The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles—Bedlam for All

January 7, 2008 | Filed Under Game Reviews | No Comments

Expansion packs always come with a feeling of caution, as companies are anxious to capitalize on the success of the base game and rush the additional material through the development phase too rapidly. In this case, Bethesda Softworks has done a superlative job in expanding on an already excellent game (Oblivion) by inventing a whole new world, interesting new characters, and an intriguing set of challenges.Shivering Isles is the new world and consists of two separate realms, Mania and Dementia, each name describing the type of madness within. Lording it over the whole area is the Daedric Prince of Madness, Sheogorath. This off-center character’s attributes infect the entire world. Shivering Isles is replete with twisted trees, glowering skies, and brooding terrain. The whole effect is arresting in its vision and daunting in its scope.As a contrast to the seriousness of Sheogorath and his intimidating world is your character, Chancellor Haskill, ostensibly the right hand man of the madman but really the hero of the game. The writers have granted Haskill a dose of sardonic wit that acts as a counter to Sheogorath’s madness. It is Haskill who goes on the missions as bid by the big man himself. So it goes through dungeons with side missions that are interesting in their own right.Other characters are just as intriguing as the landscape, both in appearance and personality. The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles is every bit as good as Oblivion and deserves the accolades that the original has gathered.