For anyone interested in Oblivion

rayray00 · Post by **rayray00** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:22 pm

There are DEFINATELY dungeons/quests that require certain levels - I found one today that you had to be at least a level 10 before you could even begin it. I'm sure there's others out there, too.

-Ray!!!

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:40 am

I really like the way leveling is handled in this game, that's it's based on advancing your core skills and not just wandering around killing monsters and getting treasure. I am playing as a Nord Scout (I am a sucker for the ranger characters), and one of my skills is alchemy. I found the mortar and pestle (sp?) and started making potions. Nothing too fancy yet, but it's very engrossing.

I also finished my first side quest -- I've been wandering around Imperial City and picked one up. During the course of it, I actually acquired my first magic weapon, a very cool sword. It felt like an accomplishment -- I came very close to dying to get it.

I really love The Arena, too. I've made it through the first two classes, but my last battle was pretty tough, so I'm going to adventure and level up for a bit before I try and advance further. Overall, just a great game. The attention to detail is unbeliveable.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:51 am

Believe it or not, I've played for 12 hours and have not run across the Arena. Where is it?

The thing that I *love* about the game is that I am never wondering around aimlessly unless I *want* to. The game is very good about showing me where to go/giving me enough information to move the story along or complete a quest. I waste time wondering around exploring, but it never feels like wasted time.

peabody · Post by **peabody** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:51 am

Leebo33 wrote:Believe it or not, I've played for 12 hours and have not run across the Arena. Where is it?

The thing that I *love* about the game is that I am never wondering around aimlessly unless I *want* to. The game is very good about showing me where to go/giving me enough information to move the story along or complete a quest. I waste time wondering around exploring, but it never feels like wasted time.

The Arena is in the Arena District of Imperial City. It's the southeast district when you pull it up on the map. You should be able to fast travel to it.

Agree. I can go almost anywhere I want, whenever I want and never feel lost as to what to do.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:57 am

Leebo33 wrote:Believe it or not, I've played for 12 hours and have not run across the Arena. Where is it?

The thing that I *love* about the game is that I am never wondering around aimlessly unless I *want* to. The game is very good about showing me where to go/giving me enough information to move the story along or complete a quest. I waste time wondering around exploring, but it never feels like wasted time.

It's one of the districts in Imperial City, adjacent to the Market area. I think it's on the east side. You can't miss it once you're there. You have to go down into the Bloodworks and sign up to fight. It's a very fun experience. Make sure you have all your armor and weapons repaired before you step in, though.

I also agree with you, Leebo, it seems like you can just do main quest stuff if you like, but you have the freedom to roam. I love that you can set markers and designate which quest you're focusing on. The travel option is also a huge feature -- it makes getting around much less tedious.

I'm going to move on to delivering the amulet next, then do another side quest I picked up. I'm looking forward to traveling the countryside.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:34 am

Last night I did an epic quest. It took about 1 1/2 hours to complete but it was truly awesome. I had to retrieve an amulet for a Countess. I had to battle my way through the underground, full of ogres, and when I came out the other side it was snowing. I then made my way through the snow to some ruins. Once inside the ruins I had to work my way through a series of puzzles to get the amulet. This was a side quest too.

I really love the way they upgraded the quest structure. I love being able to switch my active quest at any time. It's a lot easier than it was in Morrowind. The journal system of Morrowind made it difficult to keep track of the quests but this new system makes it easy. I no longer fear stumbling upon a side quest because I know I can easily come back to it later.

peabody · Post by **peabody** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:28 pm

I have been able to obtained necklaces of water-walking and water-breathing. These allow me to walk on water and breath underwater indefinitely.

I used the water-walking necklace last night when I was trying to get on the pirate ship in the waterfront area of Imperial City. I was curious to know what was on the ship so I walked on board and was promptly attacked by the first mate and some pirates. I tried to run away, but they fiercely pursued. She and the rest of her pirates started beating me up pretty good, so I jumped down into the water and ran around a little bit. When you jump into the water you sink ever so slightly then come back to the surface. You can here splashy-splash sounds as you run across the top of the water. Anyway, when I came back out of the water the first mate was dead and the rest of the pirates were gone. She must have accidentally hit an Imperial Guard or something while pursuing me. I really don’t know what happened. I then proceeded inside the ship to explore for goodies.

I’m hopefully going to use the water-breathing necklace tonight to see if there are any interesting treasures and creatures underwater. Anybody partake on any underwater excursions yet? Is there anything down there?

rayray00 · Post by **rayray00** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:58 pm

Looks like you can pimp your horse out for 200 MS Points...Pretty interesting idea. Hopefully, they'll add more useful stuff than just visual fluff.

-Ray!!!

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:13 pm

rayray00 wrote:Looks like you can pimp your horse out for 200 MS Points...Pretty interesting idea. Hopefully, they'll add more useful stuff than just visual fluff.

-Ray!!!

But is it only fluff, or will it help keep your horse alive?

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:29 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:Last night I did an epic quest. It took about 1 1/2 hours to complete but it was truly awesome. I had to retrieve an amulet for a Countess. I had to battle my way through the underground, full of ogres, and when I came out the other side it was snowing. I then made my way through the snow to some ruins. Once inside the ruins I had to work my way through a series of puzzles to get the amulet. This was a side quest too.

Yeah, I did that quest last night. Definitely the longest quest I've done so far in the game.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:32 pm

rayray00 wrote:Looks like you can pimp your horse out for 200 MS Points...Pretty interesting idea. Hopefully, they'll add more useful stuff than just visual fluff.

-Ray!!!

Hate to say it, but free downloadable content for games is going away. When they charge 200 points for one little item, think what they might charge for new quest lines or something of some substantial value. This sucks and hopefully no one will buy it and maybe it will send a message that we will not be raped for extra content. This is about half the cost of most arcade games...what a joke.

TheTruth · Post by **TheTruth** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:02 pm

Badgun wrote:
rayray00 wrote:Looks like you can pimp your horse out for 200 MS Points...Pretty interesting idea. Hopefully, they'll add more useful stuff than just visual fluff.

-Ray!!!
Hate to say it, but free downloadable content for games is going away. When they charge 200 points for one little item, think what they might charge for new quest lines or something of some substantial value. This sucks and hopefully no one will buy it and maybe it will send a message that we will not be raped for extra content. This is about half the cost of most arcade games...what a joke.

I agree...this makes me want to sell my copy of the 360 version and buy the PC version. I can get a crapload of free stuff if I so choose for the PC. If they are charging 200 points just for horse decoration just think of what they will charge for something of even more "value".

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:27 pm

I knew this was coming the moment I saw the 360. It sucks but if you can squeeze out a few pennies this way who wouldn't do it. The only way this practice stops is if the development to crank out one of these upgrades costs more than the money made.

I see paying for downloads for demos, roster updates (you know EA and Madden have thought about this), level upgrades etc. I think RPG games will abuse this most often. If you could pay say $2 for a 10 hit sword or something, I think a lot of people would pay that. I won't.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:11 pm

Damn these bastards!

When oh when will these game companies stop trying to make money and just cater to our needs?!!

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:59 pm

I can hold out in the hopes that the horse armor becomes free in time. My horse is a slow ass b*tch anyhow and doesn't deserve any sweet threads.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 8:09 pm

I have no problem with paying a couple bucks for downloadable content, but I'd be more interested in quests rather than items.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 8:16 pm

RobVarak wrote:Damn these bastards!

When oh when will these game companies stop trying to make money and just cater to our needs?!!

I hear ya....Im still paying 15 a month to play WoW...In the end the market will dictate.

JRod wrote:I knew this was coming the moment I saw the 360.

Thank God everything Sony will do will be free.
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously...I agree its bullshit...Just dont buy it.

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 8:17 pm

I don't have a problem with them charging for content. I don't care about the horse armor so I'm skipping that but one of the upcoming downloads involves a quest to build a device that will allow you to take advantage of the world's lunar cycles ... which I hope means lycanthropy!

I'd pay $10 for that.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 8:21 pm

mixdj1 wrote:which I hope means lycanthropy! I'd pay $10 for that.

Id pay $15 for some good RPG pornography.

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:01 pm

XXXIV wrote:Id pay $15 for some good RPG pornography.

I take paypal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkU1PyqO ... 20oblivion

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:00 pm

How do you pick up bodies in Oblivion?

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:18 am

You can pick up just about anything with the left bumper button.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:25 am

mixdj1 wrote:
XXXIV wrote:Id pay $15 for some good RPG pornography.
I take paypal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkU1PyqO ... 20oblivion

Wow...that's just wrong with the baby screaming in the background.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:36 am

mixdj1 wrote:You can pick up just about anything with the left bumper button.

Yes, it is a feature you must use when you're trying to hide bodies from the guards.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:53 am

Closed my first Oblivion gate last night. What an intense experience, they really made the netherworld look creepy, not just like another city with more fire.

In getting over to Kavatch, I rode west from the Priory and then cut south through the wilderness. I just love the scenery. This sounds so silly, but seeing the day change while making a long journey added so much to the immersion factor.

I also can't believe that I'm only 13 hours in and have barely scratched the surface. Most games don't even last this long.