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Draxle
Sneak
127 Posts
    
 | | 03/23/2006 12:34 PM |
| Ok, now that I'm over my DDO fix I went and picked up Elder Scrolls IV : Oblivion and I have to say WOW.
I'm not a Bethesda fanboi, although I did love ES:Arena and ES:Daggerfalls quite a bit. My fanboi'ism fell off with Morrowind because of the "alien" graphics and sadistic traveling and time sinks.
But, then comes Oblivion. Did I say WOW? Back we go to the amazing feel of Arena. If you played Elder Scrolls I (Arena) you know what I mean. There was nothing like it at the time. Open ended, unlimited possibilities. High Fantasy setting, fantasic creatures, excellent story line, great dialog, etc, etc, etc. Well, Oblivion just take all of that and moves it to 2006.
The Graphics are stunning (You better have a good machine), sound is top notch and story writing has always been superior with Bethesda games, nothing different here. I'm not going to do a huge review there are tons on the web you can go see.. I'm just going to say I've been playing CRPG's since they were created (Wizardy I, Ultima I, Alternate Reality (City/Dungeon) etc.. so I've seen my fair share of CRPGs and this one is right there in my top 3.
Two good things one bad thing is all I'm going to say about this game. (Although I'm leaving out like 1000 good things).
Good Things:
1. Radiant AI System. Over 1000 NPCs will have a complete life. Likes, Dislikes, Hobbies, Jobs, etc. They will remember everything to do with them, do them and for them and change the way the react to you and to the world around them. (Never been done on this scale before.) It's fantastic.
2. Physic's System. Just crazy. You can interact with just about anything in the game and it's realistic. From arrows flying in the air to just simple smacking a chain hanging from the ceiling and watching it sway back in forth.. Just amazing.
Bad Thing:
This is the biggest pet peeve of mine right now.. CAN'T (re)MAP KEYS! Ugh.. So I'm having to retrain myself.. Didn't anyone tell Bethesda that old dogs can't learn new tricks? I've attacked 1 shop keeper and 1 guard, and "attempted" to steal 1 piece of armor from a shop because I'm clicking the wrong keys... But there is a light at the end of the tunnel as with all of the other Elder Scroll games the construction set is available and people WILL make mods for the game. Please someone make a remapping key mod..
Some people complain about the UI.. I LOVE IT! It's super simple and ALL you need. It takes me back to the old school CRPG's when you didn't require 4,000 things on the screen. I don't want a freakin radar to tell me where everything is around me.. I want to explore myself. I don't need every window open at once. I like it. I also like the old school font they use. (Yes, someone will mod that too.. so you can switch it out or resize it sooner or later.) That’s the great thing about these games, the community can make changes themselves if they like.
Well, it's already longer then I wanted it to me.. But this game is fantastic and WELL worth every single penny it costs. (Not very many games I will say this about..) Maybe Civ4, and BF2 are the only recent games I think are truly worth the cost. (Of course that is highly subjective..)
Drax
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Have/Want List:
http://www.maxminis.com/hw_list.asp?user=Draxle
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djtool
Sergeant
584 Posts
Crystal MN, USA
| | 03/23/2006 1:10 PM |
| I also have been playing CRPG's for a while, since bards tale. I have to say this is pretty damn nice so far. I will be canceling my eq2 account now that I have this. I also play alot of FPS games so in that respect the UI works for me. I don't mind having to navigate my inventory/spellbook/etc. via one key. I also feel quite comfortable being able to do everything (keyboard wise) with my left hand (though I too wish I could remap stuff to my mouse).
the only problem I have with games like this is making too many characters 'cause I want to do it all...wish i could just settle.
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Champion of: Brain in a Jar | |
| Professional Fan of DDM
Shoe
Sergeant
804 Posts
| | 03/23/2006 1:24 PM |
| I assume you're playing the PC version.
I need to upgrade my PC, so's I can handle some of the newer games. I jettisoned World of Warcraft a few months ago when I realized my PC needed more RAM to handle the high-end raid content. More recently, I've played Civ IV, but have to stay on smaller maps because my system is chronologically challenged.
Instead of springing for a new PC, though, I got a 360 last November - and have been eyeing Oblivion as a potential way to use the console. I'll have to check out the interface for the 360 version, and see if it'll work. | |
Professional Fan of DDM | |
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scruffydude7
Underboss
1196 Posts
Rock Hill, SC
| | 03/23/2006 1:34 PM |
| I have the Xbox 360 version, and I am very pleased with it. I have played every other Elder Scrolls game on the PC (except Arena) and so far I have no complaints as far as playing the game on a console goes. (or any complaints at all, for that matter.
Its an amazing game, to say the very least. | |
Champion of the Revenant
Knight of the Elf Duskblade
Complete Trades: Oni, Kidkach, Melrune, callidusx3 | |
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jdb2112
Sneak
163 Posts
| | 03/23/2006 1:52 PM |
| I'm also pretty impressed so far.
My bigest issue is the UI. It is basically the same as Morrowind's but they cut some things that made it easier to change weapons and spells. Now you have to hotkey weapons which leaves less hotkeys for potions and spells. The game pauses when switching things through the inventory screen so it is not horrible, just inconvenient.
That's my only complaint though. Everything else is pretty cool. Lockpicking is a little more interactive as you actually have to lock all the tumblers into place (reminiscent of the old Wizardry games). Persuaion is a different as well and while right now I think it is pretty cool with what they did I have a feeling that it will get old after a while.
Like Draxle said the physics system is pretty amazing. I was stunned when a rat charged me and all the bones it went through to get to me went flying. There are a few other things as well but I don't want to ruin anyone's initial enjoyment of discovering them.
Now I just need to find more time in the day. I mean DDM, AAM, D&D rpg, WoW, now this....... Oh yeah and Wizards is now being kind enough to bring out more minis games that I can't help but be interested in.
I guess I need to start buying lottery tickets.
Jim
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We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question which divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct. My own feeling is that it is not crazy enough.
-Niels Bohr | |
| *censored*
glumag
Warlord
5968 Posts
| | 03/23/2006 2:02 PM |
| I want this game badly, but I don't think any of my PCs could run it in a good way, I meet minimum on one and I hate that. Not about to go build another PC just for one game; I'll settle with watching when I visit my much richer brother [:D]
I also refuse to buy any X-Box product. | |
Trades >> Completed: 49 | Bad: Ø | Pending: 0 | Trade & talk Live on IRC! SERVER: irc.psionics.net CHANNEL: #maxminis | |
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Brimulk
Sneak
162 Posts
| | 03/23/2006 2:21 PM |
| I just started playing yesterday on the 360, and I am really impressed. I was hesitant, because I have played all the previous versions on the PC, but I didn't want to upgrade my CPU again to handle the game, even though I miss out on the contruction kit.
However, playing this game on a 50" DLP instead of my 19" monitor is well worth the pains of adapting to a different interface (controller instead of KB/mouse).
All the little world effects that you might even take for granted are there, such as insects and wind effects, and the world interaction is flawless. I think my favorite thing was killing a rat at the top of a hill, and watching the disgusting little corpse roll all the way down, floppily.
There are still some things I need to get used to, but overall I think this is an incredible game. [:)] | |
Vindicated Champion of Green Slaad
Champion of the Feyr
Correct Unhallowed Called Shot - Bone Naga
Night Below Called Shot - Skulk | |
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Grim
Sergeant
482 Posts
| | 03/23/2006 2:37 PM |
| | I loved Morrowind (even ported it over to my tabletop RPG game for a side trek) and I'm glad to hear the game lives up to its hype. the bad news for me is that my poor computer doesn't have the goods to run this one. Looks like it's time to go shopping for a new one or upgrades. I'm due anyway. | |
I am a leaf on the wind...Urrk!!--Wash, "Serenity" | |
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Mindtrick
Warrior
234 Posts
| | 03/23/2006 3:08 PM |
| OK< I hav enever played any of the games in this line. I understand what some of the past ones did in terms of interface, graphics, story and open-ended gaming but what other games would you compaire the new one to? Is it similar to Fable or NWN for example?
I have always been interested in this series but never took the time to play it. If I liked to play games like NWN, WoW, Ultima and KotOR will I like this one? | |
**overlong signature deleted. Please see posting guidelines** | |
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Benimoto
Underboss
1125 Posts
| | 03/23/2006 3:12 PM |
| | I'm in the same boat as a lot of you. I liked the previous games, but now my new computer is coming up short of even the minimum specs. Dang, where are my priorities. Clearly I should have been buying computer parts instead of minis. [)] | |
Champion of the Rakshasa. Check out my Mini Terrain Maker, or my new Dungeon Map Maker (under development). | |
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orcmonk220
Underboss
1608 Posts
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Dwilgar
Warrior
215 Posts
| | 03/24/2006 2:26 PM |
| I agree, the game is alot of fun and resolves some of the issues I had with Morrowwind (which was still a fun game). I do have one, somewhat trivial issue: While the game physics is nice, I can't find the method for moving/placing objects. Part of the fun of Morrowind was redecorating - I can't quite figure how to do that in Oblivion.
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Dwilgar
Have/Want List - Reference List
Trades Completed: 2003: 3; 2004: Lucky KSU, Bonepinhimer, Puggins, skwave, Lance, War Golem, thomrb, enginer230, agonistes, PatEllis15
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bigbadjon
Sergeant
546 Posts
| | 03/26/2006 1:37 PM |
| "Part of the fun of Morrowind was redecorating - I can't quite figure how to do that in Oblivion."-Dwilgar
On the Xbox you just hold the left bumper and you pick up objects and put them wherever you want. I do not know what the key is on pc but the command should say move object.
This game is one of the best rpg's I've played in a while. Bethesda is great for making single player games with the scope of huge online ones. I hate playing online with other people, so this game is perfect for me. | |
Evil triumphs when good men fail their morale saves. | |
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scruffydude7
Underboss
1196 Posts
Rock Hill, SC
| | 03/26/2006 3:06 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Mindtrick
OK< I hav enever played any of the games in this line. I understand what some of the past ones did in terms of interface, graphics, story and open-ended gaming but what other games would you compaire the new one to? Is it similar to Fable or NWN for example?
I have always been interested in this series but never took the time to play it. If I liked to play games like NWN, WoW, Ultima and KotOR will I like this one?
It's very difficult to compare an Elder Scrolls game to other RPGs. If I had to compare it to the ones you mentioned, I would say its like Fable in that you control the action directly. You gain levels, you gain skills and hit points, fatigue and magika, but you can't win against tougher foes by that power alone, usually. Your input will decide more than your character's raw statistics.
But I don't like comparing it to Fable, because Fable is short but sweet. Every Elder Scrolls game has a HUGE area to explore and a LOT to do. Daggerfall (made in 1995) probably still has the largest explorable area ever made in a computer game. Oblivion's explorable area is smaller, but the detail and depth of each location is much more rich, and the world much more interactive. You can take the time to walk across the entire Imperial Province in real time, and you will encounter wildlfe, monsters, bandits, ancient ruins and dungeons along the way. Or, you can use the quick travel feature or ride a horse. Its really big, and full of stuff to do.
The part of the game that really separates Oblivion (and all Elder Scrolls titles, but about Oblivion specifically) from all other RPGs is the level of interactivity with the world. You can walk through the forrest and pick mushrooms, flowers and herbs, then use a mortar and pestle or other alchemical tools to make potions out of them. You can hunt deer for their meat and sell it. You can shoot arrows into a bucket until the weight of the arrows tips the bucket over, then go pull the arrows out of the bucket, set it back up and fire away again. You can pick up almost everything that isn't nailed to the ground. The NPCs walk around with a daily routine (instead of standing in the same place all day long so you can find them)and you can walk into a bar and listen to other people's small talk, rumors, and actually find quests this way. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
I think if you like you liked any of the games you mentioned you would like Oblivion.
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Champion of the Revenant
Knight of the Elf Duskblade
Complete Trades: Oni, Kidkach, Melrune, callidusx3 | |
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