The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered Has Been Here for Days – And It Still Feels Unreal

by

Reflecting on gaming experiences over the past few years, we’ve witnessed some remarkable, indelible scenes. Experiencing the thrill of discovering and escaping the Iron Throne in Baldur’s Gate 3. Freefalling from a floating island in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, brushing past others as we plummeted down. Exploring the far-reaching landscapes of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Encountering a Factory Strider for the first time in Helldivers 2. Battling Bayle the Dread and hearing Igon’s stirring speech (though it didn’t earn a nomination). Countless memories, each unforgettable and provoking a range of emotions.

2021 has been brimming with remarkable events so far. Instead of Blue Prince, it’s been keeping puzzle enthusiasts on their toes with its complex mysteries and advancements, yet leaving some feeling frustrated due to its random number generation. On the other hand, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been making waves with its blend of emergent gameplay, impressive simulation elements, and immersive world design. More recently, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took me by surprise with its unusual environment designs and challenging combat situations, showcasing the greatness that smaller development teams can achieve.

Nevertheless, among all these releases, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, unexpectedly dropped for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, may have taken you by surprise if you weren’t keeping tabs on the rumors. In retrospect, in the year 2023, it seemed nearly unimaginable. The thought of Bethesda revisiting a game, especially one cherished within the Elder Scrolls series, was almost too good to believe, even if another studio was involved. And even if this release was a remaster or remake, it raised questions as to what improvements could possibly be made to make it stand out.

Moving on to this year, it’s hard to imagine that Oblivion Remastered is genuine if I hadn’t invested multiple hours into it previously. What astounds me most is how Virtuos has successfully recreated all the elements that made the original so captivating, enigmatic, and immersive. Each Elder Scrolls title boasts memorable moments, but Oblivion stands out distinctly, not just for its writing and world design, but also for the sheer awe-inspiring quality of its quests and characters.

How does the beginning of Starfield ring a bell? One moment you’re excavating below ground, searching for some enigmatic artifact; the next, someone from Constellation gifts you their spaceship and robotic companion, launching you on an adventure. Despite numerous updates and fixes, Starfield maintains a “Mixed” rating on Steam, with only about 58% of its almost 108,000 user reviews giving it positive feedback. It’s probably best not to delve too deeply into the matter of its expansion, Shattered Space.

In the game “Oblivion“, you’re not a predestined hero endowed with special privileges or blessings at the outset. Unlike a savior, you don’t walk into the world to give meaning to others’ lives. Your initial interaction is with Emperor Uriel Septim VII, portrayed by Patrick Stewart, whose stature demands reverence yet subtly disarms you with his somber demeanor. Despite the grim circumstances, including his impending demise, he never makes you feel insignificant, even though he’s unable to see your future.

As a gamer, I don’t embark on this journey expecting the universe to cater to my every whim. I’m not born as a hero in the traditional narrative sense, but rather, I’m on a quest to fulfill the dying wish of the Emperor. The road ahead is uncertain, and it aligns perfectly with my innate desire for exploration and adventure.

If “Oblivion” excels at anything, it’s providing intrigue from every angle. The game’s beauty is amplified by its beautifully revamped graphics. Even the NPCs, whether they’re enemies or potential allies, appear more lifelike, even as they engage in strange, unusual activities. For instance, you might overhear a conversation between characters and await news of the Emperor’s demise.

In addition to the areas, they now appear breathtakingly beautiful due to fresh resources and a modern lighting system. Even if you’ve scoured every nook and cranny of the Imperial City, there’s a whole new layer to it, solely because of the improved graphics. Yet, by maintaining all the peculiarities of the original, it doesn’t feel unfamiliar or misplaced. Everything remains in its rightful spot – simply showcased in a different way (literally so, given that context). This transformation also encompasses the bugs and unexpected glitches in NPC actions, but it also means that some cherished aspects – such as that infamous voice line mishap or the item duplication glitch – have been preserved.

On a personal note, the remastered version of “Oblivion Remastered” signifies an era when “Bethesda games” were not merely defined by peculiar/irritating glitches. For Bethesda, it was equally about pushing boundaries and creating instances that made their games iconic. The reduction in excess and the introduction of more nuanced characters or multiple paths in its quests isn’t just about enhancing the role-playing experience; it’s also about refining the essence of what makes Bethesda games unique.

The experience aimed to immerse players deeply into a captivating realm, where exploration could lead to becoming disoriented. Perhaps the objective was to assume a heroic role or uncover the intrigues of the Dark Brotherhood, an engaging quest line that continues to be one of the most impressive in gaming history. There were numerous paths to choose, yet what truly mattered was the sense of importance these choices conveyed.

Exploring Skingrad and gradually uncovering its chilling mysteries, journeying to Kvatch to battle Daedra and solidify your heroic reputation, penetrating the Imperial Palace – simply stepping out from the sewers beneath the prison for the very first time and marveling at the world around you. The remastered version of Oblivion, titled Oblivion Remastered, doesn’t merely spark nostalgia for these memorable experiences, it highlights what made them so remarkable in the initial journey.

In certain aspects, Bethesda’s development of Oblivion seems like a bygone era compared to the massive team working on Starfield today. Originally, Oblivion was created by approximately 70 individuals – a significant difference from the 500 employees distributed across four studios for Starfield. Yet, despite the smaller team, Oblivion is more refined creatively, learning from the mistakes of Morrowind and providing an extraordinary role-playing experience in the fantasy genre, all while offering countless hours of gameplay.

I understand why some people might dislike the UI and color scheme of “Oblivion Remastered,” and I share their sentiment that it could have addressed more long-standing issues with the game. However, Virtuos made improvements, such as ensuring the leveling system functions properly rather than penalizing you for getting stronger. Similarly, they improved combat experiences by enhancing hit reactions and sound effects, although the core gameplay doesn’t represent a significant departure from the original.

Despite various factors, the mere existence of “Oblivion Remastered” is a significant achievement. Promoting fresh narratives and gameplay is crucial, especially given how Game Pass simplifies access. Yet, exploring past gems to understand their lasting appeal is equally valuable. With the anticipated delay for “The Elder Scrolls 6“, revisiting Tamriel, even a single region, offers a welcome opportunity to reminisce about gaming’s finest moments.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d like to clarify that the opinions shared in this piece are my own personal views, and they may not align with those of GamingBolt as a whole.

Read More

2025-04-29 20:14