The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles

"An expansion that could become a true classic!"

This game gives you shivers. The good kind of shivers, that is. This game is great. The first time you step into the Shivering Isles, you feel strange, because it looks so much different, but different, in this case, is good...very good.

The Isle is split in half, one side is Dementia and the other side is Mania, the two sides of Madness. Each side has different characters that react differently to certain situations. When you arrive in the Shivering Isles, home of Sheogorath, you are greeted by a man named Haskill, who invites you to the Isles so that you may help his master. You must stop the Greymarch, which will destroy the Isles, along with everyone in it.

From the stunning visuals to the great story, Shivering Isles delivers the goods. The characters are much more interesting and have some depth. (Look at the elf in the Inn at Passwall) Another great aspect of the game is the unique weapons and armor that you find. You can also forge new armor, if you have the proper materials. There also a couple of new spells for the player to toy with, adding some more destruction to the game play. The landscapes are also visually enchanting, offering a lot of newer dungeons and caves.

The creatures on the Isles are also something to behold, as they are so much different than any one may find on Cyrodiil, adding even more to the magnificence of the Shivering Isles. Though the Isles aren't as big,(only about 1/4 the size) there is still plenty to do on it. They consist of a lot of new enemies and a couple of newer ones. There are also quests that sometimes make you think outside of the box, letting the player view the quest in a new way. One quest involves the player interrogating people in order to learn of a plot against someone.

There are also some easter eggs in the Shivering Isles, not to give anything away, but some are actually pretty funny when you think about them. So, all in all, Shivering Isles is a great addition to the original Oblivion and any fan of Elder Scrolls should at least consider playing it. The only downside of it all is the price, 3200 Microsoft Points. But, with the newly released Oblivion: Game of the Year edition, you can purchase this and Knights of the Nine for the same price as the original. The shivering Isles is a great expansion pack for Oblivion and should be a inspiration to other games for expansions.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/29/08

Game Release: The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (US, 10/16/07)