The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition Deluxe (2009)

I’d put this on an easy walk and let the quests pull me along, because wandering around Cyrodiil is a lot less demanding than trying to dodge a bandit while the treadmill is moving. Save the Oblivion gates for when you’re paying attention.

Gameplay

The world is the reason I’d keep coming back to this, even though it can take its time getting anywhere. You can wander off from the main quest, find a cave or a settlement, and get distracted by something that wasn’t on your list. I think that works well for exercise because there’s usually another small thing to do, and you don’t have to be in a dramatic fight every minute. Sometimes the small thing is a long conversation. That’s the trade.

Combat is more active than the wandering makes you expect, with melee attacks, spells, and enemies who can make you turn around quickly. I’d enjoy that variety when I’m fresh, but the game doesn’t always give you a calm little moment to sort out what’s happening before somebody starts swinging. On a treadmill, that can turn into me watching the screen instead of watching where my feet are. I’d take the easy difficulty if I wanted the game to be company, not a second job.

The Oblivion gates are memorable, but I don’t think they’re the part I’d choose for a workout. They send you into a dangerous, strange place where enemies and traps ask for more attention than a quiet bit of exploring does, and those stretches can feel like a lot when you’re already trying to keep a steady pace. I’d do them when I had the energy to focus, then go back to wandering and questing. There’s no shame in taking the scenic route.

Inventory and character menus are where I’d expect the exercise to stop feeling effortless. You can spend time deciding what to carry, what to wear, and which abilities to improve, and I can see myself standing still on the belt while I try to remember why I picked up another heavy piece of armor. I don’t know that every menu pause is avoidable, but I’d sort out my gear before starting a workout and keep the more involved decisions for afterward. That’s probably healthier for both of us.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Treadmill and Bike Compatibility

The biggest adjustment is control, not the size of the world. The PC version doesn’t offer native controller support, so I’d need to map the keyboard and mouse controls to a gamepad with an external tool before I tried playing while moving. That can make the basics manageable, but menus and precise aiming are still going to be more awkward than they should be. I would not want to discover that halfway through a workout.

With a workable mapping, I’d use walking or an easy bike pace for exploring, travelling between quests, and talking to people. I’d slow down or pause for fights, especially when there are several enemies or I’m using a bow, because aiming while your hands are moving is a pretty good way to shoot at the ground near somebody. I wouldn’t try to prove anything to a goblin.

There’s plenty to do at your own pace, which helps, but the game can shift from a quiet walk to a fight without asking whether you’re ready. I’d avoid the more intense sections when I’m running hard, and I’d treat the game as something to play on a gentler workout rather than a way to push speed. On a bike, I’d still keep the pace easy during combat. I like the freedom to stop and think, but here I’d want the controls set up before I started.

Category Score: 1 out of 3

Computer Requirements

The listed minimum requirements are very modest by current standards, so an older PC with a basic graphics card should be enough to run it. I’d check that the computer can handle the game reliably before worrying about anything fancy, because this adventure has enough menus already.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Conclusion and Score

This is a good choice for an easy workout if you enjoy exploring and don’t mind sorting out your own controller setup. I’d skip it for fast treadmill sessions, but for a relaxed walk and a long quest, it has plenty to keep you occupied.

Overall Score: 2 out of 3