Bethesda’s reveal of Oblivion Remastered left me in awe. The 2006 journey through Tamriel, once defined by quirky, potato-faced characters and blurry green plains, now stands as the most visually striking Elder Scrolls title to date. After years of lackluster HD remasters—like Mass Effect Legendary Edition and Dark Souls Remastered, which barely differ from their Xbox 360 roots—seeing the Imperial City reborn in Unreal Engine 5 with ray tracing felt surreal. Beyond visuals, the game boasts upgraded combat, refined RPG mechanics, and countless fine-tuned details. This led me to question whether Bethesda and developer Virtuos mislabeled it. Shouldn’t this be called Oblivion Remake instead of a remaster?
I wasn’t alone in this sentiment. Fans across the board have called it a remake, and even Bruce Nesmith, a lead designer on the original Oblivion, remarked that “remaster” might not do it justice. Yet, after hours of gameplay, the distinction is clear: Oblivion Remastered looks like a remake but feels like a remaster at its core.
The remake-like appearance stems from Virtuos’ exhaustive efforts: every asset, from trees to swords to crumbling fortresses, has been rebuilt from the ground up. The result is a visually spectacular game that meets 2025’s graphical standards, complete with stunning textures, dynamic lighting, and a new physics system that makes every arrow and strike feel lifelike. NPCs, while familiar, are entirely redesigned, elevating the experience far beyond nostalgic “looks like you remember” updates. This overhaul is so impressive that, without prior rumors, I might’ve mistaken it for The Elder Scrolls 6.
The upgrades extend beyond visuals. Combat feels weightier, with longsword swings no longer resembling balloon fights. A functional third-person camera now includes a reticle, and refreshed interfaces enhance menus, quest logs, lockpicking, and persuasion minigames. The clunky original leveling system has been replaced with a smoother blend of Oblivion and Skyrim’s mechanics. Best of all, sprinting is finally an option. With such extensive changes, it’s tempting to call this a remake.
Yet, the debate hinges on semantics, not just scope. The industry lacks clear definitions for “remake” and “remaster.” Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto trilogy “Definitive Editions” are visibly dated despite upscaled textures, while Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, labeled a remaster, boasts modern visuals. Remakes like Bluepoint’s Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls faithfully recreate originals with new tech, while Resident Evil 2 reimagines its core gameplay. Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth, however, overhaul story and design entirely. These varied approaches muddy the waters.
Historically, a remake implied a full rebuild in a modern engine, while a remaster meant graphical tweaks within the original tech. Today, a remaster seems better defined as a visual overhaul that retains the game’s core design, with minor quality-of-life updates. A remake, by contrast, reimagines the game entirely. By this logic, Demon’s Souls and the upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Delta lean toward remasters, while true remakes feel like fresh interpretations.
So, is Oblivion a remake or a remaster? After playing, it’s evident the title fits. Its Unreal Engine 5 visuals dazzle, but the game’s essence—its 20-year-old framework—remains intact, stitched together with Bethesda’s signature quirks. As the studio noted, “We upgraded every part carefully, but the core remains unchanged. It’s a game from another era and should feel like it.”
That era shines through in countless ways: loading screens behind nearly every door, a perplexing persuasion minigame that feels detached despite its facelift, and city designs resembling simple stage sets rather than lived-in hubs. NPCs move stiffly and speak with awkward charm, while combat, though improved, lacks modern fluidity. The game even retains its iconic bugs, preserved as quirky tributes to the original.
Compare this to Obsidian’s Avowed, released recently, which showcases cutting-edge combat and exploration that make Oblivion’s hills and caves feel dated. Yet, Oblivion Remastered retains its magic. Its open fields brim with mysteries, its goblin clan wars remain dynamic, and its quests outshine Skyrim’s repetitive dungeon crawls. The game’s old-school freedom feels liberating in an era of guided gameplay. Still, its dialogue lacks polish, its systems don’t mesh elegantly, and its level design—caves, castles, or Oblivion’s realms—feels ancient. A remake would modernize these, but this project embraces nostalgia. Hence, Oblivion Remastered.
Video games often borrow terms from film. Movie remakes feature new casts and scripts, while remasters enhance visuals to modern standards. Yet, a 4K restoration of Jaws or The Godfather still feels distinctly 1970s. Oblivion Remastered mirrors these restorations, pushing visuals to new heights via Unreal Engine 5 while preserving its 2000s soul. Virtuos’ executive producer, Alex Murphy, summed it up: “The Oblivion engine is the brain, Unreal 5 the body, bringing a beloved experience to life.”
Oblivion Remastered lives up to its name, setting a benchmark for AAA remasters. Unlike the lackluster Mass Effect Legendary Edition or the cynical Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy, this project radiates passion. It looks like a remake but plays like a remaster, striking a balance that honors its legacy while dazzling anew.
