s a comic book reader, I have come to terms with the fact that I will likely never see the conclusion to any of the stories that I am reading. If Batman stays popular, his life (which has already spanned eight decades) will far outlast mine. A similar realization may soon flutter into the minds of gamers as well. Using the Shivering Isles as an indicator, the future of video games could be very similar to comic books. Expanded content empowers games with immortality. As long as the video game industry is built upon transitional hardware cycles, it is highly unlikely that we’ll ever see a single game with the staying power that could keep it alive for decades. But we are starting to see games like Elder Scrolls that could survive an entire console generation without owning a true sequel.

With a steady flow of downloadable content, Bethesda has done a tremendous job of keeping Cyrodiil alive and well. Shivering Isles, the first full-blown expansion, shows us that expanded content can serve a purpose greater than simply making a game longer – it can make a game better. In the time following the release of Oblivion, Bethesda has honed its craft, tightened the code, and recognized exactly what was needed to take this game to the next level. With that said, it should come as no surprise to hear that Shivering Isles is a bona fide masterpiece and the best that the Elder Scrolls series has to offer.

The element that received the most drastic improvement is the main quest. As much as I enjoyed aiding Martin Septim in Oblivion, the story that unfolded around him didn’t really bring out a “Oh my God, I have to see what happens next!” response. The story in Shivering Isles does. The majority of the plot revolves around a new character named Sheogorath, a remorseless wise-cracker who sounds a bit like a Scottish pirate or a drunken Sean Connery. Almost every line of dialogue or quest that this amazingly well-written character sends you on is a treat. The missions have been intentionally streamlined to offer more action and less conversing. As the plot unfolds, you find yourself bouncing from one dungeon to the next, most offering a different set of fun tasks – such as escaping a collapsing cave or choosing whether you kill or torture a party that appears to be stripped from a Dungeons & Dragons campaign.

Since Shivering Isles is a completely separate island (you’ll find the portal that leads to it in a lake near Bravil), all of the scenery, inhabitants, and items are new. This kingdom is split into two realms: Mania, a colorful, almost Alice in Wonderland-like place, and Dementia, a place so dark it feels like death is constantly closing in. These two distinctly different areas overcome the biggest complaint that I had with Oblivion — it all looked the same. In Shivering Isles, everything seems fresh and new, which leads to a constant sense of wonder and awe.

Part of the allure of The Elder Scrolls games is unearthing new weapons and armor. There are plenty of new blades (some forged of never-before-seen metals) to wield, and equally as many exotic fabrics to try on, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself falling in love with one particular blade and using it for the entire game. Much like the world, this sword has two forms, Duskfang and Dawnfang, which alter upon sunrise and sunset. The sword’s magic recharges as it shifts between forms, and it becomes more powerful as it extinguishes souls.

Without tackling any of the side quests, I completed the critical path in less than 18 hours. With side content, the game offers over 30 satisfying hours that are balanced beautifully between higher-level characters and newly created ones.

It’s uncertain where this series goes from here, but like a great comic book, Shivering Isles leaves you craving more.