Winner: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Bethesda Software | PC, Xbox 360
One hundred forty-seven hours and twenty-three minutes. That's how long one member of the GamesRadar staff got sucked into Oblivion's massive world. And that's not even counting the recent Knights of the Nine expansion. The rest of us aren't far behind, either.
It wasn't that Oblivion is huge (though it is), and it wasn't that Oblivion is pretty (though again, it is - with the exception of all the horse-faced women). It wasn't even that you can evolve your character practically any way you like (though you can). It was all of that, plus the fact that Oblivion is alive.
Early on, one GamesRadar staffer described how he was saved from a pack of goblins by a mysterious stranger who saw he was in trouble and came to his aid - then robbed him. This is just one of dozens of possible examples of an RPG world that wasn't content to wait for you to do your thing - it was determined to live its own life with or without you - and it was captivating.
Honorable mention: Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories
NISAmerica | PlayStation 2
No online mode, no multiplayer options and you'll still easily drop more than 100 hours into this strategy-buff's anime orgasm.
Winner: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Bethesda Software |PC,Xbox 360
One hundred forty-seven hours and twenty-three minutes. That's how long one member of the GamesRadar staff got sucked into Oblivion's massive world. And that's not even counting the recent Knights of the Nine expansion. The rest of us aren't far behind, either.
It wasn't that Oblivion is huge (though it is), and it wasn't that Oblivion is pretty (though again, it is - with the exception of all the horse-faced women). It wasn't even that you can evolve your character practically any way you like (though you can). It was all of that, plus the fact that Oblivion is alive.
Early on, one GamesRadar staffer described how he was saved from a pack of goblins by a mysterious stranger who saw he was in trouble and came to his aid - then robbed him. This is just one of dozens of possible examples of an RPG world that wasn't content to wait for you to do your thing - it was determined to live its own life with or without you - and it was captivating.
Honorable mention:Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories
NISAmerica | PlayStation 2
No online mode, no multiplayer options and you'll still easily drop more than 100 hours into this strategy-buff's anime orgasm.
