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Oblivion's Shivering Isles coming to retail
Bethesda has announced that Shivering Isles, the expansion to the life-owning RPG Oblivion, will soon be making its retail debut. Previously available only as a download on Xbox Live Marketplace, the retail disc will offer up both the Shivering Isles expansion as well as another piece of downloadable content, Knights of the Nine. As we've reported before, Shivering Isles offers dozens of hours of additional gameplay with new areas, items, spells, enemies, and ingredients. The disc is set to hit retailers next month. No price has been set at this time, but we imagine the pricing will be on par with the downloadable version.If you've yet to step into the world of Oblivion, you might want to wait until the Game of the Year Edition ships this month. The GOTY Edition includes all the downloadable content for Oblivion including Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine. For the rest of us (especially those without Knights of the Nine) the Shivering Isles retail disc might be a pretty good deal.[Via Gamertag Radio]Update: The Game of the Year Edition does not include all downloadable content. It includes only Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine.
Oblivion heads to Japan, scores big
Bethesda has announced on their blog that the Japanese version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has shipped. The Japanese version of Oblivion has been completely localized, with nearly a million words translated, including ever book in the game. The beginning and ending cinematics have also been re-recorded in Japanese, though spoken dialogue within the game remains in English with Japanese subtitles. What is more, the Japanese version includes the Knights of the Nine content right on the disc (as will the upcoming Game of the Year Edition in America). The game recently received rave reviews from Famitsu -- the game scored a 38, a score equaled or bettered by only 44 titles since September of 1986 -- and production director Ashley Cheng expects the game to be a "breakout hit." Furthermore, Cheng expects it will sell a few Xbox 360s, too (the localized PS3 version is expected in a few months). Whether or not Oblivion affects the 360's performance in Japan, we're happy that Japanese gamers finally get a chance to see what the rest of the world has been raving about.
Video: Shivering Isles gameplay
Shivering Isles, the official expansion for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is now available, but what is it all about? Perhaps this video will help explain that. Apparently, Shivering Isles is about monsters, giants, and unrelenting madness. To be honest, that sounds great, doesn't it? You bet your bag of holding it does! The video showcases some of the expansion's psychotic themes as well as some seriously ferocious beasts, including the giant gatekeeper at the end. If you prefer nothing to be spoiled, you'd best skip this video, because it pretty much lays down the entire beginning to the expansion. As for everyone else, enjoy! Don't forget to tell us what you think in the comments.
Oblivion PS3 vs. Xbox 360 comparison
Ahh, video console comparisons. As flamebait goes, it doesn't get much better than video console comparisons. Wary as we are of this, we can't help but post GameTrailers' recent video comparison of the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Oblivion. Granted, Bethesda has had a substantial amount of time to improve the PS3 version, but there are some undeniable differences. In particular, at about 1:30, you'll witness some nasty pop-up on the 360 version. We're only speculating here, but that may be the result of all PS3's containing a hard drive; Bethesda didn't have to account for a Core version as on 360. There are some other subtle differences, you can see a few more wrinkles on the King's face in the PS3 version and some of the weapon textures look sharper. Other textures look better on the 360, though, most notably the textures of the cobblestones on the city streets.Now, Bethesda has made it known that many of the graphical additions made to the PS3 version will be made available for the 360 version as well. Hopefully, we'll see another comparison after that comes to pass.To the topic at hand, though, can you declare a clear winner in this video? Hit the "read" link to compare them in HD.
Maddening new screens of Shivering Isles
Xboxyde has unearthed some new shots of Shivering Isles, the upcoming expansion pack for Oblivion. The shots show off some of the new creatures and locales. We've also uncovered a video feature from a recent issue of OXM. If you've been raring to learn as much as possible about Shivering Isles without all the pesky reading, we suggest you check it out. Bethesda promises 25 hours of extra gameplay to complete the main quest of Shivering Isles. Should you go after every sidequest, it could take up to three times as long. The expansion will be loaded with new creatures, new locations, and new ingredients for eager alchemists (like me). Hit the "read" link to take a gander at the new screens, and don't forget to check out the video feature, too.
1UP previews Shivering Isles
1UP has posted a lengthy preview of the Shivering Isles expansion for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Promising to give players 30 hours of new gameplay, Shivering Isles sets players in the twisted land of Sheogorath. Sheogorath is divided into two lands, mirroring the psychosis of the game's god of madness. Mania is a pristine world of excess and Dementia is a twisted land of decay. It's up to you to become the champion of Sheogorath and stop the land's impending destruction. The expansion will offer new quests, items, and of course new baddies to slay. Thanks to the smaller size of Shivering Isles, more attention has been paid to NPCs as well, giving them more varied dialogue and personalities. Each of the two major cities in the expansion houses a smith that will craft appropriately shiny or twisted armor which you can enhance with magical properties later on. Also available is the Dawnfang sword, which becomes more powerful each time it makes 12 kills. The catch is that its original power is restored every twelve hours with the cycle of the sun. We won't reveal any more details, but the expansion looks to suck 360 owners back into the world of Oblivion when it releases later this year. Hit the "read" link for 1UP's preview, but be warned, there are spoilers ahead.
Oblivion: New Shivering Isles details
Today, we got hold of Bethesda's official press release announcing Shivering Isles, the Oblivion expansion for PC and Xbox 360 (and presumably PS3). Promising to put players in a world split by the extreme ends of madness -- sublime creativity and complete psychosis -- Shivering Isles promises 30 hours of gameplay, so it's suitable for your existing character or a brand new one. The expansion promises new weapons and armor to find (or to have forged by the experts of Crucible and Bliss), vast dungeons to explore, a twisted landscape to admire, and new monsters to fight. We're particularly interested in seeing what a Flesh Atronach looks like (ewww). Unfortunately, Bethesda still hasn't nailed down a release date or price. We all wait with bated breath (and bloated MS Point accounts).[Via FiringSquad. Thanks, teknomusik]
Shivering Isles on 360, free content in OXM
360 Fanboy regular, J. Goodwin, reports that the latest issue of the Official Xbox Magazine contains a six page blowout of information on the upcoming expansion for Oblivion, entitled Shivering Isles. We assumed that the expansion was 360 bound before, but it's always nice to have confirmation, right? As an added bonus, the DVD that comes with the latest issue has two pieces of previously released Oblivion content, "Wizard's Tower" and "Thieves Den." Wow, after grabbing "Mehrune's Razor" for free last month, patient Oblivionites have really struck gold. Of course, the real question is: are you buying a magazine with free Oblivion content, or Oblivion content with a free magazine?
First Oblivion expansion: Shivering Isles
PCZone has the latest info on the first expansion for Oblivion, entitled Shivering Isles. Those of you who have purchased mountains of downloadable content may be confused. So far, the downloadable quests have been just that: quests. Shivering Isles represents the first true expansion, offering a new realm, new monsters, and over 30 hours of extra gameplay. Shivering Isles takes place in (you guessed it) the Shivering Isles, a desolate (and apparently cold) land ruled by the god of dementia, Sheogorath (does dementia really need its own god?). Players must ultimately overcome Sheogorath and take control of the isles. An interesting note, the isles apparently take on visible changes based on the actions taken by the character. While it has not been officially announced for the 360, we can only assume the content will be made available when the PC expansion arrives (tentatively in Q2 2007). In the meantime, somebody get those isles a blanket![Via Joystiq]
Oblivion: Knights of the Nine now available
Boy, when it rains it pours. Microsoft is making damned sure that 360 owners stay glued to the couch this Thanksgiving. After all, MS wouldn't want you going outside to score a Wii or PS3 on Black Friday now would they? First, Small Arms is released. Then Video Marketplace goes live. Tomorrow we have the Lost Planet multiplayer demo, and now, now we get new content for Obliovion. Entitled Knights of the Nine, the new content is the not so exclusive expansion that will be packaged with the PS3 version. The content is supposed to be epic in scope, giving players access to new items, new enemies to fight, and a new faction to join (guess what their name is ...). Unfortunately, we still have memories of Morrowind destroying our old Xbox's poor little disc drive, so we've been shy about Oblivion. Have any of our Oblivionites out there dropped 800 points for this yet?
New Oblivion content $10?
Bethesda has posted some new info on the upcoming "Knights of the Nine" content for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. While the info revealed is for the PC version, we can only assume that the 360 offering will be similar in both content and price. "Knights of the Nine" will offer Oblivionites access to a new faction -- the Knights of the Nine, natch -- new enemies, and new items. The content is apparently "epic" in scale, thus demanding the price of $9.99 earth dollars (how many septims is that?). The PC expansion will arrive on November 21. We can only hope that the 360 version won't be long after -- and for the same price (or less).Now, just to ease the waiting, let's play a game. Give the above picture a funny caption. Roll over the pic for ours.[Via digg]
PS3 Oblivion content will hit 360 too
Some of you may have heard that the PS3 is getting its very own version of Oblivion, the 360's premiere RPG. Having heard this, you may also have heard that the PS3 would be seeing some content that isn't available for the 360 version. Upon hearing this, you may have been somewhat, shall we say, bummed. Fear not, bummed out Oblivionites, for Bethesda has spoken and the news is good. When IGN asked if the PS3 content -- titled Knights of the Nine -- would be available for PC and 360, Bethesda's Todd Howard replied, "We always aim to have all our content available across all platforms, so that is our goal." So there you have it, folks. Expect to see Knights of the Nine available sometime in the not too distant future.And since we can't resist kicking a little fanboy sand every once in a while, we'd like to point out that Bethesda is still in the dark concerning downloadable content on the PS3. Gotta love that Xbox Live.[Via Xboxic]
Next Oblivion download available Thursday
The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion downloads just keep comin'. The next one will hit this Thursday for PC and Xbox 360 owners -- this time for the low low price of $1.89. What a bargain! Called "The Vile Lair," here's what you get for your dollar and change: A multilevel lair for murderous players to find refuge The Font of Renewal, where a player may purge himself of Vampirism The Shrine of Sithis where the infamous player may heal and be cured of disease A Dark Minion, who the player may employ to find gold in a most unseemly manner A 'cattle pen' for vampires to dine An indoor garden of venomous plants, including the notorious Chokeberry to feed to your enemy Various furnishing upgrades, including a study room and storage area So, basically, this is an addition for those players who have turned to the dark side. Either way, it's good to see the folks at Oblivion have learned their lesson and aren't offering relatively super expensive content not fit to see the light of day.
