Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion was a recipient of multiple GameShark Game of the Year awards in 2006 including Best Role-Playing Game and Best Downloadable Content, as well as being a runner-up in the 2006 Xbox 360 and PC awards - so it should come as little or no shock that the much anticipated PlayStation 3 version of the game gets the same kinds of accolades and respect in this review. Oblivion on the PS3 is every bit as good as it is on any other platform, though there are a few handful of distinctions to note.
For one, the PS3 version comes with some free content (Knights of the Nine) that both Xbox 360 and PC players had to pay for. The game also doesn't come with the support for user created content that the PC version offers, nor does it deliver the achievement system only found on the Xbox 360 version. Finally the PS3 version doesn't have any additional content that you can download at this time - including the brand new mini-expansion Shivering Isles. Of course, Bethesda is working that out as fast as they can ( the hold-up is more on Sony's end than Bethesda's at this point, from i've heard ) , but for the time being PS3 Oblivion owners will have to wait a bit longer for these extras from Bethesda.
But in the grand scheme of things these minor differences have little or no impact on the game itself, which is a wonderfully deep and incredibly engaging role-playing game experience. If you're a PS3 purist and you’ve been waiting for a role-playing game to waste 110 hours on, Oblivion is your ticket to ride - and this trip is truly worth the price of admission. If you already own the game on the Xbox 360 or PC then you're probably wasting your money playing the same game again, but for PS3 owners this game is a must own.
If you are unfamiliar with Bethesda's countless role-playing games set in the Elder Scrolls universe, then you probably don't know Tamriel from Toledo, but the world can be summed up as a vibrant and sprawling realm filled with all kinds of creatures, monsters, gods, demons cities, towns, castles and ancient ruins scattered throughout that tell of a long dead civilization that hides secrets and power. The gameplay, much like the world, is open-ended allowing the player to proceed in any way he or she sees fit.
You begin the game not on the surface of this wonderful world, but locked away in the Imperial city dungeon from some unknown crime. It is here in this cell that you meet the most powerful man in the realm -- the emperor, who is about to have an ugly head-on collision with his fate. The filthy prisoner (you) will become the world's savior by the end of this short introduction, but getting to that point expediently is all up to you. It is during this brief introduction and tutorial that you learn how to do things in the world, pick your sign (which gives you bonuses in a certain area of expertise), your race and your class. While there are some pre-made kits for classes -- and choosing one or creating your own affords you progression bonuses that are important -- the skill tree in Oblivion is open-ended, allowing you to get stronger simply by using the skills you want. If you want to master magic, become an archer, be a cutthroat or a thief, you simply do it to your hearts content to grow.
When you emerge from that first part of the game on your way to the main quest you can take on one guild or all of them, but you'll be held under the standards that each group expects of you and you'll have to watch out for the law of the land. The basic rule of thumb is don't steal, trespass or kill unless you want to go to jail. Of course, if you can avoid being seen then it ultimately doesn't matter and there are guilds that hold up such ill behavior as great if your path should take you that way.
From a presentation standpoint, Oblivion is just as good looking on the PS3 as it is on any other platform. The music is wonderful, the voice acting is superb and the world looks vibrant and alive. While some may say that Oblivion looks the same as the Xbox 360 version of the game, it does seem like Oblivion looks a tick better on Sony's platform if you have a high definition television. Of course that claim is my opinion only, but in the end analysis it doesn't matter because the game is still simply beautiful.
