They also say, "But please, don't give us a combat system like Gothic's." ;)

Actually, up on the Elder Scrolls forums, there's very little mention of Gothic when talking about what people want in Oblivion. But it's probably the second game they'll bring up, because they like the character interaction. The first is simply all the Morrowind mods, and Bethsoft's cleverly gathered a few of the best mod ideas out there and added them in. Of course, they're available in Morrowind, though.

Myself, I'd like to see a proactive Oblivion: a place where factions and houses actually take action against one another (in various ways, economic, diplomatic, sometimes force) whether you're around and part of them, or not. This was something that the development team told me they wanted in the original MW before it came out, but it didn't make it because of all the coding it required for that one feature.

Hmmm... only've played Fallout 1 and Mario RPG on there. Mario RPG's far from the best RPG out there. Fallout's amazing. Also read a review 'bout Divine Divinity as a kid, which seemed awesome too, just like what I've heard and seen of Morrowind. Besides that, seems like I've got Sacred on my comp (I keep forgetting I have it), so I'll need to play it sometime... but would like to know a bit more 'bout it first.

Divine Divinity? Single PC, third party isometric perspective. The environment's a little more interactive than in most RPGs since Ultima VII: you can gather (and mix) various herbs to form useful potions, and many objects such as rakes can be picked up, and used as weapons (if you wish). You can pause the game to check inventory, or prepare a specific spell. The landscape is huge, and there are an enormous number of quests you can gather and solve in any order you want. (There's still a main plot, but you don't need to advance that until you've exhausted all other possibilities.)

Skills are not tied to character types. Game balance isn't perfect: some skills (and weapons) are either very overpowered or underpowered. Loot found after any battle is randomized within a certain range, but some artifacts show up with wildly different abilities everytime you find them--so it pays to save often, just in case that magical sword you were told lies in wait ahead has almost no value, this time around. (Or just go for the Ironman approach, and accept what you get.)

The last section of the game feels empty, and that's frankly because the development team was pressed to issue it before it was concluded. But it's still a fine RPG, and worth buying.

hmmm, they do mention it quite a bit.

hmmm, they do mention it quite a bit. [/b][/quote]
We'll have to agree to disagree, then. Most posts I read up there mention what people want in Oblivion without reference to any other title.

Borodin, that's what the review I read as a kid said too. What seemed especially worth checking out, was the chemistry engine, that you can pick up fruit, make it rot and make alcohol or poison out of it that way... those things. I kinda meant more information 'bout Sacred though, as I've never heard or seen anything 'bout that game, yet it seems to be on my comp, and Mobygames doesn't have any info 'bout it either.

As for games in that list I know... I forgot to mention I know and've played Diablo II, but that one's boring and repetitive when you're in single player. Wasn't able to get online with it, so I was tired of it after two days.

I didn't like the gothic series...but that's just me. I did however greatly enjoy morrowind, despite it's awkward aiming system.

Now I'm enjoying neverwinter nights.

And I'm certainly going to enjoy oblivion. Gathering money to buy a new computer :D

I played Sacred for a while, but found it very boring. It's a lot like Diablo: kind of mindless, and after a while you realize that there are very few strategic options available, just endless sameness: kill monsters, search for improved versions of the weapons you've trained in, level up, improve your skills, kill more monsters, repeat. The landscape is pretty but dull, and monsters continually regenerate--which means that you have to fight your way back to wherever you got a quest, after completing it. If you need to revisit earlier areas, you face hordes of small level creatures. I'd suggest giving it a pass. But that's just my view.

Can't hurt to give it a try, just to see if there're any interresting engines in it. I quickly saw that single-player Diablo II's boring as hell, but kept playing it a day or so longer to fully check out that slots engine (putting this or that stone/gem/chipped skull in your weapon/armor for this or that extra effect) Turns out to be so damn basic I could do it in a text-adventure/RPG with ease.

I just started playing BG2 again. Still not very far. But why can't I save or rest at certain times in the game?

Or talk to certain people sometimes?