The New Eternal Debate: PC or Xbox 360?

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is one of the best, most talked about role-playing games in a long time. This article assumes you're interested in learning what all the fuss is about but are having trouble deciding whether the PC or Xbox 360 version of the game is right for you. Here we'll break down the differences and help you make a decision, but the good news is, you won't go wrong either way.

Bear in mind that the content and gameplay is identical in both versions of Oblivion. Given this, your choice between the PC and Xbox 360 versions may be obvious--if you have only one system or the other, then get whichever version you can play. However, if you know you'd have to upgrade your PC to get the most of this game, or if you're on the fence about getting an Xbox 360, or if you already have both systems, then you've got yourself an interesting dilemma. We're here to help you make the best choice. Let's summarize the pros and cons for each version.

Oblivion for the Xbox 360
+ Solid performance
+ Addictive unlockable achievements
+ In-game Dolby Digital 5.1 sound
- Steep $59 "next-gen" retail price
- No immediate access to game mods

Oblivion for the PC
+ Looks gorgeous on a high-end PC
+ Mods galore boost lasting value
+ Cheaper retail price
- System hog won't run well on old graphics cards
- Interface feels intended for consoles

In short, the PC version is better suited to power users with top-of-the-line gaming rigs, who like the idea of extending their game with a lot of downloadable user-created content. Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 version is a safer bet that's recommendable to anyone, especially those who don't have a souped-up PC and aren't looking to upgrade, and/or have a home theater setup.

Are You Tall Enough for This Ride?

Let's make sure you have what you need to get the most out of the two versions of the game. Following are the official requirements for the PC version of Oblivion:

Minimum System Requirements
• Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows XP 64-bit
• 512MB System RAM
• 2Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
• 8x DVD-ROM Drive
• 4.6GB free hard disk space
• DirectX 9.0c (included)
• ATI Radeon X600 series, Radeon 9500 series, Nvidia GeForce 6200 series, or GeForce FX series and higher video cards
• DirectX 8.1 Compatible Sound Card
• Keyboard, Mouse

Recommended System Requirements
• 3.0Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent AMD Athlon 64 processor
• 1GB System RAM
• ATI Radeon X800 series, Nvidia GeForce 6800 series, or higher video card

Fair warning that the minimum requirements are a stretch; specifically, you're going to want at least 1GB of RAM to get this game running at a decent clip. If your system meets or exceeds the recommended specifications, you'll be in great shape to run the PC version of the game. As for the Xbox 360 version, it requires nothing other than an Xbox 360 console since it's a console game. However, to get the most out of the game, you should have a widescreen 1080i or 720p HDTV, a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround-sound system, an Internet connection for your PC or Xbox 360, and an Xbox Live account.

You could play the Xbox 360 version on a plain old television set, but you'd be missing out on experiencing the game in all its audiovisual glory. As for the Internet connection, while Oblivion has no online multiplayer component, you'll still want to have Xbox Live for registering those achievements you unlock to your community profile, and for downloading additional content that may become available in the future.

Which one Sounds Better?

Chances are you've got a better sound system hooked up to your television than to your computer (though, not necessarily). If you have a 5.1 surround-sound system and an Xbox 360 as part of your home theater, then you'll be treated to some outstanding atmospheric audio on this version of the game. Excellent separation of audio channels not only makes the experience feel more realistic, but it can also lend a tactical advantage in battle, since you'll literally hear your foes from every angle.

Granted, the game sounds fantastic even if you're listening to it through tinny television or PC speakers. But the better your sound system is, the richer an experience you'll have with Oblivion. The 360 version's in-game Dolby Digital audio is a real treat. Of further note, the Xbox 360 version of the game offers native support for custom soundtracks, in case you'd care to replace Oblivion's beautiful symphonic score with something else. That's not to say you couldn't do this with the PC version, though--the music is in MP3 format, so you could always try replacing some of the tracks with your favorite MP3 files.