The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition

Pros: Open ended story lines, do what you want when you want to do it, or don't. Create any type of character you can envision. Explore a massive and adventure filled world.

Cons: None come to mind.

Other Thoughts: Comments about the graphics starting to look dated have some merit. That said, you can visit one of a hundred different Oblivion modding sites that host free mods for the game to improve virtually ever aspect of the game. My copy of Oblivion looks better than a stock Skyrim and it didn't take much to do. You want to install the large texture pack replacers like Qarl's for example. It's astounding what you can do to this game to make it better than new.

Pros: +engrossing, endless world, especially when you include the DLC.
+beautiful environmental graphics, despite the age.
+hundreds of story lines.
+now only costs $20!
+runs smooth on all modern PC's

Cons: -outdated facial graphics (which is to be expected with an older game)

Other Thoughts: As a long time gamer it takes a lot for me to nominate a "best game", but this would have to be it. It is simply staggering how much play time and story you get out of one game. The soundtrack is awesome , and as long as skyrim players can get past the outdated facial graphics, you will not be disappointed.

This game is truly a work of art that no modern game has achieved.

Pros: This is another "massive universe to explore" rpg. The mechanics are familiar to anyone who has played a Fallout 3, Fallout New Vegas, or Skyrim. I expect that I'll get $20 worth of playing time out of it.

Cons: The graphics and the interface design are clearly dated. A good choice for an older computer or for a hard-core addict to this gaming genre, but don't expect Skyrim quality from this one.

The outdoor graphics and visuals are spectacular, but the sewers and dungeons are bleak and repetitive.

Other Thoughts: If you're not the type of person who puts 50-100 hours of time into a Fallout or Elder Scrolls playthrough, then this historical artifact probably won't hold your interest.

Pros: My kid took over my Skyrim character on xbox, so I picked this up cheap and returned to Cyrodiil on my PC. Less interested in playing the scripted bits than just fooling around this time (might be fun to play with mods).

Cons: The first time I played this on xbox, I immediately lost interest in closing gates and just fooled around. I probably wont even bother with the main story line--in fact I am being careful not to level up too fast, exploring with weak monsters matched to my low level is fine with me.

Pros: There were a lot of amazing role-playing games in the decade but this was the one that truly made me feel as though I could do anything and that the game would back me up. It also found a near-perfect balance of sandbox-style play as well as good, strong narrative -- the Dark Brotherhood questline, in particular, is one of the best stories I've experienced in an RPG, with some ruthless and brilliantly imagined twists and turns. Oblivion was just an exhilirating game for me, and a perfect example of how the best RPGs are easy to forgive for their faults because of their surpassing qualities.

Cons: -I wish I had bought it sooner?

Other Thoughts: .