The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

"I just got this game for the Xbox 360, having played Fallout 3 (another Bethesda game) and am slowly warming up to it. A lot of Oblivion fans say F3 is like a post-apocalyptic Oblivion but other than vague similarities (controls, menus, inventory, pressure plates, etc) Oblivion has SO much gameplay depth it is almost overwhelming, even frustrating, making it feel very different to me. The magic/alchemy systems are labyrinthine at best and the need for so much grinding to level up stats is daunting. This said, I am probably biased because of Fallout 3, which seems very streamlined and efficient in comparison. For players who love nitty gritty details in every aspect of their game world, Oblivion is the way to go.

Things I like:
. I like the changing weather and the starry night sky is to die for. The graphics are nice enough, the lush greenery a treat for the eye having spent a few years in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Fallout.
. My favorite part is the VASTNESS of Oblivion. With all the locations, both above and below ground, the world is immense. It already feels SO much bigger than F3.

Some annoyances:
. "Chatting up" (persuading) every storekeeper or individual you run across is difficult, and time-consuming.
. Navigating the map is clunky as you have to be very precise in selecting a location and I hate the lack of zoom ability
. The voice acting is repetitive, with only a handful of actors making the voices of EVERYONE in the game but that's not new.
. Still seems to lack grit somehow, like, terrain is too-smooth and doesn't fully render 'til you're on top of it.

There are other nitpicky thing but I am suspicious they are due to my being new to the Elder Scrolls games and my bias/conditioning for Fallout 3. Annoyances and discomfort aside, I'm becoming more and more absorbed in the game the longer I play. Thumbs up from me. :)"