Well, the worst-kept secret in gaming finally landed in our laps recently: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
For most people, this will be their first time booting up this fantasy epic, but I still remember getting my Xbox 360 and a copy of the original game under my tree at Christmas a little later than most in 2008.
What followed was more hours than I care to share with this world and its quirky cast of characters. Most were worried that a full-on remake (which this is not, it’s a remaster, as they claim) would lose some of that “Oblivion charm”. I’m happy to say it really hasn’t. This game is just as mind-boggling, stupid, and funny as it was nearly 20 years ago.
The Good
First of all, you can really see the effort they have put into the graphics and making the game feel like a modern release.
During the showcase, the developers showcased all the hard work they have done, and it shows. From the opening prison level to the realms of Oblivion, the world is beautiful, and you can get lost in this world with such ease. Character models also have been given a facelift, and apart from the fact that the way they stare at you feels like they are looking into your soul, they are still well presented.
Another major compliment I have to give this game is on the voice acting. While the dialogue can be cringeworthy at times, the way the lines are delivered is brilliant, and the star-studded cast really shines in this department as well.
The next step is the combat. Every weapon, from a short sword to using a bow and arrow, and the use of magic, everything feels perfect. Every strike feels like it has real weight behind it. As you progress through the game and you get more weapons, they start to feel similar, and the only really different thing is the way they look. But in this world, that can be forgiven, as I do feel that combat is a means to an end.
The biggest compliment I can give this game is that while the main story is compelling, just getting lost in this world is the best thing. At times, I would untrack the main quest and explore the world, and even though I had been there before, it all felt new, which is a testament to the developers.
A notable improvement is that you can now sprint, which was not present in the original game. This makes the traversal of the world easier and cuts some journey times in half.
The Bad
I suppose this section will be incredibly short as I found very little to complain about.
The main real complaint I have is that after 20 years, some of the quests did feel like they were showing their age. There is a ton of going here, speaking to this person, and moving on to the next area to talk to the next person (especially in the main quest).
Again, this is actually quite a minor gripe as, in actuality, the fact that the game actually says go and explore, for the most part, means that these quests are helpful, and due to the volume of side quests, you won’t be doing a lot of these quests in a row.
The only other complaint is that at various points, the enemies are just incredibly stupid. I will be very loud in an area, then click the sneak button, and the enemies will just turn away and pretend that I wasn’t even there.
Again, sometimes when doing quests that include other NPCs, the enemies will just focus on them, and I will just slay all of them without so much as a wink in my direction.
The In-between
The primary reason for this section is to discuss the interesting approach this game takes with its levelling system.
While most games just inform you when you have earned enough XP to level up, you get a prompt to improve your skills and just keep going in the world.
Instead, in Oblivion, once you improve your core skills enough to reach the next overall level, you get a little symbol in the corner of the screen, and to level up, you need rest or, once you unlock it, meditate.
Although this system has undergone some updates since its original release, I still found it to be a tedious and annoying process.
Again, as I may be in the minority here, then I won’t be taking the levelling system as too big a negative on the game as this is overall such a brilliant game, and I just don’t want to let one part (that I think isn’t even the main core of the game) ruin my feelings towards the rest of the game.
Another divisive aspect I think about with this game is the forced Oblivion realm quests. These do feel incredibly similar every single time, but I believe they are spaced out enough that, while annoying, they don’t reach the level of infuriating like the bliss levels in Far Cry 5.
Also, don’t forget that while they didn’t have total control on the remaster, this is still a Bethesda game, so do expect bugs from quests not updating properly or textures to pop in, or some characters just floating in mid-air.
Furthermore, I will say that during long play sessions, it does run worse as time goes on. The Series X version (the one I played) did chug along after a play session of around 4-5 hours, so do bear that in mind.
Conclusion
To conclude, I would say that if you enjoyed the original game or only got into the series with The Elder Scrolls Online or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, then this game is definitely for you.
If you have an Xbox Game Pass, you should download this game immediately. It makes the cost of the Ultimate subscription seem a little more worthwhile.
For those on the PlayStation side of the fence, you need to assess whether you have the space for this bulky game as it will occupy more than 10% of your system storage.
In my opinion, this is an essential purchase for any fan of The Elder Scrolls or Western European RPGS. The bugs and iffy dialogue are part and parcel for a Bethesda game, but if you look past some inconsistencies and remember that it is a nearly 20-year-old game given a fresh coat of paint, then you will love it, I’m sure.
Developer: Virtuos, Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Game Studios
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release Date: 22nd April 2025
