Explore the captivating world of The Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion Remastered a fresh experience for both newcomers and veterans alike.
A New Perspective on a 20-Year-Old Game
The release of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered on April 22nd was a major event in the gaming industry. Thousands of players have expressed their excitement, showering the game with positive reviews and memes, celebrating the return of this iconic RPG from Bethesda, a studio that has experienced its share of ups and downs in recent years.
With all this enthusiasm buzzing around, it was hard not to get pulled into the excitement. However, I must admit that the original game passed me by when it first came out. While some may see this as a regret, I consider it an opportunity to experience the remaster with fresh eyes, free from the nostalgia that often clouds judgment. Even without the rose-tinted glasses, Oblivion still manages to astound—it's one of the most surreal games I’ve encountered. But let’s take it step by step.
Where Am I?
The first thing that greets you in the game is the character editor. Considering that the original was released 20 years ago, I was amazed by its depth. The variety of sliders is dizzying. It quickly becomes clear that if there's a place to create a monstrosity straight out of your nightmares, it’s in Oblivion. However, I didn’t want to be terrified by my character for the entire game, so I settled on creating a rather ordinary Altmer.
When I finally find myself in the starting location—the dungeon—my cellmate starts hurling insults, mocking my race. Wow, a role-playing game that reacts to the character you’ve created right from the get-go! That’s something you don’t see often, even today.
The feeling of surrealism kicks in around the time the first dialogue begins. The lifelike character models created on Unreal Engine 5 sharply contrast with the animations and somewhat lackluster voice acting. It gives you a sense of dissonance, as if a neural network had a hand in shaping the experience.
I pass through the tutorial cave, unwittingly witness the emperor's death, and crawl out of the sewers into the fresh air—only to be awestruck. The game is simply stunning. I wonder, did it take my breath away like this 20 years ago?
Shaking off the initial shock takes a moment. While I want to admire Oblivion, I also can’t wait to dive into its world. Like a good little gamer, I rush through the main quest, unaware of the monumental mistake I’m about to make.
Don’t Go There, It Will Kill Your Desire to Play
I must admit: I’ve somewhat forgotten the model Bethesda uses for their games. Or perhaps I just didn’t think their creations functioned on similar principles even 20 years ago. The main storyline in Oblivion is unbearably dull. Even the initial quests in the chain ignite a strong desire to abandon the game.
You can leap into the portal showcased on the game cover almost right away. I had assumed I'd only reach Oblivion closer to the game’s final moments, which seems logical for the plot. But no. I must admit, even in the early stages, the Daedric realm is undeniably captivating—I want to stop and examine it, time and again!
It’s hard to shake off the spellbinding wonder. Oblivion is mesmerizing, but it’s equally tempting to immerse myself in its world. As a compliant gamer, I dash through the main quest, still unaware of the catastrophic blunder ahead.
Stumbling Into the Pitfalls of Gaming
After a while, I realized that if I continued down the main quest path, I wouldn’t last long. Saving the world is clearly a job, not just an amusement. Yet, Bethesda's absolute inability to craft even a moderately exciting narrative is astonishing, even in 2025.
After selling 28 Daedra hearts to earn a night’s lodging, I set off into the wilds. And that decision turned out to be the best one.
A World Worth Living In
It’s at this moment, when you ignore quest markers and simply start walking in any direction, that Oblivion truly unfolds. You wander through forests, valleys, and hills, gathering mushrooms and flowers, looting fallen bandits. It's a beautiful experience.
The game is a joy to explore and do your own thing. Combat is enjoyable too; whether the combat system in Oblivion has always been decent or the remaster polished it up, the familiar combo of bow and stealth works just fine.
However, the sense of surrealism doesn’t leave you for a second. NPCs stop in the middle of the road to exchange banter, and one of them suddenly screams “No!” so piercingly that it feels like they just witnessed their entire family being murdered. Entering a tavern, you might find a crowd yelling so loudly that it rings in your ears, and they just won’t disperse to their corners.
The cities in Oblivion are a separate beast. They are vast—nothing compared to the villages in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Each has its own character and distinctive features. Thanks to the remaster, all this splendor looks absolutely magnificent.
Everything in this game behaves strangely. Guards might materialize out of thin air when you try to steal someone’s underpants in a completely empty room but ignore a murder happening right on the street. Magic-wielding enemies will rush at you with clubs, while the head of a bandit gang will suddenly start throwing lightning bolts.
The Absurdity of Oblivion
Rules in this world seem nonexistent. Stealth will fail when you hide behind a solid wall. A lockpick will break on the easiest lock, while behind five seals, which you painstakingly unlock, you might find just three gold coins and a pair of old sandals. And that’s if you’re lucky.
Oblivion is unpredictable. Absolutely. And therein lies its main charm. A surprise awaits you literally everywhere, around every corner. Even quests I expected little from turn out to be full of unexpected twists.
Is This a Real RPG?
While the main quest features the infamous “railroad” style and a level of drama that’s teeth-grinding, the side quests pulse with the true heart of Oblivion. I wouldn’t call every single one a masterpiece, but there are many, and they are all quite different. Some are fun and whimsically strange; others are thoughtful, deep, and even tragic.
Take, for example, the Dark Brotherhood questline. I’ve heard it's one of the best in the game, and I was not disappointed. Despite the quest chain being quite lengthy, it keeps you engaged. One of the tasks is essentially a variation of “Murder on the Orient Express,” but from a killer's perspective. I understand the irony of fearing spoilers for a game that’s 20 years old, but I’m playing it for the first time, and I’m sure I’m not alone in that.
In this questline, you can also deal harshly with that cellmate who got a little too comfortable during the prologue. Bethesda knows its audience well.
The world reacts strangely, often clumsily but very sensitively, to the player's actions. I can see why this caused such a stir 20 years ago. Even decades later, such responsiveness is incredibly rare. Perhaps that’s precisely why Bethesda felt it was the right time to bring Oblivion back to the shelves.
Technical Aspects
And now, let’s talk about how the game performs technically. The remaster, although it’s a “Frankenstein” of old and new, behaves quite well. Incredibly beautiful and detailed, the game doesn't suffer from FPS drops or freezes, although bugs do still exist.
Crashes did occur, but they were infrequent enough that I didn't feel it necessary to dwell on them. Considering that deep within the remaster still lies the flawed Creation Engine, it’s a miracle it works as well as it does.
After spending countless hours in Oblivion, I can say I haven’t completed the game. If I had set out with that goal, I likely would not have fallen in love with it. It’s a sandbox in the best traditions of Bethesda, deeply charming if you forge your own adventure.
The impeccable polish of Unreal Engine 5 layered over the outdated “skeleton” of awkward dialogues and a chaotic, mad world makes Oblivion a surreal gaming experience, especially for newcomers. And that’s what makes it beautiful. The industry needed a dose of such delightful insanity, and Bethesda surely needed a successful release. The remaster of this great classic seems to have achieved just that.
In conclusion, have you experienced the remaster of Oblivion? What are your thoughts on it?
- What makes Oblivion Remastered different from the original? Oblivion Remastered includes enhanced graphics, improved gameplay mechanics, and fresh quests that make it appealing to both newcomers and veterans.
- Is the storyline of Oblivion engaging? While the main quest has been criticized for being less engaging, the side quests shine with a diversity of narratives.
- Can I play Oblivion Remastered on modern consoles? Yes, Oblivion Remastered is available on contemporary gaming platforms, making it accessible to today's gamers.
- Does Oblivion Remastered have multiplayer options? No, Oblivion Remastered is a single-player experience, focusing on immersive storytelling and exploration.
- Is Oblivion Remastered worth playing for new players? Absolutely! It's a classic RPG experience that offers a rich world to explore and countless adventures.
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