(Originally posted December 27th, 2011.)
Verdict: Recommended after 26.2 hours of playtime. (Currently 50.5 hours on Steam. Note that I played this game for hundreds of hours prior to owning it on Steam.)
What can be said about Oblivion that hasn’t already been said? The game is huge and immersive, allowing players to play a blank slate for a character in a massive RPG setting. You aren’t limited to the standard RPG archetypes of Mage, Fighter, or Rogue. You start with a boost in the stats that you think will aid you the best and build further with each level up. The main quest is short and sweet, while the opportunity for side quests, extra experience and more loot allows days of gameplay for those so inclined.
Definitely a must-play for any action-RPG fan.