My first 3 hours in Oblivion Remastered were crammed with 2006 weirdness, making it the perfect reimagining of my favorite RPG

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Oh, how delightful it is to see you again, Oblivion! It seems that my excitement about our reunion is unfounded, as I recently indulged in my beloved Elder Scrolls game only a few months back. However, this encounter feels unique. For years, we’ve been caught up in speculation and gossip, but now, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered has come to life, and not just as a dream, but on the exact day of its announcement. To make things even sweeter? This remastered version feels like stepping into Oblivion for the very first time once more.

As a die-hard gamer who’s poured countless hours into the original masterpiece, I must admit that I felt a pang of unease at the idea of any modern update. Oblivion, to me, was a 2006 RPG, bursting with ambition, even if its characters sometimes looked a bit peculiar and their dialogues were one-dimensional and awkward – part of what I considered its unique charm. I feared that a remaster would strip away this ‘old charm’, and in doing so, rob the game of some essential part of itself.

That, praise the Nine, is not the case.

Welcome, outlander

Underneath its enhanced graphics, Oblivion Remastered retains the original’s essence, offering a comforting familiarity despite improved visual details like never-before-seen stubble on Imperial Guards. Many voiceovers from the original game remain, albeit with some compression artifacts. Characters continue to exchange tales about mudcrabs and their interactions still seem more like exchanges rather than genuine conversations. And yes, the characters remain just as peculiar in appearance!

After exiting the sewers, I find myself without anything specific to do and eager for new experiences. The peculiarity of Oblivion’s vast open world continues, even in its remastered version (though it may sound repetitive). Unlike Skyrim, which generally follows a reasonable logic – if there are bandits nearby, they will attack you – exploring Oblivion has always felt surreal and unpredictable. One of the remaster’s new quests leads me on a cult-themed treasure hunt across Cyrodiil, but this soon transforms into a pseudo horror game when I’m pursued by three minotaurs wielding axes across half the world.

During my journey, any outlaw, beast like a wolf, or sorcerer daring enough to attempt an attack on me was viciously slain by the minotaurs, spreading terror until I reached Bravil. There, a city guard brutally killed them. Along the way, I found a unicorn that I could ride, but it tried to kill the guard who saved me, so we parted ways. By the time I departed from Bravil, the unicorn was nowhere to be found. Whether they were creations of an old AI or ghostly apparitions from 2006, guiding me to safety, I can’t tell for certain. But that’s just Oblivion for you!

Adoring fan

Though my enthusiasm for Oblivion Remastered may stem from nostalgia, I’m a dedicated admirer of the significant improvements it has made. While the mechanics of the original game might seem challenging to those not swayed by nostalgia, the remaster makes these aspects much more accessible. For instance, character development is now simpler and provides greater control over how your character evolves, enabling you to assign specific points to attributes. The combat isn’t as polished as modern RPGs like Avowed or Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, but it’s functional, offering a noticeable improvement compared to 2006. Plus, now you can sprint!

I’m not completely sold on the user interface revamp; it seems like a blend of The Elder Scrolls Online and Skyrim, and it appears too polished for my personal preference. However, considering I was doubting yesterday whether the rumored remaster could be any good, I now find that doubt rather laughable. Virtuos has done an impressive job in maintaining the essence of Oblivion.

I’m not crazy about the new UI design; it looks like a mix of The Elder Scrolls Online and Skyrim, but it’s too shiny for my taste. Yet, just yesterday I was questioning if the remaster would be any good, but now that doubt seems ridiculous given how well Virtuos has kept Oblivion’s spirit alive.

Most definitely, I can’t wait for those who haven’t played Oblivion yet. They’re in for a treat as they encounter one of the greatest RPGs ever made for the very first time. They’ll explore Kvatch for the first time, experience the Dark Brotherhood’s unique personality for the first time, and step out of that sewer grate for the first time. Although I’ve been there before – numerous times – it feels like a brand new adventure, by Azura’s grace!

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2025-04-23 18:11