The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion review

Speaking of real, this world teems with life. Weather changes, people go about their day, plants you pulled potion ingredient from regrow, animals, undead, and monsters roam about – it’s all automatic, dynamic, and totally going on whether you’re there or not. It’s not uncommon to see a hunter tracking a deer in the wild, or to run into crooks who ambush you on the roadside, but aren't always there.

You might even stumble across the loot-able corpse of a knight who ended up on the wrong side of a Minotaur Lord, or find yourself chased halfway across the continent by a saber-waving piratess whose boat you walked too close too. She can swim, by the way, so don't expect that lake to throw her off. If only your fellow soldiers were that tough - they do okay, but their tendency to always attack regardless of health can make missions in which you have wingmen frustrating.

Oblivion 's world is ultimately an awe-inspiring quadruple threat: open-ended, packed with real people and creative missions, humming with realistic activity and staggeringly full of things to see and slay - all of which make it nearly impossible to put down.