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Joeman
Protector of the Realm
Joined: 03 Jan 2004
Posts: 254
Location: USA |
I got a new graphics card, Gforce 7800 OS. My game runs very smooth without a glitch.
I played for a few hours. The game is not as addicting for me as morrowind.
I haven't noticed any bugs so far, except I don't think there is any way to delete spells on your spell book.
The game world doesn't seem all that big. It didn't take me very long to go from one side of the world to the other on foot. Fast travel is unnecessary.
gothic 2 still has a better combat system.
Radiant AI is very impressive.
The game seems harder than morrowind and more balanced. money is hard to come by.
I am not the type who cares for graphics, but the graphics in this game is incredible. it raises the standard for all future games.
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Arguing over the internet is like competing in special olympics. Even if you win, you are still retarded. |
Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:18 pm |
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stealth
Protector of the Realm
Joined: 23 Mar 2002
Posts: 261
Location: Valhalla |
I'm utterly impressed with Oblivion so far. Graphics are stunning and I'm really having a blast with this game.
A lot of people complain about the interface. I would agree that it would be helpful if there was some popup text accompanying the icons but I guess the icons will be self explanatory in no time. Anyway the inventory is way better than Morrowind where everything was a mess.
Combat has also been a blast. I do like the more advanced tactics involved in Gothic but I think this is pretty good. The fights can be quite entertaining and memorable. I believe the mechanics with left mouse for attack and right for blocking are elegant even though quite simple. Overall control scheme are perfect in my opinion.
One thing I can’t quite figure out is the persuasion mini game. So far I have had no trouble maxing out my disposition with everyone I meet. It’s nice that they like me, don’t get me wrong, but it seems a bit too easy.
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Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:50 pm |
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Tjvelcro
Village Dweller
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Posts: 16
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Hello, I'v only played about a total of 5 hours into the game. I also have
the setting on max for everything except resolution because my monitor cant
go higher then 1024x768 without going down to 60Hz which hurts my eyes. I
know that there is alot of hype of this game, and I was one of the ones waiting
for it for awhile now. One of the reasons I think there is so much hype is that its the first next-gen RPG (also first RPG on Xbox 360 I believe)and the 4th game in the elder scrolls series as well as tons of movies and interviews. A similar thing happened with Doom 3 I think... it got hyped up and then didn't go so well after release, in my opinion. I hope it gets better as I play more, however if it doesnt do so well we can turn to the mod makers or even better become a mod maker. Now I'll make a summary of what specifcally I didn't like and what I did like. Remember this isn't a full fledged review just my observations after a few days of playing. Start with the negatives...
Negatives/Cons:
Higher learning Curve: If your new to this series or to RPG games
then you probably will find your self looking in the manual for what specific icons/symbols mean (some are self explanitory about about 1/2 are quite hard to figure out, even hardcore gamers will need to look em up) or even googling for other aspects of the game. Please note that the game does have a practice area right near the beginning of the game which does tell you how to do basic movements and other basic tasks (equip items, attacking, shooting, spells... where's the icon tutorial?! or tooltips?!).
Lack of detail in the Distance: When I completed the tutorial area and ventured into the winderness for the first time I was shocked to see across the river there was NO low lying bushes or grass, just pretty good looking trees and water. It looked like someone went into that part of the forest and mowed all the grass and bushes away. Luckly soon afterward it started raining and it was night time, thus the view distance was reduced and I had a good romp/struggle to find the nearest town. Remember this the cons section so everything isn't as bad as it seems.
Low Interactivity: Not many people mentioned this, however I found my self wanting to be able to destroy parts of the envirnment. Ex. When the tutorial for using the bow and arrow comes up your told to shoot a bucket that is hanging from a rope (like in a well). I was dissapointed in that I couldn't cut the bucket down with my sword or arrows, because all the physics was working well, but I just couldnt damage it or anything else. Same goes for broken boxes and other things, however you can affect monster corpses and items that you can pickup.
Positives/Pros:
Great Graphics: Basically what next-gen is all about so far, better graphics! I love the detail on the weapons, armor, robes and spells. The starting tutorial area is quite nice looking, though I must admit I hope that the later areas are more special in thier content (Refections, more lighting, more traps, multiple ways to go) because the starting tutorial area is fairly basic. As for the outdoor areas that I'v seen, as other people have stated the imediate 25 meters around you looks great (tons of moving grass and stuff) however the more you look in the distance the more the graphics degrade. Agian once your in a city, cave or storm the draw distance is reduced so that you forget about the distance lack of detail.
Customizability: Three very important things are very customizable in this game, without addons.
1. Your character: Very detailed character facial creation (think sims 2) as well as the faces and hair looks nice.
2. The way you play the game: I think that oblivion does it agian in the open ended department (one of the main things the elder scrolls series is known for).
3. The game itself: Tons of sliders to twick the games graphics so you can get good performace.
More diverse Gameplay: Sneaking and backstabbing are very fun now, and I think the bow has improved (In morrwind I rarely used any of those skills because it wasn't very fun at least for me). The addition of blocking with either a shield or a weapon is really cool. Nothing is more satisfying then to block just as a giant rat has pounced toward you and it slams into the shield and makes a big racket as it struggles to get reorianted. Plus it makes for a bit of strategy. As usual you can be whatever type of character you want in terms of class or custom class if you make your own. Also the skills that you build up now do different things depending on what skill level its at. Like if you specilize in archery you will eventually get the ability to zoom in with your bow just like sniper scopes in all those fps. Also for lock picking there is a mini game that you can play to unlock it as well as trying to get someone to like you more. Of course if you dont like lock picking or diplomecy you don't have to do the mini games. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing more of these mini games, just to spice up the gameplay a bit.
Realism: Other then graphics this has improved quite a bit. Like the shops close up during the night so you then have to waste time elsewhere or visit the inn so that they open agian. Also with the radiant AI system all I notice is that the NPCs wander around and talk to each other, but the information you overhear is not too important (They seem to "advertise" the inns and shop quite a bit). I would rather have this type of background noise then a noiseless city however. As I'v said before you can make any face you want and any class you want which leads to some very neat characters.
Other notes:
I found that once I was in the forest there was so much grass/plants/trees around that I didn't notice the lack of detail in the distance as much, only noticed it in wide open areas.
There are 2 types of loading screens, one for entering/exiting a building which takes about 5-10 secs and the outdoor loading on the fly which takes like 1 sec. So Im pretty alright with these times although if I lowered the game settings then the times should be shorter.
I'm kind of glad they added in the quick travel feature, because moving around the towns from one area to another is sometimes long and annoying. It's quite simple really, if you don't like this feature don't use it, but even if you use it just remember you won't be discovering all the cave/ruins/mines that are needed for quests and such as well as developing your skills from fighting different creatures along the way.
Summary:
All in all I'm having a very fun time playing this game, I would call this a evolution from morrowind not a revolution. Even with the negatives you have to remember that every game isn't perfect, and I think they are forgivable but not forgetable. So if you dis/liked morrowind you'll dis/like Oblivion, or if you havn't played either one yet go and try it somehow. It seems to be a very unique, realistic, fprpg that can keep you very busy.
I hope this post helps people decide whether or not to buy this game, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to reply to this and I'll respond if needed.
PS I play a sneaky character that uses a bit of alteration and conjuration magic.
My computer has a Geforce 7800 GT and 1GB of memory.
Tjvelcro |
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Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:46 pm |
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jsundqui
Village Dweller
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 1
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| I wish was more like Gothic 2... |
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I have played the game for couple of days and I have not progressed far but the more I play the more I miss the atmosphere in Gothic 2. Am I the only one? Sure the graphics is great but character interaction feels too scripted. For example if I steal something the guards automatically teleport behind me. Somehow I don't get the same sense of freedom like in Gothic and the areas seem empty like they used to Morrowind. I really want to like this game but I find myself wanting to play Gothic again. |
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Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:08 pm |
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Dhruin
Stranger In A Strange Land
Joined: 20 May 2002
Posts: 1825
Location: Sydney, Australia |
Thanks for all the impressions. 
@GhanBuriGhan - I agree with that assessment; it's easy to immediately notice certain flaws and be somewhat underwhelmed.
Some more (brief) impressions...
The more I play, the more I am enjoying it, although I still haven't had enough time to really get into some meaty quests. Yesterday I explored Chorral a little more thoroughly and found the AI is there but the behaviours just aren't as obvious as, say, the scripting in Gothic II. Wandering the streets, much of the time all you'll see is some NPCs stop to talk but if you follow them to their destinations or hang around at the tavern for a while, you'll start to see more of it.*
I started to pursue the Thieves Guild yesterday and discovered there's more than one way to find it; also couldn't get a quest because I haven't invested in any Speech skills and in another, had to get into a building and could have pickpoketted the key or taken another route - quite pleased to see there are some different "paths" and character builds do have a tangible impact on the gameplay.
*I agree that Gothic achieves a better overall atmosphere and the simple scripting is in some ways more effective than OB's more complex AI system. Part of this is the continuous world without loads - you can see people sleeping in their beds and so on without having to load a zone. I'll be interested to see if the "AI" part in OB adds gameplay opportunities that make up for this as I go along.
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Editor @ RPGDot |
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Fri Mar 24, 2006 1:11 am |
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elkston
High Emperor
Joined: 21 Sep 2002
Posts: 691
Location: North Carolina, USA |
I liked Morrowind, but ultimately thought it was quite bland compared to Gothic and Gothic 2.
Well I am happy to report that Oblivion has finally gotten things right. I am very impressed with what Bethesda has done. Performances failings aside, Oblivion is a 300% improvement over Morrowind. Better world interaction, vastly better combat, improved NPCs. It just feels "right". I am so excited to have this huge gaming experience ahead of me.
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All shall hear the words of Karras...the words of Karras |
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Fri Mar 24, 2006 1:37 am |
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Chopkinsca
Village Dweller
Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 4
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| Re: I wish was more like Gothic 2... |
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quote:
Originally posted by jsundqui
I have played the game for couple of days and I have not progressed far but the more I play the more I miss the atmosphere in Gothic 2. Am I the only one? Sure the graphics is great but character interaction feels too scripted. For example if I steal something the guards automatically teleport behind me. Somehow I don't get the same sense of freedom like in Gothic and the areas seem empty like they used to Morrowind. I really want to like this game but I find myself wanting to play Gothic again.
You're not alone. I didn't play Oblivion for very long before getting bored with it for quite a few reasons. Exploring felt very unsatisfying, even more so than Morrowind. It doesn't take long for everything to start looking/feeling the same. Spend 10 - 15 minutes climbing a mountain only to find a wolf or two (of course they aren't in a pack) and the same mushrooms and flowers I could have picked up if I didn't spend time going up the mountain. Even the view was half unrewarding. Sure you get a vast look on the land, but there isn't anything special about the look of it, it's just... vast.
Not much else to say, I will just continue looking forward to gothic 3. |
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Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:15 am |
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KrueLLa
Village Dweller
Joined: 07 Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Brasil |
Sorry my question and i hope it´s in right place.
 Is possible play Oblivion without play Morrowind ?
Thanks in advance |
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Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:07 am |
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Danicek
The Old One
Joined: 15 Dec 2001
Posts: 5922
Location: Czech Republic |
quote:
Originally posted by KrueLLa
Sorry my question and i hope it´s in right place.
Is possible play Oblivion without play Morrowind ?
Thanks in advance
Sure, there is absuletly no reason why you couldn't play Oblivion without playing Morrowind. |
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Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:50 am |
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Dhruin
Stranger In A Strange Land
Joined: 20 May 2002
Posts: 1825
Location: Sydney, Australia |
Nope - go for it. If you've played the series you'll have a better appreciation of the lore and perhaps understand the game mechanics easier but all of that can be picked up as you go.
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Editor @ RPGDot |
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Fri Mar 24, 2006 10:40 pm |
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Bopoxdren
Eager Tradesman
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
Posts: 41
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I'll say right off that I really dislike the dialogue system in ElderScrolls. Big design mistake in my book.
As for the quests so far, one certainly doesn't need any brainpower to complete them... for the most part. But there is a certain elegance... a certain refinement to them... you might say an 'evolution' to the way they're scripted. What I mean is that they are far beyond the old and tired fedex type quests.
So, while I feel like I'm on a guided rail and I don't really have to think alot, I'm still actually enjoying them. Also, I'm doing alot of staking out and evesdropping and realtime spying on NPCs which I find new and refreshing in crpg questing.
Why, when all throughout the annals of computer gaming history, where the dream to provide seamless 'area loading' with minimal loading time has been so sought after by both gamers and developers, has Bethesda decided to show on-screen, in HUGE font the words "LOADING AREA" every 5-10 seconds when one runs through the wilderness - killing all feeling of immersion - when they have finally succeeded in the dream explained above in providing a seamless area transition? I would never know 99% of the time that I'm changing areas they've got it optimised so good, except for that ridiculas and usless text string in the middle of my screen... SO HUGE, to boot. This kills me.
The save game system is so fast and smooth. Too bad they don't let us name the file though.
Goblin hunts are very fun!
I'm the kind of gamer who can get totally into a demo like avernum 4 or the isometric 2d graphics of Fallout 2 or any simple graphic engine... as long as the game is good. So how can I possibly bitch about the graphics in this game. Sure the foothills in the distance look like shit... and they did annoy me at first (due to the hype, no doubt) but, please, how can anybody not be happy with these graphics???
I am very happy with the compass and fast travel option - key term here being "option". Very nice. While some out there bitch about the compass arrows, I kind of like them and I agree that if it really bothers you, just don't make the quest your on the active one.
Not spliting the bartering screen for easier item comparing is a bit of a niusence{sp}
Combat at first for me was a little frustrating and annoying but the more familiar with it I become the more enjoyment I'm getting from it. At this point in my game I'm nearing the milestone of becoming a Blade skill Journeyman. I'm really hoping I will get some new fighting moves or more noticable maneuverability because alot of my opponents seem to have multible attacks and dodges compared to my single basic or power swing. Please let the perks be noticable!
Spell casting is much preferable to Morrowind and I like the system very much.
Overall the more I play the more I like Oblivion. There is no denying it that despite it's flaws and the horrible dialogue system, I'm having a ball playing this thing! |
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Sat Mar 25, 2006 7:07 pm |
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JDR13
Magister of the Light
Joined: 16 Apr 2002
Posts: 376
Location: Michigan, United States |
I have one question. Are all the merchants ridiculously low on gold like they were in Morrowind? That was my biggest complaint about Morrowind.
It still amazes me to this day that Bethesda never addressed that issue in any of their patches. |
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Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:02 pm |
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cfmdobbie
High Emperor
Joined: 01 Jul 2002
Posts: 1859
Location: London, England |
quote:
Originally posted by JDR13
I have one question. Are all the merchants ridiculously low on gold like they were in Morrowind? That was my biggest complaint about Morrowind.
It still amazes me to this day that Bethesda never addressed that issue in any of their patches.
I'm afraid they are! We don't even have the Creeper to help us this time. The best merchant I've seen so far had 1200 gold available.
I expect to see a Zed The Merchant mod within a week...
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Sun Mar 26, 2006 7:35 pm |
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Zakhal
Captain of the Guard
Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 188
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quote:
Originally posted by cfmdobbie
I'm afraid they are! We don't even have the Creeper to help us this time. The best merchant I've seen so far had 1200 gold available.
I expect to see a Zed The Merchant mod within a week...
You can invest into the shops so that they take in more gold (or so I have heard on the ES boards). |
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Sun Mar 26, 2006 8:53 pm |
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