Adjusting my mindset for Oblivion

[Auzette]

Having played most recently Skyrim (and some Avowed), I realize I tend to lawnmow over the maps and areas, looking for side things and generally wandering and finding things to do until I get to the point I start doing main quest activities. This seems to have worked well in Avowed/Skyrim.

But in Oblivion, I don't have some tools (maps that track locations visited, etc... and a general sense of fog lifting as I go around the world).

To that end, should I be more focused on point to point travel in the world from quest to quest? Or milling around major areas looking for interesting convos that lead to quests, and then go on the quests, rather than meander around the countryside? In other words, ditch the lawn mowing and just focus on the story elements as I go?

Thanks for any tips from those who've played this before me.

[Havok]

My recommendation, is play the game however you want. No one should be recommending how you play an open world rpg but you.

[darth_blunted]

I started mine as a dark elf that is Holy but as I go into the Oblivion gates I start turning. I started out with Knights of the 9 to get the Holy armor. I joined the fighters guild and nearing completion there and now have joined mages guild and 90% there. I did Kvatch gate early but haven't touched main quest since I've been to every city but imperial city so most of my quests are in imperial city. Not quests from Imperial city these are guild quests that take you to Imperial city. So I'm going to do some of the darker quests soon because I want my character to go back to good before I finish. I know I am doing it backwards most people go to imperial city early. The thing with that is it's the biggest city in the game why go there first? It should be the last city to visit. So, now I guess it's a few more Oblivion gates, thieves guild, dark brotherhood and then Imperial city then finish main quest as a Holy Knight.

[Sgt. Flaw]

You'll be alright...it more about mowing over the cities talking to people...while there are things happening in the main world there isn't a whole lot...

Kinda pointless exploring ruin after ruin early on.....just hit up the guild quests and talk to as many residents as possible.

[Ommamar]

Both methods are feasible. I will say there are some areas that are connected to quests so things won't spawn until the quest is triggered. There also might be some doors you can't lock pick so you need a key that won't trigger without the quest.

[Auzette]

Thanks for the information and help! Sounds like I can get most of the best of both worlds, with an emphasis on cities other than Imperial city to trigger interesting quests along the way.

Thanks!

[The_Pastmaster]

I just write down the places I've been to before.

[Urm the Mad]

Nah go wandering. That's how I found Goblin Jim's cave of white supremacist goblins, actually walking to each shrine for the beginning of Knights of the Nine

[Brody]

Originally posted by Auzette:

Having played most recently Skyrim (and some Avowed), I realize I tend to lawnmow over the maps and areas, looking for side things and generally wandering and finding things to do until I get to the point I start doing main quest activities. This seems to have worked well in Avowed/Skyrim.

But in Oblivion, I don't have some tools (maps that track locations visited, etc... and a general sense of fog lifting as I go around the world).

To that end, should I be more focused on point to point travel in the world from quest to quest? Or milling around major areas looking for interesting convos that lead to quests, and then go on the quests, rather than meander around the countryside? In other words, ditch the lawn mowing and just focus on the story elements as I go?

Thanks for any tips from those who've played this before me.

Personal opinion: Fast travel anywhere you want, do any side quest that sounds interesting, treat the game like a first person Red Dead Redemption 2 or any other thrilling game that featured a protagonist that you wish to emulate. For instance - I choose Argonian (I love their remastered design), I pick 7 major skills that deal with assassin/thievery style, and set off into the world. In my opinion, Oblivion is built around the side quests / crazy NPCs conversations you will end up in. Keep in mind, only some quests will be found by roaming the country side, so you may wish to take 3-5 minute trips between cities (like kvatch - anvil) to see if any points of interest catch your eye.

[Ommamar]

Originally posted by Urm the Mad:

Nah go wandering. That's how I found Goblin Jim's cave of white supremacist goblins, actually walking to each shrine for the beginning of Knights of the Nine

<laugh> I was literally just in there when the game decided to do one of its random alchemy crashes, I took it as a sign it is time to go to bed.