Photo credit: arstechnica.com
Patrick Stewart’s commanding presence in the early stages of the game certainly disguises many potential narrative flaws. Moreover, aside from Stewart’s standout performance, the writing strikes a balance, remaining direct and engaging without resorting to the lengthy, stilted dialogues that often plague games from this era.
Exploring the Expansive World of Oblivion
Upon first venturing into the vast realm of Oblivion, I was taken aback to discover the fast travel feature, allowing immediate access to a plethora of significant locations without prior exploration. It felt somewhat like bending the rules as I zipped to the next quest marker instead of trekking through the sprawling forests, a landscape crafted over countless hours by talented artists and, more recently, remastered with great care.
This horse is mine now. What are you gonna do about it?
Credit: Bethesda Game Studios
My feelings of guilt waned when I inadvertently found myself stealing a horse. Prompted by a critical mission giver to commandeer an equine from a local stable, I was surprised to see guards nearby accusing me of theft as soon as I mounted the first horse I encountered. I guess I overlooked the ominous red icon indicating my crime. However, with the guards on foot and I on my newly acquired steed, I felt confident I could escape this unexpected predicament.
To avoid relying solely on fast travel, I opted to navigate the rain-soaked forest at night. The atmospheric conditions heightened the immersion, prompting me to adjust the brightness settings so I could appreciate the intricately designed trees and rocks surrounding me.
After dismounting to rid a cave of some troublesome vampires, I returned to the forest only to discover my borrowed horse was missing. This led me to wonder: was this an accurate portrayal of an unfettered horse wandering off, or was it the result of an unreliable game engine failing to track my mount?
Source
arstechnica.com