Down in the dungeons
The tutorial level introduces you to weapon and magic skills, equip your bow and arrows in the easy-to-use inventory then take aim at a bucket attached to a bit of rope. Press and hold the left button or trigger, the longer you hold the button the further the arrow will fire, and finally, launch the projectile at the dangling pale. The targeting system is perfect. At long distances or short distance arrows land with pin-point precision and wedge deep into the targeted foe or object, making the bow an effective and fun weapon to use.
Magic can be equipped in the same menu, the damage inflicted through magic is just as effective as a weapon, something that I was keen to try out and a point that Morrowind fans will be glad to hear. If your Magika bar, the blue bar in the bottom left of the screen, runs low, you can leep or drink potions to refill the bar, however the bar will now refill up over time, elimating the need to keep drinking potions.
Click for larger imageThe castle chambers present the chance to harvest some the various plants that grow in the crevices and the damp corners. Through harvesting plants and picking up the pestle and mortar, found further on in the level, you’ll be able to create your own magic potions and increase your alchemy skills.
There are a few nice surprises in the dungeons, stumbling across a group of Goblins you'll have the option to send a pile of logs crashing down on your unsuspecting foe. Further on, you'll encounter a Goblin who shows no mercy by swinging a spiked log in your direction, resulting in heavy damage. The A.I of the Goblins is superb, by using sneak mode you can stealthily slip past the creatures, but otherwise they'll spot you quickly and launch a vicious, relentless attack. You'll need to use your shield and weapon effectively to dispatch of the Goblins without causing yourself heavy damage. The combat system is simple, press the 'C' button to cast your pre-selected spell, or use a combination of left and right buttons to block and attack. In the four hours of gameplay there was a fair chunk of combat sequences, mixing your attacks with magic keeps the simplicity of the combat system from becoming too repetitive.
Click for larger imageAfter killing the numerous rats and goblins that dwell in the atmospheric maze-like dungeons, you'll stumble across the Emperor and Blades once more. He instructs you to follow him and protect him as they try and find an escape route. There's a couple of easy fight sequences, one of which results in the death of the Emperor. Just before he is attacked and killed, he tells you that you must stand alone against the Prince of Destruction, the lords of the demonic World of Oblivion. He gives you the Amulet of the Kings (the sacred symbol of the Empire) and sets your first quest, find Jauffre at Wenyon Priory, give him the amulet and ultimately find his missing son
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Oblivion Collector's EditionOblivion First Look