Fans of Morrowind and action RPGs are already drooling over The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion for the Xbox 360. The game boasts vastly improved graphics (including a sprawling forest that was "grown" rather than pre-rendered), a combat system that doesn't require you to put down your sword to cast a spell and an improved warp system to minimize unwanted travel by foot. There are nine cities, more than 200 dungeons and 9,000 different objects to win, buy and steal. The game's 1,000-plus non-player characters use a new "radiant AI" system to give them goals and motivations that drive them, so say goodbye to heavily scripted interactions. Watch out, or one might even pick your pocket! There's like 50 hours of recorded dialogue and Patrick Stewart makes an appearance as the King of Tamriel, the land you'll be exploring and defending. Still no word on whether Jeremy Soule will provide a follow-up to his amazing Morrowind score...
