enhanced items. Higher-level mages can create their own spells, and enchant weapons, armor and clothing using filled soul gems in addition to sigil stones.

As opposed to Morrowind, mana points gradually regenerate over time, without the need to rest to replenish them. Active blocking has been added to melee combat. The game features full voice acting for all the NPCs. Dialogues typically contain less topics than in Morrowind, but more responses unique to different characters. In addition, the so-called "radiant AI" system makes characters follow their own schedules, engage in various activities or talk to each other regardless of the player's input. The game features fast traveling, allowing the player to instantly visit Cyrodiil's major cities or previously explored areas.

Alternate Titles

  • "上古捲軸4:遺忘之都" -- Chinese spelling (traditional)
  • "上古卷轴IV:忘却之地" -- Chinese spelling (simplified)
  • "TES4" -- Common abbreviation

Part of the Following Groups


Merchant Title Platform Price  
Amazon
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Windows $9.99  
ebay.com
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion    
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User Reviews

Medieval Fantasy Sims Unicorn Lynx Bronze Star Contributing Member (132767) 4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars
Envious doesn't even describe what I feel about this game... Indra was here Bronze Star Contributing Member (14332) 4.71 Stars4.71 Stars4.71 Stars4.71 Stars4.71 Stars
Large but bland James Glover (36) 3.29 Stars3.29 Stars3.29 Stars3.29 Stars3.29 Stars
While not as epic as Daggerfall, Oblivion improves upon Morrowind and is yet another ambitious and fun RPG from Bethesda. Kadath Bird Bronze Star Contributing Member (538) 3.86 Stars3.86 Stars3.86 Stars3.86 Stars3.86 Stars
a small step forward, a large step backward dorian grey (245) 2 Stars2 Stars2 Stars2 Stars2 Stars
One of the most broken and monotonous RPG's of recent memory. Jeffrey Graw (61) 2.57 Stars2.57 Stars2.57 Stars2.57 Stars2.57 Stars
A shining star, but why not a sun? Zolansilverspear (529) 4.29 Stars4.29 Stars4.29 Stars4.29 Stars4.29 Stars
Stunning tata_lu_stefan_cel_mare (17) 4.86 Stars4.86 Stars4.86 Stars4.86 Stars4.86 Stars
This is a proof-of-concept, not a game Chris Wright (99) 1.43 Stars1.43 Stars1.43 Stars1.43 Stars1.43 Stars

The Press Says

Yahoo! Games Mar 23, 2006 5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars 100
Gameguru Mania Apr 09, 2006 94 out of 100 94
Playback Jun, 2006 9.33 out of 10 93
Pelit May, 2006 92 out of 100 92
Jeuxvideo.com Mar 24, 2006 18 out of 20 90
JeuxVideoPC.com Mar 31, 2006 18 out of 20 90
Binary Joy Oct 28, 2006 4.5 Stars4.5 Stars4.5 Stars4.5 Stars4.5 Stars 90
PC Action May 22, 2006 88 out of 100 88
PC Powerplay May 03, 2006 87 out of 100 87
GameBoomers Jan, 2007 84 out of 100 84

Forums

Topic # Posts Last Post
Odd inclusion in game groups. 8 hydra9 Bronze Star Contributing Member (3855)
Sep 08, 2009
The Real Barenziah 13 Indra was here Bronze Star Contributing Member (14332)
Oct 08, 2008
Glowing faces? 3 Daniel Saner (2035)
Dec 28, 2007
Perspective 10 St. Martyne Bronze Star Contributing Member (3562)
Dec 26, 2007
Term overrated gets a new meaning 20 Unicorn Lynx Bronze Star Contributing Member (132767)
May 25, 2007

Trivia

The game has been in development since mid 2002. The long period of development was necessary due to the implementation of a new Radiant AI system and the graphics. A player may encounter while travelling the world of Tamriel: 35.544 shrubs and bushes, 67.730 plants and mushrooms, 94.013 trees and fallen logs and 395,696 rocks.


This entry was contributed by Kabushi (88430) and Spartan_234 (425)
 

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