Oblivion Roundup

[Silencer]

Since the release date is getting close, articles on Oblivion have been springing up like crazy, according to RPGDot. Now, I scanned them for interesting Fallout 3-related items, now, they're not very captivating and focus mainly on the Xbox360 release, but feel free to follow the links at the end of this post to waste some time reading about the game that's going to be the moulding clay for Fallout 3. Also, some highlights, first from the NLGaming.com article:<blockquote> If you use a sword you will become a master with swords, however, if you were to pick up a bow you would have some issues. The game system rewards usage over anything else. If you are like me with this type of system you use everything you can get your hands on till you are a master of everything. </blockquote>A bit on mutability from a more PC-focused article at 1UP.com:<blockquote> The biggest change is the new landscape-generation system, which allows you to create full terrain without forcing you to hand-place every single terrain feature. Bethesda has its own plans for downloadable content this time around--and given fans' years of experience with Morrowind's construction set, we won't be surprised to see even more top-notch user-created content right from the get-go.</blockquote>And finally, a bit from Evil Avatar:<blockquote>Your first task of course is to fight off some rats as you make your way through the underground passage.</blockquote>Ah, the memories...

Links: Audio chat with Pete Hines at MSXBOX World, Review at GameZone, Preview at 1UP.com, Preview at NLGaming.com, Hands-on preview at Evil Avatar, Preview at IGN.

 

[Xavierblazer]

The game system rewards usage over anything else. If you are like me with this type of system you use everything you can get your hands on till you are a master of everything.

I really hope this isnt the case in fallout. Its pretty much what made morrowind so boring for me.

 

[SimpleMinded]

You mean you didn't like hopping around the map? Or casting random spells in order to improve your skill? Come now! That's what life is all about!

 

[Ratty Sr.]

If you use a sword you will become a master with swords, however, if you were to pick up a bow you would have some issues. The game system rewards usage over anything else. If you are like me with this type of system you use everything you can get your hands on till you are a master of everything.

Yeah, nothing like picking six magic schools as your primary and secondary skills in Daggerfall, creating a cheap multiple-effect spell that uses all schools and casting it over and over on nothing for hours straight until you reach level 30.

 

[Silencer]

Hey, I didn't write that!

 

[Roshambo]

Yeah, nothing like picking six magic schools as your primary and secondary skills in Daggerfall, creating a cheap multiple-effect spell that uses all schools and casting it over and over on nothing for hours straight until you reach level 30.

The biggest change is the new landscape-generation system, which allows you to create full terrain without forcing you to hand-place every single terrain feature.

Damn, looks like we'll still have to have each character autorun overnight in an abandoned house so they can move a bit faster in the randomized wilderness. Ooh, fun. </SARCASM>

 

[Claw]

Hmm, no comments at all about the dialogue shots and possible implications for Fallout 3?

It seems the camera zooms in, the detail looks pretty good to me, although I am not so sure about the art style.

 

[lucid]

Yeah, the camera in dialogue is alot like the POV of the talking heads in Fallout.

Also, they're apparently going for quality over quantity in Oblivion. Cutting some skills and making the skills that they keep deeper and more balanced (and they say they're doing the same with quests. Less quests for more depth in the ones they have, and more ways to complete each one).

They've said a goal of theirs was to make stealth (and magic, as well as regular combat) a viable option for the whole game.

I'm guessing it won't appeal to those who want as many things put in the game as possible (no matter how shitty they're implimented because of it).

I'm hoping it is a more focused, deep, and smaller game than Morrowind. But who knows, it may turn out to be more crap, or it may be a pleasant surprise.

 

[sunny jim]

rosh, silencer and the other moders, i hope you're not implying in your replies that these things will appear in fallout...
it's not even absolutely positive that the 2 games will use the same engine, and the bethesda devs stated quite a few times that the games will be nothing alike, so why throwing these nothing but flames? there's a way to say that you don't want fallout to have these features... this message if valid on my behalf only in case you meant that you fear these features will appear in fallout 3... in case you're just critisizing oblivion, then right on! i totally agree... real stupid and frustrating features...

 

[Claw]

Also, they're apparently going for quality over quantity in Oblivion. Cutting some skills and making the skills that they keep deeper and more balanced.

Is everyone speaking talking points now? Is it possible that they have always been the fundamental basis of human communication and I just didn't notice?

Qualtiy over quantity my ass. They are cutting skills instead of balancing them, and the crowd rejoices: "I never used anything but Deadric Dai-Katanas anyway! Throwing weapons are dumb! The new Bow is better than sex!"

 

[Tannhauser]

rosh, silencer and the other moders, i hope you're not implying in your replies that these things will appear in fallout...

I think it is pretty clear that these points are meant specifically for Oblivion.

 

[lucid]

Also, they're apparently going for quality over quantity in Oblivion. Cutting some skills and making the skills that they keep deeper and more balanced.

Is everyone speaking talking points now? Is it possible that they have always been the fundamental basis of human communication and I just didn't notice?

Qualtiy over quantity my ass. They are cutting skills instead of balancing them, and the crowd rejoices: "I never used anything but Deadric Dai-Katanas anyway! Throwing weapons are dumb! The new Bow is better than sex!"

And just because yours is the polar opposite, it makes it any less of a talking point?

Anyways, it's easy and lazy to assume that they're just cutting skills to not bother with them (or the best reason, to dumb down the game because the xbox crowd couldn't handle all the skills in morrowind, but for some reason bought the game in droves anyways).

They've put multiple perks (though, they are chosen automatically) to each level of each of the skills. The supposed complete overhaul of stealth. Combat in using those perks and not soley relying on standing next to eachother and clicking one button furiously. Why exactly is it that they don't want those skills if not because of the overhaul of everything else there's no time for everything?

And before you say "to dumb it down for Xbox people", that logic is half-assed. Morrowind, which had all these skills that are to be removed (implimented horribly), sold greatly. There is no reason to change the number of skills for more sales.

They've done the smart thing and realized that less (done well) is more.

And second, there isn't rejoicing, even from the "morons" at the official oblivion forums. Every time I go there, there's a topic of "why are crossbows out???", "less choice, OMG!", "less skills, oblivion being dumbed down?".

 

[Roshambo]

rosh, silencer and the other moders, i hope you're not implying in your replies that these things will appear in fallout...

What makes you think that it is in regards to Fallout, when we don't mention Fallout, unless you're going to go off into your bodyguard defense of Bethesda.

it's not even absolutely positive that the 2 games will use the same engine, and the bethesda devs stated quite a few times that the games will be nothing alike, so why throwing these nothing but flames?

I don't know...it might be due to the fact that TES is Bethesda's own IP, developed in house for years, and it's still fucked. Even moreso for each new incarnation. Aside from pointing out the repetitious flaws in TES as they stumble through design points the rest of the industry learned from years ago, neither of us inferred anything except that yes, these talented folks will also be developing Fallout 3.

there's a way to say that you don't want fallout to have these features...

Yes, and I would have said it, instead of having you mouth-stuff it for us.

this message if valid on my behalf only in case you meant that you fear these features will appear in fallout 3...

Not the features, the quality of the features and the design behind it. Try reading next time.

in case you're just critisizing oblivion, then right on! i totally agree... real stupid and frustrating features...

DUUUUUUH!!!

And before you say "to dumb it down for Xbox people", that logic is half-assed. Morrowind, which had all these skills that are to be removed (implimented horribly), sold greatly. There is no reason to change the number of skills for more sales.

No, combat and the game in general for Morrowind was half-assed for the dumbed down people on X-Brick, in addition to much of the design, leading to many of the skills used in Daggerfall to become useless or nonexistent like climbing - which they axed for XBrick design. Which would include a number of skills by relation.

They've done the smart thing and realized that less (done well) is more.

Check this out...I will innovate the combat system even more! Melee is now decided by the melee skill, and ranged is decided by the ranged skill. Now instead of swinging the weapon around, for some possible attack strategy against different foes, you just click the mouse or push a button on the controller! If you near an enemy, it will whip out your sword, if afar, it will switch to bow. OMG, no more thinking required! Now TES is just like every other shitty action/adventure title out there and this design is perfect for X-Box porting!

I R BRILLOIENT!!!

And second, there isn't rejoicing, even from the "morons" at the official oblivion forums. Every time I go there, there's a topic of "why are crossbows out???", "less choice, OMG!", "less skills, oblivion being dumbed down?".

No, it just proves that even their dedicated fans can understand where the devs are being idiots, and they don't want to see their beloved franchise further skullfucked for console sales, again. As far as "done well", that leaves much to be seen since they obviously didn't learn a damn thing in regards to Daggerfall, in lieu of skullfucking over the franchise for XBrick sales. I will believe "done well" in regards to Bethesda's development changes when I see them. So far, it looks like 3/3 for bad, shiny sequels. That includes Battlespire.