The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Hasn't aged great (mostly because of Skyrim) but still one of the most densely-built and alluring open-worlds ever made.

The fourth entry in Elder Scrolls is both a triumph and disappointment at the same time. The new engine is marvelous, the graphics are now dated of course, but at the time no game looked half as good. It also started to steer the series into less RPG territory and more into a roller coaster style game experience where you are allowed to experience everything. It is also hampered by some very generic world design, quests, and wooden characters. But it still stands as one of the greats.

Yes, it’s sort of janky, but this game will always have a special place in my heart because it really got me into the genre. I had never played anything like it at the time, and it was so special. It hasn’t aged particularly well, and almost all of the mechanics had areas for improvement, but it just has a charm that is really unique to this style of RPG.

I like it more than Skyrim. The stories (even the little side quests) are more memorable, the cities are more interesting, there are nice, crisp visuals, and its flaws are offset by a weird, charming goofiness. I'll take that over Skyrim's relentless gloominess any day.

When I played it there were some serious issues but it was still an enjoyable game with a big fancy open world, which was more rare back then. Probably hasn't aged well.

In terms of modding, Oblivion is a much weaker game than Skyrim but it still has some solid mods to look into. The vanilla game itself; however, is much better than Skyrim. There is much more variety in dungeons, the quests are much better designed and it also feels more like an RPG overall. The writing and storytelling are generally subpar, but the lore of the overall series is still incredible. Oblivion does look ugly and the gameplay does feel rather rigid, but it's still a solid title.

STOP RIGHT THERE CRIMINAL SCUM!!!!

back then it was one of the top games i ever played. affectionately called oblivon. i wish my few game states never broke so i woulda finished it. loved being a vampire in one save. that fright when you out at night and fight music starts. going into gates was cool but always too confusing. this introduced me to the lovable bethesda rpg shit and journeys, side quests etc. it's funny cuz this might hold up as well as skyrim unmodded cuz both have the trash combat

Great game, such a huge world to explore.

hey! my submission of this game had more ratings. and was first. boo.

One of the ugliest things I've ever seen and the dungeons are horrible but I still feel like it has more heart than Skyrim.

My introduction to the ESU and it was amazing.

By Azura, it's the Grand Champion! Less dull than Skyrim, but less interesting than Morrowind. Plot and setting suffer heavily from trying to ape LOTR too hard; gameplay is pretty alright, though, A bit above average, but the dull environs really hurt the open world. Naturally, a hell of a lot better with mods.

music, dumb npcs, quests, lore, voice acting, locations, nostalgia. yeah, I'm giving this a 100

A meh roleplaying game with crappy production values set in a generic medieval English fantasy milieu. I always lost interest outside of the first city.

I sunk so much time in this but I don't care at all about the lore. Your game needs to be set in a post apocalyptic world for me to begin to care. There's probably a stupid scroll in this game hinting that it takes place in the future.

Assumes an awkward position between Morrowind and Skyrim; it's a lot dumber and far less engaging than its predecessor, but has noticeably more stats and mechanics than its successor. The Dark Brotherhood questline is better than the quests in Skyrim, but I still wouldn't call it "good". I'm really struggling to put a rating on this; if Skyrim wasn't so damn shallow and stupid, I could easily tear Oblivion down, but as it stands, it's just... "pretty bad"?

Oblivion was Bethesda hitting a stride. A new game truly loaded with unlimited things to do. While it may have turned out smaller in scope that its predecessor, it is a wonderful adventure in its own right. With unlimited ways to play a new game every time.