Oblivion gone gold

[Xiahou]

Alot of it probably depends on how much you knock down the graphics. My wife's computer only has an ati 9600pro- the Oblivion auto-detect knocked everything way down but, to me, it still didnt look that bad. According to her, performance was within acceptable limits, but she didnt play long enough to get outside.

[Geoffrey S]

No, people with GF 5XXX series cards have reported at best running on the lowest possible settings while many get 5FPS even then. However, the rest of that looks fine. You can get a decent card that will allow you to run Oblivion on high settings for under $200 now.

Cheers, that's what I needed to know. Thanks!

[Crazed Rabbit]

So what I'm hearing is that 1.3 Ghz P4 and Geforce 2 won't cut it?

Crazed Rabbit

[Sjakihata]

What are the PC system requirements?

Recommended:

* 3 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
* 1 GB System RAM
* ATI X800 series, NVIDIA GeForce 6800 series, or higher video card

Minimum System Requirements: New!

* Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows XP 64-bit
* 512MB System RAM
* 2 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
* 128MB Direct3D compatible video card
* and DirectX 9.0 compatible driver;
* 8x DVD-ROM drive
* 4.6 GB free hard disk space
* DirectX 9.0c (included)
* DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card
* Keyboard, Mouse

[Husar]

Hrm. Heard anything about the 6600gt folks? I get the feeling I'm right where 'it would be stupid to upgrade, but the graphics will still suffer.'

My favorite games magazine says it ran well on their testsystem with medium settings.
Testsystem:
AMD Athlon XP 2400+
512MB RAM
Radeon 9600XT(256MB I think)

now, I got:
AMD Athlon XP 2400+
1GB RAM
GeForce 6600GT with 128MB

I think a 6600GT is faster than a 9600XT.

Concerning performance, I think you have to adjust it to your settings, which can sometimes help a lot.
For me the problem are high res textures and Antialiasing which is probably because of my 128MB graphicscard.
Also my processor is somewhat slow for highest settings in most modern games, which makes for an overall performance problem.

[TinCow]

I've seen some reports of a 6600 which report having to dial back the graphics somewhat, but still getting very good results at medium-high settings. Check the elder scrolls official forums... if you can sort through all the junk in there.

[Krusader]

I dunno, I like the game, but I think Im just a little disappointed. The game is a system hog (no one should be suprised by that though), and it seems more like an Xbox360 game that's been ported to the PC than an actual PC game. The menus are clunky and all seem to be setup like they're designed for a controller. The mini-games are just annoying- especially the persuasion one, which imo does far more to damage immersion than help it. Also, while I can understand the desire for map travel, I dont really like how it's implemented- I think I'd like it better if you were forced to walk to and discover all locations the first time and then able to map to them subsequent times.

Its not that it's bad, it's just that for supposedly being so cutting edge- there are so many other games that have done it better. Obviously, Mount&Blade blows it away combat-wise and while playing, I find I keep drawing unfavorable comparisons between Oblivion and games like Gothic2.

I agree with your points. The graphics were good and I loved how the cities were with townspeople talking to eachother and you can eavesdrop on the rumours as well as locked shops at night.
Although there are some quirks that irritate me. The Inventory interface and buy/sell system made a damper on my enjoyment as I found it cluttered and consolish. I don't want the Morrowind interface back, because that wasnt good either, but I would want something else than what PC users currently get.

The minigames were also a tad annoying and the lockpicking thing was to me hell to do with a mouse and clearly designed for a controller.

All in all, I'm actually excited and also a bit disappointed. Maybe I'm picky, but having a game with console elements which in my eyes hampers the gameplay a bit and makes it a bit harder for me to keep my inventory organized. Still, I bet Im going to play this baby a lot tomorrow.

[Xiahou]

All in all, I'm actually excited and also a bit disappointed. Maybe I'm picky, but having a game with console elements which in my eyes hampers the gameplay a bit and makes it a bit harder for me to keep my inventory organized. Still, I bet Im going to play this baby a lot tomorrow.

Im definitely enjoying the game, but my nit-picks do still stand. The persuasion mini-game is fantastically stupid. It's ok as a puzzle, but as far as trying to make me believe my character is winning someone over based on his personality? No. It makes no sense that every attempt to persuade requires you to brag, admire, joke with and threaten them- it's just dumb. Further, the mini-game is very easy to master regardless of your speechcraft skills.

[Samurai Waki]

I need to restart my character, Three Hours into playing...I was wondering around outside Cyrodiil City at night, next thing I know my character becomes a vampire, now I can only use my character at night, which gives me a whole 7 hours of time per day to get my activities done, if I go outside when it is light, I die.

[lars573]

Im definitely enjoying the game, but my nit-picks do still stand. The persuasion mini-game is fantastically stupid. It's ok as a puzzle, but as far as trying to make me believe my character is winning someone over based on his personality? No. It makes no sense that every attempt to persuade requires you to brag, admire, joke with and threaten them- it's just dumb. Further, the mini-game is very easy to master regardless of your speechcraft skills.

So I take it that you aren't paying attention to the guy's face when you joke/admire/threaten/brag? They all have one they hate a lot, one they don't like, one they love, and one that is meh to them. The trick is too always get the big pie piece on the one they love. Not that it's that hard to master if it was persuading would get old quick.

I need to restart my character, Three Hours into playing...I was wondering around outside Cyrodiil City at night, next thing I know my character becomes a vampire, now I can only use my character at night, which gives me a whole 7 hours of time per day to get my activities done, if I go outside when it is light, I die.

So you didn't notice when you got infected with something or other anemia? That's what causes you to turn into a vampire.

[TB666]

How do you become a vampire ??

[Sjakihata]

The game is just morrowind with bad menus

[Xiahou]

So I take it that you aren't paying attention to the guy's face when you joke/admire/threaten/brag? They all have one they hate a lot, one they don't like, one they love, and one that is meh to them. The trick is too always get the big pie piece on the one they love. Not that it's that hard to master if it was persuading would get old quick.

I know, the mini-game is cakey. I was griping about how it's stupid for role-play purposes... You have to amdire, boast, joke and coerce the person once in every round of persuasion- it just seems silly.

Lockpicking is at least a little more challenging, but with a keen ear and quick mouse button you can still pick any lock, regardless of you characters security skill.

[lars573]

How do you become a vampire ??

Since it appears that being a Vampire in Oblivion is the same as being a Vampire in Morrowind you have to contract a disease called Porphyric Hemophilia. The best way is a hand to hand attack from a Vampire. If you don't get it cured after 3 days you turn into a vampire. Before you actually turn curing Porphyric Hemophilia is as easy as a cure disease potion or spell. Or going to a temple and praying at the shrine (which removes any debuffs or disease you might have). But after the 3 days you need to go on the de-vamping quest. I've no idea about the Oblivion version but the Morrowind version is very long. Plus all normal people flee in terror at the sight of you and guards/legionaries attack on site. In all likely hood only the Mages guild and the dark brotherhood will have anything to do with you. As in Morrowind only the Mages guild and great house Telvanni would have anything to do with a Vampire character.

In morrowind a Vampire character gets these buffs and de-buffs
2.1.+20 to Strength, Willpower, and Speed
3.+30 to Sneak, Athletics, Acrobatics, Hand-to-Hand, Unarmored, Mysticism, 3.Illusion, and Destruction
4.Immune to Paralysis and Common Disease
5.+50% Resistance to Normal Weapons
6.Vampire Touch spell, absorb health
7.Damage to sunlight
8.Levitate spell, long lasting, low cost

You'd probably get similar powers in Oblivion. Also I did the mission where Wakizashi probably caught Porphyric Hemophilia. So if you play the main quest you have the option of being a vampire for a bit.

[sapi]

I know, the mini-game is cakey. I was griping about how it's stupid for role-play purposes... You have to amdire, boast, joke and coerce the person once in every round of persuasion- it just seems silly.

Lockpicking is at least a little more challenging, but with a keen ear and quick mouse button you can still pick any lock, regardless of you characters security skill.

Agreed - i really don't like the persuasion minigame - i find having the skill gives no benifit :(

[doc_bean]

Well, this thread has made lose my interest in oblivion for a while (at least buying a new PC doesn't seem so urgent anymore).

But this is still pretty funny:

Ctr+alt+del

[BDC]

Works fine on my x700 with a 2ghz P4 and 1gb ram. Works better outside than in. Jumping about beats walking too, less emmersion but not everyone has 6 hours to spend walking across a mountain.

[Xiahou]

Jumping about beats walking too, less emmersion but not everyone has 6 hours to spend walking across a mountain.

I've adopted the self-imposed restriction of walking to a new location for at least the first time. Then, for subsequent trips to the same locale, I'll use the map travel if I want to.

This way, I still get to do a good bit of exploring and find lots of ruins, ect and (for RP purposes) I also get the feeling of forging a new path to a location- after which, retracing it should be relatively uneventful. But, to each their own.

[Lemur]

It's sort-of-running with a 9700 pro, 800 x 600 with a fair number of effects turned on, 2x aa. It's not great, and I'm not as happy as I could be, but there it is. For some reason certain spell effects turn it into a slideshow.

Great game, though. Once I've upgraded my machine it should be mezzo-spiffy. I've been thumping around as a sort of stealth archer-mage dude. A Breton with a bow, and he's not afraid to use it. Slapping down the really long shots is way more fun than it should be.

Now I just have to find four more hours in the day so's I can play as much as I want ...

[Sjakihata]

I've adopted the self-imposed restriction of walking to a new location for at least the first time. Then, for subsequent trips to the same locale, I'll use the map travel if I want to.

Well, you can only travel to known locations (whenever you come to a new place, it says Blah blah found) then you can use the map travel.

[econ21]

Well, this thread has made lose my interest in oblivion for a while ...

Then we are obviously not doing our job properly.

I think it is a very good game. gamespot gave it 96%, which does not seem unreasonable. Oblivion is very like Morrowind. IMO, it stands in relation to Morrowind like Civ4 does to Civ2. Very similar concept and mechanics, but better done and crucially more fun.

Some initial impressions (based on only 10 hours of play, minus reloads):

What's similar:
- Character creation - the system seems almost identical (skills, races etc). But this is good, as the Morrowind system was very good for a single player game (I like the freedom to mix skills & stats).
- Levelling system is almost identical - less good, IMO. I hated trying to optimise my levelling in Morrowind. So far in Oblivion it is less of a pain - no standing forever being chewed on by Mudcrabs - but that's probably just me: the system and hence incentives to do that are still there. You still have to find a bed to level, totally breaking the immersion ("I'm in hell, but I've just gone up a level. Better get back home for bed").
- Graphics - very nice, as before. Actually, I find it lacks something of the "wow" factor Morrowind's graphics had on me. I think the time and graphical standards have moved on (Morrowind was in the era of MTW; Oblivion in the era of RTW). But it is still very nice.
- Open-ended questing system - mages guilds, fighters guilds, massive world, go anywhere etc. etc.
- Combat - still madly clicking and then dying quickly if outmatched. Nowhere near as good as Mount and Blade for some reason, despite being very similar on paper.
- Bestiary - many of the old monsters are recycled. But thankfully no kwama stuff, nixhounds or flying racer things so far.
- Even the music sounds like a Morrowind remix.

What's changed:
- There's a plot this time - well, one right that grabs you right from the start and which can maintain that tension if you choose to follow it. The premise - the gates of hell are opened - is an oldie but a goldie for a CRPG (echoes of Might and Magic VI): at least you have something to care about. Somehow I ended up trying to close the doors of hell at level 1 and its heart-stopping, gripping stuff. It reminded me a little of System Shock 2 and there is no higher praise for a first person action RPG.
- All NPC speech is voiced - some nice voice work (esp. Sean Bean), but more generally things feel a little more alive than the "dead" text spouting NPCs of Morrowind. For example, there's a drunken armourer in one town who has something approaching a personality. No NPC did in Morrowind, IMO.
- The map has a directional indicator based on the current quest.
- Travel is much easier, with automated moving to a desired location (no need to rely on mark and recall). Inventory management (getting full) is still a pain though.
- Dumb persuasion and lockpicking mini-games.
- Stealth and magic are more powerful this time round. Mana regenerates quickly. Stealth gives DnD backstab type multipliers to damage.
- Probably more autolevelling of encounters and opponents to match your level (even the treasure autolevels, so you don't get good drops until you are high level). This means you are less likely to be outmatched, but many people on the official site are criticising the system as it means you don't really feel more powerful as you level.

All in all, it's still probably not quite my cup of tea. I think KOTOR2 and Vampires are better CRPGs for my tilt. But, like Civ4, Oblivion is still good enough to suck up your weekends and give you a migraine from playing it too constantly.

...(at least buying a new PC doesn't seem so urgent anymore).

Fair enough. I agree with that. I bought a new graphics card for Morrowind and although I did not really like the game that much, I was satisfied just to experience the amazing world. It was a sort of "see Venice and die" kind of thing. While Oblivion is the better game, I don't think it is quite the gaming experience that Morrowind was for its time.

[Lemur]

It's worth noting that mods are popping up that address the inventory control problem. And therein lies the real reason to get Oblivion for the PC -- mods. Lots and lots of tweaks and fixes that the poor Xbox360 users shall never see.

I'm looking forward to trying out some of the UI modifications tonight ...

[Xiahou]

It's sort-of-running with a 9700 pro, 800 x 600 with a fair number of effects turned on, 2x aa. It's not great, and I'm not as happy as I could be, but there it is. For some reason certain spell effects turn it into a slideshow

That's probably because of your 2xAA. I bet if you turned that off you'd see much better performance. I have an x800xl and even I cant run any AA without certain effects turning it into a slideshow.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

I remember Morrowind being really boring and really addictive. In Oblivion can you move along continously on the main quest or do you have to do a bunch of "optional" side quests in order to get your character up to the required level?

Also how does the archery compare to M&B?


I may want to get it in 3-4 years...

[BDC]

Combat is not so good really. Looks pretty and dramatic though. M&B has better, smoother combat.

[Bartix]

Jumping about beats walking too, less emmersion but not everyone has 6 hours to spend walking across a mountain.

In Morrowind I was always jumping. Very silly. Getting stats up.

I remember Morrowind being really boring and really addictive.

That is summing it up! Same thing is WoW, may be?

[Lemur]

That's probably because of your 2xAA. I bet if you turned that off you'd see much better performance.

Actually, I'd classify it as a "who knows" kind of situation. Over on the Oblivion boards they're trading .ini files like baseball cards. Apparently you can fine-tune the video settings like a madman. So yeah, turning off the AA would probably fix the problem, but there might be a much more elegant way. I'm gonna go ask for a file ...

[Sjakihata]

Anyone remember that little graphic tool that came to morrowind? Made it a lot smoother and increased the view distance with 200% (if you scaled it max) - Im hoping for such a thing for Oblivion as well - another good reason to go PC you get access to mods and small neat programs.

[Lemur]

Here's a decent primer on tweaking your settings. There may be a better one, but this is the best I've found. Sorry to say it's PC-only.

[Sjakihata]

Sorry to say it's PC-only.

Oh no, don't you dare to be sorry, that'll teach them those consolers, hah!

ps, thank's for the link