Best RPG in a while... Addictive, great, all that stuff you want!
Gameplay: Oblivion is the normal RPG type game, but the twist is that you're in first person. You can switch to third, but you'll regret it. Melee weapon combat uses the mouse buttons to hack and block your opponents. It is pretty simple for such a grand RPG but it keeps the gameplay simp[le and addictive. Bow and arrow combat uses the mouse button to fire with the other to block. IT works out well and is also pretty simple. The arrows act realistically and it's awesome to nail an enemy in the head with and arrow. However, this brings up something that wasn't as good as I thought it to be. The physics system in Oblivion is decent but sometimes it seems as though something just doesnn't move the way it should. Bodies slides a bit to easy. Mountains seem too hard to climb. It isn't terrible but seems to make the effect of things seem a bit awkward. Character developement in the game is awesome. You can edit their face until you're satisfied, create your own character type with the major skill you want, and pick your own constellation that contributes to your power. You can be any type of character you want and it gives you a great feeling of control over your character. Of course, at first you may not be 100% happy with what you chose, but there's no limit to the number of characters you create. The AI in the game is some of the best I've seen. The conversations between NPCs is pretty awesome and unheard of in most games that I've played. It's also awesome to talk to people and gain quests just by asking about rumors. This makes it seem like you're actually part of the world and adds tons of hours into the game. The main quest in the game was okay. I thought that it wasn't the best I've played and could use some work. For me, it just wasn't interesting enough. It was a little too linear and unoriginal for my taste. However, the guilds make up for it and more. The four guilds are really awesome. The Dark Brotherhood and the Thieves Guild are my favorites. Each guild suites your own taste in the game and gives you a great feeling of being a part of something when you start to advance in the guild. I have played in three of the guilds so far and each has been amazing. The only guild that felt like it was the same-old-same-old was the Fighters' Guild. But all four were definetely worth investing time in. As you can see, Oblivion has tons of depth and I could still right tons more if I wanted to. With only some things that fault it, Oblivion is a great game to play. 9/10
Graphics: The graphics in this game are sweet. Of course, you will need at least a geforce 7 series if you want to see good results. As for ATI people, I don't know. The game is a little bit too graphics card dependent, but it's for a good reason. With a GeForce 6800 Ultra, I can run HDR lighting and some other great settings with a steady framrate. I don't know why so many people complain. You should shell out some extra cash to make it look better becasue whne you do, you won't regret it. The people and monsters look awesome. The detail on the hair and all is sweet. The environments are the best I've seen in a game. The amounts of grass and leaves that you can see are awesome. With the light glimmering off it, you'll be glad you DIDN'T buy the 360 version (Since the PC version graphics blow it out of the water!) I am so happy with the results I get from a graphics card that's only mid-range. These graphics are to die for. 10/10
Sound: If you've ever wanted a great game soundtrack, here it is. The amazing orchestrated background music are really well done. Sometimes you'll want to put the music sound just a bit higher so you can enjoy the atmosphere of the game. The music gives you the hint when an enemy's spotted you and when you're in a cave-like area. I was really happy to see a game where the music was taken care of in a greazt way. The sound effects are also awesome. However, I found that a lot of the sound effects didn't match and were used a little too often. Even though they sounded great, there weren't enough to vary what you hear. All in all, the sounds were really well done. 9/10
Value: This game is worth every penny you got. I myself am not the biggest RPG fan, but I loved this game more than some of the great games in my favorite genres. This is a great stride in the art form. Years from now, I'll look back at Oblivion and say those were the good ol' days when an RPG was worth cashing fifty bucks. 10/10
Overall, Oblivion is probably the best RPG you can buy right now. It may not be as groundbreaking as Diablo or any of the great old RPGs but it is a great example of what is created when an RPG is done right. If you don't have Oblivion, you need to buy it. It's your duty. Cause if you don't, you're a total n00b.