Two new previews of Bethesda's Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion have hit the web, both of which are based on firsthand time with the game at Microsoft's X05 event. The first is at
1Up:
In terms of controls, Oblivion unsurprisingly handles much like its first-person adventure game predecessor, where you point your crosshair at an object and a context sensitive icon will appear. Put it over an item strewn about the ground and it turns into a hand, signifying that it's something you can pick up. Oblivion also features a new "hot key" system where you can bind various weapons, spells, and potions to all eight directions of your d-pad. I found this handy when I had to switch between different weapon configurations, be it my short sword and torch combo, or my two-handed bow. As well, the combat system seems to have been tweaked to give the game a much more tactile feel. Hitting and getting hit has much more audio and visual impact this time around, and creatures will now actually respond to your blows, thanks to Oblivion's overriding physics engine which ultimately governs its world. All of this adds up to combat that feels more like The Chronicles of Riddick than say, well...the original Morrowind.
And the second is over in
The Elder Scrolls Forums, where a fan who attended the event has posted what are probably the most honest details we've seen so far:
So I got out of the dungeon and into the wilderness outside of what I think was the Imperial City. (Sorry, can't remember now). The game looked very beautiful, and the music kicked in and seems to be done in much the same way Morrowind's was: that's to say, it was orchestral, sounded like the same composer and was was only ever complimentary, not intrusive. Once I entered the city, the music changed to a mandolin-like plucking, which was very welcome. Here's hoping that variety in present throughout the entire game.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Previews 
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