The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Shivering Isles review

The towns and people here are just as friendly and demented as their ruler. The main city of Neo Sheoth is divided in two: the happy, druggy, artsy half known as Bliss, and the dreary, skinning-animals-for-fun half called Crucible. Each is protected by its own army of babes in metal bikinis - the Golden Saints and the Dark Seductresses - who naturally hate each other.

Into this abnormal stewpot goes the real meat of this expansion: new missions, most of which are just a little more creative and morbid than all but the best of the main game stuff.

The towns and people here are just as friendly and demented as their ruler. The main city of Neo Sheoth is divided in two: the happy, druggy, artsy half known as Bliss, and the dreary, skinning-animals-for-fun half called Crucible. Each is protected by its own army of babes in metal bikinis - the Golden Saints and the Dark Seductresses - who naturally hate each other.

Into this abnormal stewpot goes the real meat of this expansion: new missions, most of which are just a little more creative and morbid than all but the best of the main game stuff.

A suicidal man pays you to rub him out. You solve an intricate conspiracy plot by walking around town with an inquisitor who lightning-tortures anyone you question until the clues spill out, volt by volt. In another mission, the Saints and Seductresses are battling and you have to befriend both sides then betray one or the other, leading them into the enemy's trap.

You kill a huge monster using the tears of its creator and arrows made of the bones of its predecessor. You find yourself trapped in a fort where two armies of ghosts continually replay their last battle until you help one army win. A fellow you've helped promises to give you "one of his old dogs" - but it's not what you think.

A suicidal man pays you to rub him out. You solve an intricate conspiracy plot by walking around town with an inquisitor who lightning-tortures anyone you question until the clues spill out, volt by volt. In another mission, the Saints and Seductresses are battling and you have to befriend both sides then betray one or the other, leading them into the enemy's trap.

You kill a huge monster using the tears of its creator and arrows made of the bones of its predecessor. You find yourself trapped in a fort where two armies of ghosts continually replay their last battle until you help one army win. A fellow you've helped promises to give you "one of his old dogs" - but it's not what you think.