Suddenly, like an unexpected ambush from the Mythic Dawn, a remastered version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has surfaced, and I’m more than happy to dive right in. Being among my top RPGs of all time, I naturally dove headfirst, spending an entire day immersed. I’ve already tackled a dozen Oblivion gates as the hero of Kvatch, struck deals with those mischievous Daedric deities, battled my way to the top in the Imperial City arena, and progressed through several faction storylines. The enhancements in this remastered edition are genuinely impressive. Having recently revisited the original game, its flaws are fresh in my memory, making the revamped UI, tweaked voice acting, and especially the graphical upgrades a much-appreciated improvement, making this iconic game far more accessible. However, imperfections remain: quirky animations, occasional broken quests, and some stuttering framerates. Despite these hiccups, and never one to be solely swayed by nostalgia, I find myself thoroughly enjoying the quirky charm of this open-world escapade all over again.
The standout feature of Oblivion Remastered is without a doubt the visual improvements. While it may not meet today’s high standards, placing this version next to its 2006 predecessor is eye-opening. The map feels sharper, offering a view my younger self could only fantasize about. The transformation in lighting, shadows, and even lip-syncing is surprising. Some elements, such as the NPCs’ faces, didn’t seem to get the attention they needed, remaining rather peculiar and occasionally cross-eyed. But, if we’re honest, those delightfully odd character faces might just be part of what makes Oblivion, well, Oblivion. Even if not every Nord and mudcrab has the polish of 2025’s big-budget titles, the overall visual lift maintains the spirit of the original game. Somehow, it evokes memories of how I imagined it looked back in ’06, even if reality was far less kind.
A game-changer for Oblivion Remastered is the addition of a sprint function. For those who haven’t touched Oblivion in over ten years, it’s true—there was no sprinting. If you’re new, consider yourself blessed by the grace of Akatosh. Sure, sprinting drains stamina—which could be a nuisance in RPGs that constantly have you on the move—but it significantly improves the pace. It even alters how you perceive the world; cities and dungeons now seem more compact as you zip through them. This change has also increased the emphasis on skills and magical boosts that enhance stamina, as you lean on that bar for nearly every action. Yet, aside from this added layer of strategizing, faster travel through familiar territories makes the experience much less monotonous.
The remaster doesn’t stop with visuals and pace. The UI, skills, and leveling system have seen significant changes, alongside a new feature called Character Origins, affecting starting stats. The interface adopts modern design principles, integrating helpful features you might miss if you weren’t looking. The compass is now at the top, brimming with details; health, magicka, and stamina are spaced more thoughtfully across the screen; menus are now more user-friendly for quick access to spells and stats. Some quirks remain, like the intrusive quest log appearing mid-action, but these haven’t been overly disruptive. As for the revamped leveling and skills system, I need more time to gauge whether these tweaks are beneficial.
While Virtuous Games led the remaster project, the unmistakable Bethesda touch, bugs and all, is still there. Oddities pop up, such as vanishing Oblivion gates and capricious NPCs dismissing quest prompts—luckily, I managed to progress in quests regardless. Performance hiccups are also noticeable on the Xbox Series X; frame drops appear with auto-saves or during crowded battles. While generally more amusing than problematic, it is a bit disappointing that even after two decades, the jankiness persists in this fantasy realm.
That’s my take for now; a complete review is on the horizon. I aim to journey through the main quest, explore the Shivering Isles, and perhaps stir up some mischief in Cyrodiil, just to hear those iconic Imperial guard lines. Right, off to embrace vampirism or some other mischief. Take care!
