Considering the hype and the rave reviews Oblivion has received thus far, the first thing that probably crossed your mind when you saw the score I gave it was „OMG, what has this guy been smoking/drinking? Is he out of his mind?”. Sadly I have to inform you that I don’t drink nor smoke, so I wasn’t under any malefic influence when I wrote this article. I was however in a state of bitter disappointment, which hasn’t happen to me because of a game for a very long time. Especially since I eagerly awaited the release of Oblivion just like any other RPG addict.

I will spare you the history class about the Elder Scrolls series, when the first game was released, who are the developers bla bla bla. Every RPG player out there must’ve played by now at least one of the titles from the Elder Scrolls series, most likely Morrowind.

Just like in Morrowind, you start your adventure as a prisoner, not knowing the reason why you were jailed or what fate awaits you. After you explore the cell you are housed in, Emperor Uriel Septim himself shows up, followed by three Blades, his elite bodyguards. It seems that all his legitimate sons have been killed and he’s next on the hit list. “As it happens”, the secret passage through which the Emperor must escape is located in your cell, so this is your lucky day – you get a “Get out of jail free card”. Another “coincidence” is the fact that the Emperor recognizes you as the guy he’s been dreaming for a long time now. Therefore, you have to find his last, lost son and close the gates to Oblivion aka Hell, Tamriel style.

Although I knew the general outline of the storyline from the E3 2005 presentation and subsequent previews, I couldn’t help being disappointed (yes, you will read this word many times during this review) by the premise and the storyline itself. Long story short, after hearing what the Emperor had to say to me, I couldn’t care less about the fate of Tamriel. “You say I was in your dreams? And that I’m the only one who can save the world, by finding your long lost son, who almost nobody else knows about? Hmm, ok, if you say so, I’m flattered, what can I say… I’ll see what I can do”. Sarcasm and irony aside though, the whole “OMG, you’re our last hope, you must save us” idea has been used too many times already to be implemented in such a sloppy way. Not to mention some horrible and downright insulting scripted moments. One of these moments takes place right at the start of the game, when the only reason you can’t save the Emperor from dying is that your control keys are blocked by the designers. The fact that the captain of the Blades then lets you, a certified prisoner, to just waltz away with the Amulet of Kings, the most powerful artifact in the Empire, isn’t really shocking considering what just happened moments ago.