The Elder Scrolls series offers a distinct gaming experience unlike any other. While many developers have attempted to emulate the monumental success of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, released back in 2011, none have quite achieved the same level of praise or popularity. This enduring quality is immediately apparent when diving into the new The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, a game that still manages to captivate players in a way few modern role-playing games can.
For those accustomed to the streamlined design of contemporary titles, the original Oblivion could feel somewhat dated or difficult to fully embrace. Its visuals were plainer compared to current-generation games, and interactions with the world often involved minor annoyances and complex systems. Oblivion Remastered effectively addresses almost all of these issues. What remains is a robust Elder Scrolls adventure that will undoubtedly evoke warm, nostalgic feelings in fans of Skyrim and the series.
While The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is an older game and arguably more in need of a modern refresh, it`s also a significantly smaller world. Oblivion, by contrast, still feels enormous whether you`re trekking through mountains or forests. It`s more than just a setting; it feels like a living, breathing world. This is reinforced by NPCs who follow detailed daily routines, and while some of their dynamic dialogue feels convincingly scripted, at other times it`s so hilariously random and odd that it becomes a memorable highlight.
This peculiar charm is at the heart of older Elder Scrolls games like Oblivion. You can become genuinely engrossed in the main narrative – the province of Cyrodiil, the Emperor`s assassination, and the mission to find and place his illegitimate son on the throne form a thrilling high-fantasy plot. The setting and story deliberately echo elements from J.R.R. Tolkien`s legendary Lord of the Rings, as much high fantasy does, and this touch of familiarity makes it easy for newcomers to the series to feel relatively at home within the walls of the Imperial City.
The gameplay itself has also been made notably more approachable. In addition to the classic `quirks` that allow for easy stat leveling, health now regenerates automatically outside of combat. This change eliminates the constant need for healing spells and simplifies moment-to-moment engagement. It`s a seemingly minor adjustment, but it perfectly represents the development philosophy behind this remaster: making the core experience more welcoming without sacrificing depth.
For example, a monk who was practically useless in the original game now provides an early quest that grants access to valuable weapons and armor. You can acquire a new set every time you visit him, which is particularly beneficial as gear quality scales with your character level when you obtain it. Where you might have struggled with Oblivion`s initial release on Xbox 360 and PS3, Oblivion Remastered feels considerably more forgiving and accessible.
The remaster also includes the acclaimed DLC expansions for the original game, Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles. Both are highly regarded and significantly boost the value proposition of Oblivion Remastered. This extra content is especially welcome because mods created for the original game are not compatible here. Dedicated fan modders will need time to adapt existing creations or build new ones. Fortunately, Oblivion is so vast and packed with content that you`re unlikely to exhaust it before the modding community catches up.
However, the experience isn`t entirely flawless. You will likely encounter noticeable performance issues when traversing the open world, especially at speed. Exploring enclosed areas like caves, dungeons, towns, or buildings runs smoothly without problems. Since combat pressure is typically low in the open world and performance holds up when it matters, these issues don`t fundamentally ruin the enjoyment of playing Oblivion again. They are annoying but not game-breaking.
At times an epic fantasy quest, at others an unintentional slapstick comedy – that`s the genuine magic of an Elder Scrolls game, and Oblivion Remastered successfully delivers on this front. While it may not have the sheer scope of Skyrim and can still feel a touch clunky in certain areas, it offers a fantastic opportunity to revisit one of Bethesda`s defining titles from its golden era.
Finley Holt 
Callum Darby