Opinion: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Hit Harder Than Skyrim – And Still Does

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For gamers who experienced the Xbox 360 era, many can likely reminisce about their favorite moments with you, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a significant part of those memories for numerous Xbox 360 owners, including myself. While the Xbox port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind didn’t capture me initially, Oblivion did. Intriguingly, Oblivion was originally intended to be a launch title for the second Xbox. As an employee at Official Xbox Magazine during that time, I found myself deeply involved with Oblivion. We dedicated several cover stories to Oblivion before its release, and the stunning screenshots left everyone in awe. I was always excited to visit Bethesda in quiet Rockville, Maryland for each opportunity related to Oblivion.

Later on, as it was my turn to evaluate Oblivion, I seized the opportunity with enthusiasm, much like in the past. I revisited Rockville one more time and settled down in a conference room situated deep within Bethesda’s basement for four consecutive days. For those four glorious 11-hour days, I immersed myself almost completely in Cyrodiil, spending nearly every waking moment exploring this breathtaking, expansive, next-generation medieval fantasy realm. Before my flight home, I had spent a total of 44 hours writing the 9.5 out of 10 review for OXM that I still firmly believe in today. The game was exceptional, featuring captivating quests (such as the Dark Brotherhood), unexpected discoveries off the beaten path (like the unicorn), and so much more. Since I was given a submission build at Bethesda – meaning, an almost complete version of the game on an Xbox 360 debug kit instead of a regular retail console – I had to start over when I received my final boxed copy of the game after investing approximately two full real-life days into it.

Without a second thought, I plunged an additional 130 hours or so into The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. It’s no secret then, that I’m overjoyed to learn it has been upgraded and re-introduced on contemporary systems!

For the younger generation of gamers who grew up on Skyrim, the just-released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered will be their first “new” mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim first released.

In essence, a whole new generation of gamers has grown up playing Skyrim, making it their version of The Elder Scrolls series. For them, the newly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered will be their initial mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim was first introduced (multiple times) over 13 years back – while long-time fans across ages are still anticipating The Elder Scrolls VI, which could take another 4-5 years to materialize.

Back in 2006, Oblivion was a groundbreaking game for me, but I’m not so sure it’ll have the same impact for gamers today. To begin with, it’s been around for two decades now (props to Bethesda for releasing it this week instead of waiting until its 20th anniversary next year). There have been numerous games that have expanded upon Oblivion’s concepts, including several from Bethesda themselves such as Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield.

Moreover, visually, it just doesn’t compare to what it was in 2006, when I’d argue it set the standard for next-gen games during the HD Era introduced by the Xbox 360. The remaster certainly looks better than the original release, but it doesn’t hold a candle to most current games. After all, that’s what remasters are designed to do – make an older game look contemporary on modern platforms. It’s quite different from a true remake like Resident Evil, which is expected to start from scratch and aim to be as visually impressive as anything else available.

Back in the day, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion hit the spot at just the perfect moment. It truly capitalized on high-definition televisions and pushed the boundaries of what we thought an open-world game could offer. For console gamers like me who had been accustomed to viewing our virtual worlds through a 640×480 interlaced screen, it was like getting smacked in the face with a fresh, invigorating breeze. (I should note that in February 2006, before Oblivion’s release in March, EA had already delivered a knockout punch with Fight Night Round 3, which was nothing short of visually stunning.)

As a devoted enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about my rich experiences in the captivating realm of Oblivion – a world brimming with exploration and adventure. If you’re new to this enchanting universe, let me offer some advice: you have two options. Either race through the primary quest at breakneck speed, or postpone it until you’ve exhausted every nook and cranny, sidequest, or open-world activity. The reason? Once you embark on the main questline, Oblivion gates will start popping up unannounced, disrupting your journey. In my opinion, it’s more efficient to close them off immediately.

Despite the fact that the advancement from Morrowind to Oblivion might not be repeated in the future, perhaps with The Elder Scrolls 6 we’ll see something similar. However, playing Oblivion Remastered may not present a significant difference compared to any version of Skyrim for younger gamers who have only known Skyrim. But whether you’re a first-time player or someone who has spent countless hours with it, the fully immersive medieval fantasy world and the unexpected experiences and adventures within Oblivion have always made it my favorite Elder Scrolls game. I’m excited about its return, even though its surprise release was spoiled numerous times before its official unveiling again.

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2025-04-23 00:58