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After nearly two decades since its original release, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has been given new life through a comprehensive remaster that brings this legendary RPG into the modern gaming era. Our review of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered explores how the remaster balances nostalgia with necessary improvements, creating an experience that can appeal to both veterans and newcomers alike. Using Unreal Engine 5, developer Virtuos has managed to preserve the soul of this beloved classic while addressing many of its dated elements.
Story and Setting
Set 200 years before the events of Skyrim, Oblivion takes place during the twilight of the Third Era in Tamriel’s history. The game unfolds in Cyrodiil, homeland of the Imperial race and the heart of the Empire. Like other entries in the series, you begin as a prisoner with no defined background, whose fate becomes intertwined with that of the realm when Emperor Uriel Septim VII and his guards unexpectedly pass through your cell while fleeing assassins. Before his death, the Emperor foresees that you will play a pivotal role in saving Tamriel.
Once free, players are thrust into the vast open world of Cyrodiil. True to The Elder Scrolls formula, while an urgent main quest awaits, the game encourages exploration and side activities. This freedom remains one of the franchise’s greatest strengths, offering countless paths to follow based on personal interest rather than scripted progression.
It’s worth noting that Oblivion’s world design differs somewhat from later entries like Skyrim. Despite having a slightly larger map, Cyrodiil features more open spaces between points of interest. This design choice may surprise players accustomed to Skyrim’s densely packed landscape, but it creates a different rhythm of exploration that has its own appeal when approached with appropriate expectations.
Visual and Gameplay Enhancements
The most immediately striking aspect of Oblivion Remastered is its visual overhaul. Virtuos has leveraged Unreal Engine 5 to completely transform the game’s presentation. Character models, world design, textures, lighting, and assets have all been brought up to modern standards. The remaster adopts a brownish visual tone compared to the original’s more vibrant palette, lending the game a fitting medieval fantasy atmosphere that many players will appreciate.
These visual improvements do more than just make the game prettier—they create a sense that you’re playing a contemporary title rather than something from gaming’s past. The enhanced lighting particularly shines during character interactions, showcasing the newly improved models. Beyond its visual makeover, Oblivion Remastered introduces numerous quality-of-life improvements that address many of the original game’s limitations:
Combat has received significant attention, with smoother attack animations and more natural enemy reactions that give battles greater impact. The addition of sprinting—a seemingly minor feature—substantially improves exploration by allowing faster movement through Cyrodiil’s expansive landscapes.
The UI has undergone a comprehensive redesign that improves navigation while maintaining the classic style that fans remember. Practical additions like enemy health bars and a proper crosshair enhance gameplay without overcomplicating the experience. New accessibility options have also been included, such as larger dialogue text for improved readability.
The leveling system has been thoughtfully adjusted to feel more natural, drawing inspiration from Skyrim while preserving Oblivion’s classic stat scaling. The primary improvement is that leveling no longer feels frustratingly slow, addressing one of the original game’s most common criticisms. Players can now choose between the classic zoomed-in dialogue camera or a more Skyrim-like presentation. Additionally, each race now features more varied dialogue lines, moving away from the original’s tendency to use identical templates across different characters.
Preserving the Original Experience
Despite these numerous improvements, Oblivion Remastered remains true to its roots in significant ways. The game still fundamentally reflects its origins as a title from nearly two decades ago, with some elements that may feel dated to modern players.
The combat system, while improved, still shows its age when compared to contemporary action RPGs. Players who find Skyrim’s combat mechanics dated may feel even more strongly about Oblivion’s approach, with the notable exception of its magic system. The remaster preserves Oblivion’s more flexible and in-depth spell crafting, though the actual mechanics of casting can still feel somewhat clunky.
Many longtime fans may appreciate that certain bugs and exploits remain intact, as they’ve become part of Oblivion’s identity over the years. However, newcomers unfamiliar with these quirks might find them jarring or confusing. The remaster includes the highly regarded Shivering Isles expansion, adding substantial content to an already massive game. The sheer scale of the open world and the hours required for completion remain impressive by today’s standards, offering excellent value for completionists and casual players alike.
Verdict
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered successfully transforms what was becoming a relic of gaming history into an experience accessible to modern audiences. It strikes a careful balance between necessary improvements and preserving the elements that made the original special.
The visual overhaul and quality-of-life enhancements address many pain points that might have deterred new players, while the preservation of core gameplay elements ensures that the spirit of Oblivion remains intact. Some longtime fans might prefer certain aspects of the original, such as its UI design or more vibrant color palette, but most will appreciate the thoughtful updates.
Ultimately, despite its impressive modernization, it’s important to remember that beneath the stunning visuals and numerous overhauls, you’re still playing a game originally designed nearly two decades ago. For those who can accept this context, Oblivion Remastered offers an excellent opportunity to experience one of the most influential open-world RPGs of all time, whether revisiting it with nostalgia or discovering it for the first time.
The Review
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
PROS
- Impressive visual overhaul using Unreal Engine 5
- Much better combat and mobility
- Many essential improvements, including the new leveling system
- Still retains most of the charm from the original game
CONS
- The game still feels old and janky, including the overall game design
- Even on PS5, the performance isn’t always smooth
