The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Game of the Year Edition (PS3)

Graphics: Gorgeous, just gorgeous. From the super-detail in the facial features, to the realistic body movements of both man and beast, to the gajillion, er, make that bazilliongajillionkramillion areas in the game from grassy plains, to mountains, to underground lakes, to ruined forts, to mines, to castles, from night to day and inbetween, the beautiful artwork that is this game's look is just stunning to behold.

Music & Sound: The walking around the world music doesn't have a ton of variety, but there is enough of it there for you to not really notice. Beyond that, it's just fine, with the sheer mass tonnage of voice acting, some done better than others, but all having their own personality for sure.

Game-play / Handling: Awesome. The PS3 controller adapts itself very well to this adaptation of a computer game. All motions and actions are very fluid and lifelike. You have your choice of first-person or third-person view, with first-person being my personal favorite. The question is this, what kind of character do you want to play? A straight-up badass axe-wielding psychopath? A noble knight? A powerful warmage using both magic and might? A super-powered mage throwing out illusions, charms, fireballs, and the like? A conjurer, summoning otherworldly beings of great power to do his bidding? Do you want to hunt vampires? Done. Tired of hunting vampires? Good. You can become a vampire. Want to uphold righteousness and justice? Great. Want to be a theiving, murdering bastard? You can do that to. Want to save the world? Want to make the world yours? Honestly the sheer volume of character creation choices, weapon and magic choices, dialogue options, places to visit, creatures and people to fight, and things to discover are damn near limitless, or at least as close as it's probably ever going to get in a video game. Oh, and say you don't care to spend thirty minutes of real time walking across the continent, and I do mean a freakin continent, you can simply access the map and fast travel to any destination you wish, granted you have discovered it the old-fashioned way first. The result, you have to personally explore to find places, but once you find them, it's but a point and click away from being there again any time you wish. You will turn into a mindless zombie freak if you aren't careful. Dont' say I didnt' warn you.

Plot: You find yourself in the Imperial Dungeon when all of sudden, the emperor gets murdered by a mysterious group. Come to find out, you're destined to travel into the dimension of Oblivion to stop an onslaught of evil like nothing you've ever seen. Unless of course, you've got other things you'd rather do. In this game, their is so much you can do. Join a guild. Become a knight. Become a mage. Become a vampire. Break into people's houses. Fight in the arena. Adventure through countless caves, mines, forts, and so on. Visit the shrines of ancient daedra, where a perilous task can lead to death, or great rewards. It really is quite up to you in what you wish to do. There is the main quest, which alone would make for a great game, but when you throw in all the stuff you can do on the side, the playability and replay value skyrocket without apology.

Overall: This is one of the best, if not the best game I have played in a long time, if not ever. Honestly, I have not been so excited and enthralled in a game in a long time. It makes you want to do everything just to be passing by some peasant on the street and have them comment offhandedly, "He looks like he can use a sword.", or to garner fame unto yourself to the point that the herald of the countess seeks you out so that you may find yourself on a treasure hunt that has you trekking through the mountains, and then the underground, to wind up at a long-abandoned military post where an ancient and decisive battle was fought hundreds of years prior. If you wish to have a life in any measure, you will avoid this game like the plauge. If, however, you wish to enjoy one of the best games I have ever had the pleasure of playing, by all means, get this game! Get it now you fool!

Rating: 5 / 5 stars.

Oh that's cool. What kind of character did you have? Mine is a Dunmer born under the sign of The Ritual named Ganes. He's a warmage type. Big points in blade, heavy armor, conjuration, restoration, and destruction, among other things. Lot of hit points, and enough magic to bring out some potent summons, as well as a decent arsenal of close-quarters fighting.