Review: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

One aspect of the Elder Scrolls games that has always impressed the zealous perfectionists has been the series' character creation system. Like Arena, Daggerfall and Morrowind before it, Oblivion doesn't force you into a pre-made class. The player is free to choose their special abilities, major and minor skills and their appearance. Along with this to further customise your character, you can select a star sign that grants you a unique power or a bonus to your statistics. These include the Shadow (60 second invisibility, usable once per day) and the Atronach (50% chance to absorb magical attacks and replenish your own as well as a bonus to magic).

The beginning of the game lets you get to terms with the gameplay and your preferred style of play before you create your character, and you can change all of these options just before you leave the starting area. This additional flexibility is a godsend for the RPG enthusiasts, and as a gamer, it can be heartbreaking when you realise the character you made isn't working for you. This gives you a bit of a buffer before the game really gets rolling.

Once outside, you'll instinctively squint to block out the light of day and stare in awe at the rolling hills and detailed flora. Although you'll have the main plot quest to complete, from this point on you're free to do whatever you like.

My timing would have to be perfect. No, better than perfect - if that was possible.

To cast my spell, I would have to lower my shield and stand defenceless against the daedroth's onslaught. I didn't like the idea, but it was my only chance to live. My only chance.

The creature drew closer, its mace poised to strike the killing blow.

I lowered my shield and began to chant. I didn't try to hide the quiver in my voice.

Fast travel is back in Oblivion. As long as you've visited somewhere, you can click it on your map and get their instantaneously - at least from your perspective. In-game, time will still pass as if you'd travelled the distance manually. So as to not to let all the work done to craft the landscape of Cyrodiil (the province in which the game is set) go to waste you will have to manually travel, at least once, to new places marked on your map. Once you've 'discovered' it by going there, you're free to return later using fast travel.

Dotted around the landscape are also Oblivion gates; portals that lead to a hellish plane filled with a variety of extremely deadly monsters, vicious plants, fireball turrets and magical landmines. Each gate is randomly generated, so there's no telling what you'll find inside. However, the goal of each trip is the same - find the power sphere that keeps that gate open and remove it.

Often you'll be travelling somewhere to complete a quest, and you'll find a gate along the way. Expect many, many things to distract and side-track you - that's what Elder Scrolls is all about. And, seeing as your skills improve by using them, and not through arbitrary level gains, it's not just about what you do, but how you do it.

The Frost Touch spell began to materialise along the tips of my fingers, flecks of ice accumulating on my chain glove. My hand throbbed, and the surrounding air cooled sharply as the magical energies fought to escape from my mystical grip.

The daedroth was close now, my lungs filled with the ashen smell of its armour and smouldering flesh beneath it.

I screamed the last few words of the spell and unleashed what was left of my waning power.