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Well worth the wait, an amazing game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 94 / 126
Date: March 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I've always been told the "good things come to those who wait." Well, in this case a GREAT thing has come.
Like another reviewer, I also just recently purchased my 360 (just yesterday!), though I'd had Oblivion on order for months. I suffered a little buyer's remorse seeing as the $400 for the system really wasn't budgeted at the time I dropped it, but the second I started playing this game, it all seemed to come together.
I'd heard alot about some of the 360's launch titles bombing, and how everyone was still waiting for the "next gen-ness" of this next gen console. So, as a die-hard "Morrowind" fan, my biggest fear was that the hype for this title would match it against standards it couldn't meet. Bethesda has stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball right out of its skin!
Visually, this game is amazing. The grass, the flowers, the trees, the statues, the rocks, the ruins, it's all breath-taking; there's truly no point in trying to describe the visuals here- words simply will not do. The character creation has got to be one of the most meticulous processes I've ever come across; I spent about 40 minutes tweaking my guy's nose, eyes and complexion to get them just right! Long story short, if you invest enough time (because there are tons of features you're able to adjust,) you can most likely make a character that looks disturbingly like yourself...
The combat system is much improved from Morrowind, not to mention more realistic. There's blood now and the 'rag-doll' mechanics are the perfect addition- I didn't even realize I wanted rag-dolls until I chopped a guy down at the top of a staircase who then proceeded to tumble down the stairs and lay beaten in a lifeless heap. My jaw simply dropped; it's the little things. I also like that the magic is a bit more accessible now; you need not toggle between melee and magic stances which made for some awkward moments in Morrowind...
The music is perfect. Unlike the sole score in Morrowind that permeated the entire game from beginning to end, Oblivion sports musical themes of mysticism, nature, dungeons, danger, heroism and a bunch others as far as I can tell. I have yet to feel any need to even think about utilizing the 360's awesome custom soundtrack feature with this game.
While all the reading that turned so many people away from Morrowind never bothered me, I must admit that the fact that everything is voiced over makes for a much more engulfing experience. And I do mean everything! No matter which direction you may steer a conversation, the people you'll interact with are on the ball with pertinent, AUDIBLE responses. And don't forget to eavesdrop every now and again; I've been told that you can even pick up some quest by litterally over-hearing NPCs talking amongst themselves!
That brings me to the NPCs (Non-Player/able Characters.) Unlike Morrowind and every other RPG since time immemorial, Oblivion's NPCs do not wander aimlessly, in predictable patterns or stay still in the same place day after day. These NPCs have been equipped with an AI of sorts that has them live there own life (based roughly on a 24 hour schedule, I believe) and interact with there surroundings! They sleep, they eat, they leave their houses to go to market or hang out in bars!
Oh, and the Collector's Edition IS worth the extra $10; very much so! The manual discussing the history of Tamriel is quite an interesting, descriptive read, and I'll admit a bit of childish pride in owning an authentic replica of a gold Septim! But the real gem of the C.E. is the second disc devoted strictly to detailing the making of this epic game. I'm a huge fan of "behind-the-scenes" stuff; I'm often made to consider things I might miss or take for granted without truly appreciating the labors and details that obviously go into creating games of this magnitude. I came away with an even deeper appreciation for the folks at Bethesda.
I could go on, but I've rambled enough. The game is truly amazing and is a worthy exercise of the 360's potential. Fellow Morrowind fans, if you haven't played this yet, you have no idea what you're missing; this is everything we've always wanted Morrowind to be and more. I'll close by saying that if Oblivion is what we've got to see in a next gen consle only four months after its launch, I get goosebumps imagining what we'll see in the months and years to come.

If you could only buy one game.....get this one!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: March 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

If you were like me and played Morrowind while thinking "wow, if this game had better graphics and a better combat scheme, I'd probably never stop playing it", this game is your answer. Oblivion builds on everything that was good about Morrowind and gives it a complete overhaul for your 360. The visuals are breathtaking, literally every screen looks like it could be a promotional screenshot. The environments are IMMENSE! You will spend considerable time exploring each area if you want to find the hidden goodies Bethesda sprinkles through the game. New features include revamped combat system, it's no longer 1.) Squeeze trigger 2.) Hope you hit something. Your actions are involved this time. Lockpicking also introduces a new mini game, which takes a little practice to perfect. You can purchase houses, ride horses, and fast travel by selecting a location on your map. No more scouring the map looking for a silt strider, or constantly recalling to the same place to hop on the "fast travel transit system"! All dialogue in Oblivion is spoken, and the voice acting isn't half bad. Interacting with different persuasions is possible, although I haven't experimented with that much, yet. In all, I don't see any games coming out this year that could really top this in "Game of the Year" voting. The collector's edition comes with a making of disc, a collectable coin from the Tiber Septim quest of Morrowind, and a Collector's book of Tamriel, which actually seemed to be of a higher quality than I was expecting, I was suprised. If you enjoy RPG's, or liked Morrowind at all, don't rent this game and waste 10% of the purchase price, buy it and block out the next two weeks to go exploring!

Oblivion Collectors

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: March 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Oh my gosh. This game is UNBELIEVABLE!!!! First of all, with most games you think the screenshots are digitally enhanced, and the graphics on the game really stink. But this is the real deal. Enviorments-perfect. Speechmatching-perfect. Storyline-perfect. Everything about this game is perfect. Also, with the collectors edition you get an authentic Septim coin, making-of dvd, and guide the the empire, which is totally worth the ten extra bucks. Don't waste your money renting the game; BUY IT!

Second Time

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Well, where do some of the reviews go? I wrote this once and no where to be found. Anyway:

I am an avid RPG player. Have been since computers first came out. My first ones were text driven on the Commodore 64. We have obviously come a long way.

I must give the creators of this one a lot of credit. RPG's for all consoles for the past few years have usually been great graphically, but always so darn short. This one has a lot of depth, for the most part is not linear, and what a great story of which you can follow it in any order you wish. It was great just walking the country side. It seems like you can walk forever.

Some minor annoyances but overall a good job. Unless I have not met any yet, it does get a little repetative walking the country side and only running into wolves as your foes. Would be nice to see a bear or something else.

So all in all, this is worth every penny of your money. The collectors edition extras are worth the extra $10 IMO. I have been disappointed by every launch title for the 360, but we finally have something to enjoy on it.

Lastly, my favorite part is in the small details. I happened to look inside a sewer pipe and there was one gold coin to be had. I love it.

Collector's Edition

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: March 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I originally intended to buy an XBox 360 at launch (now glad I didn't) but deferred due to Oblivion dropping out of the launch titles. Bought my 360 this Sunday so that I could play Oblivion on my HDTV instead of a wimpy LCD monitor screen. The graphics look stupendous as long as you're above 480P. The collector's edition seems worth it for 10 extra bux as the coin is actually a cute trinket and the guide to the empire is actually quite nice, though I have watched the making of dvd yet. Of course my standard disclaimer is - if you loved Morrowind, this appears to be Morrowind under heavy improvement. If you hated Morrowind... why are you even reading this?

WOW whatever.....Damn Great feeling

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: March 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

As I sat here playing the game yesterday for a few hours getting used to everything. The depth of this game the different combinations of live you can play in the story are just incredible. Now I do love my PC games don't get me wrong I enjoy the key board too. Well it sure is nice to have a game like this blasting the sound and the sheer size that you can see this game play on.....WOW..today I called in and I am ready to play all day, the kids at school the wife is at work,,, Oblivion look out here I come..........Rich

And then there was Elder Scrolls 4

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: March 24, 2006
Author: Amazon User

this game is perfect. I bought it just yesterday and I just cant put it down. the graphics are breathtaking, the gameplay and the story are far better then previous morrowind games that I loved. if you have a xbox 360 and dont have this game your missing out. not only is it the best game out right now on the XBOX 360, it might be the best game I have ever played in my life! yea you better go out and buy this game right now, if you dont already have it!

1 word AMAZING

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: March 25, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game is the giant of video games it stand out from the rest in almost every way, this game is also close to perfect or as close as we will get for a long time. I have been waitin for this game for a while and it was well worth the wait. Even though i was no fan of morrowind or 2 many other fantasy rpg's this game is probably the best game ever made for any console. It realy shows what the the 360 is capable of and shows u its power and is truely a next gen title. As i can see many others agree with me seeing the good reviews and talking to others about it ,all i can say is if you have it get others to buy it and keep the hype up about the game , and if you dont whats wrong with u? buy this game 2 DAY! U will be very happy you did.

Praise from the neophyte

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: March 27, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I am fairly new to the role playing games myself. And having never played any of the precursors to this game, I was going to just allow it to pass me by at first. Until a friend of mine talked me into it, it has been the best buy for my 360 yet!
For someone new to the games the first person view takes a little getting used to, but after you master that, the world is your playground. There are so many ways to customize your play and character (I must confess I spent at least an hour just creating my character). This game has left me wanting for absolutely nothing, from the perfectly synced conversations and breathtaking graphics, to the vast character development options. This has to be one of the greatest games out there.

Never really "got" Morrowind, but this is AMAZING.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 28, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I'm one of those people that just never really "got" Morrowind. My friends played it, and raved about the open ended gameplay, the immersive world, etc. etc. I watched a few people play it for an hour or so, but never really had a desire to pick it up.

Fast forward a bit, to the release day of Oblivion. I'm strolling through the store and see a copy of the Collector's edition sitting on the shelf. I've finished most of the games I picked up for the 360 when I bought it, so I grabbed it on an impulse. I am so glad I did.

After the first few minutes, I was hooked. The graphics are fantastic, the gameplay is interesting. This is probably the closest I've ever felt to being dropped into a real functioning world through a video game.

I'm not really sure what else to say. There's enough game here to keep anyone busy for a long, long time.

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