The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

“Our goal has been to create the quintessential RPG of the next generation,” so said the bold executive producer of the Elder Scrolls series, Todd Howard. When looking ahead at the future of such video games, Howard makes the claim that “this is it.” Obviously, the question now is does latest addition to the Elder Scrolls quest live up to such statements?

Let’s not lie about it, the first thing we often judge computer games by are the screenshots, Oblivion is probably no exception. Fortunately for Oblivion the screenshots look simply stunning. When the disc starts to whirl a video begins to play, fairly impressive you start to think, but anyone can put a smart video as an introduction to a game. So let’s start the game properly and then judge the graphics to see if the book lives up to its cover. And… stop. Ok, ok, so the location, a dungeon, isn’t exactly the most desirable and original place (and there are plenty to be discovered!) to start, but just look, I mean, this must, must be the best looking dungeon you’ve laid your eyes upon!

Soon enough you’re free from the cell and are able to cast your eyes on the landscape in front of you. Welcome to Tamriel. Sorry to keep doing this but stop again! That noise was you saying ‘wow’ in case you’re wondering and rightly so. Oblivion delivers straight a way on its promise of next generation graphics. From amazing visuals such as buzzing towns and smoky taverns to sights including beautiful flowing waterfalls and ruins of abandoned castles and abbeys, each uniquely designed so no one scene is the same as another. The game is mainly set in great forests and looming giant mountains, each filled with sights that will have you stopping and just sitting back in admiration.

So, the game has the looks, but we all know great games aren’t made by decent application of make-up alone. No, classics have to get and keep your attention in other ways too, primarily through the story. The plot of the game is like a great tree. You start off at the roots, taking any route (pardon the terrible pun) you wish to get onto the main trunk, once here you have numerous options. You can either continue up the main trunk or go off onto the many branches where a different story awaits. The best part is the fact there are no restrictions to how many quests you start and complete, essentially the game finishes when you want it to: there’s no rush.

Briefly, the main story revolves around the sinister assassination of the Emperor of Tamriel, this leaves the empire in total dismay as there is no heir to throne. Enter yourself onto the scene, it’s your mission to track down the heir and insure he gets onto his rightful throne. Simple enough perhaps, but really it’s the opposite. It’s time to open the gates to Oblivion, Tamriel’s very own Hell. Never a good thing, I’m sure you appreciate, as suddenly the empire is crawling with the devil’s spawn and are threatening to flatten Tamriel entirely. Alongside this epic mini-novel, are many little stories that will keep you engaged throughout, from fighting off bandit gangs to tracking down missing people.

Incidentally, whilst you are completing both the main and side quests your character will be constantly evolving to the environment and situations you put him through. Skills, such as athleticism and archery to fighting with numerous types of weapons and casting spells, all advance as you learn how to properly govern and control them. Your abilities can be furthered by joining guilds and factions, including the Thieves, Mages and Fighters’, each with their own side missions to complete to develop your character further. The choice about what you do with your character is entirely yours; you could focus on becoming a powerful wizard or a brute of a warrior, or even a combination.

Alongside your character’s own life and story are the lives of the people in the world around you. This part of the game is quite revolutionary. Howard states his team’s aim as such: “With Oblivion, we’re taking the idea of a virtual fantasy world as far as it will go.” Tamriel is big, in fact, huge, gigantic and at points in the game you’ll be glad there’s a map available in the case!

However, as impressive as the size of the game is, it’s not this that is the revolutionary part. It is the fact that within this gargantuan world there are over a thousand lives being lived day in, day out. This new, groundbreaking AI system is named Radiant AI. Essentially it allows non-player characters (or NPCs) the opportunity to make all their own choices in relation to the world around them and what’s happening in it, including how you act towards them. NPCs can decide every action they take including, where to eat and who to chat with to whether they go to church or steal from a shop. This accompanied by perfect lip-synching and, sometimes hilarious, facial animations adds such realism which really makes the Oblivion experience one of a kind.

All in all Oblivion has to be the game for you, it combines stunning graphics with brand-new AI technology alongside an original storyline with lots of side quests, to provide you with a simply brilliant title that you’ll find difficult to stop playing, as there’s so much to see and do!