Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

[Furious Styles]

You made a very good purchase, now stick at it. It can be a bit daunting at times, but the menus and complexity will eventually become second nature.

That and its just immense fun

edit: plus it hold up really quite well for its age, especially graphically

 

[Lt. Vinciti]

Also:
1. On the 360 its beast as you can get all the DLC -even the rare and POWAFEL Horse Armor)

Wait, some DLC is not available for the PS3? The GOTY edition was $40. Does that come with all DLC?

Knights of the Nine

Shivering Isle

All I think the PS3 got....

 

[Mozza444]

Also:
1. On the 360 its beast as you can get all the DLC -even the rare and POWAFEL Horse Armor)

Wait, some DLC is not available for the PS3? The GOTY edition was $40. Does that come with all DLC?

Knights of the Nine

Shivering Isle

All I think the PS3 got....

Yeah it did, i hope Skyrim offers DLC to both consoles fairly..
However the PS3 non-GOTY did come with Knights of the Nine for free

 

[Lt. Vinciti]

Also:
1. On the 360 its beast as you can get all the DLC -even the rare and POWAFEL Horse Armor)

Wait, some DLC is not available for the PS3? The GOTY edition was $40. Does that come with all DLC?

Knights of the Nine

Shivering Isle

All I think the PS3 got....

Yeah it did, i hope Skyrim offers DLC to both consoles fairly..
However the PS3 non-GOTY did come with Knights of the Nine for free

Memory is foggy but I think 360 > PS3 on release...

The only minor fancy for the PS3 was you could see a tree farther in the distance...

 

[9Darksoul6]

Is this game worth playing now? Or should I just wait for Skyrim and play that? Is there continuity?

If what you're asking is if it's worth playing by today's standards, you simply have no ideia about how good the game/franchise is... graphically, I've seen AAA games released a month ago (ex: Homefront) that look worse than Oblivion; in terms of gameplay/gameworld it's seen with unanimity as one of the best games ever made (Morrowind's still better nevertheless), and in my opinion, it's far superior than, say, Dragon Age, in every aspect; you'll simply be mindfucked with how much effort was put in every tiny detail. And Mods; countless mods.
In other words, yes, it's still worth playing.
Note: playing both Skyrim and Oblivion, one after the other, could bore you as hell since TES games tend to be very similar.

 

[GonzoGamer]

I loved Oblivion even though I was playing it on the ps3: the ps3 had mostly crap at the time so I was pretty much playing Oblivion and Warhawk for a while. I was missing a couple of DLCs like the mage tower.

The biggest improvement Fallout 3 made I think was the VATS system, the archery and ranged spells could've really used something like that.

I found the leveling up system to be THE most confusing thing about it. It's based more on what you do than what you want to improve.

 

[Ranorak]

I was at Gamestop yesterday and saw that Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was $12 used, so I finally decided to buy it.

The only reason I bought it was because of how cool Skyrim looks, and I don't want to be left out of that excitement.

Now given that the game is going to be 4 years old this year, will the experience at all be tarnished by playing more advanced titles like Fallout 3 and New Vegas?

I played it for about 5 minutes yesterday and was overwhelmed at the amount of information there was to take in. I felt so lost. But I am sure I will pick it up.

Is this game worth playing now? Or should I just wait for Skyrim and play that? Is there continuity?

For $12, I know I can't go wrong, but I still want to know if it is actually worth playing.

Congratulations, you just bought the game at the price I payed for the DLC and I still don't regret it.

Oblivion is a wonderful game.
As for the Persuasion minigame....
I usually just bribe people but the key is:
there are 4 choices: Admire, Boast, Joke, and Coerce
Any NPC will find 2 of those negative, and 2 of those positive.
Both the positive and the negative have a strong and weak version.
Example:
Random NPC:
Strong Positive: Admire
Weak Positive: Boast
Weak Negative Joke
Strong negative: Coerce.

Your task is to read the facial expression of the NPC to figure out which one is what.
Then there is the pie-chart.
When you select a piece, the chart turns, and your disposition changes.
When you picked a negative it will be lowered and when you picked a positive it will be raised.
The bigger the pie chart the bigger the bonus/loss.

So, you want the bigger parts at the positive choices and the smaller ones at the negative.

 

[Ranorak]

I loved Oblivion even though I was playing it on the ps3: the ps3 had mostly crap at the time so I was pretty much playing Oblivion and Warhawk for a while. I was missing a couple of DLCs like the mage tower.

The biggest improvement Fallout 3 made I think was the VATS system, the archery and ranged spells could've really used something like that.

I found the leveling up system to be THE most confusing thing about it. It's based more on what you do than what you want to improve.

Eck, double post.

The leveling system is actually quite easy once you know the ropes.

When you raise 5 of your major skills you level up, and you can distribute 3 bonuses to attributes.
The size of the bonus is tied to your minor skills.
The more you raised a minor skill based on...say... strength, the bigger your bonus to strength is.

So you use your major skills to level up, and your minor skills to determine the bonus of that level-up.

 

[tj236]

I was at Gamestop yesterday and saw that Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was $12 used, so I finally decided to buy it.

The only reason I bought it was because of how cool Skyrim looks, and I don't want to be left out of that excitement.

Now given that the game is going to be 4 years old this year, will the experience at all be tarnished by playing more advanced titles like Fallout 3 and New Vegas?

I played it for about 5 minutes yesterday and was overwhelmed at the amount of information there was to take in. I felt so lost. But I am sure I will pick it up.

Is this game worth playing now? Or should I just wait for Skyrim and play that? Is there continuity?

For $12, I know I can't go wrong, but I still want to know if it is actually worth playing.

Congratulations, you just bought the game at the price I payed for the DLC and I still don't regret it.

Oblivion is a wonderful game.
As for the Persuasion minigame....
I usually just bribe people but the key is:
there are 4 choices: Admire, Boast, Joke, and Coerce
Any NPC will find 2 of those negative, and 2 of those positive.
Both the positive and the negative have a strong and weak version.
Example:
Random NPC:
Strong Positive: Admire
Weak Positive: Boast
Weak Negative Joke
Strong negative: Coerce.

Your task is to read the facial expression of the NPC to figure out which one is what.
Then there is the pie-chart.
When you select a piece, the chart turns, and your disposition changes.
When you picked a negative it will be lowered and when you picked a positive it will be raised.
The bigger the pie chart the bigger the bonus/loss.

So, you want the bigger parts at the positive choices and the smaller ones at the negative.

That makes perfect sense.

I totally get it now. Thank you very much for that!

 

[DaHero]

I was at Gamestop yesterday and saw that Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was $12 used, so I finally decided to buy it.

The only reason I bought it was because of how cool Skyrim looks, and I don't want to be left out of that excitement.

Now given that the game is going to be 4 years old this year, will the experience at all be tarnished by playing more advanced titles like Fallout 3 and New Vegas?

I played it for about 5 minutes yesterday and was overwhelmed at the amount of information there was to take in. I felt so lost. But I am sure I will pick it up.

Is this game worth playing now? Or should I just wait for Skyrim and play that? Is there continuity?

For $12, I know I can't go wrong, but I still want to know if it is actually worth playing.

To get the Skyrim feel you really should have gone with Morrowind, BUT good choice overall. Oblivion was not exactly my favorite (Toss up between Daggerfall and Morrowind) because it felt like it was going a bit on the generic fantasy side.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

$12? More than worth $12, in terms of content.

I don't feel like making a detailed post on Character Creation...Just make sure you do the Dark Brotherhood questline.

AND READ THE MANUAL.

And the Thief questline. Best two.
OP: Ignore the main story and just fuck around.

 

[GonzoGamer]

I loved Oblivion even though I was playing it on the ps3: the ps3 had mostly crap at the time so I was pretty much playing Oblivion and Warhawk for a while. I was missing a couple of DLCs like the mage tower.

The biggest improvement Fallout 3 made I think was the VATS system, the archery and ranged spells could've really used something like that.

I found the leveling up system to be THE most confusing thing about it. It's based more on what you do than what you want to improve.

Eck, double post.

The leveling system is actually quite easy once you know the ropes.

When you raise 5 of your major skills you level up, and you can distribute 3 bonuses to attributes.
The size of the bonus is tied to your minor skills.
The more you raised a minor skill based on...say... strength, the bigger your bonus to strength is.

So you use your major skills to level up, and your minor skills to determine the bonus of that level-up.

That's what I mean.
I actually figured it out when I was playing the game a couple of years ago but what you typed there made absolutely no sense to me whatsoever.
I'm not saying it's a bad leveling system (I remember kind of appreciating it) just not very straightforward.

 

[Ranorak]

I loved Oblivion even though I was playing it on the ps3: the ps3 had mostly crap at the time so I was pretty much playing Oblivion and Warhawk for a while. I was missing a couple of DLCs like the mage tower.

The biggest improvement Fallout 3 made I think was the VATS system, the archery and ranged spells could've really used something like that.

I found the leveling up system to be THE most confusing thing about it. It's based more on what you do than what you want to improve.

Eck, double post.

The leveling system is actually quite easy once you know the ropes.

When you raise 5 of your major skills you level up, and you can distribute 3 bonuses to attributes.
The size of the bonus is tied to your minor skills.
The more you raised a minor skill based on...say... strength, the bigger your bonus to strength is.

So you use your major skills to level up, and your minor skills to determine the bonus of that level-up.

That's what I mean.
I actually figured it out when I was playing the game a couple of years ago but what you typed there made absolutely no sense to me whatsoever.
I'm not saying it's a bad leveling system (I remember kind of appreciating it) just not very straightforward.

Well, I can try and explain it better, if you'd like.
If not, ignore this post!

Every skill has a attribute associated with it.
For example;
blade is associated with strength.
Blunt is associated with Strength.
Block is associated with Endurance
Conjuration with Intellect
Etc..


Every time you use a skill on a acceptable target (swinging your sword on target dummies does NOT work) you raise the red bar you see in the skill menu.
When the bar is fully filled, you raise your skill by one point.

Now, at the start of the game you picked 7 major skills.
The rest is called Minor skills.

When you raise a total of 5 10 skills that you picked as major, you will gain a level.
When you gain a level you get to select 3 attributes that get a bonus. The bonus is displaced next to it. and ranges from 1 to 5.
The bonus is associated with your minor skills.
when you raise your minor skills associated with said attribute a number of times, you get a bigger bonus.
0 skill points grants a +1 bonus
1-4 skill points grants a +2 bonus
5-7 skill points grants a +3 bonus
8-9 skill points grants a +4 bonus
10 or more skill points grants a +5 bonus

So both blunt and and Hand-to-hand will raise the strength bonus, if Blade is your only major melee skill.

So in order to get some decent level bonuses, you have to use both your major AND your minor skills.

 

[Altorin]

I loved Oblivion even though I was playing it on the ps3: the ps3 had mostly crap at the time so I was pretty much playing Oblivion and Warhawk for a while. I was missing a couple of DLCs like the mage tower.

The biggest improvement Fallout 3 made I think was the VATS system, the archery and ranged spells could've really used something like that.

I found the leveling up system to be THE most confusing thing about it. It's based more on what you do than what you want to improve.

Eck, double post.

The leveling system is actually quite easy once you know the ropes.

When you raise 5 of your major skills you level up, and you can distribute 3 bonuses to attributes.
The size of the bonus is tied to your minor skills.
The more you raised a minor skill based on...say... strength, the bigger your bonus to strength is.

So you use your major skills to level up, and your minor skills to determine the bonus of that level-up.

See, this is why the levelling system sucks. Even someone who thinks they know how it works can screw it up. The skill bonuses are based on all of your skill raises, not just Minor skills, although in order to properly get high bonuses raising minor skills is usually required. There are other nuances to it that can further complicated it, but that's pretty much the jist of it.

I started to explain in detail how it works (I've levelled several characters to 50, and even a couple characters legitimately to 100 by abusing the system somewhat), and even I can't explain it succinctly in a way that makes sense. The level up system in the game is utter rubbish.

So both blunt and and Hand-to-hand will raise the strength bonus, if Blade is your only major melee skill.

So in order to get some decent level bonuses, you have to use both your major AND your minor skills.

you're right, except blade will give you strength bonuses as well. If you did nothing in that level but train blade up by 10 and gain a level, you'll have a +5 strength bonus.

 

[Ranorak]

I loved Oblivion even though I was playing it on the ps3: the ps3 had mostly crap at the time so I was pretty much playing Oblivion and Warhawk for a while. I was missing a couple of DLCs like the mage tower.

The biggest improvement Fallout 3 made I think was the VATS system, the archery and ranged spells could've really used something like that.

I found the leveling up system to be THE most confusing thing about it. It's based more on what you do than what you want to improve.

Eck, double post.

The leveling system is actually quite easy once you know the ropes.

When you raise 5 of your major skills you level up, and you can distribute 3 bonuses to attributes.
The size of the bonus is tied to your minor skills.
The more you raised a minor skill based on...say... strength, the bigger your bonus to strength is.

So you use your major skills to level up, and your minor skills to determine the bonus of that level-up.

See, this is why the levelling system sucks. Even someone who thinks they know how it works can screw it up. The skill bonuses are based on all of your skill raises, not just Minor skills, although in order to properly get high bonuses raising minor skills is usually required. There are other nuances to it that can further complicated it, but that's pretty much the jist of it.

I started to explain in detail how it works (I've levelled several characters to 50, and even a couple characters legitimately to 100 by abusing the system somewhat), and even I can't explain it succinctly in a way that makes sense. The level up system in the game is utter rubbish.

I stand corrected.
Thank you for pointing out that major skills also increase the bonus.

 

[Hive Mind]

No offense, but why the fuck did you even make this thread.

You are asking the escapist if the fucking ELDER SCROLLS IV are worth playing? Well.... YES???? FUCK YES????

Its natural to feel a bit lost in the beginning. You will probably only really "get it" 20 hours in. But after that? Have fun with your 100+ playtime.

Saying no offense before then swearing and insulting the OP is hardly okay. Make your point in a more refined and less offensive manner.

OT: The game is amazing. There is a HUGE modding community out there, and trust me, mods make it a completely different game.

 

[Zakarath]

Just, when making your class, make sure to NOT choose any of the skills you intend to use as major ones. It sounds counterintuitive because it is.

 

[Altorin]

I stand corrected.
Thank you for pointing out that major skills also increase the bonus.

You're not wrong that the bulk of your bonuses will probably come from minor skills. If you raise only major skills, you'll get very small bonuses because the BEST you can do is get +5 in one attribute or +3 in 1 and +2 in another. That's best case scenario. If you use Minor Skills, you can more effectively get bonuses, but meticulously "gaming" your stat bonuses is not fun. At all. I've done it several times out of just pure OCD. The most fun I've had with the game is using a mod called SPAM, which allows you to set your bonuses as static things, from +5 to everything, or using presets for various character archetypes. Basically removing the metagame of raising bonuses.

I think this is something that they're addressing in Skyrim, and even if they don't, I'll play it.

 

[Mariner]

My recommendation?
Get mods

Go to Nexus for them

 

[Lullabye]

I was at Gamestop yesterday and saw that Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was $12 used, so I finally decided to buy it.

The only reason I bought it was because of how cool Skyrim looks, and I don't want to be left out of that excitement.

Now given that the game is going to be 4 years old this year, will the experience at all be tarnished by playing more advanced titles like Fallout 3 and New Vegas?

I played it for about 5 minutes yesterday and was overwhelmed at the amount of information there was to take in. I felt so lost. But I am sure I will pick it up.

Is this game worth playing now? Or should I just wait for Skyrim and play that? Is there continuity?

For $12, I know I can't go wrong, but I still want to know if it is actually worth playing.

Ya'know, there might actually be continuity of sorts. I think there was a book series that dealt with Skyrim in Oblivion. There may be characters/places that carried over. I'm not 100% certain but I can't help but think it. One of my hobbies in Oblivion was assembling a library and reading the books.
Anywho, I would get it, but the only reason I enjoyed it so much was because I became immersed in the world. The side quests were by far superior to the main(at least imo). And the DLC was amazing(very much suggest shivering isles). Yes, that includes the horse armor.