Comments on: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion: Game of the Year Edition http://playit.taszara.com/2009/11/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-game-of-the-year-edition/ PlayIt : Let's Play Sony Playstation, Microsoft XBox and Nintendo Wii. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:32:57 +0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Noel M. Manning http://playit.taszara.com/2009/11/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-game-of-the-year-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-885 Noel M. Manning Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:57:16 +0000 http://playit.taszara.com/2009/11/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-game-of-the-year-edition/#comment-885 Honestly, I really wanted to love this game. And I don't doubt that certain parts of it are great, or that others have found so much to love about it.<br /><br />But there is one simple thing that ruins the entire experience for me: the encumberance system (i.e. the amount of weight you can carry).<br /><br />Videogames are a form of entertainment; a sense of escapism, adventure, and most of all: accomplishment (like whenever you beat that particularly difficult level or boss with true effort and skill). However, to have to stop every 15 minutes or so to manage your encumberance level is ridiculous.<br /><br />Which item should I drop? Which item should I pick up, and which should remain on my fallen foes? How many of these do I really need? Will this be important later, and therefore should I not leave it behind? Am I going to have to come back for this 15 hours later in the game, and if so, will I remember it's location?<br /><br />Constant decisions like this strongly detract from the story and excitement of the game, as you'll be too busy micromanaging. And yes, micromanagement is a typical feature of an RPG, but this system feels like honest-to-god work, which actually, I use videogames to escape. <br />Of course, there is a way around this: once fully encumbered, you may exit whichever dungeon you're plundering, backtrack to the nearest goods store, sell everything, and then return back into the foray. If you choose this option, however, perpare to waste A LOT of time-numerous trips back and forth add up to spending a lot of time getting very little done.<br /><br />What it simply boils down to for me is this: I want to be a hero, not a delivering wholesaler; and I want to feel a sense of accomplishment for trying to collect every item/uncover every secret. Working hard to build up stats on a character is one thing; but if I need to spend countless hours running back and forth, trying to decide which item is pointless, and which is worth rearranging my entire inventory in order to carry--no thanks. <br />Had this game instead used some sort of auto-sale system like in MGS4, or even incorporated no encumberance limitations to begin with, it would be infinitely more enjoyable. <br />But because it doesn't, it's left at least this gamer severely disappointed. Rating: 1 / 5 Honestly, I really wanted to love this game. And I don’t doubt that certain parts of it are great, or that others have found so much to love about it.

But there is one simple thing that ruins the entire experience for me: the encumberance system (i.e. the amount of weight you can carry).

Videogames are a form of entertainment; a sense of escapism, adventure, and most of all: accomplishment (like whenever you beat that particularly difficult level or boss with true effort and skill). However, to have to stop every 15 minutes or so to manage your encumberance level is ridiculous.

Which item should I drop? Which item should I pick up, and which should remain on my fallen foes? How many of these do I really need? Will this be important later, and therefore should I not leave it behind? Am I going to have to come back for this 15 hours later in the game, and if so, will I remember it’s location?

Constant decisions like this strongly detract from the story and excitement of the game, as you’ll be too busy micromanaging. And yes, micromanagement is a typical feature of an RPG, but this system feels like honest-to-god work, which actually, I use videogames to escape.
Of course, there is a way around this: once fully encumbered, you may exit whichever dungeon you’re plundering, backtrack to the nearest goods store, sell everything, and then return back into the foray. If you choose this option, however, perpare to waste A LOT of time-numerous trips back and forth add up to spending a lot of time getting very little done.

What it simply boils down to for me is this: I want to be a hero, not a delivering wholesaler; and I want to feel a sense of accomplishment for trying to collect every item/uncover every secret. Working hard to build up stats on a character is one thing; but if I need to spend countless hours running back and forth, trying to decide which item is pointless, and which is worth rearranging my entire inventory in order to carry–no thanks.
Had this game instead used some sort of auto-sale system like in MGS4, or even incorporated no encumberance limitations to begin with, it would be infinitely more enjoyable.
But because it doesn’t, it’s left at least this gamer severely disappointed.
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> By: Q. Le http://playit.taszara.com/2009/11/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-game-of-the-year-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-884 Q. Le Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:07:26 +0000 http://playit.taszara.com/2009/11/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-game-of-the-year-edition/#comment-884 This is a good game. Graphics are great and their is a lot to do. The thing that sucks about it is that you're all alone. Most RPGs have multiple characters in your party allowing you to explore difference voices and stories. In this game, it's just you in a huge world. It's kind of depressing. Rating: 3 / 5 This is a good game. Graphics are great and their is a lot to do. The thing that sucks about it is that you’re all alone. Most RPGs have multiple characters in your party allowing you to explore difference voices and stories. In this game, it’s just you in a huge world. It’s kind of depressing.
Rating: 3 / 5

]]> By: Joshua Hoffman http://playit.taszara.com/2009/11/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-game-of-the-year-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-883 Joshua Hoffman Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:32:24 +0000 http://playit.taszara.com/2009/11/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-game-of-the-year-edition/#comment-883 I don't know how companies like Bethesda that should have their act together can push a load of crap like this onto consumers. I will make sure to pirate their games on my pc from now on because of the sheer laziness of this port. Constant crashing and bugs abound! Rating: 3 / 5 I don’t know how companies like Bethesda that should have their act together can push a load of crap like this onto consumers. I will make sure to pirate their games on my pc from now on because of the sheer laziness of this port. Constant crashing and bugs abound!
Rating: 3 / 5

]]> By: Scott Kennelly http://playit.taszara.com/2009/11/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-game-of-the-year-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-882 Scott Kennelly Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:29:22 +0000 http://playit.taszara.com/2009/11/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-game-of-the-year-edition/#comment-882 I bought the original bug-filled Oblivion for my PS3. I finished it and really liked playing it but I find it a joke that Bethesda re-releases this game less than a year later with all kinds of added content. If you want to play this content you have to buy the new game. Why not make the new content downloadable for a small fee to existing owners? I'll tell you why, they suck that's why. Just want more money...... The game is really good if you can overlook it freezing up and you save a lot so you can work around the bugs. Rating: 1 / 5 I bought the original bug-filled Oblivion for my PS3. I finished it and really liked playing it but I find it a joke that Bethesda re-releases this game less than a year later with all kinds of added content. If you want to play this content you have to buy the new game. Why not make the new content downloadable for a small fee to existing owners? I’ll tell you why, they suck that’s why. Just want more money…… The game is really good if you can overlook it freezing up and you save a lot so you can work around the bugs.
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> By: G. A, Palermo http://playit.taszara.com/2009/11/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-game-of-the-year-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-881 G. A, Palermo Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:05:26 +0000 http://playit.taszara.com/2009/11/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-game-of-the-year-edition/#comment-881 I cannot stand 1st person RPG's. The controls are terrible, you have trouble finding your way around without having to constantly deal with the camera. This game would have been excellent if it offerred 3rd person perspective. Rating: 1 / 5 I cannot stand 1st person RPG’s. The controls are terrible, you have trouble finding your way around without having to constantly deal with the camera. This game would have been excellent if it offerred 3rd person perspective.
Rating: 1 / 5

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