The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion® Game of the Year Edition (2009)

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition (2009) remains a beloved classic in the RPG genre, praised for its expansive open world, deep lore, and engaging gameplay mechanics. Despite its age, many players appreciate its unique charm, immersive storytelling, and the freedom to create personalized characters and spells. The game offers hundreds of hours of content, including memorable guild questlines like the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild, and a main story that many find compelling and emotionally resonant.

However, players also acknowledge its dated graphics and technical issues, including frequent crashes and numerous bugs. The leveling system and combat mechanics receive mixed reviews, with some finding them clunky or unbalanced. Modding support greatly enhances the experience, fixing many flaws and improving visuals. While the remastered version offers updated graphics, many fans prefer the original’s aesthetic and modding ecosystem. Overall, Oblivion is celebrated for its depth, nostalgia, and enduring gameplay despite some rough edges.

Highlights

Players most praise Oblivion’s vast and detailed open world, rich lore, and freedom to roleplay diverse characters. The spellcrafting system and varied combat styles add depth and customization. The main story and guild questlines, especially the Dark Brotherhood, are frequently highlighted for their quality and engagement.

Many appreciate the game’s atmospheric music and memorable NPC interactions, which inject humor and charm. The game’s relatively modest system requirements and extensive modding community also contribute to its enduring appeal. Fans often note Oblivion’s unique visual style and nostalgic atmosphere as standout features.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the game’s dated graphics and frequent technical issues, such as crashes and bugs. The leveling system and enemy scaling are often seen as flawed, sometimes breaking immersion and progression. Combat can feel clunky, with awkward stagger mechanics and underwhelming power attacks. Dialogue repetition and limited voice acting reduce immersion for some players.

Additionally, some find the Oblivion Gates and dungeons repetitive, and the official DLCs vary in quality. The remastered edition is criticized for poor optimization and lack of mod support, leading many to prefer the original version with community patches.