The Elder Scrolls series is the most popular set of solo role playing games ever developed. In 2006 the release of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion on both the PC and the Xbox 360 saw a welcome return of the game after some years in development. Its new stunning graphics meant that only high end PCs and the Xbox 360 could do the game justice. The release of the PS3 now means that RPG fans on the PlayStation can now experience the undisputed king of role playing games

This is a solo game with no online play. It is all about the player being immersed into a game that is truly immense in its size and complexity. A complexity that is to a level of detail never seen in any other similar game. This is no more evident than in the opening sequences of the game where you need to select the race and features of your game avatar. Just about every aspect of your character is customisable. You can spend hours just n this one aspect of the game getting the facial features of your hero just right. Skin tones, eye spacing, nose size, etc., all serve to make the character you create something unique and personal to you. It's interesting to note that this same aspect of the game engine has been used to create the thousands of characters you interact with in the game. No two are alike.

The game starts you off locked in a castle cell with little knowledge of how and why you are there. The story however quickly unfolds, as you are flung into a world of royal intrigue, murders, a lost heir and dark evil forces. As well as this, these early parts of the game quickly introduce you to some of the mechanics of the gameplay. First off you will find that you can pretty much interact with anything you see in front of you. You can pick up rocks, rattle chains, open cupboards, rifle through bodies and unlock chests. The detail is fantastic.

You will also learn the basics of combat. This is no point and click game, here you have to swipe, parry and block. Shooting an arrow involves you judging the fall of the arrow over the distance to the target while spell casting also requires a deft hand and targeting. The upshot of all this is that the controls leave none of the hand controller unused. This level of complexity is, however, easily mastered and one that it is introduced over a period time that ensures you are well practiced at the art of combat.

This game is not linear. Yes, there is a main underlying quest that has a specific end point, however the game does not artificially fence you in. Once you exit the opening dungeon you are on your own. You can go anywhere you like, do what you like, and kill what you like. Be aware, though - everything has consequences.

The world of Oblivion is a living, breathing world. Night and day passes and its people go about their business. Traders only open for certain hours (come back at night and loot the shop when nobody is about), guards patrol, thieves and ruffians prowl the dark streets looking for the unwary, and the story slowly unfolds before you. The AI hidden within the game is one of the best ever developed for a RPG game. Kill someone in the street, and you will be chased down; stealing will result in a time in prison (unless you bribe the sentry). Importantly, though, you need to realise it's not all about you. These AI driven people interact with each other as well. There are stories of players witnessing a computer controlled thief being pursued through the town by the sentries in a random AI event. It's stunning how alive the towns and cities feel because of this.

Dungeons and areas to explore abound. Each is unique. There is no standard cavern or dungeon layout rather each one is entirely different and persistent. This persistent aspect means that over time the dungeon you cleared will repopulate itself. Bandits may move in or the local denizens may take over the vacant real estate. They inturn bring new treasures and challenges. There is enormous replay in this aspect of the game alone.

The dungeons themselves can be immense and cover multiple levels. There are traps to defeat including spikes below and above, gas traps, arrows and many other fiendish devices to trap the unwary dungeon delver. If that was not enough there are, of course, the inhabitants who vary from the oversized rodents, goblins, trolls, undead and other evil beings that should never be named.

As you explore you will soon find factions and guilds abound. Choosing a guild will lead you to new and guild specific quests while at the same time placing you at odds with some of the other guilds. The Assassins Guild is a quick way to make a profit (albeit messy) however notoriety in some quarters could give you some unwanted attention. This is another function of the AI with your standing having a lot to do with how townsfolk interact and trade with you.

As you progress and use more of your skills these will increase in power. The more locks you pick, the better you will be and the more you block with your shield the greater your skill will become. The Internet is filled with player strategies on how to maximise these skills and some players have developed this aspect of the game into an art form itself.

There is much more to the game: the professions, the out door encounters, and the ability to buy your own lodgings (furnishing it as well) to name but a few. This game is huge and absorbing. This PS3 release also includes additional content Knights of the Nine that is downloadable content on the other platforms. If previous games in the series (most notably Morrowind) are anything to go by there should be additional content over and above this in the not too distant future as well.

The game graphics are the icing on the cake. You would forgive the game developers if with a game so complex that the graphics did not receive the same attention. This is, however, not the case as the graphics are stunning and more so when delivered on the PS3. Shimmering lakes, elegant sunsets, flowing grass, and highly detailed rooms and buildings are all offset with some great use of lighting effects. The world feels alive.

The only issue with the game is the occasional graphics glitch. We came across animals in impossible situations or interposed with other animals. It is a shame that these issues persist when the original game release was over a year ago. There are also some odd sound glitches where a person suddenly changes accent and voice when you converse with him. These are annoying but in reality are just a lack of polish on what is already a very glossy game.