After about 10 hours or so of Shivering Isles Hadaster, my Dark-Elf Monk character, is now the new Mad God of Oblivion.
So here’s my little review, and a few tips, to the Elder Scrolls IV official expansion. There are a few spoilers so go and read something else if you don’t want to know what happens.
I felt the story unfolded in a little bit of a weak way really. Much the same as the other, more minor, expansions you get word of something strange going on. Here it’s a new small island that has appeared off the coast of Bravil. Well I walked over there (come on, who swims when you’re 42nd level?) and my adventure started.
Rather than write a walkthrough, I’ll just say what I enjoyed. The world that is the plane of the Mad God Sheogorath is gorgeous. Once again Bethesda have shown that their artists have imagination and a good grasp on fantasy concepts. From the strangeness of the Fringe to the darknened splendour of Sheogorath’s Palace. And Sheogorath himself is a right card. The voice actor performs a dodgy Irish leprechaun kind of tone for the Mad God. But it must be quite difficult to go from demented to manic in the same sentence. As Sheogorath begins his slip towards Order and finally is consumed by Jyggalag I thought this was becoming all the more enjoyable.
The Golden Saints and Dark Seducers are brilliantly unemotional and the quests that involve them specifically are very good. I always enjoy charging in to battle with others, even if I’m the only one standing after the first twenty or so seconds.
Shivering Isles has some tremendous items in it. The Darkfang / Duskfang sword is a great, one handed sword with a twist. It’s blood drinker ability adds a nice addtional feature and it does mean that the sword is effectively recharged automatically upon the sun rising and setting (this is 6am and 6pm repsectively in Oblivion). In order to ensure you end up with the more powerful version of the sword summon a few zombies and chop them from behind when sneaking. Make sure the sword is charged though as any kills by an uncharged Dawnfang do not count. Hadaster has something in the region of 45% reflected damage too, so I found that creature would strike their own death blow when hitting me. Clearly such kills also don’t count towards the tally.
There are also a few new neat abilities that are bestowed upon you as you climb the ranks of the Shivering Isles. Being able to summon Haskil (the ever obedient and helpful ‘butler’) or a Golden Saint / Dark Seducer is a nice touch (although I tend never to summon creatures in battle).
All in all Shivering Isles has been a satifying add-on. It’s big enough with sufficient side quests. It still leaves me wanting more. But maybe that wont arrive until Elder Scrolls V. (or Fable 2 :-))