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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Review – An RPG Masterpiece Filled with Adventure and Magic

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Review – An RPG Masterpiece Filled with Adventure and Magic

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

9.7

Score

9.7/10

Pros

  • Immersive open-world gameplay
  • Extensive character customization
  • Advanced AI system creating dynamic NPC behaviors
  • Broad range of quests and factions to join
  • Deep lore and richly detailed world

Cons

  • Level-scaling system may feel unbalanced to some players
  • Visual graphics may feel dated by today's standards
  • Occasional bugs and glitches

When it comes to the Elder Scrolls series, each installment offers a new world, full of vivid characters, mesmerizing landscapes, and riveting quests. The fourth entry in the saga, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, doesn’t fall short of these expectations. Released in 2006, the game offers an immersive role-playing experience, painting a vast, open world teeming with fantasy and adventure. A successor to the revered Morrowind, Oblivion has carved its own path, capturing the hearts of RPG enthusiasts worldwide.

Gameplay

Picking up six years after the events of Morrowind, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion whisks players away to the province of Tamriel—Cyrodiil to be precise. The realm is under threat from a demonic invasion, and the player’s task is to safeguard the Empire and shape its future.

Oblivion stands apart with its striking open world, marked by a wide variety of geographical terrains, from dense forests and sweeping plains to lofty mountains and mysterious swamps. Each of the nine countries and regions within Cyrodiil offers unique landscapes and cultures, beckoning the player to explore them.

At the game’s outset, players can sculpt their characters down to minute details like complexion, eye color, and age, thus ensuring a truly personalized RPG experience. You can also select a birth sign and a class, the latter featuring seven primary and 14 minor skills. Depending on your choices, your character could be a warrior, a mage, a stealthy thief, or even a blend of these archetypes.

Oblivion introduced the Radiant AI, a dynamic system that lends a surprising degree of freedom and complexity to non-player characters (NPCs). They display intricate behavior and make choices that give depth to their personalities. Another key addition is the level-scaling system, which maintains a balanced level of difficulty, regardless of your chosen path in the game.

Players can join five factions, each with its unique quests and narratives:

  • The Fighters Guild: A collective of mercenaries undertaking physically demanding tasks.
  • The Mages Guild: A society of magic-wielders, striving to accumulate and preserve magical knowledge.
  • The Dark Brotherhood: An order of high-priced assassins.
  • The Thieves Guild: A safe haven for burglars and pickpockets who share their spoils with the group.
  • The Arena: A combat arena where warriors fight to the death for fame and fortune.

With over 200 dungeons, more than 250 major quest lines, and over 1000 NPCs, the open-ended gameplay of Oblivion offers nearly endless exploration and adventure. This vastness and attention to detail make it a remarkable entry in the Elder Scrolls series.

System Requirements

Recommended Requirements

  • Memory: 512 MB
  • Graphics Card: Direct3D compatible video card
  • CPU: Intel Pentium 4 2 GHz
  • File Size: 4.6 GB
  • OS: Windows XP/2000/7 64-Bit

Minimum Requirements

  • Memory: 128 MB
  • Graphics Card: 128MB Direct3D compatible video card
  • CPU: Intel Pentium 4 1.3 GHz
  • File Size: 4.6 GB
  • OS: Windows XP/2000