People obviously don't understand. Do your research on forums and other things and you will find the answer as to why the game is rated M by the ESRB. The game is rated M due to mods on the PC version. It was originally shipped as rated T for Teen, and if you got one of those versions, you would see it on the box. The version for the PC did NOT ship with a modding program, but one was released immediately after. Bethesda originally had planned to have nudity, and some of the most popular mods exposed the nudity Bethesda had in the game. The game was later rated M for this specific reason. Not only that but later mods increased this, including the sexual acts of Masturbation, actual sex, and for women, breast enlargement mods. I recommend that if you get this game, do not get it for the PC. If you do, only allow your children to use tesnexus* if they want mods for the game, as this restricts access to adult content unless you register and are 18 or older. The game also has many good role models that help the main character along in the game. The game is horribly easy when you start, and, depending on how you play, can get even easier. It has a positive message and it's basically "Do what is asked of you."

Really fun game

First of all, do any of you remember when Oblivion first released? Remember what letter it had on it. That's right, a "T", not an "M". The only reason they changed it to an "M" rating was because of a user-created mod that allowed for topless women. User-created. As in, not enabled by the developers. Since the 360 and PS3 versions of the game do not allow players access to user-created mods, they should technically still be rated Teen. Likewise, the violence isn't that bad! Things bleed a little, but it's not like arms are viscerally sliced off or goblins are brutally decapitated. All they do is bleed. You have a little blood on the ground and on your sword, and the corpse is in perfect condition. No cuts, scrapes, bruises, or breaks. The only time things get a bit grisly is when you encounter zombies, who are mutilated a bit, but not terribly. The sexual content, though it does exist in-game, is only referenced. There is no actual sex in the game. At the most, people just sleep in the same bed. Fully clothed! They're not even under the blanket! Besides, the references are nothing teenagers haven't already been exposed to at this point in their life. Pretty much all of them have already had The Talk. The majority of the drugs is one called "Skooma". It is barely mentioned in the game, and there are maybe two quests that directly have to with it. In closing, Oblivion is a fantastic RPG for teenagers of all kinds. The review found here gives no almost no info regarding these topics, simply saying, "there is sexual content" or something wooden like that. Thank you for your time.

Oblivion yes! I have this game on the xbox 360 and know a number of glitches. This game is not very violent and is the perfect teen fantasy game. I play Fable but I've never liked an RPG as much as oblivion. Easy game-play mechanics, awesome graphics, and a story that will keep you hooked for hours on end. (There is also a way to turn off blood!)

I was 12 when I played this the first time and, quite frankly, there were parts of it that scared me to death. The creepy caves still freak me out, though the main areas are a joy to explore. Be warned that the violent content includes blood (which can be disabled in-game on the PC version only) and decaying corpses (which cannot be disabled other than through modification of the game files), as well as total freedom, meaning you can murder whoever you like, sometimes for profit. The sexual content is mild, save a woman who owns an inn on the bay and "reserves her beds for seamen" (cough, cough); she can be seen entering the locked rooms of all her tenants at night. However, getting inside the room reveals that she's simply sleeping beside them rather than actually having sex with them, though the implications are clear. This inn may not even be entered by the player. Finally, to clear up the ESRB rating confusion, the game was originally rated T but increased to M after release. This was done not because someone made nude skins, but because someone made an unofficial patch that unlocked nude (read: topless female) skins that came with the game that were otherwise unaccessible. The ESRB also felt that the game was more violent than the developers showed in their presentation. Unofficial mods (PC-only) can also be pornographic in content, so be careful what your children download; don't ban mods outright, as some of them are perfectly fine, but look at what they have installed.

Now so I dont waste your time with this reveiw about the age part I'll go ahead and tell you why its rated M because on the PC version there was a mod to play as a topless woman. Now for you who want my opinion. This game is pretty darn good. Its easier to play than Elder Scroll games before and has many hours of content. I still have alot to explore and sidequests to complete and with Skyrim coming this year im pumped. This is definitely a game 11 year olds should be able to play.

Oblivion is quite a good fantasy game, but it contains sexual language. My only instances of this are when a grizzled veteran of the Fighters Guild calls you a "High-Tom-Titty" and when an argonian says "Powdered deer penis" and there IS a book called "The Lusty Argonion Housemaid". Blood is infrequent, although stains of blood on clothes and objects appear, it disappears quickly. Blood shines on your sword, and so on. Drugs, well, players can drink wine, beer. Nothing bad, right? Well, there is a drug similar to crack or LSD called "Skooma". There are various skoomahouses (Like a crackhouse) scattered around the expansive world. When taken, skooma drains everything but intelligence and speed, which it t temporarily increases. You can buy drugs and black magic spells from various shady sellers. The Dark Brotherhood is a touchy guild, as you have to kill someone to get in. Also, you can kill innocents, although it is strongly discouraged. It is the opposite of GTA, whereas in that game police are very weak. The patrolmen are 10 levels higher then you, and have much better gear. One good thing, is if you have a kid interested in lore and books, he will spend days at the library reading full length books everything from fiction to comedy to docs to biographies. One scary quest involves going through traps, perception, and lots of other things.

it was a really good game not much violence.But get to know your child cause it does have some things that are a little disturbing.there is a little swearing. it's a game of choice so you can be what ever you want and do what ever you want. what i mean by that is you can kill people and punished for it. or dont

I bought this game recently and i haven't been able to put it down since. This is by far one of the greatest games I've played yet. The ability to explore all parts of the vast world of Cyrodiil, and the unlimited possibilities makes this game exciting as well as fun. With all of the different side stories and guilds to join, no game is ever the same twice. There is some violence, however. Characters and creatures shed minimal amounts of blood when struck, but it goes away in a couple of seconds. There is one area in the city of Anvil where if you go into the Chapel, there is evidence of a brutal attack, involving blood writing on the floor. Then there is the Bloodworks area of the Arena, with the ramp to the Arena fighting pit stained with blood (hence the name Bloodworks). You also have the opportunity of joining the Dark Brotherhood, which is a group of assassins. The game has some positive messages throughout. The main storyline of the game is to help the heir of the throne of Cyrodiil rise up and to shut close the gates of Oblivion (Elder Scrolls' version of Hell), thereby saving all of Cyrodiil from total destruction. There is also the Fighter's Guild and the Mage's Guild, who do jobs around Cyrodiil helping those in need. Language is mild, with the worst I've heard being b#stard, and a couple of d%mns laced infrequently throughout the game. Overall, very good game. Glad I spent the money on it.