Remaster or remake? The stealth drop ofThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remasteredis the current gaming buzz. Most probably assume this is how the game looked and felt in 2006 until they go back to the original Xbox 360 version and wonder how that was even playable.A Mandela Effect for video games is a thing, but there’s no doubt that this remaster (and it is a remaster) will bring you back to those days, if you were actually part of those days.
Who is Oblivion Remastered for?
There’s no doubt that anyone who played the original game, whether it was on Xbox 360 or PC, is excited and pleased that this version exists.It takes both the beauty and the comedic approaches, whether it be on purpose or a “feature,” and doesn’t really change anything.That’s the beauty and love of this title.Obliviondid more thanSkyrimdid: it featured basically going to Hell and taking on demons. This world would not have the likes of Red Dead Redemption if it wasn’t forOblivion. Did anyone horseback ride in a game prior to this with beautiful scenery and a stunning atmosphere?
WhileOblivionmade its debut in 2006, the last Elder Scrolls main game was released on 11/11/11.Nearly fourteen years laterSkyrimis running on almost anything that has a screen on it, and while The Elder Scrolls VI was announced with a splash screen six years ago, there’s no updates on it.The reason this is brought up is that if you passed onOblivionbecause the original felt outdated, and especially if you already thinkSkyrimfeels outdated, you’re not going to enjoyOblivion: Remastered.Besides the asset swaps, the game feels clunky and tanky like it’s from 2006, because it is. That’s the aesthetic that people who love the game are a fan of, but if you don’t get it, then you don’t get it. There’s a new third-person camera added, which is where the jankiness is seen the most.
Why You Will Love Oblivion: Remastered
It’s the blend of the Mandela Effect and nostalgia. Once Skyrim came along and most beat Oblivion, not many returned. Yes, there’s another project out there by a third party creating a mod for a remaster or remake, but this remaster came from Bethesda itself and they tasked a talented studio with a love for the game to update it. The same passion those developers at Virtuos have are the ones who this game is designed for. This is how everyone thought it looked like then and now it gets to be played the way the memories portrayed it.
WhileOblivionmade its debut in 2006, the last Elder Scrolls main game was released on 11/11/11.
People have complained there’s not enough green in the game, but clearly the color saturation is high. Grass and shrubbery is a strong green and the way Virtuos updated the foliage with the Unreal Engine 5 is magnificent.The night sky, the colors of the world along with dank dreariness and updated lighting inside caves and homes brings to life a world that could only fully be unlocked with updated technology.
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You’ll loveOblivionbecause of its world. The moment that breathtaking soundtrack hits its peak with mountains in the background while you’re getting chased by a wolf from the other side of the map is what defines the experience. It conjures feelings not felt in decades. It also felt so ahead of its time due to its freedom and ironically games haven’t progressed much from this. The originalOblivionwas a gateway to the future andOblivion: Remasteredallows you to gauge that progress.
The Main Story of Oblivion: You’re in a prison cell that happens to offer an escape route out of Cyrodill. The emporer is under threat and comes to your cell. He states that fate has lead him there to meet you and he trusts you. You’re offered escape through the sewers and come back to the emporer and his two protectors under attack from assassins. Eventually the Emporer is slain and advises you to find his brother. There must be a new emporer to take over the region, but dark powers are attempting to take over themselves.
It’s Not a Bug, It’s a Feature!
This series truly allowed players to craft every little thing about their character. What’s great is that the obscene-looking character creations stick out more. The wolves look too cute to kill and the trolls look like they were pulled off the cover of a 1980s D&D cover.Every character model feels unique and overexaggerated, with the facial animations the best improvement.The movement from speaking is fluid and real.
The moment that breathtaking soundtrack hits its peak with mountains in the background while you’re getting chased by a wolf from the other side of the map is what defines the experience.
The bugs are there, though, such as enemies following you forever or getting stuck in random places, especially if you’re on the second floor of an area. Exploring this flawed world is part of its charm, though, so why fix it? There’s a performance and quality mode, but the quality, even on thePS5 Pro, feels sluggish. It may not be hitting 30 FPS consistently, but it’s close. The performance option peaks at 60 FPS, but it’s all over the place. It’s playable, but again coupling this with the outdated gameplay, those not familiar with the series may get turned off.
Shadows don’t look as good when not playing on PS5 Pro and it seems resolution and fidelity is higher on the Pro.Performance mode is the best way to experience Cyrodill.The fact that there isn’t a photo mode is a drawback as well, although thankfully there’s the option to screenshot from the system. Weather is also dynamic and the rain will tank the frame rate. Updating your character is also done after sleeping, rather than when leveling up. It feels dated for a reason, because it’s geared toward the original fanbase.
The updated HUD, however, is a massive improvement and mapping shortcuts is simple too. This HUD is a much-welcome addition and Virtuos also reworked the persuasion system. There are tutorials for each facet that are required for gameplay. A lot of tweaks were also done for the sake of improvement and specific weapon animations and behaviors were updated. There are a ton of smaller things that help to update it, but the core gameplay isn’t going to be a complete overhaul.
The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Remastered - Every Guild, Ranked
A list ranking all of the Guilds in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
What’s Inside of the Box? Two Editions
Well, there’s no box. Both a Standard Version and a Deluxe Version are available with the Standard only being $49.99 at launch and containing all DLCs.Fans can truly experience everything about the game for that price on PlayStation 5 and PC if not going the Game Pass route with Xbox or PC.The game also supports DualSense triggers and vibrations effects on PlayStation 5, so there are a few bonuses on this platform to experience.
Closing Comments:
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is what the doctor ordered for fans of the original game who wanted to go back, but wanted something fresh. There’s a positive for this being on Game Pass that allows for younger or new players to try it out, but with the amount of content and DLC, a purchase would be warranted. Virtuos adapted a classic and created a modern classic. The game will not be everyone’s cup of tea as it kept the core concepts, gameplay and issues for a reason. This isn’t a remake by any means, but the updated visuals create the world of Cyrodill that’s been in your mind for years. The game does run clunky, and even on PC despite the lower requirements, takes a lot of horsepower to max out the settings. The PS5 Pro offers enhancements plus the DualSense controller effects, as this looks to be the preferred platform. In the end,The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remasteredis well worth experiencing for veterans of the title and hopefully the rest will see what all the commotion is about.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Version Reviewed: PlayStation 5
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion™ Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay. Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.Rediscover CyrodiilJourney through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe-inspiring.Navigate Your Own StoryFrom the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.Experience an Epic AdventureStep inside a universe bursting with captivating stories and encounter an unforgettable cast of characters. Master swordcraft and wield powerful magic as you fight to save Tamriel from the Daedric invasion.The Complete StoryExperience everything Oblivion has to offer with previously released story expansions Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and additional downloadable content included in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
