The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

By Oliver Clare Published 2 March, 2006

Oblivious to Oblivion? Not anymore…

On arriving in the Berkshire town of Windsor, make your way to the castle's Cambridge Gate. From there it's a short walk west down Victoria Street to the inn called 'Take Two'. Enter this establishment taking care to sheath all weapons first. Within seconds of crossing the threshold you should be accosted by the cheerful wench behind the bar. She always asks strangers for their names and enquires as to the nature of their business. Be honest in your replies. Explain that you've come to gaze upon Oblivion; divulge that you seek the one known as Lawton. Hearing this she will nod knowingly and send for him.

Lawton should appear within a few minutes and tell you to follow him. Do as he says. He will lead you up a narrow spiral staircase lined with strange trophies (Platinum awards engraved with names like GTA: San Andreas and Max Payne) to a darkened fourth floor room empty except for some tables and chairs, some large phosphorescing screens and assorted computer paraphernalia. Seat yourself in front of one of these screens and press the 'new game' button.

Cat person or lizard person?

You are now playing the anxiously awaited sequel to 2002's fabulous but flawed first-person RPG Morrowind. Start by choosing a character race from the ten that are offered.

Would you like to be an agile bipedal feline that can see in the dark and pad past foes unseen? If so pick the Khajiit jaguar-man. Or maybe you'd prefer to be able to breathe underwater and resist poisons (Argonian), summon ancestral ghosts whenever you please (Dark Elf) or go unnoticed in a Stockholm supermarket (Nord)? Whatever species of adventurer you choose you will begin your game life in the same way, as a hapless inmate in one of Cyrodiil's deepest dungeons.

'The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion' Screenshot 1

Get punched in the mouth by this chap and you'll be passing molars for months.

Thankfully liberation arrives promptly. Wait a few moments and you will be joined by none-other than Emperor Uriel himself. He along with two bodyguards is fleeing the Imperial City via a subterranean secret passage accessed via your cell (fortunate eh?). Once Uriel and his party have left let a minute or so pass then follow them down into the bowels of the earth. What follows is an entertaining hour of gentle dungeon crawling that combines basic instruction with narrative scene-setting. Play it your own way, being careful to search corpses and caskets for grub, equipment and treasure (even if an item can't be traded, worn, or consumed it will probably come in handy at some point as an alchemical ingredient) experiment with combat and magic techniques, and savour the wonderfully atmospheric surroundings.

Melee has changed for the better since Morrowind, but is still relatively simple. A left click jabs, slices or bludgeons, a right click triggers a shield block or weapon parry. All arms and spells can now be hotkeyed and hit detection is far finer than it was making for much more elegant, satisfying slaughter (the new Havok physics plays its part too) Even despatching the feeble rats and goblins that infest the escape route catacombs turns out to be fun.

Cleverly Bethesda don't dump all the character creation chores on you straight away. As you negotiate this initial underground section you are asked at intervals to select your star sign (birth signs bestow special powers) and choose your character class (pick from 20 presets or make your own combi-class) and specialisations. Once these exercises are complete, character engineering becomes much less intrusive, abilities improving automatically with use.

Fresh heir

'The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion' Screenshot 2

What Orcs wear to weddings and job interviews.

By-and-by you will quit the fetid tunnel network and find yourself in the open air contemplating a characteristically awesome Oblivion vista. Enjoy this moment; let your gaze wander from the gently swaying herbage at your feet, across the glittering river and up the forested slopes beyond. Note how the faraway mountain peaks are not obscured by ugly fogging. Though the PC version is a needy creature (the recommended spec is a 3Ghz processor, 1 GB of RAM, and a GeForce 6800 equivalent video card) it rewards the well-equipped with truly breathtaking sights. It's not just the scenery that impresses either: even something as prosaic as a rough leather shield can take your breath away in this game. The crispness of the textures, the complexity of the modelling, the subtlety of the shadow-mapping... it all adds up to the best-looking dungeon delvers you'll have ever seen. If there's visual weakness anywhere it's in the facial models, a few of which look a little toon-like close-up when compared to the stunning armour and equipment.

Right, you've survived the escape and taken-in the view, what to do next? Here this walkthrough starts to unravel a bit. The Elder Scrolls titles have always offered vast lands and incomparable freedom and Oblivion is no different. An impatient player might choose to focus on the story tasks and set-off in search of the Emperor's lost son. If you do opt for this course of action be prepared for an interruption about three chapters in. On arriving at the gate of the Demon-ravaged city of Kvatch, Lawton will probably appear and request that you turn back (Previewers are not permitted to pass this point). Fortunately there's a wealth of other activities available. You could simply explore the massive game world for instance. With the new ability to teleport instantly from location to location, there's less reason to roam than there was in Morrowind, but those that do decide to wander will be rewarded with numerous interesting wilderness encounters. Self-contained cave systems and dungeons litter the countryside, as do NPCs and roaming wild beasts. Mounted explorers can expect to have creatures like wolves and mountain lions snapping at their heels as they gallop from place to place.

Bloodsports and burglary

'The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion' Screenshot 3

It looks just as good on the Xbox 360.

If rambling sounds a bit aimless then impressive settlements like the Imperial City, Skingrad and Anvil offer an abundance of more structured pastimes. You might want to try your hand/paw at gladiatorial combat. Fighting in the Colosseum-style Bloodworks in Cyrodiil's capital is a fine way to develop combat abilities, earn some Septims (ES cash) and vent some aggression. Even if you don't take to the arena personally you can enjoy the sport by betting on bouts and watching from the terraces. Slightly less risky is membership of one of the class-based societies. Joining something like the Fighter's Guild opens up lots of lucrative side-missions. If these are all as intricate and original (watch out for an imaginative variant of the classic clear-rat-infestation-from-Mr-X's-cellar task) as the few we tried then Guild life should be an attractive option. Naturally you can also make a living through commerce and thievery too. These activities involve two of Oblivion's engaging mini-games: lock-picking and persuasion.

Oblivion overflows with enticing career options and tempting locations. Inevitably by the time Lawton appears for the last time and asks you politely to leave, you'll have barely scratched the surface and be eager to play more. Your options at this point are threefold. 1. Wait for release day (still unconfirmed but definitely within the next six weeks) 2. Request a supplemental preview play-test at a later date. Or 3. Cudgel Lawton to the ground and play on into the night. Should you choose that last option then be sure to make use of the cupboard at the far end of the room to conceal the concussed corpse...

Picture of Oliver.

About Oliver Clare

Read more articles from Oliver by visiting the Oliver Clare archive page.

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Comments (137) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • UncleLou #1 6 years ago

    /wants it NOW

    Good to hear the combat is more fun - any word on the feeling of the world? Is it more alive than in Morrowind?

  • Whitewalker #2 6 years ago

    I suspect by these impressions that someone is impressed....aaarrggg...I want it too!!!!

  • Wobble #3 6 years ago

    Hmm, no comments on the loading times or the low rez textures at mid distance that some others picked up on... They were on 360 though i think..

    Did you get a look at the 360 version Oliver?
    Any idea what the spec of the PC you were using was?

  • Xerx3s #4 6 years ago

    Me wants! \0/

  • Machiavel #5 6 years ago

    "It looks just as good on the Xbox 360"

    That surely needs follow up, considering the ruckus and harrumph over this fabled middle distance graphical crappiness. I'm sure a top spec PC won't have a similar problem.

  • morriss #6 6 years ago

    Yay.

    Shouldn't it look better on 360 than on PC, not 'as good'?

  • squaylor #7 6 years ago

    There had better not be any bloody Cliff Racers in this one...

  • Dizzy #8 6 years ago

    This month is gonna kill me. Oblivion, Ghost Recon and The Outfit!!!

    /strokes 360

    If this game is just half as good as Morrowind I will love it.

    >considering the ruckus and harrumph over this fabled middle distance graphical crappiness

    If by that you mean one blog was complaining about it.... then yes.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 08:20

  • Rayn #9 6 years ago

    Visually the PC and X360 versions are identical. There are some minor diffrences but who cares, really? As long as they both play good both PC and consoleplayers will get the chance to sample the next chapter in the Elder Scrolls universe which can't be a bad thing?

  • UncleLou #10 6 years ago

    Shouldn't it look better on 360 than on PC, not 'as good'?

    /slaps morriss

    No, why? :)

  • OnlyMe #11 6 years ago

    Because new consoles are usually at least 6 months ahead of the PCs in terms of power?

  • Moonprince #12 6 years ago

    heh says who...

  • Scimarad #13 6 years ago

    "Enjoy this moment; let your gaze wander from the gently swaying herbage at your feet, across the glittering river and up the forested slopes beyond. Note how the faraway mountain peaks are not obscured by ugly fogging."

    So are you saying that stuff about distant terrain features looking ultra crap is untrue? And for the record it was more than just that one guy having a tantrum, they have mentioned it in every preview I've read so far apart from yours. Did you notice anything or not?

  • OnlyMe #14 6 years ago

    Moonprince: says history

  • Tiiti #15 6 years ago

    Shall I buy it for my shiny 360 or go for the PC version on my very new and shiny uber specced PC? hmm... Choices, choices...

  • Moonprince #16 6 years ago

    Doubt 360 can beat a top end pc. Could be wrong though. Just can't see it myself when I consider what I could stick into a pc box - x1900 etc etc

  • Wobble #17 6 years ago

    "There are some minor diffrences but who cares, really? As long as they both play good both PC and consoleplayers will get the chance to sample the next chapter in the Elder Scrolls universe which can't be a bad thing?"

    The people that are trying to choose between getting the PC and 360 version care.
    As the 360 version is £15 more it's only worth that for the 'playing from your couch' and 'better menu system' as long as the graphics aren't fucked up. If they are implemented badly on the 360 then it's probably not worth the £15 extra.

  • Moonprince #18 6 years ago

    But then you have to consider the 360 version will come with no other issues. It will (hopefully) run out the box.

    Whereas with the pc version you'll have to consider your spec etc.
    If you have the system, Id go pc, if you dont have a clue, then 360 would be the safe bet.

  • Blerk #19 6 years ago

    The write-up sounds really quite interesting, but the videos on EGTV worried me - specifically the combat, which doesn't seem to have changed much since Ultima Underworld days. Is it really still just 'hack/block/hack/block/hack/block/spell/block/repeat'?

  • kangarootoo #20 6 years ago

    Ooh, I've got a warm feeling (and its not just the onset of middle age causing me to lose bladder control when I get excited).

    "ruckus and harrumph over this fabled middle distance graphical crappiness"

    Lets put it in context, I'm not sure the word "crappiness" is completely appropriate. How about we replace that with "not quite as awsome lookin'".

    As for the "XB360/PC, which is better business". I believe Bethesda themselves said that on release the XB360 version will look a little better as the current gen of PCs won't be as potent.

    I don't know or care either way personally, lets not split hairs when we can be pretty sure both versions will look amazing. I just wanted to pass on what I believe the devs themselves had said.

    I dub this thread a happy Oblivion thread. Lets not let it descend into "my platform is harder than your platform" nonsense please :)
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 09:26

  • Aegus #21 6 years ago

    The thing we all want to is ; can you be female?

  • Feet #22 6 years ago

    @ Blerk - Isn't that pretty much how to it goes in RL? What else do you want? It's not like you can choose to be a ninja or a samurai.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 09:35

  • OnlyMe #23 6 years ago

    I expect Oblivion to look a LOT better than Everquest II (which says a lot) which means It'll probably be requiring a lot more than EQII. I don't know what a top-end PC is today, but I doubt it'll play as well on my AMD 64 3200+, 1gb ram, GF6800GT as on my Xbox 360. I may end up downloading the PC version to compare after I bought the 360 version, but I doubt it'll outperform the 360.

    I consider my PC to be somewhat high-end, in that it's above the average. Which means most people will have a worse PC than I have.

  • Mr_Brown #24 6 years ago

    I shall be buying this for the 360. Minor graphical differences aside, playing on my Xbox 360 is just more comfortable than spending hours on my PC. And thats a big factor on a game like this...you are going to be spending hours upon hours on it. Ether way this game can't come soon enough!

  • Wobble #25 6 years ago

    "Which means most people will have a worse PC than I have."


    Most people maybe, but probably not most gamers. That's probably an average gamer rig for about 2-3 years ago. (imho)

  • kangarootoo #26 6 years ago

    For me, regarding combat, I will be happy with something that just works. Its not the kind of game where I personally feel I need a detailed combat system, but I do want one that won't impact my fun.

    If basic hit/block/hit model allows me to deal with the beasties I encounter whilst also seeing the effects of increasing my combat skills then i think I will be happy. The Morrowind system could be a bit of a pain sometimes, and simplifying it may be the right direction to head in. The previous Elder Scrolls games were never really about combat for me and Oblivion is likely to be the same.

    EDIT: Today is going to be one of those typo heavy days.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 09:42

  • Wobble #27 6 years ago

    I want it to have the combat system from grandia III, that sounds great :(

    First person + melee combat = suck imho. (still buying this though, but I wish they'd give up on the crappy combat choice.)

  • Talha #28 6 years ago

    @OnlyMe : I have an almost identical system, and mate, that is not high-end these days. These days a high-end PC has four cores (OK, two) and two video cards in SLI/Crossfire linkage, and around 2GB of RAM.

    Let' hug each other and cry together.

    That said, I think this game has no reason not to run well on our rigs. Honestly I too was thinking along the lines of 'Will it run on my machine' while reading the appetizing preview. SOmetimes I am forced to think that buying an X360 now will relieve me of PC upgrades for at least one year.

    By the way, I think comparison between PC/X360 are not only about raw power - console games tend to be better optimized too, and that can make quite a lot of difference. I won't be surprised if the X360 version beats even the highest-end PC of today...
    Edited by 2 at 02/03/06 @ 09:52

  • Mashum #29 6 years ago

    Does it have southpaw and legacy control options?

  • Sko #30 6 years ago

    Love previews where the opener shows how gleeful they are to be allowed out of the office. It's like you can almost see the packed lunch their mum made for them... ;)

  • kangarootoo #31 6 years ago

    "Does it have southpaw and legacy control options?"

    Wasn't there talk of some of that business being taken out of the game and into the XB360 front end? I remember talk of inverted camera axis being a system seeting. if they didn't cover stick swapping too, that would be a missed opportunity. Does anyone with a 360 know what sort of things you can set?

    What did Morrowind on XB do? I would guess you will get the same.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 10:06

  • Errol #32 6 years ago

    ecommended spec is a 3Ghz processor, 1 GB of RAM, and a GeForce 6800 equivalent video card

    Will the game run really well on these specs ?

  • kangarootoo #33 6 years ago

    Oliver, did you get a chance to nosey at the detail settings? Taking farcry as an example, you can drop a lot of the detail right down but the overall look is still very impressive.

    Oblivion looks like it has the kind of environments where even dropping some details will still result in a very rich environment, but only if they give you enough control over the settings.

  • kangarootoo #34 6 years ago

    Incidentally, can you actually buy XB360s at the moment (like for real money, not bonkers eBay prices) or are stocks still very short?

  • Blerk #35 6 years ago

    @ Blerk - Isn't that pretty much how to it goes in RL? What else do you want? It's not like you can choose to be a ninja or a samurai.

    Well... it would be kinda nice to have a bit of strategy in there. And maybe some moving around. Anything to make it more than a toe-to-toe game of paper/rock/scissors with swords.

  • Frogger #36 6 years ago

    Environments seem to be better, physics seem to be better, AI seems to be better, graphics seem to be better, combat system seems to be better...

    And there are still people moaning ?

    This game will just be f***ing great !

    I just can't wait to play it...

    And I'll buy a 360 in order to do so, as it will cost me less than buying the PC video card needed to play it on my PC.

  • Tiiti #37 6 years ago

    I think I will go for the 360 version so I can sit on my sofa and play along with the missus. I can't see it being any worse than the PC version even on my spec

    my PC spec
    AMD 64 4600
    2gig corsair pro ram
    WD 1500 10000
    ati 1900 crossfire

  • Mashum #38 6 years ago

    ...there are 360s out there to buy - no Oblivion bundle pre orders that I have been able to find.

    Also I don't think you can configure lefgt handed controls from the 360 front end - Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (at least in preview) had not way to play using a southpaw/legacy layout.

    Finally... I'm not normally one to complain but this article basically pinches the walkthough joke from the Oblivion preview at xbox360.1up.com - a bit cheeky!

  • Sko #39 6 years ago

    "Well... it would be kinda nice to have a bit of strategy in there. And maybe some moving around. Anything to make it more than a toe-to-toe game of paper/rock/scissors with swords."

    I suppose it you backstep out of range, you can make things more interesting. There's also the archery/magic aspects to throw into the mix. Several previews I've read talk about the ease switching attack methods mid fight.

    Me, I'll just stand there and whack them with my sword. I not think... good.

  • MrChuckles #40 6 years ago

    I'm with the others in this thread so far. Looking forwards to it greatly (although i played Daggerfall more than Morrowind), but still hoping for the day that they update the crappy combat system.

    That is the blot on the otherwise awesome game, and was the reason i stopped playing Morrowind (As well as my diary getting to be over 150 pages and having no idea which quests i had completed and which were still open).

  • smelly #41 6 years ago

    Surely it's obvious with elder scrolls which version to get, the PC Version.

    Ignore the graphical changes between the two, if past experience is anything to go by, at least you can patch the pc version!

  • Mho7276501 #42 6 years ago

    According to gaming steve's latest podcast there are pro's and cons with both versions. The pc game running on a good spec machine just beats the 360 in terms of graphics but as has been said it really depends on the spec of the pc being used. Seeing as he played both versions on the same day one after the other i trust his opinon. Plus he has no reason to bias towards either version.

  • smelly #43 6 years ago

    According to gaming steve's latest podcast there are pro's and cons with both versions.

    Biggest pro being : You can patch the pc version

    'nuf said.

  • kangarootoo #44 6 years ago

    "As well as my diary getting to be over 150 pages and having no idea which quests i had completed and which were still open"

    The Tribunal expansion sorted all that quest log nonsense out, so I would expect something much better organised in Oblivion.

  • Ceatlan #45 6 years ago

    Smelly:

    'Surely it's obvious with elder scrolls which version to get, the PC Version.

    Ignore the graphical changes between the two, if past experience is anything to go by, at least you can patch the pc version! '

    Ahh but smelly, 360 games can be patched.

    Actually since the 360 is a single defined hardware platform its a lot less likely to have bugs in it, as a lot of the problems and bugs PC software suffers from are caused by it being an open non-standard platform. Every PC can have any type of processor, any type of graphics card from any manufacturer, any amount of hard drive space, any amount of memory, any other software installed on it etc etc.

    A developer knows that if it works on the 360 in their office it will work on everybodies, where as nothing of the sort could ever be said for any PC or PC software.

    Ceatlan

  • Talha #46 6 years ago

    @Tiiti : You are unbelievably mean and filthy scum like you is responsible for 68.9% of depression victims on Earth today. Why do you even have to be on the net - can't you just chill in your country mansion or something, instead of making our lives miserable and our painfully constructed systems inadequate with a single keystroke?

    @Catlean: I agree with you on every point even though I don't have an X360. Console versions of games generally tend to be a lot less buggy, although ironically I think that is down to lack of online takeup from console players. The day most console owners have access to online we will start seeing bug-infested games on consoles as well, the devs knowing that they can always patch the game later.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 11:05

  • Wobble #47 6 years ago

    "Finally... I'm not normally one to complain but this article basically pinches the walkthough joke from the Oblivion preview at xbox360.1up.com - a bit cheeky!"

    Not really, this one was written like a Walkthrough FAQ, wasn't the 1up one like a choose your own adventure book?

    (@Smelly: and yeah as already stated, 360 can be patched just as easily as pc now.)

  • Wobble #48 6 years ago

    /double posts...

    One (more) thing that's been worrying me about my decision to go for 360 over PC versions:
    The save game/profile loading bug that's cropped up in a few games so far.. imagine if your 360 overwrote your save after 40h of gameplay or something, that would be a nightmare.

  • PearOfAnguish #49 6 years ago

    Forget the patches, the PC version will have mods. That is one very, very good reason to get it on PC. Morrowind had some excellent free addons.

  • old_boy #50 6 years ago

    Lots of comments here about combat being repetitive in Morrowind here..Which was true at the beginning of the game. However there was a fair bit of tactics later in the game. I remember having a corking fireball standoff against an Orc warlock thing in some crypt, winning through and then being twatted by a summoned dude after stealing some gems from an altar.

    Oh, and tehre was a horse in the screenie. Can you buy/ride horses/carts like Daggerfall?...Ok I'll look at the faq

    >Kicks Barbie Horse Adventures box

  • Wobble #51 6 years ago

    "Can you buy/ride horses"

    yes, steal them too. However there have been reports of hitting loading pauses every 8 seconds while on horseback due to increased movement speed. (but no mention of that in this preview :( )

  • Furbs #52 6 years ago

    Its a pretty sad state of affairs when the ability to patch a game is given as a selling point.

  • PearOfAnguish #53 6 years ago

    They are not patches, they are product updates. Or as EA likes to call them 'Booster Packs'.

  • Sko #54 6 years ago

    Which one to get? PC of course. You can pick it up £15 cheaper than the 360 version at Play. ;)

    Hell, the "collector's edition" is a tenner cheaper than the regular 360 version.

  • MrChuckles #55 6 years ago

    @old_boy - Yeah, i remember that Orc Warlock, then a summoned guy knocking my head off. I think i won through in the end and ended up with a whole suit of orcish armour whereupon the game became rather easy.

    Still, the comabt was 'madly wave mouse around after running right up to any enemy. And bow combat was just never viable.

  • Talha #56 6 years ago

    @Pear: Right, mods are great. But not at the price of a broken basic game.

  • smelly #57 6 years ago

    Its a pretty sad state of affairs when the ability to patch a game is given as a selling point.


    Normally i'd agree.. but this is elder scrolls, previous versions have needed shed loads of patches to make them playable.

  • Errol #58 6 years ago

    Hopefully it won't have been dumbed down for consoles too much.

  • Talha #59 6 years ago

    This whole 'dumbing down for consoles' business is SO 1990s. It made sense then, but with many current gen game matching or even exceeding the depth of PC games, it no longer makes sense. Are you listening Ubisoft?

  • ave #60 6 years ago

    Umm, the xbox 360 by all accounts does not look just as good as the PC version, for one it has far worse quality textures.

  • PearOfAnguish #61 6 years ago

    @Pear: Right, mods are great. But not at the price of a broken basic game.

    How do you know it's broken? And if the PC version is broken it's likely the 360 version will be equally so.

    This whole 'dumbing down for consoles' business is SO 1990s. It made sense then, but with many current gen game matching or even exceeding the depth of PC games, it no longer makes sense. Are you listening Ubisoft?

    It's not about the technology though, it's marketing. They look at who is buying consoles and they see, largely, kids and young people. That's why you're less likely to find stat-heavy RPGs or anal turn-based strategy. Not only is the console control method not suited to that kind of game, but much of the audience wouldn't be interested.
    Also: I'd be interested to know which console games exceed the depth of anything similar on PC.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 11:51

  • Fubdub #62 6 years ago

    The one thing that makes me choose the PC version over console version any day, is the mod community which were great for Morrowind. Some mods even fixed broken parts of the game, though of course there is no way to fix fundamental flawed parts, like combat.

    That and a good mouse/keyboard set up.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 11:54

  • Stoatboy #63 6 years ago

    I'd go for the PC version for patches and mods and the like.

    In Morrowind I had to use the console to resurrect an NPC that was needed for a guild side-quest. The quest required me to challenge this bloke to a duel, but by coincidence it happened to be the ex-owner of the house I'd decided I'd like to live in. So I ended up resurrecting him, challenging him to a duel and then killing him again. I felt a little sorry for him, tbh.

  • kangarootoo #64 6 years ago

    "Forget the patches, the PC version will have mods. That is one very, very good reason to get it on PC. Morrowind had some excellent free addons."

    Ah of course, that'll be the main reason right there. I had forgotten all about that one. The Morrowind editor was outstanding, in fact it won a design award (not a games one, but like an independant design award, alongside real stuff like kettles and stairs).

  • Fatfish #65 6 years ago

    @ Wobble:

    Quote: "One (more) thing that's been worrying me about my decision to go for 360 over PC versions:
    The save game/profile loading bug that's cropped up in a few games so far.. imagine if your 360 overwrote your save after 40h of gameplay or something, that would be a nightmare."

    As far as I'm aware, all you need to do to circumvent this issue is boot up the 360 to the dashboard and load your profile from there before then booting up the game. The issue was something to do with the boot up and profile loading - although I've only heard of it happening on CoD - but I may be wrong. Either way, most people seem to be saying the same thing - load your profile from the dashboard before booting up any game and you should be ok. I've not actually experieinced this issue myself, but then I normally go into the dashboard to connect to Live before playing games anyway.

  • kangarootoo #66 6 years ago

    @ave

    "Umm, the xbox 360 by all accounts does not look just as good as the PC version, for one it has far worse quality textures."

    Rather than saying "by all accounts", how about you link us to some specific ones? "Far worse" makes for a very dramatic headline, but I suspect "marginally different" is probably a more accurate description.

    I've seen screens and movies from both platforms and I didn't really notice a difference TBH. Sure it was probably there if you scrutinise, but I don't scrutinise when I am playing a game, I'm too busy playing the game.

  • Talha #67 6 years ago

    @Pear: By broken I meant bug-riddled. I don't know, I am hardly a tech-savvy person, but in all my years of console game playing I have experienced about five crashes. Needless to say, that number can be achieved with just one modern PC shooter. This holds true even for cross-platform titles.

    As for depth, well for starters there are games like CoD2 which is exactly the same game on PC or X360. There is likes of GT4 and Forza - I haven't seen a PC driving game offering that much content. Cross-platform titles can no longer be distinguished on the basis of content since they are the same on every PC and home console. Similarly, there are many console-exclusive titles like Resident Evil, Burnout or MGS or a whole slew of RPGs that will rival any PC game in terms of depth and content. Even Black, despite all its flaws, could easily become a good PC shooter.

    The point is, the days of discriminating platforms, or stereotyping users of a particular platform, are LONG GONE. Every platform has its own merits and de-merits. Yes, it is right that consoles have a younger demographic, but that DOES NOT mean that their adult users also expect dumbed-down games. And in any case, this dumbing-down seems to be a pretty mainstream phenomenon these days, not limited to console games.

    Of course, mods are the one great advantage of PC games, and you really can't argue with a mod that enhances gameplay. So I guess it is down to whether you are really that much into mods, in the end, especially in the case of this one.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 12:14

  • Plutarch #68 6 years ago

    I think my PC should be ok to run this on decent enough settings. Certainly it makes more sense to pay £30 to play it on medium/high than £1300 to play it on very high settings on a new 360/HDTV combo. Especially when you consider that there are no other 360 games which really interest me.

  • kangarootoo #69 6 years ago

    @Talha

    Well said. 3rd paragraph in particular hits the nail right on the head.

  • PearOfAnguish #70 6 years ago

    As for depth, well for starters there are games like CoD2 which is exactly the same game on PC or X360. There is likes of GT4 and Forza - I haven't seen a PC driving game offering that much content.

    There are a number of hardcore racing games out there - GTR FIA GT Racing springs to mind. But then I'm biased toward consoles for racing - I've got all the Burnouts and love Flatout, just can't beat the Xbox pad and a TV for racing. Although Trackmania and World Racing 2 on PC are great.


    Cross-platform titles can no longer be distinguished on the basis of content since they are the same on every PC and home console. Similarly, there are many console-exclusive titles like Resident Evil, Burnout or MGS or a whole slew of RPGs that will rival any PC game in terms of depth and content.

    MGS and Resident Evil are both available on PC.
    I'm not a big fan of JRPG's, most of them are too linear, it irritates me. You don't get Baldurs Gate, Planescape Torment, System Shock 2 or Fallout on a console. :)

    Even Black, despite all its flaws, could easily become a good PC shooter.

    It'd be better with a mouse and keyboard :)


    The point is, the days of discriminating platforms, or stereotyping users of a particular platform, are LONG GONE.

    I agree, but the people in marketing departments often don't see it that way.

  • kangarootoo #71 6 years ago

    "You don't get Baldurs Gate, Planescape Torment, System Shock 2 or Fallout on a console"

    You don't get them on PC either these days. I think that is part of Talha's point when he writes "And in any case, this dumbing-down seems to be a pretty mainstream phenomenon these days, not limited to console games"

    I guess an advantage of PCs in that regard is there is a homebrew and shareware market, which console platforms simply don't support. These markets tend to produce games of the type you describe (not in scale, but in style of gameplay). But then a ninja PC is not usually required for most shareware RPGs.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 12:26

  • PearOfAnguish #72 6 years ago

    You don't get them on PC either these days.

    That's odd, my copies still run fine.
    Plenty of companies making RPGs like this anyway. Gothic 3, Bioshock, Hellgate London...lots of them. This is going to be a great year for RPGs actually.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 12:30

  • vane101 #73 6 years ago

    The Bethesda boards have the same debate PC or 360.

    My belief is that if you have a big screen TV, even standard def, the rolling landscape all look a lot better.

    You've got a cinematic look which most PC monitors cannot replicate.

    But if you're into your mods, you'll get the PC version anyway.

  • Talha #74 6 years ago

    @PearOfAnguish : Wow, it turns out we agree on everything! Just like you, I think you can't beat a console for racing games, although attaching a joypad to PC does help matters. As for hardcore racing sims, yes they are there - but I was talking more in terms of content rather than difficulty.

    The latest versions of both MGS and RE are NOT available on PC. As for other games you mentioned - obviously there would be SOME PC exclusive games, no need to get SO specific man!!! :-)

    Turns out, I am not into JRPGs too - I was merely citing them as an example. And the first time I booted up BLACK, and tried to play it, I thought to myself "THATs why there are no decent shooters on PS2!!!" See it was my first shooter on a console, and it felt horrid to control with the joypad. Hopefully I will get used to it.

    As for marketing departments, THAT is the problem I was trying to point out - the stereotypical demographics are no longer inherent to the gaming public at large (whew, THAT is some sentence!!!!). Hope that changes soon.

    @vane101: Thank God for you - I thought I was the only one with the opinion that often the sheer romance of a picture is victim to high-res starkness of a PC monitor. Glad to know this isn't the case.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 12:38

  • PearOfAnguish #75 6 years ago

    Hook it up to a projector and switch off the lights...

    The latest versions of both MGS and RE are NOT available on PC.

    Don't forget though...RE4 is out very soon on PC. Finally I'll be able to aim properly.
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 12:38

  • morriss #76 6 years ago

    Lou wrote: Shouldn't it look better on 360 than on PC, not 'as good'?

    /slaps morriss

    No, why? :)

    Becuase all I hear is that the 360 is better equipped than top-specced pC atm. Maybe not in a year or so, but right now.

    Don't sh.oot the messenger!

  • Mashum #77 6 years ago

    @Wobble

    True, although it's a thin line between 'inspired by' and 'pinched' sometimes :) I've not complaints really though, I rarely go to 1up but I browse EG every day.

    Can anyone who owns one comment on the 360's ability to configure the controller from the front end (the blades?).

    I read that the 360 would have some sort of global config functionality for the controller and I would like to know if you can setup southpaw (ie look on left stick and move/strafe on the right) from the front end - it's probably asking too much but you never know!

  • PearOfAnguish #78 6 years ago

    Becuase all I hear is that the 360 is better equipped than top-specced pC atm. Maybe not in a year or so, but right now.

    True, but nobody has yet taken advantage of the hardware. CoD2 on PC and 360 are basically identical.

  • kangarootoo #79 6 years ago

    @PearOfAnguish

    You know what I mean.

    OK, so I missed a few examples. I didn't realise Gothic 3 was still on the radar and I do have a soft spot for the Gothic series.

    /looks at web

    Ooh, Gothic 3 is looking well nice. Don't think I have ever seen a herd of Rhino in a forest before :)

  • Ace_McCloud #80 6 years ago

    I remember hearing/reading/watching some time back that you'd be able to switch camera between third person and first person... Does anyone know if that is still the case? I do like being able to admire my painstakingly crafted warrior...

  • kangarootoo #81 6 years ago

    @Ace_McCloud

    I'm sure they showed that function in one of the official game footage movies. it was certainly possible with Morrowind.

  • Frogger #82 6 years ago

    This thread is awaking an old sleeping congregation : the PC fanboy guild.

    I almost forgot about them these past years as Sony, Nintendo and MS fanboys were predominant.

    But they still exist, and are ready to explain everyone why it's so much better to spend 1.500€ on a system with a yearly 500€ upgrade than to stick to a one-time 300-400€ system for 5 years.

    They have been sleeping for 5 years, but they are back, and they are angry !

  • Talha #83 6 years ago

    @Frogger : If you have read the recent posts properly, it would be clear to you that it is not a PC vs console fanboy thread - since we all appear to own at least one console and a PC as well. Plus I think this has been a pretty good discussion.

  • kangarootoo #84 6 years ago

    @Frogger

    Oh zip it. Goading people into that sort of argument is just as yawnsome as starting it yourself.

    There are fanboys everywhere, fighting for all systems. The thing that unites them/you is their belief that they aren't fanboys themselves, just representatives of the "one true platform".

  • PearOfAnguish #85 6 years ago

    Well, to be fair, I am a bit of a PC fanboy. The N64, Gamecube, PS2 and Xbox under my telly are just there so people don't think I'm a nerd. I use my Nintendo DS to prop up a wonky desk.

    Ooh, Gothic 3 is looking well nice.

    It is looking exceedingly lovely. Hopefully the combat will be more enjoyable than it was in Gothic 2, it wasn't an easy game to get to grips with.
    Edited by 2 at 02/03/06 @ 13:12

  • kangarootoo #86 6 years ago

    Talking of which, I have a Donkey Kong II double screen gamewatch system, recently discovered in my parents loft.

    What do you reckon those are worth these days? One careful owner from new, purchased 1983.

  • Frogger #87 6 years ago

    I didn't read all the posts. I was sick after just a few of them. I was just hoping that such game could make these kind of childish fights stay away from the thread. What a naive am I.

  • MrChuckles #88 6 years ago

    PC vs Console, My Take:

    Both systems are better for different types of games:

    PC Better at:

    Turn Based Strategy,
    Real Time Strategy,
    Western RPG's, (Baldur's Gate, WoW etc)
    First Person Shooters,

    Consoles Better at:

    Beat Em Ups,
    Platformers,
    Driving Games,
    Sports Games,
    Eastern RPG's, (Final Fantasy etc)

    I personally put Oblivion as a Western RPG with an FPS control system, so it goes into 'Better on a PC'.

    Obviously you then go into other advantages/disadvantages of PC's vs consoles:

    PC Better due to:
    Mod Community,
    Much easier to develop for, leading to more Shareware, Freeware and more unique titles (Not always good titles by the way :-)),
    Hard drive as standard,
    Keyboard & mouse control system as standard,
    Can be gradually upgraded,
    Generally have better specs,
    More profit per sale to developer/publisher

    Consoles Better Due to:
    Conformity of specs, therefore no development time needed for compatibility, also many less bugs on systems,
    Cheaper,
    Hardware is used better than on PC,
    Larger Market (This is probably the main reason why consoles will gradually destroy the PC market. Publishers want sales figures, and putting it simply, mass market games generally sell more on consoles than on PC. Hugely mass market games (such as the Sims, WoW) however will sell more on the huge installed PC base, but these are VERY rare.


    And relax.

  • Frogger #89 6 years ago

    I'm calm. But tired. I have a PC, I love my PC, I spend money on my PC, but I also like consoles when they just give me what I paid for : pleasure and fun !
    So yes, the fanboy fights are tiring me. But i'm not nervous.

  • crozon #90 6 years ago

    I got an idea for anyone for those who want to play it on a nice big HDTV, plug the PC into the TV. So you can play on the couch, have a big screen and get all the benefits of the PC version (cheaper, mods etc). I call it a win win situation.

  • UnclePodger #91 6 years ago

    > I remember hearing/reading/watching some time back that you'd be able to switch camera between third person and first person... Does anyone know if that is still the case? I do like being able to admire my painstakingly crafted warrior...

    There is third-person camera. Great for watching Khajiit tails.

    >...there have been reports of hitting loading pauses every 8 seconds while on horseback due to increased movement speed. (but no mention of that in this preview)

    My horsey rides were completely pause-free.

    >Several previews I've read talk about the ease switching attack methods mid fight.

    Yep. Very easy to mix spellcasting with swordplay. 'C' casts currently selected spell (spells can be bound to numerical hotkeys) In the playtest I was softening approaching enemies with arrows or fireballs then switching to steel-n-shield at the last moment.

    >So are you saying that stuff about distant terrain features looking ultra crap is untrue? And for the record it was more than just that one guy having a tantrum, they have mentioned it in every preview I've read so far apart from yours. Did you notice anything or not?

    There are obviously LOD compromises with far-away scenery elements like trees, but, as I pointed out in the piece, some of the views really are amazing.

    >Did you get a look at the 360 version Oliver?

    No, but I know a man who has.

    >Any idea what the spec of the PC you were using was?

    Sorry, I was told and promptly forgot.We'll look at performance in much more detail when everything has been signed-off. (ie. the review)

    >Any word on the feeling of the world? Is it more alive than in Morrowind?

    As has has been reported elsewhere NPCs are now more believable. Less aimless loitering, more chat (massive amounts of recorded dialogue in the game, the stuff I heard was of a pretty high standard) If I was going to be really picky then I'd say that settlements could do with a little more 'bustle' - there are folk about but don't expect crowds.

    Oliver Clare

  • Artemus #92 6 years ago

    Well I'm getting it on PC just because I refuse to pay a £15 premium. I may have to turn down a few details on my mid-range rig but that doesn't bother me.

  • kangarootoo #93 6 years ago

    @Frogger

    Didn't mean to be hard on you.

    "I was just hoping that such game could make these kind of childish fights stay away from the thread"

    It seemed to me that what you said was as likely to insite a childish fight as prevent one. But its over now and we're all friends again :)

  • w00t #94 6 years ago

    So, what does everybody think of Oblivion then?

    ;)

  • PearOfAnguish #95 6 years ago

    Because 360 owners are jealous that their system isn't as good as a PC?

  • kangarootoo #96 6 years ago

    "These are just about the most depressing Comments I've ever read... How did this turn into a 360 vs PC argument"

    It bloody didn't until every started saying thats what it was turning into! If the thread is so depressing, contribute something about Oblivion and sort it out.

    Do you not see the irony in whining about how depressing a thread is?

  • Mho7276501 #97 6 years ago

    at the end of the day, its going to be the same game on both systems!! I will (hopefully, unless the preview people are all liars!!!) enjoy playing on my pc just as much as someone else will enjoy it the 360. A few graphical tweaks here and there are hardly that important.

    On another point i dont mind upgrading my pc once a year or so, i like having a machine which i have built to my exact desired spec.....or budget.

  • MrAtheist #98 6 years ago

    Every thread regarding Oblivion eventually turns into a 360 vs PC slanging match. Its the law.

  • kangarootoo #99 6 years ago

    No this one, on my life, if I can't save it I'll burn it to the ground with all of us inside!!



    Sorry, feeling as bit calmer now.

    Ahh, look at those woodland scenes on the Oblivion website. That cheeky little deer is just asking to get poked with an axe and turned ito a sandwich (or is that Gothic I am thinking of?).

  • urban #100 6 years ago

    /loved the third person review.

    /remembers the cupboard

  • Sko #101 6 years ago

    Honestly didn't see it turning that way until some 'pots' starting over-reacting.

  • kangarootoo #102 6 years ago

    I like the condensing combat skills down into Bladed and Blunt weapons. There is nothing worse than building up your "hand and a half with a point" sword skill, to then be rwarded for doing some quest with a "hand and two thirds with a button on the end" sword, which you then suck with even though its a great sword.

    Its like saying a Samurai couldn't totally kill someone with a garden spade.

    Some may call it dumbing down... but they're wrong ;)

  • thegamesthething #103 6 years ago

    Anyone shed any light on the 360 control options please? I've checked the Oblivion forums, but cant find anything on there. Sinister degenerate left handers like myself need to know :)

    Someone on there does says this gets 9.5 in OXM360 mag in April.

  • kangarootoo #104 6 years ago

    So there is two of your out there?! And both posting on this forum.

    Actually, a stat I am always fond of digging out, is that recent research has shown that the natural spread of left and right handed people is actually 50/50. Two factors have affected the bias towards right handed people.

    1. A legacy of "correction" that dates back a couple of hundred years, which still has influence over many of the practical appliances around today.

    2. A self correction in the young, in response to the lack of said left handed practical appliances. I.e. very young children starting off left handed but very quickly becoming right handed when presented with right handed tools.

    The balance is shifting and the number of left handed people is actually on the increase. I'm right handed for the record, but I fight for the freak minority such as Mashum and thegamesthething ;)

    EDIT: In seriousness. I'm sure EG will make it a priority to check and mention this as soon as they review an Xb360 version. Right EG? Right? Good.
    Edited by 2 at 02/03/06 @ 15:59

  • PearOfAnguish #105 6 years ago

    Its like saying a Samurai couldn't totally kill someone with a garden spade.

    Garden Spade Samurai?

    I would totally buy that game.

  • thegamesthething #106 6 years ago

    Well so far for games I've played the 360 is 2 for 2, both CoD2 and PD0 have proper legacy systems. Though given the whole thing came from the Goldeneye control system in the first place, it should be the one thing Rare got right (and was).
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 16:05

  • Latin #107 6 years ago

    I have been coming to this website for many a year but never ever posted, but the reason i am posting is to say this: The legacy of "correction" as kangarootoo points out, in fact dates back much further than 200 years. You see the latin word for left is "sinister", and we all know now that the eventual meaning of sinister in the english language is rather negative, so it can only be concluded that left handed people were thought of to be sinister (in the english sense) somewhere between the roman times and the construction of the english language that we know now. This is probably due to the fact that being left handed was thought of as being weird and different, and in the dark ages this often led to being accused of being a witch. Anyway this is the short version. Thanks very much and i shall be reading your posts for many more years as they can be very entertaining :)
    Edited by 2 at 02/03/06 @ 16:19

  • kangarootoo #108 6 years ago

    Hey nice one Latin, interesting stuff.

    Happy future lurking, although the first post is how it starts. I just read posts for ages and was then prompted ro register to make a specific point, but once you dip your toe you in in for good :)
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 17:02

  • Thamuhacha #109 6 years ago

    >but once you dip your toe you in in for good :)

    Yep. And then you find yourself angrily replying to things when you should know better.

    Or using the word "meh"

  • kangarootoo #110 6 years ago

    On the first count, guilty.

    But I have never and will never use "meh" except for example, like now (and I still feel like I need to wash my hands).

    p.s. That applies to "for teh win" as well.

    /runs tap again

  • UncleLou #111 6 years ago

    Sorry I was just expecting to read other things than: 'it'll be running bloody fine on my PC and BTW the PC will have the bestest version'. It's not out yet on neither platform so surely it's premature to call the shots. Basically we're getting a lot of defensive PC users who feel their manhood is threatened now that they no longer have bragging rights in the graphic refinement / raw power department. That's why I find the thread depressing depressing. PC nerds are just showing themselves to be the biggest nerds around, and I thought I was sad!

    Quite looking forward to the game other than that...

    If you take off your fanboy hat for a minute, you'll find just as many people stating how it'll allegedly be that much better on the 360. Just as annoying.

    And defensive PC owners are almost a refreshing sight after we had to put up with defensive 360 owners on a daily basis ever since it was released. :p

  • gaijin #112 6 years ago

    @ kangarootoo

    omg wtf rofl

    /takes shower

  • squeakyg #113 6 years ago

    Hmmm. WHy does this game provoke the most anal argument all over the internet? I can only share my experience of PC vs Xbox from Morrowind. I bought both, and due to the crapness of my (very non-gaming) PC they both played at about the same resolution and framerate. The PC version won me over for mouse menu navigation, much faster loading, and mods that put bare ladies in the game.

    Some random thoughts:

    "Console games are less buggy."
    Morrowind on the Xbox was very buggy. It needed the GotY edition to fix a lot of them. Hopefully Xbox Live will be Oblivion's saviour here. On the other hand, the Xbox version never randomly dumped me back to its dashboard on a whim, like the PC version (and all PC games) enjoyed doing every few hours.

    "The PC version gets mods."
    To be honest, Morrowind was already so huge that I didn't have time for substantial gameplay mods. I just tinkered with silly stuff like nudity patches. I can't imagine how someone could think, "Right, there's not enough Morrowind here to satisfy me, I'll go and download some more..."

    "PC and Xbox 360 version will be identical."
    Hmm. Again I compare with Morrowind - were they identical at the time? Since I'm not too picky about resolutions and textures, I think the graphics were about equal. But the Xbox spoiled things with some technical downsides. Take loading a saved game - about 20 seconds on a good gaming PC in 2002, about FOUR MINUTES on the Xbox. I don't know if Oblivion will have the same problem, but it's stuff to think about.

    "The Xbox version costs £15 more."
    I don't have a gaming PC. The computer I'm using to type this is useless for anything else (Morrowind was its last great struggle... 800x600 at 20fps - what a victory). Believe it or not, there are many like me in this world. Scary, isn't it? I just hate the hassle of PC games, so I never budgeted for running them. I think £280 for an Xbox 360 is a bit cheaper than a new high-end PC.

  • Kavvy #114 6 years ago

    On the controls thing apparently you'll be able to reconfigure all the buttons but not the left / right handidness of the sticks.

    This is according to the following link where the geezer contacted them asking about it.

    http://spaces.ms n.com/baroncalamity/

    (it's on page 2 where he mentions it)
    Edited by 1 at 02/03/06 @ 18:28

  • MrAtheist #115 6 years ago

    Its gone gold - releasing both formats w/c 20/3 (us Euros probably get it Friday 24th)

    We can likely resume the 360 vs PC fanboi war on March 25th. This time with added evidence. You know, like having actually played the game. :)

  • Feanor #116 6 years ago

    "Because 360 owners are jealous that their system isn't as good as a PC?"

    Which PC would that be? One that cost the same as a non-core 360?

  • thegamesthething #117 6 years ago

    Thanks Kavvy - I think from what he says he he might mean that the movement cant be configured to a single joystick (to allow him to play it). Hopefully legacy options might be available

  • PearOfAnguish #118 6 years ago

    "Because 360 owners are jealous that their system isn't as good as a PC?"

    Which PC would that be? One that cost the same as a non-core 360?

    No, the PC you win as a prize for replying to my jokey flame-bait comment.
    Grats!

  • morriss #119 6 years ago

    Lou wrote: And defensive PC owners are almost a refreshing sight after we had to put up with defensive 360 owners on a daily basis ever since it was released. :p

    ...and I thought you liked me :(

  • kangarootoo #120 6 years ago

    Christ on a kangaroo!! Why are people still posting how lame the PC vs XB360 arguments are and THEN adding their own version.

    SHUUUUUUUTT UUUUUUUUUUPPP about which is best.

    Its. Not. Interesting.

    And as I said before, those who accuse others of being fanboys are usually just as bad themselves. Lets just talk about the game ffs (or left handed people, or even the use of the term "meh". /scrubs with bleach).

  • UncleLou #121 6 years ago

    ...and I thought you liked me :(

    ;D

  • Feanor #122 6 years ago

    See, jokes need to be funny if you expect people to know they're jokes.

  • Genji #123 6 years ago

    @Latin

    Satan (the angel formerly known as Lucifer) sat at the left hand of God before his fall. That might be partly why left-handedness was associated with evil. Same with people that had red hair.

    /is left-handed

    ...HAIL THE DARK LOR... uh, I mean, "hi everyone!"

    Additionally, I find console vs. PC debates amusing. Console games are less buggy, because everyone that plays them has the same hardware. This makes it easier to find bugs and fix them.

    Ergo, console games are less buggy.

    I've always wondered why people feel the need to justify their system purchase by slagging off the other systems.
    Edited by 1 at 03/03/06 @ 00:54

  • darkbhudda #124 6 years ago

    I prefer to play games on my Xbox (and soon to be Xbox360 when Oblivion hits Oz) for 2 reasons:
    1) After installing SP2 on my Windows XP machine, games crash after a random period of time. Lots of fun grouping in MMORPGs.

    2)Need that space for porn, not games.


    "Its like saying a Samurai couldn't totally kill someone with a garden spade."
    Still waiting for the definitive Japanese Samurai Detective Game - Samurai Spade.

  • Scimarad #125 6 years ago

    I'm getting the 360 version for several very simple reasons.

    1:I HATE mouse and keyboard control method. Clearly superior, my arse!

    2:My PC would die if it tried to run Oblivion. In fact it would probably die if it tried run HD videos of Oblivion.

    3:I bought Morrowind on the PC and had no end of problems trying to get it to work and in the end got totally pissed off with the whole thing. Much, much later I bought it on the Xbox and actually enjoyed it...

    I'm sure there are plenty of people who have totally the opposite experience but I'm not sure why we need 3 pages of "my machine is better than your machine" crap and very little actual discussion of Oblivion.

  • Nikanoru #126 6 years ago

    Now, I'm not gonna read all 129 comments in this thread so I don't know if it's been discussed yet but...

    Does anyone else absolutely cringe at the so-dull-and-cliche-it's-not-funny-anymore sight of seeing a guy in knights outfit slashing uninteresting looking skeletons that have a sword and shield?

    Also, is it just me or are the screenshots getting progressively worse the closer we get to release day? Like the screenshot with the big blue guy up there in the review....hardly looks inspiring, does it?

    And whats with the orc looking like a regular guy with bad halloween makeup?

    And I might be lynched for saying this, but in some screenshots those procedurally generated trees and bushes look downright ugly and artificial, as if some kid discovered the clone tool in photoshop.

    Well?

  • Wobble #127 6 years ago

    "Well?"

    Yes thanks, you?

  • kangarootoo #128 6 years ago

    "Does anyone else absolutely cringe at the so-dull-and-cliche-it's-not-funny-anymore sight of seeing a guy in knights outfit slashing uninteresting looking skeletons that have a sword and shield? "

    I know what you mean, but I think that sort of thing is almost a tradition. The previous Elderscrolls games have had a mix of conventional fantasy stereo types and barnd new creatures and characters. I expect Oblivion to be much the same. There are screen shots out there of less generic creatures and some of them are pretty inventive.

    I tend to reserve judgement when it comes to screen shots. I find that with characters, I can't really form an opinion until I see them moving around. I personally think the orc looks OK. There are a few Orc art styles found in various games, films, books etc. This one is just one of the more human one. Again, when it is moving around it may look a lot more appealing to your eyes.

  • kangarootoo #129 6 years ago

    Fear not my sinister brethren, there is help at hand for your afflictions.

    http://llamma.com/xbox360/mods/Xbox-360-South paw-Controller-Mod.htm

    At time of writing it won't load, but I am assured it does actually work so give it a few tries.

    It apparently mentions though that you can configure stick swapping in the X360 dashboard, rendering a physical mod a little redundant. \o/
    Edited by 1 at 03/03/06 @ 09:31

  • Latin #130 6 years ago

    @ Genji

    That sheds some light on the issue, I personally did not know this as I have little knowledge and absolutely no interest in Christianity, although i assume this has something to do with the phrase "right hand man" i.e. your most trusted and loyal friend/employee?

    Regarding the generic nature of fantasy games i totally agree but it won't stop me buying it and spending a ridiculous amount of time playing it...

  • kangarootoo #131 6 years ago

    Hey, this left handed thing is really interesting :)

    I think the "right hand man" also refers historically to the place where your second in command would literally sit relative to you (I have an image in my head of a throne with a seat to its right), but it really sounds like that is related to the point Genji made about angels (I'm assuming Gabriel or whoever was supposed to sit to the right of God, across from Satan?).

    See developers, just how important support for lefties is? Not providing decent left handed controls is like saying you don't love Satan...... oh.

  • gaijin #132 6 years ago

    ok, was staying out of the leftie/rightie debate in deference to kanga's outrageous suggestion that we actually discuss the game. But...

    the seated at the left/right hand side of the Father thing is a bit of a red herring I think, as Christian theology developed post Roman, and according to the etymology provided in the couple of dictionaries I've checked, 'sinister' took on its english meaning of suspect and shady because Roman soothsayers already regarded things on the left-hand side as inauspicious and unlucky in making their prognostications. So although there's no definite post hoc ergo propter hoc (well, we are talking about Latin...), it would seem likely that the devil may have been placed on God's left hand because that was already seen as an unlucky and inauspicious position. So the question is why did the romans think it was unlucky in the first place. BTW, does the bible actually mention where satan sits, or does all that come from Milton?

    There's also the theory that left-handers were suspect because literally they were southpaws and likely to be able to get in under the guard of most people carrying weapon in right and shield in left (cf shaking hands with right hand to show you are unarmed). But that presupposes that right handedness is naturally numerically dominant rather than culturally imposed - which is what this discussion originally questioned.

    meh.

    (edited for rogue apostrophe)
    Edited by 1 at 03/03/06 @ 10:53

  • kangarootoo #133 6 years ago

    "ok, was staying out of the leftie/rightie debate in deference to kanga's outrageous suggestion that we actually discuss the game"

    It was more the platform war comments that I objected to, but after this many posts I doubt anyone is reading anymore but us anyway :)

  • gaijin #134 6 years ago

    yeah, I was thinking that, as I edited out the spare apostrophe... will anyone ever read this? But then I frequently think that about the real job too, and one must have standards. Ah well, everyone over to the new thread about the release date announcement. Let's hope it's simultaneous on PC and boxxor or it'll be groundhog day...

  • Genji #135 6 years ago

    "but it really sounds like that is related to the point Genji made about angels (I'm assuming Gabriel or whoever was supposed to sit to the right of God, across from Satan?)"

    His name was Lucifer then. Leader of all angels until he got too dangerous and God "downsized" him.

    Religion is cool.

  • miiiguel #136 6 years ago

    I'm a systems administrator, I work in front of a PC +10 hours a day. Buying an X360 made me a happier man => Just insert the DVD, sit back, turn the soundsystem on and enjoy the game at 100% of its capabilities, allways!

  • kangarootoo #137 6 years ago

    "Religion is cool"

    Man, they get all the best stories. We Aetheists don't have a single one :(