1)How similar is combat to Oblivion? Can you parry, block, etc Can you do more than one attack?

2)Do you HAVE to use magic or can you play as a non magic character?

3)Are there side missions or just the main story line?

4)I heard the game supports the 360 controller. Is the game any easier with it, or more hard or about the same?

5)Do you get companions and/or do you have to get them?

1) Combat is directly controlled and does work sort of like Oblivion, although it's a cleaner system with more variety. Blocking is automatic based on your character's skill. You will also need a shield for this to work; there is no parrying. There are multiple attacks based on how you move the mouse when you first hold the mouse button (as in many RPGs). Damage can be boosted by holding down an attack for longer before releasing it.

2) Magic skill isn't required. Some parts of the main quest do involve magic but you're either given a scroll that even an untrained person can cast from or you have the option of having an NPC cast the spell for you if you can't. You don't need it for general gameplay.

3) There are a very limited number of side quests, far fewer than in most other RPGs, but most of them are quite involved.

4) Controllers are not natively supported, but you can use third-party software such as to redirect mouse and keyboard inputs to a controller. [url=http://www.gog.com/en/forum/arx_fatalis/gamepad_controls]Refer to this thread for the control layout used for the Xbox port. I haven't used a controller with this particular game yet but it should work quite well with the possible exception of drawing spells, which relies on reasonably precise mouse movements; the Xbox port included a simplified casting system, but the PC version doesn't have that.

5) There are no companions whatsoever.

EDIT: also note that there is a demo available (from the official site as well as various other places). The demo has problems the GOG version doesn't (e.g. lights shining through walls), but it will give you an idea of what the gameplay is like.

Thank you very much.