I like the thread idea, but making a mockery in the OP isn't fun man.
Mockery? Fuck you, Rivmusique. This game defines what RPGs should be. Not following some half arsed storyline and getting 15 exp for defeating a singing clock. Not traveling down hairline thin corridors and fighting mindless enemy after mindless enemy with your stick of hitting +4. No this is REAL role-play, real adventure, reality synthesised (RSX pun :D).
There is no simple way of putting together a honest fully descriptive review of the amazing freedom you are indulging in if you buy this game. It may seem unforgivably daunting and tedious by some on the review on here but it is truly far from it, true you start off without being told anything, just plonked into the middle of it all, but theres nothing wrong with that, cause here in the province of Cyrodill you are free to choose your own path. If your really confused which you shouldn't honestly be for more than 10 minutes, just talk a walk up to the Imperial city, and talk to some people, then head of to Weynon Priory, and your away on the main story line. Also there is markers to every place you need to go for a quest it honestly couldn't be more simple to get from A - Z and all the places in between there including the greek alphabet
(Geek joke)
A few things I'd like to point out just tp give you a feel of how much choice there is:
1) Make your own spells with a variety of wacky or explosive effects, at the Arcane University.
2) Wanna RP a merchant? Why not. Theres a multitude of people to sell to and things to collect aquiring money is an adventure in its own right.
3) Silent and Swift assassination your thing? Well the Dark Brotherhood are here or you and Lucian is eagerly awaiting your first blood.
4) Good guy Bad guy its your choice, but either way your going to make some enemies and good friends to kill em. Although keep in mind "the 9" love the righteous and hate the wicked, yet many Daedric Gods wont even acknowledge the meticulously good.
5) Weapons weapons weapons weapons and more weapons. but they'll cost you, but you'll never feel out axed with a Dwarven Battleaxe in your hands, unless they have a Daedric Warhammer that is o.O.
6) The theives are a noble kin, and have some of the best paying and most rewarding adventures in the game.
7) A painting speaks a thousand words, most of which are cursing when you've just got yourself stuck in the painting and had your brush stolen by a crazy Breton and his painted trolls.
8) The plains of Oblivion kinda like hell but fun and full of rare Daedric artifacts.
9) Illusion, Mysticism, Conjuration, and Destruction are just four schools of magic of which there are many and each just as demanding but equally worth it.
10) Roman Gladiators! Bah wimps! Bloody noobs! prove your worth as a gladiator and destory the opposition, rising to the supreme rank of Grand Champion. But be warned the last battle could be a doozy.
11) Being invisible is fun for so many reasons
12) 9 Citys, 1 of which in flames, and its your job to sort it. Or you could ignore it your choice (again) Oh and they all have different cultures and settings, with varying degrees of hospitality or hostility. Thsts just the cities mind, then theres towns and villages spread across the map randomly. Note: Hackdirt is a place some may wish to avoid.
Well thats all I'll say on the matter, there is so much more, but I don't want to end up spoiling the awesomeness that is Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
