The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles

"The Perfect Expansion"

This expansion is just about perfect. It adds, hours upon hours of content. An entire new landmass about 1/4 the size of Cyrodiil. On with the review!

Content: 10/10

The game is still the same when it comes to Oblivion. Lots of new weapons, armor, and spells. Not to mention a few more factions. You level up your skills, progress the story, save the girl. This is one expansion that really adds on to the original game. Enter the realms of Mania and Dementia. Both of the words are quite the same....yet at the same time, opposite. They did a really awesome job of writing the rich and detailed backstory. The new monsters are, different and also add so much flavor to the game. It almost seems like they put more love and emotion into the expansion than the original game it's self. Lots of new dungeon crawls to par take in. If you own Oblivion, and you love it, you have to get this expansion. You'll spend hours just exploring the land, taking in the twisted sights.

Story: 10/10

The story is so well written for game that you'd think it was a different writing team. A door is opened in Cyrodiil, that leads to the realm of Sheogorath. He is looking for a champion, do you have what it takes to it? There isn't much that can be told without ruining it.

Graphics: 10/10

Like the original Oblivion, the graphics are top-notch. Even more so if you have the computer power to run it with high settings. The lands of Mania and Dementia are so well done, overgrown mushrooms, roots tangling everywhere. The Golden Saints and Dark Seducers are also very well done. If you thought the Golden Saints in Morrowind looked good, they will make you cry when you gaze upon them.

Audio: 9/10

The only flaw in the game is that the same voice actors are used from the original game. While there is lots of new dialog, it just doesn't seem up to par for the land. But I added some extra points to the demented things that you will hear as you advance further into the Realm.

Replayability: 10/10

Unlike the original Oblivion, the expansion you could play through many times, as there are a few twists that make it somewhat not the same game each time. But also like Oblivion, there is a lot of customability in terms of the gameplay. Be that spell slinging mage, or that devote warrior, or somewhere in between.

Final Verdict:

Content: 10/10
Graphics: 10/10
Audio: 9/10
Story: 10/10
Replayability: 10/10

Overall, this is a must buy for any Oblivion fan. Bethsoft has proven once again, that when they release an expansion to an already great game, it is just magical. They did it with Morrowind and now, they are bringing it to Oblivion.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/29/07