I have truly enjoyed the Elder Scrolls series, more than any other RPG game or series. The open ended feel, wide range of quests, and unique method of levelling a character all added to an RPG experience like no other.
Oblivion continues the format, with a number of significant changes over its predecessor - Morrowind. One of the complaints I had with the latter game is that it became pathetically easy after gaining only a handful of levels, as there were a number of simple buffs (alchemy!) that would make the character nigh invincible. The quests were still interesting, but the combat became too easy. Oblivion changes this by leveling the monsters along with the character. For instance, at low levels you could be wandering through the forest and run into a relatively easy to kill wolf, but at higher levels later down the road in the very same forest you might run into a very tough troll or minotaur. I have mixed feelings about this game feature. On the one hand, it does keep combat challenging and often intense, thereby making it more interesting. On the other hand, if you wait too long to pick up the main quest, it can be extremely challenging and frustrating to complete. You must be careful about creating your character and finding and making use of the trainers in the game to help boost skills and stats on the level ups. Standing toe-to-toe with multiple enemies in Morrowind was no problem at mid to higher levels - in Oblivion this is asking for a lot of hurt just about any time in the game, if not downright suicide. It certainly gives a FPS edge to the game that will keep you on your toes.
Another refreshing change is with the mercantile system, if you will. Merchants now have unlimited gold, but a cap on the amount they will pay for one item. Now you don't need to employ bizarre strategies to get the merchant gold higher, just need to give them a serious discount on very valuable merchandise (not a problem as with all the looting you'll have plenty of gold anyway). Items in general are not as valuable and mercantile/persuasion won't get you top dollar for your goods, as it did in Morrowind. There are no merchants (to my knowledge) like Creeper or Mudcrab that will give you full price - most give 50% or less of full value for items. You can still use alchemy to create and sell potions, but the homemade brews won't net you a fortune.
Something else that for me is a mixed bag is that Oblivion introduces minigames for persuading NPCs and picking locks. Both seem to be independent of speechcraft and security. That is, if you play the minigame well, the outcome will be favorable - a happy NPC and a picked lock, that is. It is a little bit fun at first, but can be just as tedious as the old method after a while. I'd rather just have the comp check my security skill against the lock and automatically decide the outcome. Same with persuasion. On the other hand, at least you have a chance with both endeavors even early game, if you are patient (the series in general does require a bit of this attribute).
In general, Oblivion is an outstanding game and one that I have enjoyed tremendously, albeit with some frustration. The game world is nearly breathtaking to behold. The landscape is beautiful, and jam packed with caves, ruins, and other locales to explore. The creatures have gotten a serious visual upgrade over Morrowind. All the Daedra look and sound more terrifying, particularly the Daedroth and Dremora - wow! For a minute there I thought I was playing Doom 3.
The quests are varied and interesting. The guilds don't give you as many things to do, but that seems right. After all, aren't there other members in these guilds? And if so, why would they give you all the work? It makes it easier to keep track of quests when you don't have so many to complete at the same time.
I got the original game and both expansions in a pack for $20 at Best Buy, and to me that is an absolute steal for this game. RPG fans, and Elder Scrolls fans in particular, should not miss out on this fantastic experience.
Oblivion continues the format, with a number of significant changes over its predecessor - Morrowind. One of the complaints I had with the latter game is that it became pathetically easy after gaining only a handful of levels, as there were a number of simple buffs (alchemy!) that would make the character nigh invincible. The quests were still interesting, but the combat became too easy. Oblivion changes this by leveling the monsters along with the character. For instance, at low levels you could be wandering through the forest and run into a relatively easy to kill wolf, but at higher levels later down the road in the very same forest you might run into a very tough troll or minotaur. I have mixed feelings about this game feature. On the one hand, it does keep combat challenging and often intense, thereby making it more interesting. On the other hand, if you wait too long to pick up the main quest, it can be extremely challenging and frustrating to complete. You must be careful about creating your character and finding and making use of the trainers in the game to help boost skills and stats on the level ups. Standing toe-to-toe with multiple enemies in Morrowind was no problem at mid to higher levels - in Oblivion this is asking for a lot of hurt just about any time in the game, if not downright suicide. It certainly gives a FPS edge to the game that will keep you on your toes.
Another refreshing change is with the mercantile system, if you will. Merchants now have unlimited gold, but a cap on the amount they will pay for one item. Now you don't need to employ bizarre strategies to get the merchant gold higher, just need to give them a serious discount on very valuable merchandise (not a problem as with all the looting you'll have plenty of gold anyway). Items in general are not as valuable and mercantile/persuasion won't get you top dollar for your goods, as it did in Morrowind. There are no merchants (to my knowledge) like Creeper or Mudcrab that will give you full price - most give 50% or less of full value for items. You can still use alchemy to create and sell potions, but the homemade brews won't net you a fortune.
Something else that for me is a mixed bag is that Oblivion introduces minigames for persuading NPCs and picking locks. Both seem to be independent of speechcraft and security. That is, if you play the minigame well, the outcome will be favorable - a happy NPC and a picked lock, that is. It is a little bit fun at first, but can be just as tedious as the old method after a while. I'd rather just have the comp check my security skill against the lock and automatically decide the outcome. Same with persuasion. On the other hand, at least you have a chance with both endeavors even early game, if you are patient (the series in general does require a bit of this attribute).
In general, Oblivion is an outstanding game and one that I have enjoyed tremendously, albeit with some frustration. The game world is nearly breathtaking to behold. The landscape is beautiful, and jam packed with caves, ruins, and other locales to explore. The creatures have gotten a serious visual upgrade over Morrowind. All the Daedra look and sound more terrifying, particularly the Daedroth and Dremora - wow! For a minute there I thought I was playing Doom 3.
The quests are varied and interesting. The guilds don't give you as many things to do, but that seems right. After all, aren't there other members in these guilds? And if so, why would they give you all the work? It makes it easier to keep track of quests when you don't have so many to complete at the same time.
I got the original game and both expansions in a pack for $20 at Best Buy, and to me that is an absolute steal for this game. RPG fans, and Elder Scrolls fans in particular, should not miss out on this fantastic experience.