The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Once you've escaped the initial dungeon - a necessary but not overly drawn-out rat-killing trek during which the game instructs you on the basics of blocking, spell casting, sneaking and more - the hand-holding eases and you're free to roam the great outdoors. Here, you can seek out the heir to the vacant throne of the land and quash the hell-spawned threat that could destroy the world. And with only a cursory glance, you'll see that it's a world very much worth saving.

From the quality of the story and character interaction to the pure thrill of the combat to all the pleasure to be found in the game's little details--the lock-picking minigame, the alchemy system, the way arrows stay stuck in their victims, the ability to eventually create your own spells, the informative full-color manual, all the different books you can stop to read in the game--these things combine to make Oblivion one of the single best, longest-lasting gaming experiences to be had in a long time. It's just too bad there's no multiplayer.

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion sets a new standard in RPGs. There isn't a lot of difference between the PC and 360 version. Just make sure your PC is loaded or you won't enjoy the same crisp, graphic resolution. There is so much to do in this game and the interactivity of the AI makes it seem like a massive online multi-player experience. Expect months of fun and adventure.

Let's get one thing straight though: Oblivion will consume you. It'll consume your life, your performance at work will suffer and you might not see friends in weeks. With hundreds of hours of gameplay, and an unprecedented amount of quests to be completed, I couldn't possibly recommend Oblivion enough. Great job Bethesda. Sorry social life.

If you're an RPG fan, it's an incredible experience. If you regularly beat RPG fans with hockey sticks, you should still try this one out. It's got combat issues, the hotkey system could have been implemented better and some may be ticked off by the environmental loading stutters. Also, keep in mind your loading times aren't going to be seamlessly smooth unless you're playing on a high-end rig. For most gamers with mid-range PCs, you're going to experience hitches.

Bethesda nous adore tous et toutes. Sans renier un seul instant le monstrueux héritage des Elder Scrolls, Oblivion est l'occasion de démocratiser pleinement la série en la rendant plus intense, plus accrocheuse et plus cohérente. Et c'est une réussite complète, d'une addiction ahurissante. Graphiquement le titre se positionne comme un nouveau mètre étalon, mais cette expression étant un peu réductrice, on précisera que rien aujourd'hui ne peut user d'un tel pouvoir de fascination.