Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Hands-On Preview (XBOX360)

[Everlost_MI]

TeamXbox (http://www.teamxbox/com/) has posted a hands-on preview (http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1211/The-Elder-Scrolls-IV-Oblivion/p1/) including screenshots of Xbox 360 version of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for your viewing pleasure.

I can't wait for this game to be released!

[civx]

http://screenshots.teamxbox.com/screen/43135/The-Elder-Scrolls-IV-Oblivion/

As long as I can be that guy I'll get the game.

[drakkarim]

trying to spit out positive PR now that most people seem to concur (from the 20 minute video) that its nothing more then Morrowind with fancier graphics.

[darkwarrior]

...What do you expect from a sequel?

Yes it would be Morrowind, except with better graphics, lush forests, better character creation and management and advanced Radiant AI NPC interaction for starters. Wow, improving on the template, I wouldn't expect that from a sequel.

[Draft]

I'm an angry little super fag that can't find anything important to complain about, so what I'll do is make it like everyone agrees with my stupid, baseless opinion.This message has to be longer than 10 characters.

[Thenetcase]

Why on earth would they want to change a formula that's worked flawlessly for over a decade? That doesn't make sense, so they didn't. They improved on it-- which does make sense.

Morrowind was a GREAT game. More single player RPGs could learn from it. It's time for a new titles in the series; this title will live up to the Morrowind legacy, in my opnion.

Say what you like... this is definitely going to be one game I pick up and waste a lot of time in.

-TNC-

[Bydo_Empire]

I love Morrowind. I'll take a prettier version with improved combat and better NPC AI any day. In fact, it sort of makes me want to pick up Morrownd again...

[carneconcarne]

I read that the framerate is choppy. That sucks. I'm really looking forward to this game, but I'd love my experience to be smooth and seamless.

[Nesta]

trying to spit out positive PR now that most people seem to concur (from the 20 minute video) that its nothing more then Morrowind with fancier graphics.


Hey, is there an ignore feature for this board or what?

[Worldcrafter]

Considering how much fun Morrowind still is to play, I can't wait to play a version with a new story, new graphics, and physics. I rarely used a bow in Morrowind, because I didn't like having to lug around arrows that I could rarely ever get back. But now that the arrows can be found, I'm all about being an archer. Once this game comes out, my weekends are shot.

[Paranoia]

Looks like a solid game.

[BleedTheFreak]

trying to spit out positive PR now that most people seem to concur (from the 20 minute video) that its nothing more then Morrowind with fancier graphics.

I've read every hands-on that rpgdot.com has linked, and I don't recall anyone saying that so far. The only concerns I've read have been:

1) Choppy frame rates
2) Short draw distance
3) Simple (not complex) animations

The first two are already dealt with, in more recent code, according to the developers, though no comment on 3 means the animation is likely to not change from what some folks have already seen. Personally, I would probably have never noticed except others have now pointed it out. ;)

[Thenetcase]

Simple animations? Did you guys even SEE the chain in the movie? Or maybe there are other things they are referring to (like water animations or folage animations).

We'll see. I'm still looking forward to it. Like someone else pointed out, Morrowind itself is still fun, so I don't think anyone who liked the original will be disapointed with this one. Could be wrong, but I hope I'm not! :)

-TNC-

[earthworm48]

I want an idea of the PC specs.

[Montgomery_Python]

I guess I was the only guy that didn't like Morrowwind.

[Deathbane27]

Even if it were nothing more than a Morrowind expansion with a non-"click-the-attack-button-as-fast-as-you-can" combat system, it would still sell just as many copies. So whine all you want.

Simple animations? Did you guys even SEE the chain in the movie? Or maybe there are other things they are referring to (like water animations or folage animations).

Character animations. The transitions aren't exactly fluid (especially compared to the chain hang in the prison that you cited), and neither were Morrowind's. Not bad enough to put a bug in my bed, though. :p

[Kelegacy]

Well, I want something a bit different than Morrowind. There are a shit load of you guys who cry foul when a new Grand Theft Auto game is released and it's "just like GTA3", so those of you that whine about GTA shouldnt be jacking off to Oblivion. I don't want the same game as Morrowind, though I liked it a lot. It will still be worth a purchase, but hopefully there are enough new elements besides prettier graphics.

[ezra]

trying to spit out positive PR now that most people seem to concur (from the 20 minute video) that its nothing more then Morrowind with fancier graphics.


Personally I'm really ticked off they didnt make it into a racing franchise.

[Dirty Harry]

yeah morrowind one didnt have the best animations or shadow placements, or npc functionality, or even great combat, it has it moments but it needs to become more than just hold let go hold let go style of fighting.

[TacRod]

I don't like fantasy settings, but Morrowind is a masterpiece. I still play it heaps (on the PC with lots of mods). I will definitely get Oblivion on PC. If it was nothing more than Morrowind with improved combat and new areas, I would still buy it.

[novicius]

trying to spit out positive PR now that most people seem to concur (from the 20 minute video) that its nothing more then Morrowind with fancier graphics.
Thank the Maker! :D

That'll just be perfect; after pulling 300+ hours out of MW & GOTY:MW on my Xbox, having a gaming anchor like Oblivion settles all qualms about gaming bang for the buck. :cool:

[Xerxes]

Simple animations? Did you guys even SEE the chain in the movie? Or maybe there are other things they are referring to (like water animations or folage animations).

We'll see. I'm still looking forward to it. Like someone else pointed out, Morrowind itself is still fun, so I don't think anyone who liked the original will be disapointed with this one. Could be wrong, but I hope I'm not! :)

-TNC-

A computer to run it at full speed hasn't been made yet. ;)

I kid, I kid... Just thinking back to Morrowind on first release. So many people were on forums talking about machines grinding to a halt and they had all the fly shit out. Now mods make it look beautiful. :rolleyes:

[Heretic Machine]

trying to spit out positive PR now that most people seem to concur (from the 20 minute video) that its nothing more then Morrowind with fancier graphics.

And a bunch of new features. Which means it's the best game ever, bow the fuck down bitch.

BTW - PC version is better, mods add replay value.

[drakkarim]

yes morrowind was all that and a bag of chips, but they weren't playing oblivion up to be a great sequel to morrowind, they were playing it up to be the second coming of christ jesus superstar, and "all" that we get is morrowind 2.

still a great game i'm sure, but hardly anything that needed to wait all these years... cept to raise hype i suppose.

my base point is that a lot of people will be "let down" if you will, because in the end it will turn out to be just a good game, i.e. evolutionary, not revolutionary, i think people were expecting something more revolutionary after all this time.

[Xerxes]

See drakkarim, that's cause they didn't go into Obilivion on the 20 minute gameplay...

[Taco]

Here is the problem Drakkarim.
An expansion to Morrowind = the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Morrowind 2 = the second coming of Jesus Christ and a BJ from Mary Magdalene.

I'm fine if you disagree with that. Don't purchase the game and move on. Obviously there is nothing they could of done to make you happy. They don't have an infinite amount of time to do everything for everyone. I was amazed they accomplished what they did in Morrowind in such a short(relative to what it contained) time.

[Thenetcase]

still a great game i'm sure, but hardly anything that needed to wait all these years... cept to raise hype i suppose.

my base point is that a lot of people will be "let down" if you will, because in the end it will turn out to be just a good game, i.e. evolutionary, not revolutionary, i think people were expecting something more revolutionary after all this time.

Spoken by someone who is obviously truly ignorant about how hard it is to program computer games that aren't riddled with bugs.

-TNC-

[fitbabits]

trying to spit out positive PR now that most people seem to concur (from the 20 minute video) that its nothing more then Morrowind with fancier graphics.
Define 'most people'. Better yet, link to these people you are attributing these sentiments to.

[Vandenh]

Oblivion looks, just like MW, to be one of the best RPGs ever... that is all I need. Err... hmmm... AND Darklands 2 ;)

[Sazime]

http://screenshots.teamxbox.com/screen/43135/The-Elder-Scrolls-IV-Oblivion/

As long as I can be that guy I'll get the game.

That looks like Daedric armor to me. Pretty damn sweet. I hope they bring back the glass armor too. It could look sweet being rendered in this engine.

I'm hoping bad framerates won't be such a problem on the PC, where we can adjust resolution and the like.

[Kelegacy]

Here is the problem Drakkarim.
An expansion to Morrowind = the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Morrowind 2 = the second coming of Jesus Christ and a BJ from Mary Magdalene.

I'm fine if you disagree with that. Don't purchase the game and move on. Obviously there is nothing they could of done to make you happy. They don't have an infinite amount of time to do everything for everyone. I was amazed they accomplished what they did in Morrowind in such a short(relative to what it contained) time.

Didn't Daggerfall take about 10 years or so? That game was TOO big. But I can't help but think that Morrowind felt a little...different than Arena and Daggerfall. But I'm probably the only one.

[F3nyx]

I can't wait for them to release videos displaying the immensely upgraded character animations which they have undoubtedly added. God, those videos were like watching a bunch of beautiful cripples stagger around.

[Sazime]

Oh no, you are not. I was upset with Morrowind at first because of the size. I loved the fact that Daggerfall was so HUGE. What I didn't like was the 19 or so patches released to fix silly problems, and the fact the game still had some issues.

What I began to realize about Morrowind though was that when I restarted a game, I didn't feel nearly as lost as I did in Daggefall. I still wanted to buy a house, ship, cart and horse, but I could also do without them. The TES Toolset fixed the house problem with some GREAT mods. Mods I hope that XBox 360 owners will get to see in some way with Oblivion.

I think the series is only going to get better with Oblivion.

[mister_slim]

Simple animations? Did you guys even SEE the chain in the movie? Or maybe there are other things they are referring to (like water animations or folage animations).
Character animations still look stiff. That was one of the things I was really hoping this gen would fix. Seems like people would rather toss more polys in than make the characters look realistic in motion.

[GrinR]

I still don't know when the PC version is supposed to come out...

[Magnanimous Gnome]

i think people were expecting something more revolutionary after all this time.

After all what time? Morrowind came out three and a half years ago. I guess you must live in consoleland, where new sequels can now be churned out on a yearly basis. That quickly leads to burnout. I'm not totally on the Oblivion bandwagon (as I've explained many times before), but I am looking forward to the game's release, and comments like this are just inane.


Here is the problem Drakkarim.
An expansion to Morrowind = the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Morrowind 2 = the second coming of Jesus Christ and a BJ from Mary Magdalene.

Can I get the blowjob from JC instead?


Spoken by someone who is obviously truly ignorant about how hard it is to program computer games that aren't riddled with bugs.

To be fair, the first Morrowind IS riddled with bugs. Even after several patches the game has some pretty annoying issues. This gives me strong misgivings about Oblivion. I really, REALLY hope they spend some time making the game stable and relatively bug-free instead of just prettying it up for the 360.

[goc_sin]

mmmmm.. Darklands 2... Now that would be great!

[BleedTheFreak]

I still don't know when the PC version is supposed to come out...

The guy at the forums who works for Bethesda (Pete Hines, I think his name is) stated it was shipping simultaneous with the 360 version, and it's launch date is 11/22 with the 360.

Sorry, should provide links that support such information!
http://www.rpgdot.com/#42533

[GrinR]

The guy at the forums who works for Bethesda (Pete Hines, I think his name is) stated it was shipping simultaneous with the 360 version, and it's launch date is 11/22 with the 360.

Sorry, should provide links that support such information!
http://www.rpgdot.com/#42533

Thanks tons for info!!!!!!!1111

also, if it's coming out for PC at the same time, I then feel zero need to get a 360 launch day. I'll just wait. As far as I'm concerned, Oblivion is the only killer app they have.

[bapenguin]

Can't wait for this bad boy!

[BleedTheFreak]

Thanks tons for info!!!!!!!1111

also, if it's coming out for PC at the same time, I then feel zero need to get a 360 launch day. I'll just wait. As far as I'm concerned, Oblivion is the only killer app they have.

I agree.

Except I know my machine won't run Oblivion for crap. In fact, my old machine didn't run Morrowind for shite either. *sigh* I'm always a generation behind.

Not this time. I'm getting a 360, and have the special edition Oblivion pre-ordered. ;)

[Kelegacy]

As a person who never played Morrowind on Xbox (PC for life!) how did the thing control? I still fucking hate playing FPS's on consoles because of the gamepad, but was this much easier? I might have to skip on the PC version of Oblivion just because I think it would be more cost effective and practical to buy a 360 AND the game compared to the fucking price of a new high-end card. I'll still probably wait until next year. I'm not one of those people that has to play a game or system the second it comes out.

[Taco]

Was it third person on the Xbox?

[Kelegacy]

Was it third person on the Xbox?

I think it was both, just like it was on the PC. 3rd and 1st person, whatever you wanted.

[Sazime]

As a person who never played Morrowind on Xbox (PC for life!) how did the thing control? I still fucking hate playing FPS's on consoles because of the gamepad, but was this much easier? I might have to skip on the PC version of Oblivion just because I think it would be more cost effective and practical to buy a 360 AND the game compared to the fucking price of a new high-end card. I'll still probably wait until next year. I'm not one of those people that has to play a game or system the second it comes out.

I was lucky. I took advantage of a special retail program and was able to get a ATI X850 PE for a DEEP discount. I'm ready!

[Xerxes]

What the discount really Free?

[Magnanimous Gnome]

As a person who never played Morrowind on Xbox (PC for life!) how did the thing control? I still fucking hate playing FPS's on consoles because of the gamepad, but was this much easier? I might have to skip on the PC version of Oblivion just because I think it would be more cost effective and practical to buy a 360 AND the game compared to the fucking price of a new high-end card. I'll still probably wait until next year. I'm not one of those people that has to play a game or system the second it comes out.



I own Morrowind on both the PC and the Xbox. The controls on Xbox are ok, as are the graphics. My GeForce 3 does make it look better on the PC though.

The real deal killer for me with the Xbox version is the ENORMOUS load times. You could drive to the store and buy some CDs in the time it takes a saved game to load.

I've also had it crash a few times (as it also does on the PC), which is extremely annoying to see in a console title.

[Kelegacy]

I own Morrowind on both the PC and the Xbox. The controls on Xbox are ok, as are the graphics. My GeForce 3 does make it look better on the PC though.

The real deal killer for me with the Xbox version is the ENORMOUS load times. You could drive to the store and buy some CDs in the time it takes a saved game to load.

I've also had it crash a few times (as it also does on the PC), which is extremely annoying to see in a console title.

Ugh. Load times would seal the deal for me. Especially in the beginning, when you can wander into a den of thieves who are much more powerful than yourself. Dying and reloading could be a fucking chore.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Ugh. Load times would seal the deal for me. Especially in the beginning, when you can wander into a den of thieves who are much more powerful than yourself. Dying and reloading could be a fucking chore.


It is a huge chore. Didn't take long for me to drop it and play something else, or just play Morrowind on the PC. The load times are just about the worst I have seen in a game.

[Taco]

Maybe the increased amount of memory in the 360 will improve on that.

[Sazime]

I own Morrowind on both the PC and the Xbox. The controls on Xbox are ok, as are the graphics. My GeForce 3 does make it look better on the PC though.

The real deal killer for me with the Xbox version is the ENORMOUS load times. You could drive to the store and buy some CDs in the time it takes a saved game to load.

I've also had it crash a few times (as it also does on the PC), which is extremely annoying to see in a console title.

That's what bothers me with consoles having hard drives. Soon afterword, you see patches being applied via the hard drive on a console game. BS. Didn't that happen with a few XBox games?

And no Xerxes, it was not free, but it was about 1/2 of retail.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Maybe the increased amount of memory in the 360 will improve on that.


Let's hope so. I'll most likely be picking up the game on PC, as I currently don't plan on getting the 360, at least not in the near future. I just hope it runs decently on my computer.

[Xerxes]

Maybe the increased amount of memory in the 360 will improve on that.
The ram and since most of us getting one is getting the HDD, Oblivion will cache off it. Load times should be minimum if optimized right.

[Felonous]

I've been wanting to re-install Morrowind on the PC to scratch my Elder Scrolls itch and hold me over until Oblivion/Xbox360 comes out, can anyone point me to a good place to identify what are the best mods to have installed?

[Magnanimous Gnome]

The ram and since most of us getting one is getting the HDD, Oblivion will cache off it. Load times should be minimum if optimized right.


Let's hope so. Then again they could have done this with the HD on Xbox, but they didn't. Hardly any developers did for that matter. :(


I've been wanting to re-install Morrowind on the PC to scratch my Elder Scrolls itch and hold me over until Oblivion/Xbox360 comes out, can anyone point me to a good place to identify what are the best mods to have installed?


Send Perigon a private message. He seems to know a bit about the Morrowind mod scene, and I know that he directed me to some good ones. Here is one of the links that he posted on a newspost a week or two ago:

http://home.wnm.net/~bgriff/MW_Home.html

Send him a PM and he could probably give you some more.

[Xerxes]

Let's hope so. Then again they could have done this with the HD on Xbox, but they didn't. Hardly any developers did for that matter. :(



Gnome, maybe they didn't last time. I don't have a chart of which games cached and what didn't last time so Morrowind is one I can't say one way or the other. But there has already been a interview with a dev saying if you have the HDDthe game will use it and if not it won't.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Gnome, maybe they didn't last time. I don't have a chart of which games cached and what didn't last time so Morrowind is one I can't say one way or the other. But there has already been a interview with a dev saying if you have the HDDthe game will use it and if not it won't.


I don't know exactly which titles used the HD either in the last gen, but I can assure you that Morrowind did not. The game has the worst load times of any game I've played.

[kathode]

Morrowind did indeed use the harddrive. The game had a shit ton of data to load.

[bapenguin]

The game had a shit ton of data to load.

That a technical term kathode? "shit ton"? :)

[TRiLoGY]

Woah... I just watched the 20 min video... I want this game even more now :D

[kathode]

Technical term is "fuck ton." I was trying to be polite.

[Sazime]

Hey, when it comes to console games that take THAT much time to load, there is no need. Impoliteness was already engaged by the game's loading time.

[Zeal]

What I want to see more than anything is if it has framerate problems. The PC version had a terrible framerate. If it's the same, I'm not buying it.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

What I want to see more than anything is if it has framerate problems. The PC version had a terrible framerate. If it's the same, I'm not buying it.


Morrowind on the Xbox doesn't really have framerate problems, at least not that I can recall. Then again I didn't get very far into that version - and the graphics are obviously not as good as they can be on PC, so that helps to keep the framerate stable.