The word "game" is a sorry description for Oblivion and the immersion a "player" experiences in the virtual world of Tamriel. We live in an era qualitatively different from that as recent as 15 years ago. It's gut-wrenching to see the planet destroyed before our eyes by a demonic global economy. But as least we have an asylum, of sorts, at hand, thanks to the fruits of technology. If you're not a gamer, trust me (a reader, a bibliophile) you are missing out in the same way an illiterate misses out on the world of books. Buy the game. Try it. End of sermon.

If you are a gamer, you're tapping your fingers impatiently, waiting for the answer to one question. Is this book of cheats worth the $20? Well, of course not, the cheat answers are always to be found somewhere on-line. But it IS very convenient to have all of them at your fingertips. Why back out of the game to go online? Even if you're a purist, a cheat saves tedium. For example, without a cheat, you might have to search all of Tamriel to find the one master trainer capable of advancing you to the highest levels in your special skill. Another example, once you've wandered inside a few Oblivion Gates, a map with cues becomes a comfort you feel you deserve, like leg space on an airplane. Some of those gates are very tough going. Finally, it's nice to have some of the esoterica of Tamriel, explained up front and in detail. Like how the alchemy works, and the various gems and stones.

Nice to see, by the way, that at least 50 or so bibliophiles at LibraryThing are also Oblivion fans. ( )