Title The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Date 04.08.2007 Genre RPG Platform PlayStation 3 Developer Bethesda Softworks Publisher 2K Games

When Oblivion arrived on the PC and Xbox 360 last March, we gave our opinion in an in-depth review.  Since not much has been changed for the PlayStation 3 version, with the exception of phenomenal graphics and the inclusion of the Knights of the Nine mod, we will forego the extensive look at it and get right down to the brass tax.

GRAPHICS
The graphics in this game are amazing. From lush forests to tall mountain peaks, this game has it all. All of your weapons are shiny and pretty to look at and I just love to mess it up by smearing the blood of my enemies all over my sword. The physics are very good and the lip-syncing is practically lifelike. And the human faces do look pretty much like a real human which is definitely a step up from Morrowind. And you won’t just find the graphics at its prime in cities. Out in the wilderness there are tall trees, bright flowers, and flowing grass. Not to mention the occasional ruin. Compared to the 360 version though, we felt PS3 looked better.  Running this in 1080i on a 42” LCD TV was a dream come true.

GAMEPLAY
Well this is pretty much the only place where the game is slightly below perfect. I just am not fond of the whole enemies level up with you thing. I know it is just to keep the game interesting but still it just makes it seem like your not gaining anything from playing the game hours on end. Everything else is good though. Sneaking is now useful with the strategic critical damage system, and the manual blocking again makes the game more strategic then just a polished up point and click. But what really gives the game its extreme awsomeness is how you can live the game however you want. You actually have the ability to kill ANYBODY. But that doesn’t mean you will just go slashing anybody you see. There are consequences to every illegal action you do. Well that is if you are caught.

SOUND
This game really brings the importance of sound to a whole new level. There are literally hundreds of hours of text read to you by half descent voice actors. And I don’t just mean they say a few things and then you read the rest. Everything you see in words is read by an actual voice actor. That is not something you come across very often. And the music is nothing less than perfect. It really fits the medieval theme. It can go from peaceful music while you’re walking in the forest to tense rugged music when you are fighting a tough enemy. And how can we forget the sound of metal clanging on metal or a helpless animals organs getting splattered with a warhammer. It is all just realistic beyond belief. Sometimes you wonder what they had to do to get the realistic noises of death.

AI
It’s great. Your opponent won’t just randomly hit you, step back, hit you, and then step back again. They ready there shield when it’s obvious you are about to do an attack, don’t hit you when you blatantly have your shield up, and even use healing spells when their about to die. And the weaker people that your pick a fight with wont just stay there and die. If they know they’ll get killed they will run away and go off to tell a guard. And even your animal enemies know what level you are and will stay away if they know they’ll get slaughtered. Overall I was very impressed with the AI.

OVERALL

Like we've stated before in our review of Oblivion for the PC and Xbox 360, this is a must buy for the PlayStation 3. Fans of RPGs who still haven't played it, or don't have the PC to handle it, should do themselves a favor and pick it up immediately.

Game Score

A-

Reviewed By: Contributed