Is The Elder Scrolls Oblivion a Dark Fantasy Like The Witcher?

When determining whether The Elder Scrolls Oblivion is a dark fantasy game like The Witcher, it's important to understand the specific characteristics that define dark fantasy. Dark fantasy often incorporates themes of darkness, moral ambiguity, and often deals with more mature and grim content. However, Oblivion, as a game within The Elder Scrolls series, takes a different approach in its storytelling and gameplay mechanics.

Defining Dark Fantasy

To better understand the framework, let's look at some key aspects:

Dark Fantasy Characteristics: Themes of spiritual and moral corruption, death, and tragedy often dominate the narrative. Characters often struggle with personal demons and the consequences of their actions. Uplifting Themes: On the other hand, dark fantasy can be uplifting in that it often shows the triumph of good over evil, even when it comes at a great cost. Characters often face psychological degradation and are scarred by their experiences.

Given these definitions, The Elder Scrolls series, including Oblivion, can be considered more uplifting and less dark compared to games like The Witcher or Game of Thrones. While they do involve dark themes, the overall narrative tends to be more straightforward and less graphically dark.

The Elder Scrolls Experience

The Elder Scrolls world, particularly in Oblivion, presents a landscape filled with moral ambiguities. However, the lore and storylines are not as deeply immersed in moral degradation and corruption as some other dark fantasy works. Many of the darker aspects, such as slavery, murder, and even rape, are present but they do not dominate the gameplay experience. Instead, players can choose to engage with or avoid these elements depending on their playstyle.

For example, when encountering assassin factions, players can either join them or oppose them. The narrative for the main quest focuses on stopping the Thalmor threat, with the overall arc ending with a significant win for the forces of good. Character degradation and psychological trauma are minimal, making it a more linear and less psychologically taxing experience.

Comparing The Elder Scrolls and The Witcher

To further illustrate the differences, let's look at how The Elder Scrolls Morrowind and Oblivion compare to The Witcher. The Witcher's narrative often revolves around the risks and consequences of moral choices, such as the Dark Elves, and the use of the Four Horsemen, which are all highly influenced by themes of spiritual corruption and the corrupting power of magic. Meanwhile, Morrowind and Oblivion, while involving dark elements, tend to have a more straightforward and uplifting narrative.

Take the Dark Brotherhood questline in Oblivion, for example. It is a deeply dark and morally complex storyline. However, it is optional and can be skipped entirely, leaving the main questline relatively unaltered. Additionally, there are lighter side quests, such as rescuing a merchant's daughter from a cult, providing a balance of darker and lighter content.

Gameplay and Morality

The gameplay in The Elder Scrolls Oblivion also allows for a more varied experience. Characters can be morally flexible, and players have the freedom to engage in various quests, ranging from heroic to morally dubious. For instance, the Fighter's Guild offers a twist on the classic "rats in the basement" quest, where the rats turn out to be beloved pets, adding a layer of moral complexity.

The open-world structure of The Elder Scrolls series (including Oblivion) offers players a range of activities, from the main quest to exploration and side quests. This varied gameplay allows players to experience different levels of darkness or lightness, tailored to their preferred style of play.

Conclusion

While The Elder Scrolls Oblivion does contain elements that could be considered dark fantasy, such as the Dark Brotherhood questline, it ultimately leans more towards the uplifting end of the spectrum. The narrative and gameplay mechanics often prioritize straightforward moral choices and the triumph of good, albeit with some darker undercurrents. This makes it a game for players who enjoy varied, immersive experiences but prefer a lighter and more uplifting tone compared to the more intricate and grim storytelling of The Witcher.