A fan has released a new mod for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion that turns the game into something more akin to a horror/mystery title. The base game may not be known for being spooky, but it's certainly gorgeous, containing one of Bethesda's best step-out moments that really shows off the graphical superiority over its predecessors. However, over the years there have been a number of mods that have come about which really turn the vanilla experience into something else.
That includes making the games scary as well. Other games like Skyrim are certainly no stranger to horror modifications, with some custom-made projects coming about that can really up the fear factor. While The Elder Scrolls series in general can have a few unsettling moments, such as creeping about in dank dungeons or taking on rotten zombies, the long-running RPG franchise is best known for its fantasy elements, in-depth lore, and its impressive landscapes and vistas.
But that's not what modder Arx Vallium is interested in, it seems. As spotted by DSO Gaming, this user has recently released "Shroud Over Starlous Manor," a new mod for Oblivion that spans nine chapters, with a lean towards "dark mystique, mystery, and psychogenic horror." A trailer shows what players can expect, and it does indeed turn the otherwise brightly-colored 2006 RPG into something more inspired by horror games. In fact, there are instances in the clip that show the player wandering around a gloomy locale carrying a lit lantern, which is very reminiscent of Amnesia: The Dark Descent.
Released in 2010, Frictional Games' first Amnesia installment became a huge influence on the horror scene, helping to put greater emphasis on the need for players to run and hide. At the time, the genre was experiencing a bit of a lull, especially with the later entries in the Resident Evil series shifting more towards action and away from survival. The Dark Descent changed all that, becoming one of the most frightening games to ever be released at the time.
It perhaps isn't that much of a stretch to turn something like Oblivion into a spooky experience, especially at this time of year. The Halloween season is the perfect time for some horror gaming, and Arx Vallium's sounds like it'll be right up the alley of anyone who wants something more sinister injected into the RPG. There's even stealth and chase elements as well, which should really make fans of Amnesia feel right at home.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion is available on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.
Source: DSO Gaming, Nexus Mods
