Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

[Mephistopheles]

I know it's a bit of a hot topic at the moment, but one of the toughest things i found about that was I couldn't see diddly, some of the corridors in that tower were so tough to see in! The problem is made worse by my lack of surround, or even stereo sound! Ouch! I'm being hit! Where the hell from? Etc etc.

Wasn't really an issue for me since I was using a torch, as I do in most dungeons and corridors and even at night. There's also the detect life scrolls or spells which highlight enemies with a purple glow from some feet away.

I feel much more integrated and able to lose myself than either of those two series simply because the main quest (narrative) and all the surrounding sandbox choices are handled in exactly the same way (same mission types, conversing, no deviations on out of place gameplay set-pieces). There isn't any major distinction between them and that brings them closer together, and essentially enhances the lifespan of the game because you're not faced with it being 'over'.

You've really nailed it with that observation. It's the splendid consistency between the side and main quests which make the sandbox element of the game so engrossing. It helps that the non-essential quests are all unique in their own way and of high quality, which makes them feel as appropriate and compelling as the main quest (from a gameplay standpoint) such that the transition between them is seamless. Imagine if the side quests were recycled, or the sandbox choices felt like pointless "minigames" used as filler material -- it would surely disrupt the ability to immerse yourself in this virtual world because the discrepancy would remind you it's just a game. Even the dungeons which are primary suspects for recycling each seem to have their own story behind them. This creates a scenario where the player feels that if they don't embark on the non-essential portions then they're missing out on the main meat of the game, which actually makes my use of the word 'non-essential' redundant since in fact the sandbox element appears just as essential if not more so than the main quest. Really I don't think most people realise the extraordinary job the developers have done. It takes great talent and effort to balance the gameplay like this. You must go to great lengths. It's far too easy to get it wrong and tip the scales.

[SuperBeatBoy]

Oh and I'm a level 15 now. Anyone higher?

jesus, how long have you been playing it? ive been playing it preety much nonstop since friday and thats 30hrs and im only level 9.

[Supergoal]

Does levelling up actually enhance your effectiveness against enemies? Just thinking what's the point if the enemies also level up with you?!

[Silvergun X]

Oh and I'm a level 15 now. Anyone higher?

Coming up with level 14, mate!

[MACO]

I havent posted for months, been just daily lurking but this game has made me put quill to parchment. Amazing gaming experience. Really is true sandbox stuff with an absolutely staggering amount of detail. So much so that it takes a while to get a handle on the game areas and what is possible. Initially i found myself pulled in all directions with all manner of gameplay options but have now settled into my second life in Cheyndhill (?), and am at home with my new 'family'. The Dark Botherhood missions have been superb.
The game is really like a great interactive fantasy book, but one where you can mould the lead character. I was initially trying to get ahead with the main quest but have now taken it slow and am finding it a better more immersive experience.
As has been mentioned the lack of picks is a pain for me and I am a thief. .If anyone can pm me on a thief trainer or readily availbale stock of picks I would be grateful.

[watusi]

Coming up with level 14, mate!

Crikey, I've put 14 hours in so far and am still level 3. Must be doing something wrong.

[John Beaulieu]

the thing about those peeps power leveling - they are going to suffer at some of the dungeons/oblivion gates since the game automatically upgrades monsters etc according to your level ... so for example, if you are a thief type and you have leveled up those skills you might suffer on quests which require more of a warrior approach due to being out-levelled in those departments

[Adam]

You can buy lockpicks from your Fence

[Ish]

You can also buy lockpicks if you're a member of the Dark Brotherhood.

Did some more main quest stuff last night. What a great game...

[Briareos]

the thing about those peeps power leveling - they are going to suffer at some of the dungeons/oblivion gates since the game automatically upgrades monsters etc according to your level ... so for example, if you are a thief type and you have leveled up those skills you might suffer on quests which require more of a warrior approach due to being out-levelled in those departments

That makes me feel better, I've been playing every spare hour since saturday morn and I'm only level 4!

Found two things last night which i thought was cool. One was a doomstone that grants you a new major power of invisibilty for two minutes once per day, with a boost to sneak and agility. It's a real boon for me, as I need all the help I can get doing thief missions when I'm a clomping warrior! Had to do the last one in my smalls to stop chinking when I walked

The other was an abandoned farm house full of bones, no monsters, no tell tale diary, a complete mystery. I loved the place because of it!

[J0e Musashi]

Do you get an on-screen message when infected with vampirism? Is there an "official" name for it?
I was gathering vampire dust, and whilst fighting some of the fekkers a message with "you are infected with <inserts-words-I-cannot-remember-here>" flashed up on screen. Does this mean I'm infected? No stats seem to show that I am so far like.

[MikeF]

Has anyone got a clue about how do do the Dark Brotherhood Quest to kill Khajiit J'Ghasta? 'cause i can't find him anywhere.

->Open Spoiler<-

check the rugs in his house

[Mr Pump]

Do you get an on-screen message when infected with vampirism? Is there an "official" name for it?
I was gathering vampire dust, and whilst fighting some of the fekkers a message with "you are infected with <inserts-words-I-cannot-remember-here>" flashed up on screen. Does this mean I'm infected? No stats seem to show that I am so far like.

Go to last tab on your spells menu and their should be a list of all the positive and negative effects your currently suffering from. If you have a neg stat in there, something to do with haemophilia I think, then chances are your in the first stages of vampirism. It's your choice, get cured at a temple or rest a while and become a fully fledged creature of the night.

Found a cave full of blighters last night, was about to go to bed when I stumbled across it. Thought I'd better put end to them, so much for the early night.

[Concept]

I have to diagree with you there Concept, I think lockpicks are plentily available if your a proper theif type character. Theifs join the theifs guild, and in doing that, you get loads of lock picks easily. Dont join the theives guild and you cant be into stealing that much, so lockpicks aren't needed, hence being very randomly place. Wouldn't you say so?

It wasn't stealing which proved to be the problem yesterday. I needed to get into locked rooms to complete certain quests (both in the Imperial City and Skingrad) which meant because I didn't have any lockpicks I had to keep saving and reloading continually (I hadn't met the Fence - speaking to people should inform you of his location). There should have been a few pots nearby with a two or three in for the locked places I need to get into - its obvious design sense. I also kept being thrown in jail for (what to me seemed) random AI behaviour.

To be fair, it's really the only frustration I've experienced with the game so far.

The good thing is that the AI is more expansive than I at first gave it credit for. I originally thought it was a very slight extention of Shenmue-style scheduled scripting but it isn't. Yes, they have their own routines but they can also veer wildly away from them at times which was a nice, if in the context I experienced it, frustrating surprise.

One thing I did enjoy on one of the sub-quests in the Imperial City was trailing the guy who was providing

->Open Spoiler<-

one of the dodgy merchants with goods and breaking into his home. I reached his basement and searched it... found his 'macabre manifest' and then was about to leave. Unfortunately, he was busy strolling about his home and he almost saw me. I was there by the edge of the door waiting for a few hours to leave so I could scuttle quietly across the floor without being noticed. I eventually did, but it was tense.

I love moments like that. Unexpected things that aren't quite scripted (I could have entered his basement any time he wasn't in) and add to the sense of immersion in the quests.

[Concept]

Double post.