*Disclaimer*: Most of the following will be my opinion, and I am entitled to it. Don't be the one to go "ur rong oblivin is da bst gaem evar ur stoopid" and make yourself look like an idiot.
There have been a lot of Oblivion topics recently, and I keep seeing the fans who think it's perfect and the best game ever, and the people who think it's terrible and over-hyped. I believe Oblivion is not as good as most people think it is. Looking at IGN, it has a 9.3, which is pretty damn good. But why? Is it because the controls are tight and responsive? No. Is it because the characters are deep and dialogue is engaging? No. Or is it because the gameplay is fun and interesting and the story keeps you hooked? No, unless you're doing the side quests.
So at first glance, that doesn't sound like a very good game. In fact, if I saw a review like that, I would think 'Too bad, another worthless fantasy game for ignorant grandmothers to buy for their ignorant grandchildren'. But it still has redeeming qualities. The graphics are more than decent (althoug some textures are pretty low-res), and the environments can be better looking than moany things we see today. And there's just so much to do. All the quests, all the guilds, cults, factions, and all the general RPG progressing.
But anyway, the point of this is to review Oblivion completely un-biased and objective, and I will be using the scoring system from IGN.
Presentation- 8.5
The interface is easy to use, but some of the menu systems can be bothersome.
Graphics- 9.0
The graphics are great, and the only thing keeping it from being higher is the lack of art direction. It's just a typical European forest with typical medieval towns. And that's it.
Sound- 6.2
The music is generic. there was nothing memorable about it at all. It fit with the generic fantasy world, but it wasn't in any way good. That extra .2 is for Captain Picard, but it's also brought down by having ~5 voice actors, and having some characters switch between voices.
Gameplay- 7.8
Combat is terrible. The most strategic it gets is "right-click, wait for attack, mash left-click". Moving feels very floaty (and horses barely go faster than you can running). Nothing feels powerful or immersive, and dialogue is basically useless.
Lasting Appeal- 9.5
Now this is a huge WTF. With all the problems it has, Oblivion still manages to stay interesting with all its side quests and characters.
Overall- 8.2 (after averaging it)
Now why does it get so much praise? With all its problems, how do people still enjoy it after this long? And why are Oblivion and Fallout 3 basically the only games that are immune to regular judgment?
There have been a lot of Oblivion topics recently, and I keep seeing the fans who think it's perfect and the best game ever, and the people who think it's terrible and over-hyped. I believe Oblivion is not as good as most people think it is. Looking at IGN, it has a 9.3, which is pretty damn good. But why? Is it because the controls are tight and responsive? No. Is it because the characters are deep and dialogue is engaging? No. Or is it because the gameplay is fun and interesting and the story keeps you hooked? No, unless you're doing the side quests.
So at first glance, that doesn't sound like a very good game. In fact, if I saw a review like that, I would think 'Too bad, another worthless fantasy game for ignorant grandmothers to buy for their ignorant grandchildren'. But it still has redeeming qualities. The graphics are more than decent (althoug some textures are pretty low-res), and the environments can be better looking than moany things we see today. And there's just so much to do. All the quests, all the guilds, cults, factions, and all the general RPG progressing.
But anyway, the point of this is to review Oblivion completely un-biased and objective, and I will be using the scoring system from IGN.
Presentation- 8.5
The interface is easy to use, but some of the menu systems can be bothersome.
Graphics- 9.0
The graphics are great, and the only thing keeping it from being higher is the lack of art direction. It's just a typical European forest with typical medieval towns. And that's it.
Sound- 6.2
The music is generic. there was nothing memorable about it at all. It fit with the generic fantasy world, but it wasn't in any way good. That extra .2 is for Captain Picard, but it's also brought down by having ~5 voice actors, and having some characters switch between voices.
Gameplay- 7.8
Combat is terrible. The most strategic it gets is "right-click, wait for attack, mash left-click". Moving feels very floaty (and horses barely go faster than you can running). Nothing feels powerful or immersive, and dialogue is basically useless.
Lasting Appeal- 9.5
Now this is a huge WTF. With all the problems it has, Oblivion still manages to stay interesting with all its side quests and characters.
Overall- 8.2 (after averaging it)
Now why does it get so much praise? With all its problems, how do people still enjoy it after this long? And why are Oblivion and Fallout 3 basically the only games that are immune to regular judgment?
