Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, recently shared his awe-inspiring insights on Bethesda and Virtuos' newly released Oblivion Remastered with VideoGamer. Nesmith, who poured his heart into crafting the beloved 2006 RPG, expressed astonishment at the extent of the remaster's transformation, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully capture its essence.
Initially expecting a simple texture update, Nesmith was taken aback by the comprehensive overhaul. "I was assuming this was going to be a texture update," he remarked. "I didn’t really think it was going to be the complete overhaul that they’ve announced it to be... I would not have batted an eye at that. But to completely redo the animations, the animation system, put in the Unreal Engine, change the leveling system, change the user interface. I mean, that’s, you’re touching every part of the game."
Despite no prior official announcement from Bethesda, the launch of Oblivion Remastered has left fans buzzing with excitement over the extensive changes, from superficial visual enhancements to core gameplay modifications. Features like the new sprint mechanic and revamped leveling system have led many, including Nesmith, to consider it more of a remake than a mere remaster. Nesmith even proposed a new label for the project: "The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0. That’s a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."
In discussing the remaster, Bethesda emphasized its aim to preserve the essence of the original game while updating it for a modern audience. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that their goal was not to remake Oblivion but to modernize it, "warts and all." They expressed gratitude towards their fans and hoped that both returning players and newcomers would feel the thrill of experiencing Cyrodiil anew upon stepping out of the Imperial sewer.
Oblivion Remastered was released unexpectedly yesterday, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can enjoy it without additional cost. The remaster has sparked renewed enthusiasm within the Elder Scrolls community, particularly among the modding scene. For a deeper dive into what Oblivion Remastered offers, check out our comprehensive guide featuring an interactive map, walkthroughs for the main questline and guild quests, tips on building the perfect character, and much more.
