Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

[A Black Falcon]

Is that really that much different from what's in Morrowind/Oblivion?

Uh... yes... in Morrowind you push a button and the sword swings. You don't control its path on the screen -- it just swings when you click. That's a real change... makes it easier to swing more, makes the game simpler, removes an element of uniqueness... Oblivion sounds like they make it more interesting again, thankfully.

I know one goal in Oblivion was to remove the 'randomness factor' that is integral to RPG combat -- that is, you miss attacks not based on your dexterity but based on random chance -- and have more aiming and stuff, and more visual depictions of when you miss, etc... ie, make it even MORE actiony in the combat... maybe it makes it more fun (something even Morrowind fans must admit was weak in that game), but it's just not the right direction for an RPG... but if they must do that, I guess making it more interesting is good... lukewarm praise as that is...