The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

 Xbox 360
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Image
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 90 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1490 Ratings

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  • Summary: Oblivion is a single-player game that takes place in Tamriel's capital province, Cyrodiil. You are given the task of finding the hidden heir to a throne that sits empty, the previous emperor having been killed by an unknown assassin. With no true Emperor, the gates to Oblivion (theOblivion is a single-player game that takes place in Tamriel's capital province, Cyrodiil. You are given the task of finding the hidden heir to a throne that sits empty, the previous emperor having been killed by an unknown assassin. With no true Emperor, the gates to Oblivion (the equivalent of hell in the world of Tamriel) open, and demons begin to invade Cyrodiil and attack its people and towns. It's up to you to find the lost heir to the throne and unravel the sinister plot that threatens to destroy all of Tamriel. In keeping with the Elder Scrolls tradition, players have the option to experience the main quest at their own pace, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore the vast world and make your own way. Numerous factions can be joined, such as the thieves or mages guilds, and each contains its own complete storyline and the chance to rise to the head of the faction and reap further rewards. Oblivion features a groundbreaking new AI system, called Radiant AI, which gives non-player characters (NPCs) the ability to make their own choices based on the world around them. They decide where to eat or who to talk to and what they say. They sleep, go to church, and even steal items, all based on their individual characteristics. Full facial animations and lip-synching, combined with full speech for all dialog, allows NPCs to come to life like never before. [Bethesda]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 90 out of 90
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 90
  3. Negative: 0 out of 90
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    100
    Simply put, Oblivion is a game where the story never ends. The story of your exploits in any other game would have natural gaps, but here you can just keep telling it, with every yarn feeding logically into the next.
  2. G4 TV
    100
    For those used to linear, Japanese-style role-playing games, Oblivion will seem like a revelation. All the games in this series have been known for their sheer vastness and freedom of choice, but the Elder Scrolls IV takes that concept and runs with it.
  3. PGNx Media
    98
    The main quest, side quests, townspeople, graphics, open-endedness, etc combine to make one of the best videogames available on any console.
  4. Xbox Solution
    95
    There is so much you can do on this game that will keep any player coming back for more even after you have completed the main quest.
  5. IncGamers
    93
    Keeping with the tradition of earlier Elder Scrolls games, there are quite literally miles of terrain to explore. Thankfully Oblivion has a built in teleport option which allows you to instantly travel to any area you’ve uncovered.
  6. 1UP
    90
    Oblivion is easily the finest open-ended RPG to date. It lacks the out-of-the-box crippling technical issues of every other Elder Scrolls game, looks great, and delivers on every promise Bethesda made during its development.
  7. Edge Magazine
    80
    It’s debatable whether Oblivion is a great adventure, but it’s certainly one of the broadest around and one that’s a willing canvas for a variety of approaches from its players. [May 2006, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 90 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 336 out of 393
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 393
  3. Negative: 23 out of 393
  1. SasquatchFelix
    Jan 19, 2011
    10
    Oblivion is easily one of the best games I have ever played. The attention to detail is amazing, I was speechless after I left the firstOblivion is easily one of the best games I have ever played. The attention to detail is amazing, I was speechless after I left the first dungeon and began to explore the world.… Expand
  2. MattM
    Mar 30, 2009
    10
    Possibly the single greatest game i have ever played. having played many *Perfect* games before i have always found myself coming back to Possibly the single greatest game i have ever played. having played many *Perfect* games before i have always found myself coming back to Oblivion. This game has reset my expectations for all other rpgs. sure there are a few bugs here and there but considering the size on oblivion i am suprised there arent more.A game as important to its genre as wow is to the MMO's or Total war is to strategy. As close to perfect as i could ever hope: 100/100.… Expand
  4. SeanT.
    Mar 24, 2006
    10
    This game rocks.
  5. Hemp316
    Aug 29, 2015
    10
    There are few games that you discover A sense of wonder and purpose than this Game.Not even later Bethesda games like Skyrim and Fallout 3There are few games that you discover A sense of wonder and purpose than this Game.Not even later Bethesda games like Skyrim and Fallout 3 made me feel like I was in A world of awe and one where I truly had the freedom with nearly unlimited possibilities within A gorgeous package. Cyrodiil to me way outshines any other Elder Scrolls title.No matter how you play it is always A unique and special experience that you will be remembering for years to come.Replay-ability is so much fun,the action,the interactions with NPC,random adventures.exploration and A whole lot more await you.10/10 in my book!… Expand
  6. GabeC.
    Mar 27, 2006
    9
    If you didn't like Morrowind... don't buy this game. This game is an Action/HackNSlash game on top of an Explore Everything game. If you didn't like Morrowind... don't buy this game. This game is an Action/HackNSlash game on top of an Explore Everything game. The experience that you get from this is what you make for yourself. There is no single game that has what this game has. It is truly a Next Gen game. People will complain about single aspects of this game being better somewhere else... But to do what they've done in a single game is amazing. Whoever complains about this game should tell everybody the game that exists that does all that Oblivion does (Yes, I'm pointing at you FPS Master)... Bravo Bethesda! Brilliant!… Expand
  7. mcmanusaur
    Sep 7, 2013
    9
    ---Rating---
    Design: 4 /5 (few changes to an already enjoyable system, but not all for the better)
    Polish: 4 /5 (much improved graphics, but    ---Rating---
    Design: 4 /5 (few changes to an already enjoyable system, but not all for the better)
    Polish: 4 /5 (much improved graphics, but slightly less coherent aesthetic than Morrowind)
    Value: 5 /5 (as always, a huge open world with virtually unmatched replay potential)

    ---Review---
    Yes, the game world is by all standards large and looks immensely better than that of Morrowind, but at the same time I have found that Oblivion sorely lacks the sense of imminent danger and risk that made its predecessor such an exciting experience.

    Part of this might have to do with the loot and dungeon leveling system that I personally despised (but which might appeal to casual players and fans of more conventional dungeon crawls), but the ease of virtually unlimited fast travel and omnipresent quest markers also contribute to the suffocating odor of unnecessary streamlining.

    Even if such ease-and-efficiency-of-use oriented features seem to be somewhat at odds with TES' trademark free-roaming at-your-leisure exploration, the latter thankfully remains intact. The dungeons tend to be boring and repetitive, but the setting of Cyrodiil is rather interestingly varied if a bit lacking in overall cohesion.

    Of course the world itself isn't perfectly convincing, and neither is it entirely realistic in how it reacts to the player's actions, but for a game of Oblivion's scope that's asking quite a lot. There are many things that Oblivion does very impressively, such that most players should be able to overlook- if somewhat begrudgingly- its few but obvious flaws.    … Expand
  8. Johhnydepht
    Mar 22, 2006
    0
    Wow an amazing game that has absorped my life for the next twelf centuries!

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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2006
3
#3 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2006
3
#3 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2006