The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 5th Anniversary Edition

Starting at €3.74Buy now

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is an open-world RPG set in the fantasy world of Tamriel. As the prophesized hero, you must save the realm from the malevolent forces of Oblivion and its daedric prince, Mehrunes Dagon. The game offers a vast world to explore, hundreds of quests, and a deep character customization system.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 35,350 reviews

story2,979 positive mentions

stability581 negative mentions

story
7,347 mentions
41 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" is widely praised for its depth and engagement, with many players highlighting the compelling main quest involving the struggle against the Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon and the search for the last heir to the throne, Martin Septim. However, the game's true strength lies in its rich array of side quests and guild storylines, particularly those of the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild, which are often considered some of the best in the series. While the main quest can feel repetitive and less inspired compared to the intricate side narratives, the overall storytelling and character development create a memorable and immersive experience that continues to resonate with players even years after its release.
- “The story, immersion, and that incredible soundtrack are unmatched.”
- “Incredible questlines: from the epic main quest involving the oblivion crisis to the unforgettable dark brotherhood storyline, the game is bursting with content.”
- “The depth of the story, the characters, the funny voice over and camera work, the uncanny graphics and the vivid colors...made this one of my favourite games ever.”
- “The main quest is boring and repetitive, with too many fetch quests and not enough engaging storylines.”
- “The main storyline is uninspiring and can be completed at level 1.”
- “The quests in this game feel like a series of fetch quests that lack depth and creativity, making the overall experience feel tedious.”
graphics
3,244 mentions
28 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Oblivion* are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2006 release, with many players noting that character models often appear cartoonish or "potato-faced." While the visuals may not meet modern standards, they still possess a certain charm, and the vibrant landscapes can be enhanced significantly through various mods. Overall, despite the graphical shortcomings, the game's rich storytelling and immersive gameplay continue to resonate with fans, making it a beloved classic in the RPG genre.
- “The graphics, while a bit dated by today’s standards, still possess a charm that enhances the game’s fantasy atmosphere.”
- “The graphics in Dinkum are colorful and cartoonish but capture the vastness of the Australian outback well.”
- “Despite the dated graphics, this game has really good story and quests.”
- “There's no denying that Oblivion's graphics have aged like milk; it is a very visually dated game, but if you're willing to look past that, you'll find what is arguably the best Elder Scrolls experience released to date.”
- “Dated graphics: while groundbreaking in 2006, the visuals might feel a bit rough for modern gamers.”
- “The graphics are outdated, and the NPC design is awful, but there are mods for that.”
gameplay
2,221 mentions
32 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" is often described as a blend of dated mechanics and rich RPG elements, offering a vast open world filled with quests and character customization. While some players appreciate the depth and freedom it provides, others criticize its clunky combat, convoluted leveling system, and outdated graphics, especially when compared to its successor, Skyrim. Despite these criticisms, many fans still find the gameplay engaging and rewarding, particularly with the support of mods that enhance the experience.
- “Oblivion is the last of the great Elder Scrolls. Skyrim may be a greater crowd pleaser; however, Oblivion requires something of the player. Building a cohesive character and planning your levels and skills forces you to learn the leveling mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is very fun, with a lot to do and explore. The quests are engaging, and the character progression is rewarding.”
- “Oblivion features lots of abilities and mechanics that have been changed or removed completely in Skyrim, for instance, the bartering window, the maintenance of gear, etc.”
- “After playing Skyrim, going back to Oblivion can feel a bit strange with its older mechanics and visuals.”
- “All I can say is level scaling sucks. It ruins the whole feeling of progression.”
- “The core gameplay of Oblivion is all fat and no substance.”
music
1,027 mentions
54 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion," composed by Jeremy Soule, is widely praised as one of the best soundtracks in video game history, enhancing the game's immersive atmosphere and emotional depth. Players appreciate the variety of tracks that perfectly complement different scenarios, from serene exploration to intense combat, creating a nostalgic and enchanting experience. Despite some criticism regarding repetitiveness over long play sessions, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly elevates the game's appeal and remains memorable long after gameplay.
- “The atmosphere, the music, the details, the dialogues, the characters, the history behind the missions—everything is just perfect.”
- “Iconic music: Jeremy Soule's soundtrack sets the perfect tone, from the grandiose title theme to the serene exploration music.”
- “The art direction is compelling, and the music, composed by Jeremy Soule, perfectly complements the epic nature of the adventure, creating an immersive auditory experience that enriches every moment spent in Tamriel.”
- “The battle music can get a little repetitive, especially when you sink as many hours as I have into this game.”
- “The music throughout the game by Jeremy Soule is orchestrated magnificently, but during a 100+ hour playthrough eventually it becomes repetitive.”
- “The soundtrack is so impossibly mediocre that it is hard to comprehend.”
humor
745 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Oblivion" is often described as unintentionally hilarious, stemming from its quirky NPC interactions, awkward voice acting, and numerous bugs that create absurd situations. Players appreciate the game's charm, finding joy in the bizarre dialogue and the comical design of characters, which contribute to a lighthearted experience despite the game's serious undertones. Overall, the humor is a significant draw, making it a memorable and entertaining RPG.
- “The game is completely insane, hilariously fun with infinite options to choose your play style while also balancing a believable world and a story that you care about.”
- “Oblivion’s world is full of quirky moments: townspeople arguing over sweetrolls, hilarious physics bugs, and the infamous 'stop!'”
- “The quests are engaging and funny.”
- “Was that supposed to be funny?”
- “This game took me by the [redacted] and turned me into a god (at being unfunny).”
- “Not funny.”
stability
612 mentions
4 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The stability of "Oblivion" is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that can disrupt gameplay. While many acknowledge these issues as part of the game's charm, they often recommend using mods and unofficial patches to enhance stability and fix game-breaking problems. Overall, the game's instability is a significant aspect, but it does not deter fans from enjoying the unique experiences it offers.
- “Importantly, it runs great on modern hardware.”
- “Absolutely no glitches or exploits!”
- “One of the best open world games of all time, still runs great on lower to mid machines as if it's a high-end machine from the time of its release.”
- “The game runs fine then you talk to an NPC, then the game freezes.”
- “It's buggy as all hell, a nightmare to run without constant crashes or fear of save corruption, particularly on modern systems.”
- “This game is super buggy and crashes a lot, making it difficult to play.”
atmosphere
336 mentions
54 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, vibrant environments, and enchanting soundtrack, which together create a captivating fantasy world. Players appreciate the attention to detail in NPC interactions, quest design, and sound design, all contributing to a lively and engaging experience. Despite some dated graphics, the overall charm and unique atmosphere make it a standout title in the RPG genre, often compared favorably to its predecessors and successors.
- “The sound design includes ambient noises and wildlife calls, creating a serene yet dangerous atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere, the music, the characters, the story, it's all so rich and memorable.”
- “The atmosphere is incredible, the different quests are way more fun than Skyrim's, the music is astounding, the voice acting is hilarious, and the NPCs are goofy.”
- “Repetitive gameplay, little sense of freedom, awful character models, and a generally uninspired atmosphere.”
- “The horrid voice acting, broken game engine, horrible animations and general jank paired with cyrodiil's idyllic atmosphere and the mesmerizing soundtrack make for one of the comfiest RPG experiences in existence.”
- “This game is a Lord of the Rings fan game with mediocre graphics, bad voice acting, and barely any character and atmosphere other than wow medieval fantasy.”
replayability
260 mentions
39 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its extensive character customization, open-world exploration, and a wealth of quests and side activities. Many players appreciate the unique experiences offered by different playthroughs, enhanced further by a robust modding community that adds new content and gameplay options. However, some users note that the replay value may diminish after multiple runs, particularly due to the linearity of certain quests compared to other titles in the series.
- “Character creation is highly customizable, and the game’s open-world nature ensures plenty of replayability.”
- “The variety of different quests, easter eggs, and secrets make for a highly replayable game.”
- “Oblivion is a highly replayable and customizable open-world RPG with a ton of open-endedness.”
- “It completely loses any replayability after maybe your second run; sure, it's fun to see Martin turn into a dragon and dunk on Mehrunes Dagon, but after the third time, it loses its charm.”
- “What I do not like is once you complete a faction, there is no replayability, like no extra sub-quests for that said faction.”
- “The replayability ultimately depends on what you expect in that department; for me, it can get repetitive because over time everything becomes the same, including combat, dialogue, etc.”
grinding
198 mentions
2 % positive mentions
16 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, often comparing it to doing chores rather than enjoying gameplay. While some appreciate the logical progression and the satisfaction of leveling up skills, others criticize the repetitive nature of combat and quests, leading to a sense of boredom and frustration. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant drawback, with many players feeling it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Can be grindy.”
- “Almost no grinding.”
- “I quit this game out of boredom; it was boring, unfun, grindy, and made me feel like I'm doing chores instead of playing.”
- “The leveling system is odd and can be confusing and grindy.”
- “The dungeon design gets so old so quickly, and the combat is fairly lacking too - especially when the game becomes more and more tedious and unbalanced in a bad way with the combat the more you level up.”
optimization
135 mentions
22 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, including stuttering, crashes, and outdated UI design. While some users report that the game can run smoothly with the right mods and tweaks, others find it poorly optimized for modern hardware, requiring extensive modding to achieve acceptable performance. Overall, the game's age and engine limitations contribute to a less-than-ideal optimization experience, particularly for those using high-end systems.
- “Game runs smoothly on max settings.”
- “With just a tiny bit of tinkering to get the performance adequate, the experience is great.”
- “Even if you don't plan to use mods, you will want to get the unofficial Oblivion patches, which are actually mods that fix all the minor bugs in the game for a seamless performance.”
- “This game is terribly optimized, does not run well on a modern computer even though it was released in 2006.”
- “Great game, awful performance.”
- “Even with these mods, I had frequent crashes and stuttering, as well as some bugs due to Oblivion just not being made for modern hardware.”
emotional
111 mentions
96 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' deep connections to its characters and storylines, often leading to genuine feelings of joy, sadness, and nostalgia. Many reviewers express that the game evokes a wide range of emotions through its compelling quests, memorable music, and impactful character interactions, with some even citing moments that made them cry. However, there are also criticisms regarding certain aspects of the narrative and character development, suggesting that while the game has the potential for emotional engagement, it sometimes falls short in execution.
- “It's an emotional rollercoaster that takes you back.”
- “The stories told in this game are funny, endearing, frustrating, heartbreaking, along with every other human emotion out there.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful musical score, with its stirring melodies and evocative themes, enhances the sense of immersion and elevates the emotional impact of each moment.”
- “Boring, longwinded quests and in my opinion, a boring story.”
- “Pretty boring story; it's easy to stumble into a too high-level area, making it feel too sandboxy.”
- “Boring story.”
character development
66 mentions
23 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
Character development in "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" is praised for its depth and variety, allowing players to create unique characters and explore a rich narrative through diverse quests and guild storylines. However, the game's character design has received significant criticism for its dated and often unappealing visuals, which detract from the overall experience. Despite these graphical shortcomings, many players find the immersive world and intricate character development system to be compelling enough to overlook the flaws.
- “The intricate character development system, dynamic world, and interconnected plot points created a truly immersive experience.”
- “Once you start playing this game you are immediately hooked on the story and the character development; whether you are playing on a high difficulty or just taking in the story, it has endless replayability and so many hidden secrets.”
- “The options for character development, the great writing, the sheer size of the map and quantity of locations, and the amount of quests; they just don't make enough RPGs like this.”
- “Oblivion gives you such a big world, but fails to deliver a character development system and diversity to keep you going.”
- “The biggest gripes with the game are technical, as the level-scaling and character development in the game is somewhat broken.”
- “It makes the story and character development feel like it's all just been boiled down to fetch quests.”
monetization
34 mentions
9 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
53 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it as a cash grab that prioritizes profit over quality. The introduction of microtransactions and paid DLCs, particularly for trivial content like horse skins, has left players feeling exploited and disillusioned. While some appreciate the absence of ads in certain versions, the overall sentiment is that the game's monetization strategies have contributed to a decline in the gaming experience, marking it as a negative turning point in the industry.
- “This lucrative market has driven many studios, including Bethesda, to focus more on mobile and live-service games that can continuously generate revenue through microtransactions.”
- “The paid DLCs only reinforced the feeling of a game more focused on monetization than quality.”
- “It's funny how far microtransactions have come since Oblivion was released.”
- “From 2017 to 2020, Bethesda's revenue grew from $7.8 billion to $10.4 billion, with much of this growth attributed to aggressive monetization strategies rather than the quality of their games.”
- “The first paid DLC for horse skins felt like a cash grab, undermining the idea of a rich world.”
- “I cannot recommend this or any other Bethesda products as it moves to a microtransactions-based format for its games.”