The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - 5th Anniversary Edition

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As a huge fan of The Elder Scrolls games including Oblivion I'm finding it difficult to give the Oblivion 5th Anniversary Edition such a low score but unfortunately Bethesda Softworks, the game developer, leaves little choice.

First, if you've never played or owned Oblivion before but have been tempted to do so, then just stop now and purchase the game.

For everyone else reading this that owns a PS3 and Oblivion or the Oblivion GOTY Edition, the 5th Anniversary Edition is a huge disappointment. What's missing from this release is actually more telling than what's included.

First here's what you're getting with the 5th Anniversay Ed.:

1. The exact same content in the Game of the Year (GOTY) Edition (Shivering Isles & Knights of the Nine)

2. A metal box

3. A map of Cyrodiil

4. A making-of Oblivion DVD

5. A coupon good toward the purchase of Skyrim (The Elder Scrolls V) and the Official Strategy Guide* (More on this later)

Here's a list of what PS3 owners are not getting:

1. Trophy support

2. Bug/glitch fixes including several well publicized game-ending bugs

3. None of the DLC available to Xbox 360/PC users including:

Wizard's Tower

Thieves Den

Mehrunes Razor

Spell Tomes

Vile Lair

The Orrery

Horse Armor

Fighter's Stronghold

Another fact purchasers should be aware of is that the $10 coupon isn't an instant savings or really a coupon at all but rather a $10 pre-paid VISA Card. Here's some basic information lifted directly from Bethesda:

1. You must purchase a new copy of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and the Skyrim Official Strategy Guide for full price of at least $59.89. No discounts allowed.

2. You must have purchased the a game and guide at the same time and shown on the same receipt within a one month window: 11/11/11 12/11/11

3. You must cut the UPC label off the 5th Anniversay Edition, Skyrim and the Strategy Guide and mail those in with the original receipt.

So in essence the 5th Anniversary Edition is nothing more than a repackaging of the GOTY Edition with some chintzy extras thrown in. No new content. No trophy support. Perhaps most telling of all though, no bug/glitch fixes. This is the laziest repackaging job I've ever witnessed and literally adds nothing but trinkets.

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This is sad on so many levels. Bethesda knew that PS3 user have been begging, and pleading for the dlc content PC and 360 user got, and trophies. And guess what? We didn't get it. You basically are getting the GOTY edition again, with the same map you get with the GOTY edition, and a added bonus, which is the blu-ray of the making of the game, which is mainly for the fan boys. The voucher that comes with this is useless, because there a catch 22 behind it, and that is you must buy the guide in order to get the $10 off, which is a big WTF in my book. Bethesda is still making there profit, and your saving nothing.

If your smart, you'll save your money and wait for a price drop on Skyrim. Bethesda has been doing a damn good job of making enemies with console users, and sooner or later, they'll realize it. This is terrible. Is it possible to get my money back?

Buy The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - 5th Anniversary Edition Now

It's highly disappointing at the lack of care that has gone into post-support for the PS3 version of Oblivion. For those who haven't played Oblivion before, this is a good deal. The game is one of the best this generation has to offer, and is still a top-tier title, even for its age. The "making of" DVD, as well as the $10-off coupon for the upcoming Skyrim are nice. At least, on the surface.

Others have reviewed this game to death, so this review is based soley on the 5th Anniversary's extras, which are frankly non-existent. Before you spend your money again, know that those of you who have played the Game of the Year Edition of Oblivion on PS3 are getting the exact same game in a new box. The 360's downloadable content is absent again, and there is no trophy support (Bethesda has confirmed there are no plans to include them now or in the future).

But quite possibly the most disappointing factor of this 5th Anniversary re-issuing is that the notable, show-stopping "A-bugs"(game-ending bugs found in the PS3 releases) are still present here, and there are no plans to fix them (also confirmed by Bethesda). These problems should've been addressed in the form of patches in the past, but to re-release the bugged game again is unacceptable.

The hype for the upcoming Skyrim sequel is the main reason behind this re-release, and though the "making of" DVD is a nice form of extra for those that want it, you're essentially paying $30 to get a $10-off coupon for Skyrim upon its release later this year.

Oddly enough, if you've NEVER played Oblivion before, this is by far your best deal. It's easily a five-star game in itself, and includes both expansion packs. The review score is based soley on the "new" content; or in this case, lack thereof.

Read Best Reviews of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - 5th Anniversary Edition Here

I had gotten this in the mail today and noticed on the back it only says "add-on content". I did a little looking and saw reports from others saying it doesn't include the DLC content and it doesn't have trophy support. Luckily I hadn't opened this so I am returning it to Amazon for a refund.

So if you're thinking of buying this don't bother. You can easily find game of the year editions used already for much less that are the exact same thing. Don't be fooled, there is nothing in here you can't find in GOTY versions that have been out for awhile now. This is basically just a money sink cash grab by slapping 5th anniversary on the box because what's inside it is what's been for sale for years now and nothing else. Even the bonus videos on the extra disc I watched at a friend's house when he got it was just the same old low res stuff that's been out for awhile now.

I was very disappointed in Bethesda for not adding in trophy support or at least the DLC. But I'm not surprised really considering Bethesda has terrible customer service with their games. Even after 5 years and the vampire bug being wide spread and well known since the games release it has never been fixed. Even with fallout 3 it still retains dozens of well known game breaking bugs that were never fixed and took almost 4 months after release to be patched to playable condition for a lot of people.

DO NOT waste 30 bucks on this game. Especially if you're a ps3 owner hoping for trophies. Just buy GOTY for less and save yourself some cash.

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Normally I wouldn't write a review repeating what has already been said but in this case the more bad reviews the more chance Bethesda will get the hint and stop exploiting its customers. Bethesda has chosen once again to release an inferior product. No previously missing DLC, bug fixes, and trophies. And the misleading $10 savings (fine print: only if you buy the guide) is a joke.

Most likely it won't but hopefully this and other bad reviews will get Bethesda's attention that will force them to add a patch to fix bugs, add trophies and missing DLC. And if they don't, well, I can assure them that I will be buying a USED copy of Skyrim.