Oblivion’s Secret Sauce: RPGs You Won’t Believe Inspired It!

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Summary

  • Morrowind laid the groundwork for Oblivion’s success, revolutionizing expansive world-building.
  • Thief: The Dark Project set the standard for first-person stealth gameplay, influencing Oblivion’s mechanics.
  • Baldur’s Gate showcased clear character progression, inspiring Oblivion’s design for attribute-focused skills.

It’s not unexpected that when the refreshed version of “Oblivion” was released, the gaming community paused their activities to immerse themselves in one of Bethesda’s finest RPG creations. For numerous individuals, “Oblivion” serves as a defining RPG moment, yet it’s actually part of an unbroken line of excellence from other remarkable RPGs that preceded it, laying the foundation for what makes “Oblivion” beloved by gamers today.

There are numerous instances, ranging from groundbreaking first-person RPGs to exceptional fantasy literature, that served as significant inspirations for the success of “Oblivion.” This list takes into account both the impact these games had on “Oblivion” and their own merit in terms of quality.

Honorable Non-RPG Mention – Thief: The Dark Project

In a first-person game, creating stealth mechanics can be tricky because, unlike a third-person camera, the player doesn’t have a comprehensive view of their surroundings due to the limited perspective. This can make it difficult for the player to fully understand their environment and make informed decisions, as a third-person camera would offer a 360-degree view.

In an innovative stride, the game “Thief: The Dark Project” significantly advanced first-person stealth gaming by establishing effective strategies that many subsequent games embraced, such as “Oblivion“. By introducing a measured tempo, multiple cues for enemy awareness, and emphasizing the subtleties of stealth like the influence of materials and floor types on movement sounds, “Thief ” demonstrated not only the feasibility but also the potential for thrilling first-person stealth. This lesson was absorbed by “Oblivion“, and its influence on stealth games remains palpable to this day.

7. Baldur’s Gate

D&D In Digital Form

By now, it’s likely that most fans of contemporary RPGs have experienced Baldur’s Gate 3, the long-awaited continuation of the legendary BioWare series. This game was on a mission: to transport the realm of Dungeons & Dragons into the digital world, to welcome newcomers into this universe, or face extinction in the attempt.

It’s fortunate that the gaming community embraced Baldur’s Gate so wholeheartedly, transforming it into a seminal title and a stepping stone for many into the realm of Dungeons & Dragons. The design of its character progression in Oblivion is evident, with a strong emphasis on primary attributes followed by secondary skills, making it comprehensible to novices yet providing enough complexity for RPG enthusiasts who enjoy fine-tuning their characters (min-maxing).

6. Deus Ex

The King Of Immersive Sims

Despite the immersive sim genre having games prior to Deus Ex’s release in 2000, Deus Ex significantly shaped and defined this genre. To this day, it is often considered unrivaled by many players, both within its franchise and across gaming as a whole. In this game, players embody Denton, with the freedom to approach objectives freely based on their own abilities and characteristics.

The exceptional degree of freedom found in the game Deus Ex served as a significant inspiration for titles such as Oblivion. To be honest, it’s challenging to envision the intricate Dark Brotherhood missions without games like Deus Ex laying the groundwork first.

5. System Shock 2

SHODAN Shushes The Competition

Despite often being overshadowed, System Shock 2, which debuted nearly a year before Deus Ex, has solidified its reputation as one of the greatest immersive sim games. Unlike Deus Ex’s expansive setting, System Shock 2 focuses on navigating levels within a space station. It’s known for its systemic design, where the route to the objective isn’t always clear, and players must adapt and utilize emerging systems to achieve success.

In the game Oblivion, innovation is showcased not only through the Dark Brotherhood questline which promotes inventive ways of committing murder, but also in the intricate spell-casting and potion-making system. This system allows for any imaginable effect within the game to be mixed with any other, leading to some incredibly unpredictable spells that can significantly alter gameplay mechanics. The player is left with the freedom to utilize these tools creatively, and the upcoming remaster underscores its timeless allure.

4. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

The Greatest Vampire RPG Ever Made

As the “Vampire: The Masquerade” franchise has faced some setbacks, such as delayed sequels and disappointing commercial and critical reception, its dedicated fanbase yearns for a rekindling of the exceptional role-playing game (RPG) qualities reminiscent of the legendary “Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines”.

As a freshly turned vampire, players find themselves immersed in the intricate web of politics within the supernatural realm. They must not only navigate this complex world but also defend against otherworldly creatures and colorful characters. The writing is robust, demonstrating that even popular genres like gothic horror (or in the case of Oblivion, epic fantasy) can be handled with both intellectual depth and a touch of whimsy.

3. Planescape: Torment

Existential Philosophy Lessons

Role-playing games (RPGs) are renowned for their exceptional narrative and storytelling abilities due to the fact that players who immerse themselves in these games are often ready to invest significant time to fully appreciate a tale of epic proportions. Declaring any RPG as having the “best” writing is challenging, but if any game deserves the title, it’s Planescape: Torment.

In this role-playing game with echoes of Baldur’s Gate, players assume the role of The Nameless One, a character exploring the bizarre, fringe realms of Dungeons & Dragons cosmology to uncover their own identity. This game serves as an artistic triumph in existentialism, proving that video games can deliver moving narratives with deep emotional impact. It’s plausible that the exceptional writing of this game influenced the ambitions of the writers for Oblivion.

2. Fallout 2

The Chosen One

The debate over which “Fallout” game is the finest often sparks passionate discussions among fans, especially when it comes to comparing the first two titles in the series. More often than not, Fallout 2 emerges as the preferred choice due to its impressive ability to blend whimsical humor with heartfelt storytelling, serving as an inspiration for games like Fallout: New Vegas that followed suit.

As a dedicated gamer, I can attest that games like Fallout 2 were groundbreaking. They demonstrated that players yearned for RPGs that transcended mere number crunching and loot gathering, and instead delivered captivating narratives that resonated with a broad audience. Oblivion, developed by Bethesda, nailed this concept superbly, leading many to speculate about the influence it had on the Fallout franchise even before the launch of Fallout 3.

1. The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

Vvardenfell Calling

It’s possible that some might find it less exciting at the top spot, but there’s no denying that Morrowind had a profound influence on every aspect of Oblivion, from nose to toes. Morrowind was a groundbreaking game, striving to bring the vast worlds of the first two Elder Scrolls games to life in much greater detail, thus increasing immersion so significantly that a player truly feels they are part of the world.

In essence, Morrowind served as a monumental achievement and laid the groundwork for Bethesda Studios’ future projects. For numerous gamers, Oblivion refined the blueprint, striking a balance between intricacy, engaging open-world adventures, and captivating world creation. It’s challenging to imagine its existence without Morrowind, the game (enhanced by mods) that continues to draw players even today.

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2025-04-29 00:57