Ask most gamers who were around for the Xbox 360 era, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, you'll likely hear a lot of fond memories. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a significant part of those memories for many Xbox 360 owners, including myself. Working at Official Xbox Magazine at the time, I found that while the successful port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox didn't capture my attention, Oblivion did so immediately. Originally planned as a launch title for the Xbox 360, Oblivion was featured in multiple cover stories leading up to its release, with its stunning screenshots leaving everyone in awe. I eagerly volunteered for each trip to Bethesda's office in Rockville, Maryland.
When it came time to review Oblivion, I jumped at the chance. In those days, exclusive reviews were commonplace, and I returned to Rockville, spending four glorious 11-hour days in a conference room at Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in the breathtaking, expansive world of Cyrodiil. Before flying back home, I had already logged 44 hours into the game, which I reviewed with a 9.5 out of 10 for OXM—a score I stand by to this day. Oblivion was an incredible game, filled with engaging quests, such as those from the Dark Brotherhood, and delightful surprises, like the legendary unicorn. Playing on a submission build at Bethesda meant starting over when I received the retail version, but that didn't deter me from investing another 130 hours into the game.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots
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I am thrilled that Oblivion has been remastered and re-released on modern platforms. For the younger generation who grew up with Skyrim, the newly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim's initial release over 13 years ago. As fans of all ages eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is still likely 4-5 years away, I envy those younger gamers for whom Skyrim defined their experience with the series.
However, I must admit that Oblivion might not resonate with them the same way it did for me back in March 2006. It's a two-decade-old game now, and while Bethesda deserves credit for releasing it this week rather than waiting for its 20th anniversary, other games have since built upon what Oblivion pioneered, including Bethesda's own titles like Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield. Additionally, the visual impact of Oblivion in 2006, as the first true next-gen game of the HD era, won't be replicated today. The remaster looks better than the original, but it doesn't stand out as something entirely new and groundbreaking, as it did back then. Remasters aim to modernize older games for current platforms, in contrast to remakes like Resident Evil, which start from scratch and aim to match or surpass current market standards.
Which Race Are You Playing As in Oblivion?
- Altmer
- Argonian
- Bosmer
- Breton
- Dunmer
- Imperial
- Khajiit
- Nord
- Orc
- Redguard
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was the right game at the right time. It leveraged HD televisions to expand the scope and scale of open-world gaming, offering a stunning visual experience that was a revelation for console gamers accustomed to 640x480 interlaced displays. (Not to mention, EA's Fight Night Round 3, released just a month before Oblivion, was visually stunning in its own right.)
My memories of Oblivion are plentiful, filled with endless discoveries and activities. For first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it for last. Once you start the main questline, Oblivion gates will begin to spawn randomly, so it's best to seal them off quickly.
The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion might be unprecedented, but perhaps The Elder Scrolls VI will bring about a similar transformation if we wait long enough. While playing Oblivion Remastered might not feel as revolutionary as it did back then, especially for those who grew up with Skyrim, the fully realized medieval fantasy world and its countless adventures remain my favorite in the Elder Scrolls series. I'm excited that it's back, even if its surprise release was spoiled multiple times before its reappearance.
