Oblivion Review

Ted Puffer's Review: 2 stars
Game Title: Elder Scrolls Oblivion

There isn't much that's necessarily wrong with Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. It's just that there isn't much that's right either. What this game desperately needs is an element that puts it over the top. Something that would really stand out as an exceptional element to the game which would encourage the player to continue on from one element to another.
Earlier reviews of this game noted the boring factor, namely that after some time the game became dull because of the repetition of certain elements. I wasn't sure what to make of this, but quickly found out after my third or fourth dungeon dive. The dungeons are modular, although you might not think so at first. The rooms and passageways that connect the chambers are premade and then stuck together like so many subterranean legos. The effect works well actually. It allows the computer to create an endless number of random dungeons which have artistically done atmospheric rooms.
In a strange twist however, the detail which went into the creation of the modules may be its undoing. Each room is well designed and fun to look at and explore, every one with shadows corners and dripping stalactites. But once you've explored these rooms, there isn't anything unusual to see in them any more. This leads the player to only glance at a room enough to get their bearings and then they'll know exactly where the exists are and likely trap locations. If the rooms were created a little more generically, than the player would have to be a bit more careful when moving about.
As it is, you know exactly where the three trap locations are, the three monster zones, and the four or five locations of hidden treasure chests.

This is only a quick summary of the problems I have with the game. Yes the graphics are dated, but that's never been an automatic demerit for me. Graphics are secondary to a story. But after walking through the same muddy street lined with buildings created with a limited grey palette, the story just won't stand up. Voice acting is sub-par which is surprising considering that Patrick Stewart makes an appearance early on.

So, I'm consigning Oblivion to... well... you know. Oblivion.