» Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:03 am
I don't buy DLC. I bought the original Oblivion, then went and purchased the GOTY edition just to get KotN and SI (I picked it up real cheap, so I don't mind paying for Oblivion all over again).
Shivering Isles is a true expansion, quite alot of hours can be poured into it. You can in fact live a life inside SI (not sure if you can get a house), but its quite a world to live in. Tough enemies, the much flaunted Gatekeeper, and Demented and Maniacal inhabitants.
The main quest of SI is long, twisty and morally gray/black. Didn't find much heroic stuff to do, but then again, you do serve the Madgod of the Shivering Isles.
Conversely, KotN is all about being a hero -- a crusader in fact. Not an expansion, more a long-ish quest. Play it on a harder difficulty to reap the benefits; really you're playing it to get the sweet armour and weapons it offers. Fun for a high level character, if you're bored with standard guild missions or if you are looking for a nice leisurely walk/ride.
And on DLC.....I go through TesNexus to get "touch up" mods -- like DarkPhinix for graphics, and a few other mods I can't remember. I'm sure you can find plenty of free Mods there.
If you are on console...you have no choice. You will have to buy DLC. But then, you consolers know what you're getting in for when you buy consoles. PC == Mods; Console == Power, but limited to OnlineStore.
So....buy SI -- you will like it. It comes with KotN, so no complaints. Doesn't sound like DLC is worth the effort though.